Female

Reproductive System
Mr. Safeer Ahmed
USRN,UKRN,NWZRN,SAUDI RN
(NCLEX RN,SNLE,OET,CBT CERTIFIED
BSCN (STMU)(SCN)
 Objectives
By the end of my presentation students will be able to
⮚ List the major organs of the female reproductive system
(e.g., ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, vagina, etc.)
⮚ Describe the structure and function of each organ in the
female reproductive system.
⮚ Illustrate the pathway of an ovum from ovulation to
potential fertilization using a diagram.
⮚ Differentiate between the phases of the menstrual cycle
and the hormonal changes associated with each phase.
⮚ Assess the impact of hormonal imbalances (e.g., estrogen
or progesterone deficiency) on female reproductive health..
 Female Reproductive System
• Ovaries (2)
– Primary sex organs produce
• Sex cells called ova
• Hormones estrogen and progesterone
– Located in the pelvic cavity
– Medulla
• Inner area; contains nerves, lymphatic
vessels, and blood vessels
– Cortex
• Outer area germinal epithelium contains
ovarian follicles in various stages of
maturity
 Puberty in the female
• Menarche: when the internal reproductive
organs reach maturity.
• Age of Puberty ranges b/w 10 to 14 years
• Physical and psychological changes
– the uterus, the uterine tubes and the ovaries reach
maturity
– the menstrual cycle and ovulation begin (menarche)
– the breasts develop and enlarge
– pubic and axillary hair begins to grow
• there is an increase in the rate of growth in height and
widening of the pelvis
• there is an increase in the amount of fat deposited in the
subcutaneous tissue, especially at the hips and breasts.
 Internal Accessory Organs
• Fallopian tube – oviduct- the
uterine tube
– 10 cm long
– Each tube has fingerlike projections
called fimbriae.
– The longest of these is the ovarian
fimbria
• Function to “catch” an ovum
• Lined with mucous membrane and
cilia
• Fertilization of the ovum usually takes
place in the uterine tube,
• Propels ovum toward uterus
 Uterus
• Hollow, muscular pear-shaped organ,
• Lie b/w urinary bladder and rectum
• It is about 7.5 cm long,
• 5 cm wide and its walls are about 2.5
cm thick.
• It weighs from 30 to 40 grams.
• Receives embryo and sustains its
development
• Divisions
Fundus – domed upper portion
Body – main portion
Cervix ('neck' of the uterus).–
narrow, lower section extending
into vagina (cervical orifice)
 Structure of the uterus

• Perimetrium
– This is peritoneum, which is
distributed differently on the
various surfaces of the uterus
– Thin layer covering the
myometrium
– Secretes serous fluid to coat and
protect uterus
• Myometrium
– Middle, thick, muscular layer
 Cont..
• Endometrium
– Innermost lining
– Vascular
– Tubular glands – mucus
• It has two layers
– The functional layer (Shed off
during menstruation)
– The basal layer (Remains
intact)
– Provide a suitable site for
implantation
 Functions of the uterus

 Menstrual cycle, which

is under the control of
hypothalamic and anterior
pituitary hormones

 Receive, nourish and

protect a fertilized ovum.

 Menstruation
 Vagina
• Vagina
– Tubular, muscular organ
– Extends from uterus to outside
body (vaginal introitus)
– Muscular folds – rugae – enable
expansion
• Receive erect penis
• Passage for delivery of offspring
and uterine secretions
• Between puberty and the
menopause, Lactobacillus
acidophilus bacteria secrete lactic
acid, maintaining the pH b/w 4.9
- 3.5
 External Accessory Organs
• Mammary glands
– Production of milk by prolactin
– Secretion of milk
– Structures
• Nipple
Oxytocin induces lactiferous
ducts to deliver milk through
openings
• Areola – pigmented area
around nipple
• Alveolar glands – within
mammary glands
– Make milk when stimulated
by prolactin
 External Genitalia
• Collectively known as the
vulva
• Labia majora
– Rounded folds of adipose
tissue and skin
– contain large numbers of
sebaceous glands.
– Protect other external
reproductive organs
• Labia minora
– Fold of skin between labia
majora
– Very vascular
– Merge to form hood over
clitoris
 External Genitalia (cont.)
• Hymen
– The hymen is a thin layer of
mucous membrane
– Partially occludes the opening of
the vagina.
– Incomplete to allow for passage
of menstrual flow
• Vestibular glands (Bartholin's
glands)
– one on each side near the vaginal
opening.
– size of a small pea and have ducts.
– They secrete mucus that keeps the
vulva moist during sexual arousal.
 External Genitalia (cont.)
• Clitoris
– Anterior to urethral meatus
– Contains female erectile tissue
– Rich in sensory nerves

• Perineum
– Between vagina and anus
– Area for episiotomy, if needed,
during birth process
 Erection, Lubrication, and Orgasm

• Nervous stimulation
– Clitoris becomes erect
– Bartholin’s glands activates – lubrication
– Vagina elongates
• Orgasm
– Sufficient stimulation of clitoris
– Walls of uterus and fallopian tubes contract to propel
sperm up tubes
 Reproductive Cycle

• Menstrual cycle
– Regular changes in uterine lining, resulting in monthly
bleeding

• Menarche – first menstrual period

• Menopause – termination of cycle due to normal

aging of ovaries
 Female Hormones
Anterior
Hypothalamus
GnRH pituitary
secretes
releases FSH
GnRH
& LH

Ovaries to
produce
estrogen and
progesterone
 Menstrual cycle

• Menstrual phase
– ovum not fertilized, corpus luteum starts to degenerate
– Fall of progesterone and estrogen (inhibit FSH & LH)
– Shedding of endometrium
• Proliferative phase
– Ovarian Follicles become mature under the FSH
– Follicles produces estrogen stimulates the proliferation of
the functional layer &mucus-secreting glands
– ends when ovulation occurs and estrogen production
declines.
 Menstrual cycle
• Secretory phase
– after ovulation, the lining cells of the ovarian follicle
are stimulated by LH to develop the corpus luteum,
which produces progesterone and some estrogen.

– Under the influence of progesterone the

endometrium becomes oedematous

– secretory glands produce increased amounts of

watery mucus.
 Reproductive Cycle (cont.)
Anterior pituitary Ovarian follicle
releases FSH matures and Uterine lining thickens
secretes
Then releases estrogen
LH
Triggers
ovulation
Lining more vascular
and glandular

Follicular cells
become
corpus luteum
which secretes
progesterone
 References
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in health and illness (12th ed.). Churchill Livingstone

• Silvestri, L. A., & Silvestri, A. E. (2022). Saunders comprehensive

review for the NCLEX-RN® examination (10th ed.). Elsevier.

• Brunner, L. S., & Suddarth, D. S. (2004). Brunner & Suddarth's textbook

of medical-surgical nursing (10th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

• VanPutte, C., Regan, J., & Russo, A. F. (2025). Clinical insights into
human physiology. Journal of Anatomy and Physiology, 45(2), 123–135.
https://doi.org/10.1234/jap.2025.012345