Female reproductive system

• Female reproductive organs

  • Ovaries
  • Uterine tubes (fallopian tubes)
  • Uterus
  • Vagina
  • External genitalia
  • Mammary gland
• Internal reproductive organs of the female

  • Located within the pelvis, between the urinary bladder and the rectum
  • Uterus and vagina in the midline, with an ovary to each side of the uterus
  • Held in place by ligaments, the most conspicuous being the broad ligament
• Ovaries


  Small organs suspended in the pelvic cavity by ligaments
• Ligaments attaching the ovaries

  • Suspensory ligament
  • Ovarian ligament
• The ovaries are attached to the posterior surface of the broad ligament by folds of peritoneum called the mesovarium
• Ovarian arteries, veins, and nerves traverse the suspensory ligament and enter the ovary through the mesovarium
• Ovary


  • Covered by a layer of visceral peritoneum
  • Outer part composed of dense connective tissue containing ovarian follicles
  • Each follicle contains an oocyte (female sex cell)
• Oogenesis and fertilization

  1. Oocyte formation begins before birth

  2. By 4 months of development, ovaries contain 5 million oogonia

  3. Many oogonia degenerate, remaining ones begin meiosis

  4. Ovulation: release of an oocyte from an ovary

  5. Fertilization: union of sperm and egg cell

  6. Zygote: 23 pairs of chromosomes
• Uterine tubes (fallopian tubes/oviducts)


  • Extend from the ovaries to the uterus
  • Open directly into the peritoneal cavity near each ovary to receive the secondary oocyte
  • Opening surrounded by fimbriae that sweep the oocyte into the tube
  • Fertilization usually occurs in the ampulla near the ovary
  • Fertilized oocyte travels to the uterus for implantation
• Uterus


  • Big as a medium-sized pear
  • Oriented in the pelvic cavity with the larger, rounded part directed superiorly
  • The part superior to the uterine tube entrance is the fundus
  • The main part is the body, the narrower part is the cervix
• Layers of the uterine wall

  • Perimetrium (outer serous layer)
  • Myometrium (middle muscular layer)
  • Endometrium (innermost layer)
• Vagina


  • Mucous membrane of moist stratified squamous epithelium forming a protective surface
  • Lubricating fluid passes through the vaginal epithelium
• Young females

  • Vagina covered by a thin mucous membrane called the hymen
  • Hymen perforated by one or several holes, rarely covers completely
  • Often enlarged during first sexual intercourse, indicating virginity
• External female genitalia (vulva/pudendum)


  • Vestibule (space into which vagina and urethra open)
  • Labia minora (thin longitudinal skin folds)
  • Clitoris (small erectile structure)
  • Greater vestibular glands (produce lubricating fluid)
  • Labia majora (prominent rounded folds of skin)
• Labia majora


  • Unite anteriorly at the mons pubis
  • Lateral surfaces covered in coarse hair
  • Medial surfaces covered in sebaceous and sweat glands
  • Space between is the pudendal cleft
• Mammary glands

  • Organs of milk production located in the breasts
  • Modified sweat glands
• Breasts

  • Externally have a raised nipple surrounded by a pigmented areola
  • In prepubescent children, male and female breasts are similar with rudimentary duct systems
  • Female breasts enlarge during puberty under the influence of estrogen and progesterone
  • Some males experience temporary breast enlargement at puberty (gynecomastia)
• Nipples


  • Very sensitive to tactile stimulation and contain smooth muscle
  • Become erect when the smooth muscle contracts in response to stimuli
• Puberty in females

  1. Begins with maturation of the hypothalamus

  2. Marked by first menstrual bleeding (menarche)

  3. Vagina, uterus, tubes, and external genitalia enlarge

  4. Adipose tissue deposited in breasts and hips, causing them to enlarge

  5. Pubic and axillary hair growth
• Areola


  Circular, pigmented area
• Male and female breasts in prepubescent children

  • General structure is similar
  • Both possess a rudimentary duct system
• Female breasts


  • Begin to enlarge during puberty under the influence of estrogen and progesterone
• Gynecomastia


  Hormonal imbalance, use of anabolic steroids (synthetic testosterone)
• Nipples


  • Very sensitive to tactile stimulation
  • Contain smooth muscle
• Smooth muscle in nipples contracts


  In response to stimuli such as touch, cold, and sexual arousal, causing the nipple to become erect
• Puberty in females

  Initial change is most likely maturation of the hypothalamus
• Puberty in girls

  1. Begins between ages 11 and 13

  2. Largely completed by age 16

  3. Marked by first episode of menstrual bleeding (menarche)

  4. Vagina, uterus, uterine tubes, and external genitalia begin to enlarge

  5. Adipose tissue is deposited in the breasts and around the hips

  6. Pubic and axillary hair grows

  7. Development of sexual drive
• Changes associated with puberty

  Primarily result from increasing rate of estrogen and progesterone secretion by the ovaries
• Menstrual cycle


  Series of changes that occur in sexually mature, nonpregnant females and result in menses
• Menses


  Period of mild hemorrhage, during which part of the endometrium is sloughed and expelled from the uterus
• Menstrual cycle

  • Typically about 28 days long, can be as short as 18 days or as long as 40 days
  • Results from cyclical changes in the endometrium of the uterus
  • Controlled by the secretions of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary gland
• Menstrual cycle

  1. First day of menstrual bleeding (menses) is considered day 1

  2. Sloughing of the endometrium is inhibited by progesterone but stimulated by estrogen

  3. Menses typically lasts 4 or 5 days

  4. Can be accompanied by strong uterine contractions (menstrual cramps)

  5. Menstrual cramps result from excessive secretion of prostaglandins
• Menopause


  When a woman is 40-50 years old, menstrual cycles become less regular and ovulation does not occur consistently, eventually stopping completely
• Female climacteric


  Time period from the onset of irregular cycles to their complete cessation of menstruation
• Causes of menopause

  • Age-related changes in the ovaries
  • Decreasing number and sensitivity of follicles to FSH and LH
• Female sexual drive

  Dependent on hormones, especially testosterone-like hormones and possibly estrogen, which affect brain cells and influence sexual behavior
• Female sexual response

  • Erectile tissue in clitoris and around vaginal opening becomes engorged with blood
  • Mucous glands secrete lubricating fluid
  • Vaginal and uterine smooth muscle, as well as surrounding skeletal muscles, contract rhythmically during orgasm
• Resolution after sex


  Characterized by an overall sense of satisfaction and relaxation, females can sometimes experience successive orgasms
• Orgasm is not necessary for fertilization to occur
• Methods used to prevent pregnancy


  • Contraception (preventing fertilization)
  • Preventing implantation of the developing embryo