Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Female Reproductive System
Female Reproductive System
Formation of ova
Reception of spermatozoa
Lactation, the production of breast milk, which provides complete nourishment for the baby in its early life.
Mons Veneris - A pad of adipose tissue located over the symphysis pubis, the pubic bone point. It protects the
junction of the pubic bone from trauma.
Labia Minora - Normally the folds of the labia minora are pink; the internal surface is covered with mucous
membrane, and the external surface with skin.
Labia Majora - two folds of adipose tissue covered by loose connective tissue. Covered by pubic hair, it is served as
protection for the external genitalia and the distal urethra and vagina
Vestibule - flattened, smooth surface inside labia
Skene’s Gland (Paraurethral Glands) & Bartholin’s Gland ( Vulvovaginal Glands) - help lubricate the external
genitalia during coitus
Hymen - elastic semicircle of tissue that covers the opening of vagina during childhood.
The clitoris is sensitive to touch and temperature and is the center of sexual arousal and orgasm in a woman. Arterial blood
supply for the clitoris is plentiful. When the ischiocavernosus muscle surrounding it contracts with sexual arousal, the
venous outflow for the clitoris is blocked, leading to clitoris arousal
Posterior to the fourchette is the perineal muscle or the perineal body. Because this is a muscular area, it is easily
stretched during childbirth to allow for enlargement of the vagina and passage of the fetal head.
Hymen is often torn during the time of first sexual intercourse. However, because of the use of tampons and active sports
participation, many girls who have not had sexual relations do not have intact hymens at the time of their first pelvic
examination. Occasionally, a girl has an imperforate hymen, or a hymen so complete that it does not allow for passage of
menstrual blood.
The internal genital organs form a pathway (the genital tract). This pathway consists of the following functions:
Vagina (part of the birth canal), where sperm are deposited and from which a baby can emerge
Ovaries - approx. 4cm long by 2cm in diameter and approx. 1.5cm thick or the size and shape of almonds. The function of
the two gonads is to produce, mature, and discharge ova.
Produces estrogen and progesterone and initiate and regulate menstrual cycles
2. Cortex, where the immature (primordial) oocytes mature into ova and large amounts of estrogen and progesterone
are produced
3. Central medulla, which contains the nerves, blood vessels, lymphatic tissue, and some smooth muscle tissue
If the ovaries are removed before puberty (or are nonfunctional), the resulting absence of estrogen prevents breasts from
maturing at puberty; in addition, pubic hair distribution assumes a more male pattern than normal. After menopause, or
cessation of ovarian function, the uterus, breasts, and ovaries all undergo atrophy or a reduction in size because of a lack of
estrogen.
Fallopian Tube
Fallopian Tube - approx. 10cm in matured woman; they convey the ovum from the ovaries to the uterus and provide a
place for fertilization of the ovum by sperm
4 PARTS:
1. Interstitial Portion - the most proximal division where the part of the tube lies within the uterine wall
2. Isthmus - next distal portion; approx. 2cm in length, it is the part that is sealed in a tubal ligation
3. Ampulla - the longest portion of the tube; approx 5cm in length where fertilization occurs
4. Infundibular - most distal segment of the tube; it is covered by fimbria that help to guide the ovum into the
fallopian tube
The mucus acts as nourishment for the fertilized egg because it contain proteins, water, and salts.
Uterus
The uterus is a hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ located in the lower pelvis, posterior to the bladder and anterior to
the rectum.
ENDOMETRIUM: inner lining of uterus, nourishes developing embryo, built up each month for pregnancy, if not, shed
during menstruation
MYOMETRIUM: muscular, supports fetus, contracts at birth and to shed the endometrium during menstruation.
PERIMETRIUM: The perimetrium is a serous membrane that lines the outside of the uterus.
Vagina
a hollow, musculomembranous canal located posterior to the bladder and anterior to the rectum.
Vagina = “birth canal” Organ of copulation and forms the birth canal of
parturition
A tube like, muscular but elastic organ
Posterior wall of vagina is 10 c m long
About 4 to 5 inches long in an adult woman.
Anterior wall is only 7.5 cm length
PH- 4 acidic
The upper end of the vagina is known as the vault
It is the passageway for sperm to the egg and for
menstrual bleeding Pink in appearance
FEMALE BREASTS
The mammary glands are sweat glands specialized for the production of milk. The milk-producing secretory cells form
walls of bulb-shaped chambers called alveoli that join together with ducts, in grapelike fashion, to form clusters called
lobules.