Gynecological Anatomy

& Physiology
REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL HEALTH
PUBERTAL DEVELOPMENT:

Puberty is the stage of life at which the secondary sex changes

Girls- age 10 to13 years

Theory: must reach a critical weight of approx. 95lbs (43kgs)

Boys- age 12 to 14 years

The role of Androgen- hormones responsible for :
1. Muscular development
2. Physical growth
3. Increase sebaceous gland secretion (acne)
“Testosterone -1° androgenic hormone”

In girls, testosterone influences the development of

labia majora, clitoris, and axillary & pubic hair latter termed as
(adrenarche)
REPRODUCTIVE AND SEXUAL HEALTH
Secondary sex characteristic of boys occurs in order:
• increase in weight
• growth of testes
• growth of face, axillary, and pubic hair
• voice changes
• penile growth
• increase in height
• spermatogenesis

Secondary sex characteristic of girls occurs in order:

1. growth spurt
2. increase in the traverse diameter of the pelvis
3. breast development (thelarche)
4. growth of pubic hair (adrenarche)
5. onset of menstruation (menarche 12.5 y/o ave.)
6. Ovulation occurs 1 – 2 years after menarche
7. growth of axillary hair (adrenarche)
8. vaginal secretion
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM: GYNECOLOGY

A.External Structures

• Mons pubis/ Mons veneris – pad of adipose tissues, which

lives over the symphysis pubis, which protects the
surrounding delicate tissue from trauma.

• Labia majora – longitudal folds of pigmented skin extending

from the mons pubis to the perineum. Contains the Bartholin’s
gland that secretes yellowish mucus that acts as a lubricant
during sexual activity.

• Labia minora – soft longitudal skin folds between the Labia

majora.

• Glans clitoris – erectile tissue located at the upper end of

Labia minora; primary site of sexual arousal.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
•External Structures continue

5. Vestibule – a narrow space seen when labia minora are

separated that also contains the vaginal introitus,
Bartholin’s gland and urethral meatus.

6. Urethral Meatus – small opening bet, the clitoris and vaginal

orifice for the purpose of urination.

7. Vaginal orifice/introitus/opening – external opening of

the vagina that contains the hymen.

8. Hymen – a membranous tissue ringing the vaginal introitus

9. Perineum – tissue between the anus and vagina. Site of

episiotomy

The external genitalia’s blood supply:

Arteries: a. pudental artery b. inferior rectus artery.
Vein: Pudendal vein
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
B. Internal Structures

• Ovaries – female sex glands located on each side of the uterus

with two ovaries (4 x 2 x 1.5 cm thick).

Ovaries are formed with 3 principal divisions:

a. A protective layer of surface epithelium
b. The cortex filled with the ovarian and graafian follicle
c. The central medulla containing nerves, blood vessels,
lymphatic tissue and some smooth muscle tissue

Fxn: -Ovulation (release of ovum) and Secretion of

hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

Estrogen- help to prevents osteoporosis, and atherosclerosis

and potential risk for breast cancer endometrial cancer
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
B. Internal Structures continue

2. Fallopian Tubes – 4 inches (10 cm) long from each sides of the
fundus;

Divided on four separate part:

1. Intramural portion- most proximal (1cm in length)

2. Isthmus portion- extremely narrow (2cm)

Important: tubal ligation

3. Ampulla- longest portion (5cm) and widest part

Function: site of fertilization

4. Infundibular portion- funnel shape with Fimbrae (2cm)

finger like projections.
Function: responsible for the transport of mature ovum from
ovary to uterus.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
B. Internal Structures continue

3. Uterus – hollow pear-shaped muscular organ.

Size: 3 inches long (5-7cm), 2 inches wide(5cm) and 1 inch
thick (3x2x1)
Wt: 60 gms. in non pregnant Location: lower pelvis
Parts: Corpus, Isthmus, and Cervix
Position: anteverted and anteflexed
Layers: perimetrium, myometrium and endometrium

Function:
1. to receive the ova to fallopian tube place for implantation
and nourishment during fetal growth furnish protection
to a growing fetus
2. aids in labor and delivery

Cervix (2-5cm long)

Internal cervical os -an impt. relationship in estimating the
External cervical os level of dilatation of the fetus
in the birth canal before birth.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
Uterus continue

Nerve Supply:
Efferent (motor) nerve- spinal ganglia (T5 to T10)
Afferent (sensory) nerve - hypogastric plexus (T-11 & T-12)
Impt: Controlling pain in labor ( Epidural anesthesia)

Uterine Ligaments:
1. Broad Ligaments – fr. the sides of uterus to pelvic walls

2. Round Ligaments – fr. sides of uterus to mons pubis.

3. Cardinal and uterosacral ligaments- provides middle support

4. Pelvic muscular floor ligaments- provide lower support

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:

3. Vaginal Canal – 3-4 inch long dilatable canal between the bladder
and the rectum; contains rugae that permits stretching without
tearing.

