Female reproductive system

• FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM


  The system of organs and structures involved in female reproduction
• Internal organs


  • Ovaries
  • Oviducts
  • Uterus
  • Cervix
  • Vagina
• External genitalia


  • Mons pubis
  • Labia minora
  • Labia majora
  • Hymen
  • Vestibular glands
  • Clitoris
• Functions


  • Produce the female gametes
  • Provide the environment for fertilization
  • Hold the embryo during its complete development through the fetal stage until birth
  • Produce sex hormones
• Ovaries


  • Slightly flattened, ovoid, paired organs
  • Measurement: 2.5-5 cm in length, 1.5-3 cm in width, 0.6-1.5cm in thickness
  • Suspended on either side of the uterus
  • Attached to the broad ligaments by a peritoneal fold, the MESOVARIUM
  • Attached to the uterus by OVARIAN LIGAMENT
• Zones of the ovary


  • Cortex
  • Medulla
• Cortex


  • Broad outer zone
  • Consist of a compact, richly cellular connective tissue in which are scattered the characteristic epithelial structures of the ovary, OVARIAN FOLLICLES
• Medulla


  • Central deeper zone
  • Framework of loose connective tissue rich in elastic fibers, large blood vessel, lymphatics, nerves
• Germinal epithelium


  Simple cuboidal epithelium covering the ovary
• Tunica albuginea


  Dense connective tissue layer beneath the germinal epithelium
• Oogenesis


  1. 3rd month - Oogonia proliferate in the ovarian cortex, some differentiate into Primary Oocyte

  2. 5th month - 7 million oogonia in each ovary, most differentiate into Primary Oocyte, a great number undergo atresia

  3. At birth 700,000 - 2M Primary oocyte in the ovary, 400,000 persist

  4. The Primary Oocyte even prior to birth undergo the First Meiotic Division but stop to Dictyotene phase (Prophase) and resume only at Puberty
• Oogenesis: Puberty


  1. Only one Primary oocyte is allowed to resume and complete the First Meiotic Division every Menstrual cycle

  2. It produces 2 haploid daughter cells: Secondary oocyte and First Polar body

  3. Meiosis II is suspended at metaphase stage and resumes only if the cell is fertilized

  4. If it is fertilized, it completes Meiosis II and produces the 2 unequal daughter cells: Second Polar Body and Fertilized Ovum (ZYGOTE)
• Follicle types


  • Primordial/Unilaminar follicles
  • Primary follicle
  • Secondary/Growing follicle
  • Graafian follicle
• Primordial/Unilaminar follicles


  • Most abundant, smallest follicles
  • Consist of Primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of flattened cells, Follicular cells
  • Oocyte - large eccentrically vesicular nucleus with distinct nucleoli
• Primary follicle


  • 2 or more layers of follicular cells surrounding the primary oocyte
  • Zona Pellucida - a homogenous layer of glycoprotein that forms a protective covering of the primary oocyte
• Graafian follicle


  • There is appearance of Antrum Folliculi (crescentric cavity) containing liquor folliculi
  • Membrana Granulosa - Follicular cells lining the cavity
  • Corona Radiata - Cells lining the zona pellucida
  • Cumulus oophorus - Cells that forms a mound around which the oocyte is embedded
  • Theca interna - Highly vascular inner layer of secretory cells that secrete Estrogen
  • Theca externa - Outer layer composed of connective tissue
• Corpus hemorrhagicum


  Ruptured graafian folliculi as clotted blood
• Corpus luteum


  Contains pale staining cells called LUTEIN CELLS
• Corpus luteum cells


  • Theca lutein cells - Peripheral, smaller, more deeply stained cells that secrete small amount of Estrogen and Androgen
  • Granulosa lutein cells - Inner, larger cells that make up the bulk of the corpus and secrete Progesterone
• Corpus luteum after fertilization

  1. If the ovum is not fertilized, the ruptured follicle give rise to a Corpus Luteum of Menstruation

  2. If pregnancy intervenes, the corpus luteum enlarges and persists as Corpus Luteum of Pregnancy for 4-5 months
• Corpus albicans


