� Female Reproductive � Internal Structures
System — Study Notes 4. Ovarian follicles – found in the
cortex; these are ova and their
� Component Structures surrounding tissues in various stages
of development
Ovaries (2) 5. Graafian follicle – an endocrine
Uterine tubes / fallopian tubes / structure that contains mature ovum
oviducts (2) (secondary oocyte) and its
Uterus (1) surrounding tissues; secrete
Vagina (1) estrogens
External genitalia / vulva 6. Corpus luteum – glandular body;
Mammary glands develops from the graafian follicle
after ovulation; secretes progesterone
and estrogen
� General Functions
Produce egg cell (ovum) – oogenesis � Functions of the Ovaries
Nourish, carry and protect the
developing embryo 1. Production of ova through oogenesis
Nurse the infant for a time after birth 2. Discharge / liberation of ovum
Menstruation – monthly period through ovulation
3. Secretion of female sexual hormones
(estrogen and progesterone)
� Ovaries 4. Analogous to the testes of male
reproductive system
� Characteristics of Ovaries
� Uterine Tubes /
Paired, almond-shaped glands
Positioned in the upper pelvic cavity Fallopian Tubes / Oviducts
one on each side of the uterus
Blood vessels and nerves enter in the � Characteristics of Oviducts
hilum (point of entrance)
Supported / suspended by 1. Position between the folds of the
mesovarium, proper ligament and broad ligaments of the uterus
suspensory ligament 2. Has the infundibulum (funnel-shaped
open end lying close to the ovary but
� Ligaments of the Ovaries not close to it) and fimbriae (fringe
or finger-like projections
Mesovarium is a fold of peritoneum surrounding the infundibulum)
that anchors the ovaries to the broad
ligament of the uterus � Parts of the Oviducts
Proper ligament anchors the ovaries
to the uterus 3. Ampulla – widest section of the
Suspensory ligament attaches the uterine tubes. Fertilization usually
ovaries to the pelvic wall occurs here
4. Isthmus – narrow section of the 2. Body – upper; major tapering central
uterine tubes connecting the ampulla portion
to the uterine cavity 3. Cervix – inferior; long, narrow
portion opening into the vagina
� Functions of the Oviducts
� Other Parts of the Uterus
1. Serve as ducts transporting the ovum
to the uterus Isthmus – constricted portion
2. Where the ovum (secondary oocyte) between the body and cervix
becomes mature Uterine cavity – found interior of the
3. Provides a site of fertilization body of the uterus
(mating of sperm cell and egg cell) Internal os – junction between
uterine cavity and the cervical canal
External os – part where the cervix
� Uterus (Womb)
opens to the vagina
� Characteristics of Uterus � Walls of the Uterus
1. Inverted, pear-shaped organ (for Endometrium
woman who has never been pregnant)
2. Measures approximately 3 in in Inner layer
length, 2 in in width and 1 in in Composed of two layers:
thickness o Stratum functionalis (layer
3. Located in the pelvis between the close to the uterine cavity);
urinary bladder and rectum shed off during menstruation
4. Suspended in the pelvis by broad o Stratum basalis (made up of
ligament, round and uterosacral actively dividing layer;
ligaments replaces the stratum
functionalis)
� Ligaments of the Uterus
Myometrium
Broad ligament is the double folds of
parietal peritoneum attaching the Middle layer
uterus to either side of the pelvic Comprises the major bulk of the
cavity uterine wall
Uterosacral ligament – connects the Consists of smooth muscle fibers
uterus to the sacrum Rhythmic contraction helps in
Round ligament is a band of fibrous expelling the fetus from the body of
connective tissue between layers of the uterus
broad ligament
Visceral Peritoneum / Perimetrium
� Main Portions of the Uterus
External wall of the uterus
1. Fundus – dome-shaped above the Incomplete coat of serous membrane
uterus (bulging portion) (covers none of the cervix and only
part of the body of the uterus)
� Functions of the Uterus vaginal mucosa to retard microbial
growth
1. Menstruation (periodic, cyclic
discharge of blood, secretions, tissue, � Vulva (Female External
and mucous from mature female
uterus in the absence of pregnancy) Genitalia)
2. Pregnancy (receive, retain and
nourish a fertilized egg); site of � Mons Veneris (Mons Pubis)
implantation of fertilized egg
3. Labor Skin-covered pad of fat over the
symphysis pubis
� Vagina Covered with hairs at puberty;
persists throughout life
� Characteristics
� Labia Majora (Large Lips)
1. Collapsible tube capable of great
1. Two longitudinal folds of skin
distension
extending anteriorly and posteriorly
2. Muscular; tubular organ
2. Contain an abundance of adipose
3. Location: between the rectum
tissue, sebaceous and sweat glands
(posterior) and urethra and urinary
3. Outer surface is covered with
bladder (anterior)
pigmented skin and hair; inner
4. About 8 to 10 cm (3–4 inches) long
surface is smooth and without hair
5. Its walls are of two layers –
o Mucosal membrane which is
arranged in rugae � Labia Minora
o Muscular layer is composed
of smooth muscle tissue 1. Two folds of skin medial to the labia
6. Hymen – thin fold of vascularized majora
mucous membrane found at the 2. Devoid of hair and has few sweat
lower end of the vaginal opening glands but they contain numerous
(vaginal orifice) sebaceous glands
o Borders around the external
opening of the vagina, � Clitoris
partially closing the orifice
1. Small, cylindrical mass of sensitive
� Functions of the Vagina erectile tissues and nerves
2. Becomes swollen with blood during
1. Female copulatory organ / receives sexual excitement
the seminal fluid from the male penis 3. Location: at the anterior junction of
2. Serves as the lower part of the birth the labia minora
canal 4. It is hooded by a prepuce
3. As an excretory duct for uterine
secretions and the menstrual flow � Urinary Meatus (Urethral
4. Maintains a low pH by the Orifice)
decomposition of glycogen by the
Small opening of the urethra situated 1. Separated into lobes by septa of
between the clitoris and the vaginal connective tissue; each lobe has
orifice several lobules which are composed
of connective tissues where the
� Vaginal Orifice secreting cells (alveoli) of the
mammary gland
An opening of the vagina and is 2. The glands are arranged in grapelike
located posterior to the urethral clusters around the minute ducts;
meatus these ducts from various lobules
unite to form a single lactiferous
(milk-carrying) duct for each lobe
� Mature Egg Cell (Ovum) 3. These main ducts converge toward
the nipple like the spoke of a wheel
� Characteristics and enlarge slightly into lactiferous
sinus before reaching the nipple
1. A mature egg cell produced through 4. Each main duct terminates in a tiny
the process called oogenesis opening on the surface of the nipple
2. Has 23 chromosomes; half the 5. Nipples are bordered by a circular
number of chromosomes of parent pigmented area called the areola; it
cells contains numerous sebaceous glands
3. Large, non-motile cell; well stocked that appear as small nodules under
with nutrient reserves that nourish the skin
the developing embryo
4. Produced in the ovaries
5. Largest of the human cell and can be
seen without the use of a microscope
6. About 100–200 µm long
� Female Breast
� Characteristics
1. Location – lie over the pectoral
muscles and are attached to them by
a layer of connective tissue (fascia)
2. Size – is determined more by the
amount of fat around the glandular
tissue than by the amount of
glandular tissue itself
o The size is not related to its
functional activity
� Structure