Anterior Vaginal wall- 6-7 cm (anterior fornices)

Posterior Vaginal wall- 8-9 cm (posterior fornices)

Function: 1. passageway for menstrual discharges

2. receives penis during intercourse and
3. serves as birth canal.

- lined with stratified squamous epithelium

- Bulbocavernosus: a circular muscle acts as voluntary sphincter

(Kegel exercises)

Blood supply to the vagina:

Arteries: vaginal artery branch of internal iliac artery
Vein: pudental vein
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
Vagina continue…

The external genitalia’s blood supply: mainly from the

a. pudental artery and
b. a portion of inferior rectus artery.

Nerve supply: has both parasympathetic & sympathetic

(S-1 to S-3 levels)

Nerve supply of the anterior portion: (L1)

a. Ilio-inguinal nerves b. Genito-femoral nerves
Nerve supply of the posterior portion: (S3)
Pudendal nerves

“This is the reason why one type of anesthesia used for

childbirth is called Pudendal block.”
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM: ANDROLOGY
A. External Structures
1. Penis: the male organ of copulation; a cylindrical shaft
consisting of:
a. corpora cavernosa -two lateral columns of erectile
tissue
b. corpus spongiosum - encases the urethra

-The glans penis, a cone-shaped expansion of the corpus

spongiosum that is highly in express males.

-Erection is stimulated by parasympathetic nerve

• Scrotum: a pouch hanging below the penis that contains

the testes.

3. Testes: two solid ovoid organs 4-5 cm long and 2-3 wide,
divided into lobes containing
Seminiferous tubules -produce spermatozoa.
Leydig cells - testosterone production.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
A. External Structures continue

SPERMATOZOA are produced by:

Hypothalamus Control by
GnRH (+/-) feedback
Anterior Pituitary gland
FSH / LH
Testes

FSH - release of Androgen Binding Protein (ABP) which

promote SPERMATOGENESIS

LH - release of Testosterone.

“Spermatozoa does not survive at body

temperature. They usually survive 1°F lower
than body temperature”.
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
B. Internal Structures

1. Epididymis: serves as reservoir for sperm storage and

maturation. Approximately 20 ft. it takes 12-20 days for
the sperm to travel the length of Epididymis.

A total of 64 days before they reach maturity.

(“Treatment= 2 months”).
Aspermia - (absence of sperm)
Oligospermia- if < 20 million sperm/ ml

2. Vas deferens: a duct extending from epididymis to the

ejaculatory duct and seminal vesicle, providing a
passageway for sperm. (sperm mature).
Varicocele- varicosity of internal spermatic cord
Vasectomy (male birth control)

3. Seminal vesical: are two convoluted pouches that lie along

the lower portion of the bladder and empty into the urethra
by the way of ejaculatory ducts
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
B. Internal Structures continue

4. Ejaculatory duct: the canal formed by the union of the vas

deferens and the excretory duct of the seminal vesicle, which
enters the urethra at the prostate gland.

5. Prostate Gland: located just below the urinal bladder. Secretes

alkaline and most of the seminal fluid.

6. Bulbourethral glands or Cowper’s Gland: adds alkaline fluid

to the semen.

7. Urethra: the passageway for both urine and semen, extending

from the bladder to the urethral meatus. (8 inches in long)
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:
B. Internal Structures continue

SEMEN:
• Is a thick whitish fluid ejaculated by the male during orgasm,
contains spermatozoa and fructose-rich nutrients.
• During ejaculation, semen receives contributions of fluid from
Prostate gland (60%)
Seminal vesicle (30%)
Epididymis ( 5%)
Bulbourethral gland (5%)

• Average pH = 7.5
• The average amount of semen released during ejaculation is
2.5 -5 ml. It can live with in the female genital tract
for about 24 to 72 hours.
• (50-200 million/ml of ejaculation ave. of 400 million/
ejaculation )
• 90 seconds- cervix
• 5 mins.- end of fallopian tube