Anatomy &

Physiology Of Female
Reproductive System
Learning Objectives

Define the terms listed.

Identify the female external
reproductive organs.
Explain the structure of the bony
pelvis.
Explain the functions and structures
of pelvic floor.
Introduction
 External Female Structures

Collectively,the external
female reproductive
organs are called the
Vulva.
External Female Structures

Mons Pubis.
Labia Majora
Labia Minora.
Clitoris.
Vestibule.
Perineum
 Mons Pubis
Is rounded, soft fullness of
subcutaneous fatty tissue, prominence
over the symphysis pubis that forms
the anterior border of the external
reproductive organs.
It is covered with varying amounts
of pubic hair.
Labia Majora & Minora

The labia Majora are two rounded,

fleshy folds of tissue that extended
from the mons pubis to the perineum.

Itis protect the labia minora, urinary

meatus and vaginal introitus.
 Labia Minora
Itis located between the labia majora,
are narrow.
The lateral and anterior aspects are
usually pigmented.
The inner surfaces are similar to
vaginal mucosa, pink and moist.
Their rich vascularity.
 Clitoris.
The term clitoris comes from a
Greek word meaning key.
Erectile organ.
It’s rich vascular, highly sensitive
to temperature, touch, and
pressure sensation.
 Vestibule.
Is oval-shaped area formed
between the labia minora, clitoris,
and fourchette.
Vestibule contains the external
urethral meatus, vaginal introitus,
and Bartholins glands.
 Perineum
Is the most posterior part of the
external female reproductive organs.
It extends from fourchette anteriorly
to the anus posteriorly.
And is composed of fibrous and
muscular tissues that support pelvic
structures.
Internal Female Structures

Vagina
Uterus
Fallopian tubes
Ovaries
.
 Fallopian tubes
The two tubes extended from the
cornu of the uterus to the ovary.
It runs in the upper free border of
the broad ligament.
Length 8 to 14 cm average 10 cm
Its divided into 4 parts.
1. Interstitial part
Which runs into uterine cavity,
passes through the myometrium
between the fundus and body of
the uterus. About 1-2cm in
length.
 2. Isthmus
Which is the narrow part of
the tube adjacent to the
uterus.
Straight and cord like ,
about 2 – 3 cm in length.
 3. Ampulla
Which is the wider part about
5 cm in length.

Fertilization occurs in the

ampulla.
 4. Infundibulum
It is funnel or trumpet shaped.
Fimbriae are fingerlike processes, one
of these is longer than the other and
adherent to the ovary.
The fimbriae become swollen almost
erectile at ovulation.
 Functions

Gamete transport (ovum pickup,

ovum transport, sperm transport).

Final maturation of gamete post

ovulate oocyte maturation, sperm
capicitation.
Fluidenvironment for early
embryonic development.

Transport of fertilized and

unfertilized ovum to the
uterus.
 Ovaries
Oval solid structure, 1.5 cm in thickness,
2.5 cm in width and 3.5 cm in length
respectively. Each weights about 4–8 gm.

Ovary is located on each side of the

uterus, below and behind the uterine tubes
Structure of the ovaries

Cortex
Medulla
Hilum
 Ovaries and Relationship
to Uterine Tube and Uterus

Figure 28–14
Function of the ovary

Secrete estrogen & progesterone.

Production of ova
 Uterus
Theuterus is a hollow, pear shaped
muscular organ.

The uterus measures about 7.5 X 5

X 2.5 cm and weight about 50 – 60
gm.
Itsnormal position is
anteverted (rotated
forward and slightly
antiflexed (flexed forward)

The uterus divided into

three parts
 1. Body of the uterus

The upper part is the corpus, or body

of the uterus
The fundus is the part of the body or
corpus above the area where the
fallopian tubes enter the uterus.
Length about 5 cm.
 2. Isthmus
A narrower transition zone.
Is between the corpus of the uterus
and cervix.
During late pregnancy, the isthmus
elongates and is known as the lower
uterine segment.
 3. Cervix

The lowermost position of the

uterus “neck”.
The length of the cervix is about
2.5 t0 3 cm.
The os, is the opening in the cervix
that runs between the uterus and
vagina.
The upper part of the cervix is marked
by internal os and the lower cervix is
marked by the external os.
 Layers of the uterus
 Perimetrium.
 Myometrium.
 Endometrium.
 1. Perimetrium

