LEC 33: OVARIES, UTERUS, VAGINA

• Ovaries


  Gonads situated on either side of the uterus within the pelvic cavity
• Ovaries


  • Almond-shaped, 3-5cm
  • Held in place by several ligaments
  • Served by ovarian arteries branching from the aorta and reach the ovary through suspensory ligaments and the mesovarium
• Uterine tubes (Fallopian tubes/Oviducts)

  • Narrow tube with fimbriae at the end
  • Fimbriae creates a current to move ovulated oocyte from peritoneal cavity to uterine tube
• Uterus


  • Hollow, thick-walled muscular organ situated in the pelvic cavity
  • 3 layers: Serous perimetrium, Myometrium, Endometrium (Endometrium has stratum functionalis and stratum basalis)
• Vagina


  • Passageway extending from cervix to the external genitalia
  • 3 layers: Fibroelastic adventitia, Smooth muscle muscularis, Inner mucosa w/ rugae
  • Mucosa produces glycogen-rich fluid
  • Creates an acidic environment to protect against infection
• Vulva


  • Mons pubis: Rounded adipose-rich area over the pubic symphysis
  • Labia majora: Two elongated folds of skin extending from the mons pubis, homologous to the scrotum in males
  • Labia minora: Two thin folds of skin enclosed by labia majora, encloses the vestibule
  • Clitoris: Innervated erogenous zone of erectile tissue, includes glans, prepuse (hood), two corpora cavernosa
  • Vestibular glands: Skene's glands (lesser vestibular glands or female prostate), Bartholin's glands (greater vestibular glands) (produces lubricating mucous)
  • Vestibule: Space enclosed by the labia minora, contains vaginal and urethral openings
• Mammary glands


  • Modified by apocrine sweat glands
  • Present in both male and females, fully develop in females during pregnancy
  • Lobules within lobes contains alveoli that produces milk during lactation
  • Alveolar ducts empty into lactiferous ducts and then lactiferous sinuses when collecting milk
  • Development is stimulated by estrogen
  • Final maturation occurs by the fourth month of pregnancy
  • Breast cancer originates from epithelial cells of the ducts