  Mass of fibrotic tissue (scar tissue)
• Oviducts


  • Aka Fallopian or Uterine tubes
  • Paired muscular tubes, 12-15cm long and 6-8cm in diameter
  • Situated in the edge of the mesosalpinx
  • Lumen communicates with the uterine cavity in one end, another end opens to the peritoneal cavity
  • Receives the ovum, provide the proper environment for its fertilization, transport the ovum to the uterus
• Regions of the oviduct

  • Infundibulum - Funnel-shaped, formed of finger to fan-shaped folds, the FIMBRIAE
  • Ampulla - Longest and widest segment, where fertilization takes place
  • Isthmus - Short segment near the uterus, smaller in diameter, thick walled
  • Interstitial/Intramural - Situated in the wall of the uterus
• Wall layers of the oviduct

  • Mucosa - Lining of simple columnar ciliated epithelium
  • Muscular layer
  • Serosa
• Cells in the oviduct mucosa

  • Tall ciliated cells - Numerous in the outer two segments, cilia beat towards the uterus
  • Peg cells/Secretory cells - Non-ciliated secretory cells that nourish the ovum
• Lamina propria of the oviduct


  • Loose connective tissue, richly cellular with lymphocytes, monocytes, mast cells, and reticular fibers
• Tunica muscularis of the oviduct


  • Consist of inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle layers, with loose connective tissue
• Serosa of the oviduct

  • Blood and lymphatic vessels, plexus of nerves
• Uterus


  • Pear-shaped muscular organ, slightly flattened dorso-ventrally, measuring 6.5 cm long, 3.5cm wide, 2.5cm thick
• Regions of the uterus

  • Body or Corpus - Expanded upper portion
  • Fundus - Rounded upper end of the body, where the oviducts join the uterus
  • Isthmus - Slightly constricted portion below the corpus
  • Cervix - Cylindrical lower part
• Cervix regions


  • Portio vaginalis - Portion of the cervix that protrudes into the vagina
  • Internal os - Slender cervical canal that communicates with the uterine cavity
  • External os - Cervical canal that opens into the vagina
• Layers of the uterine wall

  • Perimetrium/Serosa - Peritoneal layer of the broad ligament which covers the corpus and a part of the cervix
  • Myometrium - Thick, muscular coat (15mm) consisting of bundles of smooth muscle fibers held together in bundles by connective tissue
  • Endometrium - Preparation for implantation of fertilized ovum, participates in the implantation and formation of the maternal portion of the placenta
• Sub-layers of the myometrium

  • Stratum subvasculare - Inner, muscular layer with fibers running longitudinally
  • Stratum vasculare - Thick middle layer with fibers running circularly and numerous large vessels, veins
  • Stratum supravasculare - Outer layer
• UTERUS: REGIONS


  EXTERNAL OS<|>Cervical canal that opens into the vagina
• PERIMETRIUM / SEROSA


  • Peritoneal layer of the broad ligament which covers the corpus and a part of the cervix
  • Firmly attached to the muscularis
  • Consists of a single layer of mesothelial cells
  • Thin layer of connective tissue
• MYOMETRIUM


  • Thick, muscular coat (15mm)
  • Consist of bundles of smooth muscle fibers held together in bundles by connective tissue
• ENDOMETRIUM


  • Preparation for implantation of fertilized ovum
  • Participated in the implantation and formation of the maternal portion of the placenta
• UTERUS: MYOMETRIUM SUB-LAYERS


  • Stratum subvasculare: Inner, muscular layer, Consist of fibers running longitudinally
  • Stratum vasculare: Thick middle layer, Fibers running circularly, with numerous large vessels, veins
  • Stratum supravasculare: Outerlayer, Consist of circular and longitudinal fibers
• UTERUS: ZONES A. FUNCTIONALIS


  • Superficial portion: Contains simple branched tubular glands, more spongy and less cellular lamina propia, Ground substance, Glands, Lining epithelium:Simple Columnar
  • Supplied by spiral arteries
  • Undergo a series of changes during menstrual cycle
  • Sloughed during menstruation
• UTERUS: ZONES A. BASALIS


  • Deeper portion
  • Supplied by straight branches (basal arteries)
  • Unaffected during menstrual cycle