Female Genital System

Female Genital System

The female genital system consists of:
Primary sex organ: Ovaries.
Accessory sex organs:
• Two oviducts (Fallopian Tubes).
• Uterus.
• Vagina.
• External genitalia.
• Two mammary glands.
 The Ovaries
The ovary is a flattened almond-shaped small body, divided into peripheral cortex and
central medulla.

• The cortex is broad and contains the ovarian follicles separated by the inter-
follicular tissue.
• The medulla consists of highly vascular connective tissue, having elastic fibers,
smooth muscle fibers, lymphatics and nerves.
 Stroma of The Ovaries
Tunica albugenia is the covering connective tissue capsule of the ovary.
Stromal cells: cells present between the ovarian follicles.
Reticular connective tissue: present in-between the ovarian follicles
 Parenchyma of The Ovaries
The ovarian follicles. In different stages of development and degeneration.
The endocrine cells: Their cytoplasm is rich in lipoid granules. In animals,
they secrete female hormones, but not in humans.
The germinal epithelium: it covers the ovary from outside.
 The Ovarian Follicles
➢ They are present mainly in the cortex of the ovary under the tunica
albuginea. They are:
• Primordial follicles.
• Primary follicles.
• Secondary follicles.
• Mature follicles.

➢ At birth, the average number of 1ry follicles is 4000, only 400 ova are
produced during the reproductive period of the adult female. The remaining
follicles degenerate and change to atretic follicles.
 Female Genital Ducts.
• Fallopian (uterine) Tubes,
or Oviduct.
• Uterus.
• Vagina
 Fallopian Tubes
➢ 2 tortuos tubes, 10cm, long.
➢ The Fallopian tube has 2 ends; one opens on the peritoneal
cavity near the ovary, and the other into the uterine cavity.
➢ It consists of 4 parts:
•Infundibulum, funnel-shaped & has finger-like processes “Fimbriae”.
•Ampulla: the longest and widest part, where fertilization occurs.
•Isthmus: short and narrow part.
•Intramural part: embedded in the uterine wall.
 The Uterus
➢A pear-shaped thick muscular organ which lies in the pelvis between the rectum and
urinary bladder.

➢It is formed of 4 parts:

• Fundus: dome-shaped part above the level of the openings of the Fallopian tubes.
• Body: between the fundus and isthmus.
• Isthmus: a constriction between the body and cervix.
• Cervix: narrow part having supravaginal and vaginal parts.
➢The uterine cavity is triangular in shape between the openings of the uterine tubes
and the internal os of the cervix.

➢The cervical canal opens into the uterine cavity by the internal os.
➢The lower end of the cervical canal opens into the vagina and is called external os.

➢The wall of the uterus is formed of three layers:

•Perimetrium. serous outer covering.
•Myometrium. thick muscle layer.
•Endometrium. mucous lining that changes in thickness and contents with the
menstrual cycle.
 The Vagina
➢ It is the fibromuscular tube between the cervix and the vestibule (the external
genitalia).
➢ Its upper part surrounds the protruding cervix forming 4 pouches (called
anterior, posterior and 2 lateral fornices).
 Mammary Glands
➢It consists of lobes and lobules, separated by fibrous septa.
➢Fat tissue runs between lobes and lobules.
➢It is fully developed in adult females
➢It is rudimentary:
• In female before puberty
• In males

Site: its base rests on the pectoral fascia.

Shape: it is conical or hemispherical.
Extent: upwards: 2nd rib
downwards: 6th rib
medially: lateral margin of the sternum
laterally: midaxillary line (axillary tail)
The nipple: a central projection opposite to the 4th intercostal space.
The areola: area of pigmented skin surrounding the nipple.
Axillary Tail: An extension of the upper lateral part of the breast along the
lower border of pectoralis major
 Internal structure of the breast
➢ The mammary gland is formed of 15-20 lobes.
➢ Each lobe drains into a lactiferous duct.
➢ The lactiferous ducts (15-20) converge toward the nipple & dilate to form
lactiferous sinuses.
➢ The lactiferous sinuses open separately on the nipple.
 Arterial Supply
Mammary branches of:
•Lateral thoracic artery.
•Internal mammary artery.
•Intercostal arteries
 Lymph Drainage
• The lateral quadrants drain into the anterior (pectoral) axillary lymph nodes.
• The medial quadrants drain into internal thoracic lymph nodes.
• Some vessels drain to the opposite site lymph nodes.
• Some vessels drain into the abdominal lymph nodes.