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The Female reproductive
system
The ovary
 Follicullar growth and development

• Each ovarian follicle consists of an immature ovum, PRIMARY

OOCYTE, surrounded by spheroidal cells, with large vesicular nucleus and
a prominent nucleolus.
• Infants has 400,000 follicles, with progressive reduction in number as the
female matures and menstruate until virtually none is left after menopause.
• AS it grows the flattened follicular cells becomes cuboidal then columnar
in shape, divide actively to produce a stratified layer around the ovum.
• It soon increase in size, becomes a cavity ( ANTRUM) filled with clear
fluid ( Liquor folliculi) rich in hyaluronic acid,
• Cumulus oophorus, is formed by a projection into the antrum.
• Membrana granulosa, is formed as a continuous stratified follicular cells
around the antrum cavity.
 Follicullar growth and development

• Theca folliculi is then formed as the follicle increase in size and is

organized into capsules. It is separated from the membrana granulosa by
basal lamina – Glassy membrane.
• It then differentiates into 2 layers;
a. inner vascular, Theca interna, with enlarged epitheloid stromal cells with
numerous capillaries inbetween.
b. outer fibrous layer, Theca externa, composed of closely packed
collagenous fibers and fusiform cells merge peripherally into the
surrounding ovarian stroma.
.
The follicle with the Theca Interna and the Theca Externa
Mature Graafian follicles
• Requires 10 to 14 days to reach
maturity.
• 10 mm in dm. and occupies the
whole breadth of the cortex and
indents the medulla.
• It bulges on the free surface of the
ovary – Stigma.
• The enlarged antrum is filled with
fluid and is bound by the
membrana granulosa, is
surrounded by a thick Zona
pellucida.
• On maturity the cell spaces are
filled with fluid weakening the
connection between the ovum
and the membrana granulosa.
The cortex of the ovary contains numerous follicles embedded in a thick
stroma.  Most of the follicles are resting primordial follicles.  Follicles
which have been stimulated to develop progress through primary and
secondary stages to become mature tertiary or
Graafian follicles
• Maturation of the Ovum:
OOgenesis
• The large cell within each follicle
is an oocyte.  The cells which
surround each follicle are
granulosa cells.  Flattened
granulosa cells indicate
resting primordial follicles.
 Cuboidal granulosa cells
indicate primary follicles,
which have begun the
process of maturation
toward ovulation.  Atretic
follicles have begun to
degenerate.
The cortex of the ovary contains numerous follicles embedded in a thick stroma.  Most of the follicles
are resting primordial follicles. Follicles which have been stimulated to develop progress through
primary and secondary stages to become mature tertiary or Graafian follicles, in which a large fluid-
filled cavity, the antrum, is surrounded by many layers of granulosa cells.  Stromal cells around the
follicle form the theca interna, which secretes estrogen.
At the end of the monthly cycle, or at the end of pregnancy, the corpus
luteum degenerates into a fibrous scar called a corpus albicans.
The corpus luteum forms by reoganization of granulosa and theca cells following
ovulation.
• Ovulation = the follicle reaches maturity, filled with
watery liqour secretions & expands, called PreOvulatory
