FEMALE

REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
 EXTERNAL STRUCTURES

• Mons veneris/ Mons pubis

– is a mound of fatty tissue
over the symphysis pubis that
cushions and protects the
bone
• Labia majora – are
longitudinal folds of
pigmented skin extending
from the mons pubis to the
perineum.
 EXTERNAL STRUCTURES

• Labia minora – are soft

longitudinal skin folds
between the labia majora.

• Clitoris – is an erectile tissue

located at the upper end of
the labia minora. It is the
primary site of sexual arousal
 EXTERNAL STRUCTURES

• Urethral meatus (urethral

orifice) – is a small opening
of the urethra. It is located
between the clitoris and the
vaginal orifice for the purpose
of urination
 EXTERNAL STRUCTURES

• Perineum – is the area of

tissue between the anus and
vagina; an episiotomy is
performed here.
Perineum
 EXTERNAL STRUCTURES

• vestibule – is an almond-
shaped area between the
labia minora containing the
vaginal introitus, hymen, and
Bartholin glands.
 EXTERNAL STRUCTURES

• vaginal introitus
– is the external
opening of the vagina
 EXTERNAL STRUCTURES

• Hymen – is a
membranous
tissue ringing the
vaginal introitus.
EXTERNAL STRUCTURES
 INTERNAL STRUCTURES

• Vagina – is the female

organ of copulation and also
serves as the birth canal.
• It is a tubular
musculomembranous organ
that lies between the rectum
and the urethra and bladder
• It is 3-4 inches long.
 INTERNAL STRUCTURES

• Uterus ( “womb”) – located

between the bladder and
rectum, and consists of
regions the fundus, body
(corpus), and cervix.
 INTERNAL STRUCTURES

• Uterus ( “womb”) – is a
hollow, muscular organ with
three muscle layers
(perimetrium, myometrium,
and endometrium)
 INTERNAL STRUCTURES

• Uterine ligaments – this

includes:
a. Broad and round
ligaments provide upper
support for the uterus.
 INTERNAL STRUCTURES

• Cardinal, pubocervical,
and uterosacral
ligaments are
suspensory and provide
middle support.
• Pelvic muscular floor
ligaments provide lower
support.
 INTERNAL STRUCTURES
Fallopian tube (oviducts)
– extend from the upper outer angles of the uterus
and end near the ovary.
- It is 4 inches long.
- These tubes serve as the passageway for the
ovum to travel from the ovary to the uterus and for the
sperm to travel from the uterus to the ovary.
 INTERNAL STRUCTURES

Has three
segments:
• Infundibulum – an
expanded funnel
near the ovary
 INTERNAL STRUCTURES

• Ampulla – middle
segment
• Isthmus – a short
segment between
ampulla and
uterine wall
 INTERNAL STRUCTURES

Ovaries – are 2 almond

shaped female sex glands
located on each side of the
uterus. The two functions are:
a. Ovulation (release of
ovum)
b. Secretion of
hormones (estrogen and
progesterone)
 INTERNAL STRUCTURES

Cervix
• is a cylinder shaped neck
of tissue that connects the
vagina and uterus.
• Located at the lower most
portion of the uterus,
• the cervix is composed
primarily of fibromuscular
tissue
ACCESSORY GLANDS

Breasts ( mammary gland)

– specialized sebaceous glands that
produce milk after childbirth (lactation).
EXTERNAL BREAST STRUCTURES

• Nipple – is a raised, pigmented

area of the breast.
• Areola – is a pigmented skin
around the nipple.
• Montgomery tubercles – are
sebaceous glands of the areola
INTERNAL STRUCTURES OF BREAST

• Glandular tissue – parenchyma is composed of acini (milk

producing) cells that cluster in groups of 15 to 20 to form the
lobes of the breast.
• Lactiferous ducts or sinuses – form passageways from the
lobes to the nipple.
• Fibrous tissue – also called Cooper ligaments, provide
support to the mammary glands.
• Adipose and fibrous tissues (stroma) provide the relative
size and consistency of the breast.
• The breasts change in size and nodularity in response to
cyclic ovarian hormonal changes, including:
⮚ Estrogen stimulation
⮚ Progesterone (Postovulation)

• Physical changes in breast size and activity are at a

minimum 5 to 7 days after menstruation stops; this is the
best time to detect pathologic changes through breast self
examination.
 ACCESSORY GLANDS

Bartholin or
Vulvovaginal gland –
are mucus-secreting
glands located on
either side of the
vaginal orifice.
 ACCESSORY GLANDS

Skene or Paraurethral
glands – are small
mucus secreting glands
that open into the
posterior wall of the
urinary meatus and
lubricate the vagina.
 ACCESSORY GLANDS

