Anatomy & Physiology Of

Female Reproductive System

 Learning Objectives
Define the terms listed.
Identify the female external
reproductive organs.
Explain the structure of the bony
pelvis.
Explain the functions and structures
of pelvic floor.
Introduction
 External Female Structures

Collectively,the external
female reproductive
organs are called the
Vulva.
 External Female Structures
Mons Pubis.
Labia Majora
Labia Minora.
Clitoris.
Vestibule.
Perineum
 Mons Pubis
Is rounded, soft fullness of
subcutaneous fatty tissue, prominence
over the symphysis pubis that forms
the anterior border of the external
reproductive organs.
It is covered with varying amounts
of pubic hair.
Labia Majora & Minora
The labia Majora are two rounded,
fleshy folds of tissue that extended
from the mons pubis to the perineum.

It
is protect the labia minora, urinary
meatus and vaginal introitus.
 Labia Minora
Itis located between the labia majora,
are narrow.
The lateral and anterior aspects are
usually pigmented.
The inner surfaces are similar to
vaginal mucosa, pink and mois.
Their rich vascularity.
 Clitoris.
The term clitoris comes from a
Greek word meaning key.
Erectile organ.
Its rich vascular, highly sensitive
to temperature, touch, and
pressure sensation
 Vestibule.
Is oval-shaped area formed
between the labia minora, clitoris,
and fourchette.
Vestibule contains the external
urethral meatus, vaginal introitus,
and Bartholins glands.
 Perineum
Is the most posterior part of the
external female reproductive organs.
It extends from fourchette anteriorly
to the anus posteriorly.
And is composed of fibrous and
muscular tissues that support pelvic
structures.
Internal Female Structures

Vagina
Uterus
Fallopian tubes
Ovaries
 Fallopian tubes
The two tubes extended from the
cornu of the uterus to the ovary.
It runs in the upper free border of
the broad ligament.
Length 8 to 14 cm average 10 cm
Its divided into 4 parts.
 1. Interstitial part
Which runs into uterine cavity,
passes through the myometrium
between the fundus and body of
the uterus. About 1-2cm in
length.
 2. Isthmus
Which is the narrow part of
the tube adjacent to the
uterus.
Straight and cord like ,
about 2 3 cm in length.
 3. Ampulla
Which is the wider part about
5 cm in length.

Fertilization occurs in the

ampulla.
 4. Infundibulum
It is funnel or trumpet shaped.
Fimbriae are fingerlike processes, one
of these is longer than the other and
adherent to the ovary.
The fimbriae become swollen almost
erectile at ovulation.
 Functions
Gametetransport (ovum pickup,
ovum transport, sperm transport).

Finalmaturation of gamete post

ovulate oocyte maturation, sperm
capicitation.
 Fluid
environment for early
embryonic development.

Transport of fertilized and

unfertilized ovum to the uterus.
 Ovaries
Ovalsolid structure, 1.5 cm in thickness,
2.5 cm in width and 3.5 cm in length
respectively. Each weights about 48 gm.

Ovary is located on each side of the

uterus, below and behind the uterine tubes
 Structure of the ovaries

Cortex
Medulla
Hilum
 Ovaries and Relationship
to Uterine Tube and Uterus

Figure 2814
 Function of the ovary

Secrete estrogen & progesterone.

Production of ova
 Uterus
The
uterus is a hollow, pear shaped
muscular organ.