swelling.
• Maturation of the Ovum: OOgenesis
• The ovum that is released at ovulation is a secondary
oocyte ( immature).
• Oogonia = primitive ova with diploid chromosomes divide
by mitosis to produce the primary Oocytes in the fetal
ovary.
• On ovulation, the nucleus of the 2ndary oocyte starts the
2nd maturation division which stops in the metaphase and
remains in this condition until fertilization. The
penetration of the spermatozoa triggers the completion of
the 2nd maturation division.
 The Corpus Luteum
• The folded collapse follicle
• Granulosal cell differentiate
into large vesicular nuclei
called the “Granulosa
Lutein cells”
• Theca interna becomes the
“Theca Lutein Cells”
• Corpus luteum of
menstruation = unfertilized,
discharges ovum
• 400 follicles reach maturity
at 30 years and only 1 ovum
is discharged every month.
• Atresia = involution of a
follicle.
• Interstitial cells = large Spheroidal cell filled
with small lipid droplets,found in the ovarian
stroma.
• Hormones of the Ovary = produce sex
hormones estrogen ( from the follicle ) and
progesterone ( Uterine glands).
• Blood vessels and lymphatics = branches from
the ovarian and uterine arteries, form a spiral
vessel called helicine vessel.
The Fallopian tubes
 The regions of the fallopian tubes
• Infundibulum – funnel shaped opening into the
peritoneal cavity with margins drawn out into
numerous folds called fimbriae.
• Ampulla – the expanded intermediate segment, 2/3rds
of the total length.
• Isthmus – slender, narrow tube connects the fimbriae
to the uterus.
• Intramural(interstitial) portion, the continuation of the
canal thru the uterine wall.
• The walls of the tube thickens progressively towards
the uterus, the lumen diminishes in size.
Layers of the fallopian tube walls
• Mucosa = lining are in longitudinal folds, simple
columnar cells both ciliated (occur in small groups)
and non ciliated (narrow and peg-shaped, secretory in
nature).
• Muscularis – broad inner circular layer and thin outer
layer with scattered bundles of fibers oriented
longitudinally. Peristaltic contractiosn aid the ovum
trip to the uterine cavity.
• Serosa – invested with a fold of reflected peritoneum,
with loose connective tissue surfaced with
mesothelium. Deeper layer contains the longitudinal
bundles of the muscularis.
 Blood vessels , Lymphatics and
nerves
• Blood vessels and lymphatics are numerous
and found in the lamina propria and the serosa.
• Nerves form rich plexus and supply muscle
fibers and the mucosa.
The wall of the fallopian tube includes an elaborately folded mucosa surrounded by
a muscularis.  In the ampulla, shown here, the mucosa is quite elaborate and the
muscularis is relatively thin.   Mucosal folds occupy most of the potential lumenal
space, so that cilia on the epithelial surface can effectively move the egg toward
the uterus.   The simple columnar epithelium of the mucosa contains both
secretory cells and ciliated cell
The wall of the fallopian tube includes an elaborately folded
mucosa surrounded by a muscularis.  The thickness of both
layers varies along the length of the tube
In the isthmus, shown here, the mucosa is relatively simple and the
muscularis is quite thick.  The ampulla, where elaborate mucosal folds
occupy most of the potential lumenal space and the muscularis is
relatively thin.
The uterus
 Layers of the Uterine Wall