Skene or Paraurethral
glands – are small
mucus secreting glands
that open into the
posterior wall of the
urinary meatus and
lubricate the vagina.
THE PELVIS
• a bony ring in the lower portion of the trunk. It
consists of three parts (ilium, ischium, and
pubis) and four bones (two innominate bones
or hipbones, sacrum, and coccyx).
• pelvic bones are held together by four joints
(articulations) – symphysis pubis, two
sacroiliac, and sacrococcygeal. Fibrocartilage
between these joints provides movability.
Gynecoid – is a typical female
pelvis with a rounded inlet.
Anthropoid – is an “apelike” pelvis with
an oval inlet.
Android – is a normal male pelvis with a heart
shaped inlet.
Platypeloid – is a flat, female type pelvis with a
transverse oval inlet
THE PELVIS

• Pelvimetry (the process of

measuring the internal or external
pelvis) is performed with
radiography or by internal
examination.
OOGENESIS
- the production or development of an ovum
Primitive oogonia

Primordial or Primitive Follicle (before birth)

Undergo meiosis I

Secondary oocytes

Graafian
Follicle

Ovum
Oogenesis v. Spermatogenesis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeNIPmIzYFg
 Primordial or Zona Pellucida Membrana
Primitive Follicle Granulosa
(before birth)

Follicle
 Physiology of
Menstrual Cycle
• Assignment:

• Illustrate the Phases Menstrual Cycle

• Menarche - onset of menstruation
- typically occurs between 10 and 13 years of age.
• Menstrual Cycle - monthly pattern of ovulation and menstruation.
• Ovulation- discharge of a mature ovum from the ovary
- Produces 300,000 to 400,000 oocytes per ovary in a lifetime
- Average cycle is 28 days and a duration of 3 to 5 days
• Mittelschmerz - one-sided, lower andominal pain associated with
ovulation. It occurs midway through a menstrual cycle – about 14 days
before your next menstrual period. It doesn’t require medical attention.
• Menstruation - periodic shedding of blood, mucus and epithelial cells
from the uterus; average blood loss is 50 ml ( ¼ cup); range of 30 to 80
ml of blood.
The ovaries produce mature gametes and secrete the following hormones:
• Estrogen - contributes to the characteristics of femaleness
( female body build,breast growth)
- causes hypertrophy of the myometrium
- proliferates the endometrium
- inhibits production of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
- increases pH of cervical mucus causing it to become
thin and watery (Spinnbarkheit test)
• Progesterone - hormone of pregnancy
- quiets/ decreases the contractility of the uterus
- increases endometrial tortuosity
- increases endometrial secretions
• Progesterone - inhibits production of Luteinizing hormone
- inhibits uterine motility
- facilitate transport of fertilized ovum through
fallopian tube
- increases body temperature after ovulation

• Prostaglandins - regulate the reproductive process by

stimulating the contractility of uterine and other smooth muscles.
 THE
MENSTRUAL
CYCLE
Phases of Menstrual Cycle
A. Proliferative/Preovulatory/Follicular Phase (6-14 days)

28 days cycle begins Decreased levels of

Hypothalamus senses
with the end of estrogen and
progesterone
decrease
menstruation

stimulates APG to
Stimulate ovaries Release FSH secrete GnRH

Produce follicles 1 Mature

Follicles ripen
(Graafian Follicle)
Phases of Menstrual Cycle
B. Ovulatory Phase ( 14-15) – Peak

Releases ovum Hypothalamus

Graafian follicle
near the fallopian senses increase
ruptures
tube level of estrogen

cause Ovulation and

enhance Corpus APG release LH
Luteum formation **acts with FSH
Phases of Menstrual Cycle
C. Secretory / Luteal Phase ( 16-28 )
Pituitary Gland
Corpus Luteum
**stop FSH, LH

secretes Progesterone Hypothalamus

**Maintain vascularity of Decrease
endometrium** FSH,LH
NO implantation
• Corpus luteum
Decrease level of
decompose
estrogen; increased
Endometrial Glands -- • Endometrial
progesterone
secrete nutrients to nourishment
sustain a fertilized stops
ovum
Phases of Menstrual Cycle
D. Menstrual Phase ( 1-5 )
**an end and a beginning**

• Corpus luteum
Lining disintegrates
decompose Decrease in
and discharged from
• Endometrial estrogen and
the body
nourishment stops progesterone

MENSTRUAL
FLOW
 The Four Levels
1. CNS Response – Hypothalamic-pituitary gland action (FSH and LH)
2. Ovarian Response (2 phases) – Proliferative phase ( 1-14 days);
Secretory ( 15-22 days)
3. Endometrial Response ( 4 phases)
a.Menstrual phase ( 1- 5 days)
b.Proliferative ( 6 – 14 days)
c.Secretory ( 15-26 days)
d.Ischemic ( 27 – 28 days)
4. Cervical Mucus Response ( Ovulatory) 15-23 days
i. Before Ovulation – Spinnbarkeit/Spinnbarkheit; mittelschmerz
ii.After Ovulation
Climacteric period and Menopause

a. Climacteric - transitional period during which ovarian function

and hormonal production decline.
b.Menopause - refers to a woman’s last menstrual period
- the average age of menopause is 51.4 years.
- However, it is important to note that women
may ovulate after menopause and thus
can become pregnant