Is the outer peritoneal layer of

serous membrane that covers
most of the uterus.
Laterally, the perimetrium is
continuous with the broad
ligaments on either side of the
uterus.
 2. Myometrium
Is the middle layer of thick
muscle.
Most of the muscle fibers are
concentrated in the upper uterus,
and their number diminishes
progressively toward the cervix.
 The myometrium
contains three types of
smooth muscle fiber
 Longitudinal fibers (outer layer)

Which are found mostly in the

fundus and are designed to
expel the fetus efficiently
toward the pelvic outlet during
birth.
Middle layer figure-8 fibers

These fiber contract after

birth to compress the blood
vessels that pass between
them to limit blood loss.
 Inner layer circular fibers

Which form constrictions

where the fallopian tubes
enter the uterus and
surround the internal os
Circular fibers prevent reflux
of menstrual blood and tissue
into the fallopian tubes.
Promote normal implantation of
the fertilized ovum by controlling
its entry into the uterus.
And retain the fetus until the
appropriate time of birth.
 3. Endometrium
Is the inner layer of the
uterus.
It is responsive to the cyclic
variations of estrogen and
progesterone during the
female reproductive cycle
every month.
 Thetwo or three layers of the
endometrium are:
*Compact layer
*The basal layer
*The functional or Sponge layer this
layer is shed during each menstrual period
and after child birth in the lochia
The Function of the uterus

Menstruation ----the uterus

sloughs off the endometrium.

Pregnancy ---the uterus support

fetus and allows the fetus to grow.
Labor and birth---the uterine
muscles contract and the cervix
dilates during labor to expel the
fetus
Clitoris:
 Highly sensitive structure of the female
 external genital
- Is the only organ in the human body whose only function is
pleasure. Consists of: glans, shaft: has small spongy
structures
 that engorge with blood during , sexual arousal. internal
crura (roots)
- Covered by clitoral hood
- Stimulation of clitoris is the most, common way that most
women achieve orgasm.
- External part of the clitoris has

about the same # of nerve endings as the head of the penis.

 Underlying Structures of the
Vulva (Fig 4.2)

–Fill with blood during arousal,

causing vulva to swell and vagina to
increase in length.
–Similar in structure and function to Secrete drop or two of fluid
tissue in penis that engorges during just before orgasm.
arousal, causing erection.
Bartholin's glands

 The Bartholin's glands (also called Bartholin

glands or greater vestibular glands) are two pea
sized glands located slightly posterior and to the left
and right of the opening of the vagina. They secrete
mucus to lubricate the vagina and are homologous to
bulbourethral glands in males
Vagina

 The vagina is an elastic, muscular canal with a soft,

flexible lining that provides lubrication and sensation.
The vagina connects the uterus to the outside world. The
vulva and labia form the entrance, and the cervix of the
uterus protrudes into the vagina, forming the interior end.
 The vagina receives the penis during sexual intercourse
and also serves as a conduit for menstrual flow from the
uterus. During childbirth, the baby passes through the
vagina (birth canal)
 Vagina
Itis an elastic fibro-muscular tube
and membranous tissue about 8 to
10 cm long.
Lying between the bladder
anteriorly and the rectum
posteriorly.
Relative length of vagina
The vagina connects the uterus
above with the vestibule below.

The upper end is blind and called

the vaginal vault.
The vaginal lining has
multiple folds, or rugae
and muscle layer. These
folds allow the vagina to
stretch considerably
during childbirth.
The reaction of the
vagina is acidic, the
pH is 4.5 that protects
the vagina against
infection.
Functions of the vagina

To allow discharge of the

menstrual flow.
As the female organs of
intercourse .
To allow passage of the fetus from
the uterus.
 Support structures

The bony pelvis

support and protects
the lower abdominal
and internal
reproductive organs.
Muscle, Joints and ligaments
provide added support for
internal organs of the pelvis
against the downward force of
gravity and the increases in
intra-abdominal pressure
 Bony Pelvis
Bony Pelvis Is Composed of 4
bones:
1. Two hip bones.
2. Sacrum.
3. Coccyx.