The Female Reproductive System

• The female reproductive system consists of organs which can either be classified as essential organs or accessory organs.
• The essential organs of reproduction in women are also known as the gonads. They are the paired ovaries. The female gametes, or ova, are produced by the ovaries.
• The accessory organs of reproduction in women consist of the uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, vulva, and breasts (mammary glands).
• Internal genitalia include the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina.
• The external female genitalia consists of the structures which comprise the vulva.
• The oviducts also known as the fallopian tubes, the uterus, and the vagina are accessory ducts of the female reproductive tract.
• The perineum is the skin-covered muscular region between the vaginal orifice and the anus. It is a roughly diamond-shaped area between the thighs.
• Ovaries

  Location

  1. on either side of the uterus
  2. Held in place by ligaments
  3. Mesovarian ligament attaches the ovary to the broad ligament
  4. Ovarian ligament attaches the ovary to the uterus
• Ovaries

  Microscopic structure

  1. Surface layer is covered by epithelium (cells do not form ova).
  2. Inside are thousands of ovarian follicles.
  3. Each follicle surrounds a primary oocyte.
  4. Follicles produce hormones. As the follicle develops, a cavity (antrum) develops.
• Ovaries

  Functions

  1. Oogenesis (the formation of gametes)
  2. The production of ova
  3. Ovulation (the release of the ova)
  4. Production of female sex hormones (Are also endocrine glands, producing estrogens and progesterone)
• Ovaries

  Layers of tissue

  • Germinal epithelium covers the outer cortex of the ovaries
  • The outer cortex contains thousands of microscopic structures known as ovarian follicles and corpora lutea
  • The inner medulla is the part of the ovary that is directly attached to the broad ligament at the mesovarium. It consists of fibrous tissue and blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves which enter and leave the ovary from the broad ligament.
• Uterus

  Structure

  • 7.5 cm long and 5 cm wide.
  • Inverted pear
  • Cervix-narrow parts that communicate with the vagina
  • Body-major part
  • Fundus-above the uterine tube entrance
• WALLS OF THE UTERUS

  The walls consist of three layers:

  1. Endometrium – innermost layer
  2. Myometrium – middle muscular layer
  3. Perimetrium– outer incomplete layer of the parietal peritoneum.
• The uterus is located in the pelvic cavity between the urinary bladder in front and the rectum behind.
• Uterus:

  Cavities

  1. Internal os - the constriction between the body and cervix
  2. Cervical canal
  3. External os - the constriction between the cervical canal and the vagina
• Uterus:

  Functions

  If fertilization occurs:

  1. Allows sperm to pass through to uterine tubes
  2. Provides a place for the fertilized ovum to implant
  3. Provides "uterine milk" until the placenta forms
  4. Provides exchange site for nutrients, wastes, and gases for placenta
  5. Regulates rhythmic contractions that expel the offspring
  6. If no fertilization occurs then menstruation takes place
• The uterine tubes are also sometimes called fallopian tubes, or oviducts.
• The uterine tubes are about 10 cm (4 inches) long and are attached to the uterus at its upper outer angles.
• Wall of the uterine tubes

  Three layers

  1. Inner mucous layer
  2. Middle smooth muscle layer
  3. Outer serosa
• Inflammation of the uterine tubes is called salpingitis and inflammation of the peritoneum is called peritonitis.
• Inflammation of the uterine tubes may also lead to scarring and partial or complete closure of the lumen causing fertility issues.
• Uterine tube divisions

  1. Isthmus: The medial third, which joins the uterus
  2. Ampulla: Dilated middle part
  3. Infundibulum: 1) Funnel-shaped part 2) Funnel partially surrounding the ovary 3) Has fringelike projections called fimbriae
• Functions of the uterine tubes

  1. Fertilization site 2. Transport of ovum
• Vagina:

  A tubular organ situated between the rectum, which lies posterior to it, and the urethra and bladder, which lie anterior to it.
• Vagina

  Structure

  A collapsible tube 7 to 8 cm long

  1. Lined with mucous epithelium arranged in rugae
  2. The fornix extends around the opening of the cervix
  3. The hymen: mucous membrane covering the vaginal orifice
• Functions of the vagina:

  1. Lubricates and stimulates the glands penis

  2. Receptacle for semen

  3. Lower portion of the birth canal

  4. Transport tissue from the uterus lining during menstruation
• The structures that, together, constitute the female external genitals (reproductive organs), are known as the vulva or pudendum.
• The mons pubis is a skin-covered pad of fat over the pubic symphysis.
• The labia majora are covered with pigmented skin and hair on the outer surface and are smooth and free from hair on the inner surface. Each labium majus is composed mainly of fat and connective tissue with numerous sweat and sebaceous glands on the inner surface. The labia majora are homologous to the scrotum in the male.
• The labia minora are located medial to the labia majora. Each labium minus is covered with hairless skin. The two labia minora come together anteriorly in the midline. The area between the labia minora is called the vestibule.
• The clitoris is composed of erectile tissue, just a portion of which is visible just behind the junction of the labia minora. The structure of this organ is homologous to the penile structure in the male, it consists of erectile tissue.
• A clitoral foreskin or prepuce forms a hood over the superior hood over the superior surface of the glans clitoris.
• The external urinary meatus (urethral orifice) is the small opening of the urethra, situated between the clitoris and the vaginal orifice.
• The vaginal orifice is an opening that is larger than the urinary meatus. It is located posterior to the meatus.
• The greater vestibular glands or Bartholin glands are two bean-shaped glands, one on each side of the vaginal orifice. These glands are of clinical importance because they can be infected (bartholinitis or Bartholin abscess), particularly by gonococci. They are homologous to the bulbourethral glands in the male.
• Lesser vestibular gland (Skene's glands): Opening into the vestibule near the urinary meatus by way of two small ducts is a group of tiny mucous glands.
• Functions of the vulva:

  1. Protective function (mons pubis, labia majora, and labia minora)

  2. During sexual arousal, the clitoris and the labia become erect or swollen

  3. The vaginal orifice serves as the boundary between the internal and external genitalia.
• Breasts location and size:

  1. Posterior surface lying upon the pectoralis muscles.
  2. Size is determined by the amount of adipose tissue.
• Breast Structure:

  • 15 to 20 lobes per breast
  • Each lobe is separated from others by connective tissue.
  • The ducts of the mammary glands (alveoli) in each lobe connect to form a single lactiferous duct.
  • A swelling called the lactiferous sinus is found on the lactiferous duct.
  • The lactiferous ducts each terminate with an opening on the nipple surface.
  • Around the nipple is a pigmented area called the areola.
• Functions of the breast: controls lactation

  1. Estrogen promotes duct development.
  2. Progesterone stimulates the mammary gland
  3. Loss of the placenta decreases estrogens present and stimulates adenohypophysis production of prolactin.
  4. Prolactin stimulates milk secretion.
  5. Sucking stimulates the production of oxytocin.
  6. Oxytocin stimulates the ejection of milk