FEMALE

REPRODUCTI
VE
 EXTERNAL REPRODUCTIVE
STRUCTURES
Mons Pubis or mons veneris

 Is a fatty pad tissue over the symphysis pubis.

 After puberty, this structure is covered with pubic hair.

Labia Majora

 (larger lips; singular, labium majus), are two freshly, hair covered, protective

folds, extending on each side of the midline from the mons pubis to the

perineum.

 In a child or woman who has not borne a child, these folds almost completely

cover the structures between them.

 The labia majora correspond to the two halves of the scrotum in the man. They
are highly vascular and their inner surfaces are rich in oil and sweat glands.

Labia Minora

 (smaller lips; singular, labium minus), are two smaller , hairless folds of tissue,

extending from the clitoris to the fourchette.

 These small folds are very vascular and sensitive to stimulation.

 Glands within the labia minora lubricate the vulva.

Clitoris
 Is a small, sensitive, erectile structure at the anterior junction of the labia
minora.
 Folds of the labia minora surround the clitoris; the top fold forms a fleshly
hood, or prepuce, and the lower fold forms the perineum.
 The clitoris corresponds to the penis as the primarily anatomical center of
sexual arousal.

Vestibule
 Is the oval-shaped space bounded by the labia minora, clitoris, and
fourchette.
 It contains the opening of the urethra, the paraurethral (Skene’s) glands, the
vagina, and the paravaginal (Bartholin’s) glands.

Urethral opening

 The urethra, is a tissue tube about 1 to 1 ½ inches ( 2.5 to 3.5 cm) in length,

leads from the urinary bladder to the exterior and opens in the midline

between the clitoris and the vagina.

 This opening usually appears as a dimple, or silt and, after childbirth, may be

slightly displaced or more difficult to locate because of local swelling. On the

floor of the urethra, two ductal openings, lead to Skene’s glands (also called

the lesser vestibular glands), which produce lubricating, alkaline mucus.

Hymen

 in virgins the vaginal opening is usually partially covered by an elastic membrane

called the hymen.

 However, an intact hymen is not necessarily proof of virginity. This membrane can

be quite elastic and can fail to tear during intercourse.

 The hymen may be torn during physical activity, tampon use, intercourse, or

childbirth, leaving irregular tags of tissue.

 In rare cases the hymen completely covers the vaginal opening, interfering with

menstrual flow,. This condition is termed imperforate hymen and is corrected by a

hymenectomy.
 Bartholin’s glands

 Also known as the greater vestibular glands. They are located at the base of

each of the labia majora/ opening the vagina but are not usually visible.

 These two glands produce a mucoid substance during sexual stimulation, which

drains into the vestibule on either side of the vagina by the way ducts.

 The alkaline nature of the mucus from Bartholin’s glands supports sperm and

provides lubrication for intercourse.

Fourchette

 Is a tissue fold below the vaginal opening, formed by the fusion of the posterior

edges of the labia minora.

 It is often lacerated in childbirth.

 Perineum

 the true obstetrical perineum is the muscular tissue between the posterior edges

of the vagina and the anus or rectal opening.

 It contains the perineal body, a mass of the connective tissue that forms the point

of attachment for the muscles and fascia of the pelvic floor. This area is

frequently the site of episiotomy or laceration during childbirth.

 The true perineum is a critical area of pelvic support. Pelvic organs such as the

vagina, bladder, and rectum may be affected by injury or inadequate repair of

the perineum.
External Reproductive Structures
 Internal Reproductive Structures

Ovaries (female gonads)

 Are two sex glands sized and shaped like almond, they are located on each

side of the uterus beneath the open-ended oviducts. They are supported by the

ovarian ligaments and the mesovarian portion of the broad ligament.

 Ovaries produce the female sex cells(eggs or ova; singular, ovum).

 At birth an infant ‘s ovaries contain the same number of eggs that she will

possess as an adult, a lifetime supply. However, the eggs are immature. During

childbearing years, a woman’s ovaries usually release only one mature ovum

per month.
Fallopian Tubes or Oviducts
 Are paired slender , hollow tubes about 4 inches( 10cm) in length. They
originate from opposites sides of the uterine cavity just below the fundus and
terminate outside the uterine wall near each ovary.

Each tube has a three parts:

1.infundibulum- is the most distal to the uterus and is covered with fingerlike
tissues called fimbrae.
2.ampulla- is the middle portion
3. isthmus- is the narrower portion closest to the uterus.
 When the mature egg is released(ovulation). It is characteristically swept

up into a fallopian tube by the fimbrae that have hovered over the productive ovary

during the maturation of the ovum. The ovum then travels through the uterine tube

toward the uterus. If the ovum unites with a male sex cell (sperm) causing

fertilization or conception, the event normally occurs, within the ampulla portion of

the oviduct. The oviducts and ovaries are often referred to as adnexa and are

adjacent to the uterus.

Uterus or womb

 In a non pregnant adult the uterus, or womb, is a flattened, pear shaped, and

hollow muscular organ about 3 inches(7.6cm) long, 2 inches (5cm)wide, and 1

inch (2.5cm) thick.

 It protects and nourishes the developing fetus and aids in the child’s birth.

The uterine wall is composed of three layers:

1. perimetrium- the outermost layer of the uterine wall , which with the enfolding

pelvic peritoneum forms a strong connective tissue covering.

2. Myometrium- the middle layer, is made up smooth muscles fibers that provide
forceful, efficient contractions of the uterine wall during and after birth.

3. Endometrium- the vascular, mucus-producing innermost uterine lining, which

fluctuates in depth and character during the menstrual cycle. In pregnancy the
endometrium layer responds to hormonal stimulation in preparation for receiving the
fertile ovum.

The three main parts of the Uterus:

1. Corpus (or body)- is also the main contractile portion. The upper, rounded
portion of the corpus, located between and above the oviducts, is the fundus.
2. Isthmus- is the slightly narrower portion of the uterus that joins the corpus to

the cervix. During pregnancy , it is called the lower uterine segment.

3.Cervix (or narrow neck)- the cervix forms the main opening of the uterus. It is

composed primarily of fibrous connective tissues, which allows it to stretch while

accommodating the fetal head and then return to the closed position after birth.

The cervical canal connects the uterine cavity with the vagina; the internal os

separates the cervix from uterine cavity; and the external os separates the cervix

from the vagina.

 Normally the corpus of the uterus is tipped toward the front of a

woman’s body (anteverted) and slightly flexed forward (anteflexed), lying

above the urinary bladder. The uterine cervix lips down into the posterior

portion of the vagina from the above. Although less common, other uterine

positions are midposition, tipped backward(retroverted), significantly flexed

forward (anteflexed), or significantly flexed backward (retroflexed).

Regardless of position, however, vaginal and cervical tissue ultimately join,

forming two pouches: the anterior and the posterior fornices (singular,

fornix).
 The posterior fornix is adjacent to a fold in the peritoneal lining of the

pelvic cavity, termed the pouch of Douglas or the cul-de-sac. Occasionally,

because of infection or bleeding in the pelvis or abdomen, pus or blood drains into

this cul-de-sac and may be aspirated vaginally or rectally by the health care provider.

Vagina

 A large distensible tube or sheath about 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10cm) long, leads

down and back to the uterine cervix. The mucous membrane of its interior surface

is arranged in transverse folds (rugae) that allow considerable stretching.

 It is the exit point for menstrual flow, the female organ of intercourse or coitus,

and the soft tissue birth canal. Vaginal fluid is normally acidic (pH) 4.o to 5.0)

and provides protection from infection.

THE END!!!!