Theuterus measures about 7.5 X 5

X 2.5 cm and weight about 50 60
gm.
 Its
normal position is anteverted
(rotated forward and slightly
antiflexed (flexed forward)

Theuterus divided into three

parts
 1. Body of the uterus
The upper part is the corpus, or body
of the uterus
The fundus is the part of the body or
corpus above the area where the
fallopian tubes enter the uterus.
Length about 5 cm.
 2. Isthmus
A narrower transition zone.
Is between the corpus of the uterus
and cervix.
During late pregnancy, the isthmus
elongates and is known as the lower
uterine segment.
 3. Cervix

The lowermost position of the

uterus neck.
The length of the cervix is about
2.5 t0 3 cm.
 The os, is the opening in the cervix
that runs between the uterus and
vagina.
The upper part of the cervix is marked
by internal os and the lower cervix is
marked by the external os.
 Layers of the uterus
Perimetrium.
Myometrium.
Endometrium.
 1. Perimetrium

Isthe outer peritoneal layer of

serous membrane that covers
most of the uterus.
 Laterally,the perimetrium is
continuous with the broad
ligaments on either side of the
uterus.
 2. Myometrium
Is the middle layer of thick
muscle.
Most of the muscle fibers are
concentrated in the upper uterus,
and their number diminishes
progressively toward the cervix.
 The myometrium
contains three types of
smooth muscle fiber
Longitudinal fibers (outer layer)

Which are found mostly in the

fundus and are designed to
expel the fetus efficiently
toward the pelvic outlet during
birth.
 Middle layer figure-8 fibers

These fiber contract after

birth to compress the blood
vessels that pass between
them to limit blood loss.
 Inner layer circular fibers
Which form constrictions where the
fallopian tubes enter the uterus and
surround the internal os
Circular fibers prevent reflux of
menstrual blood and tissue into the
fallopian tubes.
 Promote normal implantation of
the fertilized ovum by controlling
its entry into the uterus.
And retain the fetus until the
appropriate time of birth.
 3. Endometrium
Is the inner layer of the uterus.
It is responsive to the cyclic
variations of estrogen and
progesterone during the female
reproductive cycle every month.
 The two or three layers of the
endometrium are:
*Compact layer
*The basal layer
*The functional or Sponge layer this
layer is shed during each menstrual period
and after child birth in the lochia
 The Function of the uterus

Menstruation ----the uterus

sloughs off the endometrium.

Pregnancy ---the uterus support

fetus and allows the fetus to grow.
 Labor and birth---the uterine
muscles contract and the cervix
dilates during labor to expel the
fetus
 Vagina
Itis an elastic fibro-muscular tube
and membranous tissue about 8 to
10 cm long.
Lying between the bladder
anteriorly and the rectum
posteriorly.
 Thevagina connects the uterus
above with the vestibule below.

The upper end is blind and called

the vaginal vault.
 The vaginal lining has multiple
folds, or rugae and muscle layer.
These folds allow the vagina to
stretch considerably during
childbirth.
The reaction of the vagina
is acidic, the pH is 4.5 that
protects the vagina against
infection.
 Functions of the vagina

To allow discharge of the

menstrual flow.
As the female organs of coitus.
To allow passage of the fetus from
the uterus.
 Support structures

The bony pelvis support

and protects the lower
abdominal and internal
reproductive organs.
 Muscle, Joints and ligaments
provide added support for
internal organs of the pelvis
against the downward force of
gravity and the increases in
intra-abdominal pressure
 Bony Pelvis
BonyPelvis Is Composed of 4
bones:
1. Two hip bones.
2. Sacrum.
3. Coccyx.
 1. Two hip bones.
Each or hip bone is composed
of three bones:
*Ilium
*Ischium
*Pubis
 *Ilium
Itis the flared out part.
The greater part of its inner
aspect is smooth and concave,
forming the iliac fossa.
The upper border of the ilium is
called iliac crest
 *Ischium
It is the thick lower part.
It has a large prominence
known as the ischial tuberosity
on which the body rests while
sitting.
Behind and little above the
tuberosity is an inward
projection the ischial spine.
 2. Sacrum
Is a wedge shaped bone consisting of
five vertebrae.
The anterior surface of the sacrum is
concave
The upper border of the first sacral
vertebra known as the sacral
promontory
 3. Coccyx.

Consists of four
vertebrae forming a
small triangular bone.