• Outer layer = the Serosa or perimetrium

• Middle layer = the muscularis ore
myometrium.
• The Inner layer = the mucosa of the
endometrium.
• Perimetrium = typical serosa with single layer of
mesothelial cells supported by a thin layer of
connective tissue.
• Myometrium = massive coat of smooth muscle about
12 to 15 mm thick. Muscles are arranged in a bundle
separated by connective tissue.
• 3 layers of muscles:
a. stratum subvasculare = inner muscle layer with
longitudinal fibers.
b. stratum vasculare = thick mid layer with blood
vessels.
c. stratum supravasculare = outer longitudinal layer
beneath the perimetrium.
The uterus has an extremely thick muscular wall, the myometrium, and a thick
mucosa, the endometrium with tubular glands lined by simple columnar
epithelium.  The endometrium undergoes extensive changes during the menstrual
cycle.
The myometrium consists of smooth muscle.  The endometrium consists of
a thick stroma containing numerous irregularly-shaped tubular glands
lined by columnar epithelium.  This image shows the endometrium in
proliferative phase.
 Cyclic changes in the Endometrium

• The menstrual stage with external menstrual

discharge.
• Proliferative ( follicular) stage = concurrent with
follicular growth and estrogen secretion.
• Progestational ( luteal ) stage = associated with active
corpus luteum.
• Ischemic ( premenstrual ) stage = when there is
interruption of blood flow in the coiled arteries.
During the proliferative phase, when the stratum functionalis is growing,
the endometrial glands have a relatively smooth contour and mitotic
figures are common.
Endometrium, Proliferative stage. A helical (corkscrew) shape permits the spiral
artery to extend into the thickening stroma of the proliferative endometrium and
also, later, to retract back into the stratum basalis when the stratum functionalis
is eventually sloughed off.  Because of its corkscrew shape, each spiral artery
typically appears as an aligned cluster of profiles (asterisks) deep in the
endometrium.
The endometrial glands have matured in the secretory phase, their contour is more tortuous
and the epithelium consists of mature secretory cells. The endometrium is highly vascular,
and the blood vessels also participate in the menstrual cycle.  Distal vessels are sloughed off,
while the spiral arteries (named for their helical shape) retract into the stratum basalis and
constrict to limit blood loss during menstruation.  The spiral arteries then extend again (like
springs) as the stratum functionalis regenerates
 Functions of the Placenta
• Transfers blood and nutrition from the mother to the fetus.
• Transfer waste product from the fetal metabolism to the
maternal circulation for disposal.
• Maternal circulation is separated from the materanal circulation:
a. Syncitial trophoblast.
b. Cytotrophoblast from the 1st trimester of pregnancy.
c. Basal lamina of the trophoblast.
d. Fetal connective tissue.
e. Basal lamina of the fetal capillaries.
f. Fetal endothelium.
* Hormones produce = estrogen, progesterone, relaxin, renin,
chorionic gonadotropins
Many chorionic villi are seen in the vicinity of the uterine wall.  Both
large and small chorionic villi have the same basic structure, a surface of
syncytiotrophoblast surrounding a core of mesenchyme containing fetal
blood vessels.  Fetal blood vessels are visible here only in the largest villi.
 The small villi vastly increase the surface area available for material
interchange with maternal blood.  Decidual cells are large cuboidal cells
derived from endometrial stroma.
The External Female
genitalia
The cervix and vagina represent the distal portion of the reproductive
tract, lined by stratified squamous epithelium.
Surface samples of cervical epithelium (Pap smears) are used to screen for
cervical cancer.
 Coats of the Vaginal wall
• Mucosa = with transverse folds or rugae.
Lined with thick stratified squamous non- keratinized
cells, lacks glands, is lubricated by mucus from the
cervix.
• Muscularis = smooth muscle fibers arranged in
interlacing bundles. Inner bundle is circular and thin.
The outer bundle is thicker, longitudinally arranged,
continuous with the myometrium.
• Adventitia = the thin layer of dense connective tissue,
blends with other surrounding organs.
• The Clitoris = incomplete counterpart of the Penis.
Consists of 2 cavernous erectile bodies which ends in a small
glans clitoridi. Covered by a thin stratified squamous cells.
• Labia Majora = folds of mucous membrane forming the lateral
wall of the vestibule.
• Labia majora = folds of skin that covers the labia minora
externally.. Outer layer is covered by a cornified epidermis
w/c contains hairs, sweat glands, sebaceous glands.
• Vestibule = where the vagina and urethra opens. Lined by
stratified squamous epithelium. With numerous small
vestibular glands around the opening and near clitoris.( glands
of Littre)
• Bartholins glands( major vestibular gland). = analogous to the
bulbourethral glands of males. Produce lubricating mucous.
• The Mammary gland = specialized cutaneous glands
locate within the subcutaneous tissue. Develops at
puberty. Has 15 to 20 lobes each.
• Nipple and areola = traversed by lactiferous ducts,
opens by a pore on the skin surface.
• Glands of Montgomery = special dark areolar glands.
• Pregnancy = colostrum is produced at the end of
pregnancy.
• Lactation = Production of milk at the end of
pregnancy by the granular endoplasmic reticulum and
the golgi complex vacoules.
• Hormonal control = Estrogen and progesterone
influenced the growth of the duct system at puberty.
Lactation is induced by the presence of prolactin from
the pars distalis of Hypophysis.
• Oxytocin from the posterior pituitary initiates
contraction of the glands to ejection of milk from the
alveoli and the ducts.
• Oxytocin is produced by the nerve impulses reaching
the hypothalamus after stimulation of tactile receptors
in the nipple area.
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