THE INTERNAL ORGANS OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The internal organs consist of the following:

VAGINA

It is a muscular distensible tube that extends from the vulva below to the cervix above.
Anteriorly it measures 10cm in length and posteriorly 7cm in length. The vagina is divided into
four arches or fornices at the upper part where the cervix protrudes into the vagina, 2 lateral,
posterior and anterior, the posterior being the largest wall of the vagina is muscles and an inner
lining of membrane thrown into circular folds called rugae. The wall is pinks. The rugae
stretches to elongate and widen the canal during intercourse and parturition. Menstrual
discharge also goes out through the vagina canal.

THE UTERUS

The uterus also called the womb. It is a hollow muscular pear shaped organ. It is anteverted and
anteflexed – meaning – it lies forward and bends forward. It is situated in the true pelvis lying
between the bladder in front and the rectum behind it.

The uterus measures 7.5cm in length, 5cm in breath and 2.5cm in thickness. It is divided
into
i. Fundus: this is dome shaped upper part of the body and it lies between the
insertions of the two fallopian tubes. It is 2.5cm in length.
ii. Cornua: these are the points of insertions of the two fallopian tubes
iii. The body: also known as the corpus is the upper 2/3 rd of the uterus and
measures 5cm from the fundus to the isthmus
iv. Cavity: this is the space between the anterior and posterior walls. The cavity is
triangular with base above and apex below. The cavity communicate with the
vagina through the cervical canal below and with the fallopian tubes at the
cornua.
v. Isthmus: this is narrow part between the body of the uterus and the cervix. It is
0.5cm long, enlarges during pregnancy and labour to form the lower uterine
segment.
vi. Cervix: it is the lower 1/3 rd of the uterus. It measures 2.5cm in length. It consists
of muscle fibres arranged in circular form and epithelium of columnar mucosa
secreting cells. It has two openings or orifices. Above, it opens into the internal
os and uterine cavity and below communicates with the external os which opens
into the vagina. The cervix protrudes into the upper part of the vagina – the
 upper part is called the supra-vagina cervix and the lower part is the infra-vagina
cervix.
vii. Internal os: this is constricted end of the cervical canal that opens into the uterus
viii. External os: it is a small round opening at the lower end of the cervix. After the
birth of a child, it becomes a transverse slit with an anterior and posterior lip.
ix. Cervical canal: it lies between the internal os and the external os and is a
continuation of the uterine cavity. The canal is wider at the middle but narrow at
both ends. Contains numerous goblet mucous secreting cells called arborvitae.

LAYERS OF THE UTERUS

There are three muscle layers. From without inwards are – perimetrium, myometrium and
endometrium and each plays a unique function.

Perimetrium: this is the outmost layer of the uterus. It consists of peritoneum which drapes
over the uterus covering all aspect except narrow strip on either side and the anterior wall of
the upper part of the cervix. It is reflected up over the bladder at the level of the isthmus to
form the utero-vesical pouch in front and the recto-uterine pouch (pouch of Douglas) behind.
The peritoneum extends beyond to form the broad ligaments on either side of the uterus.

Myometrium: this is the middle layer of the uterus. It is about 1.5cm thick and consists of
interlocking bundle of smooth muscles running in a crisscross fashion which facilitates arrest of
bleeding after delivery of a baby.

Endometrium: this is the innermost lining of the uterus. It consists of mucous membrane. Its
cells are glandular columnal, numerous and secrets mucus. The glands nourishes the fertilized
ovum from conception. In the absence of a fertilized ovum, the membrane lining is shed – as
menses.

FUNCTIONS OF THE UTERUS

i. It is the site of implantation after fertilization
ii. It houses the foetus till term
iii. Its lining is shed during menstruation

THE OVARIES

They are two in number, glandular and on either side of the pelvic cavity.

They are the primary sex organs of the female. The ovaries are akin to the testes in males but
they remain in the pelvic cavity while the testes descend into the scrotum.

The ovary is made up of three layers.

The outer covering is called germinal epithelium, followed by the cortex and an inner medullar.

The function part of the ovary is the cortex because it contains thousands of follicles in their
various stage of development.

The medulla contains the various supporting network of blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics.

At birth each ovary contains about 500,000 follicles (premorda) which can develop into mature
eggs, however only 400 will actually reach maturity and are capable of being fertilized.

At puberty, each primordial follicle starts to grow in fluid filled sac and become mature and its
called graafian follicle. It is usually one follicle at a time that matures monthly but sometimes
two or more mature can get released – this is called ovulation. The empty case left is called
corpus luteum.

The ovaries produce two hormones – oestrogen produced by the graafian follicle and
progesterone produced by the corpus luteum.

Ovulation is the release of an ovum by the ovary. This usually occur about the 12th day of the
menstruation. 12+ or – 2 days i.e between (12 – 16th day of the menstrual cycle). If fertilization
of the ovum does not occurs, the corpus luteum degenerates to become corpus albicans.
THE FALLOPIAN TUBE (OVIDUCT)

They are two in number extend from the cornua of the uterus to the sides of the pelvis and
almost touching the ovaries.

Each tube measures about 10 – 11cm in length and has a narrow lumen which communicates
with the uterine cavity medially and opens into the peritoneal cavity laterally almost touching
the ovaries.

The tube is divided into 4 parts.

- The interstial portion which lies between the wall of the uterus. It is the narrowest part
and opens into the cornua. It is 1.25cm long and the lumen is 1mm wide.
- Isthmus: also narrow and extends from the uterus. It is about 2.5cm long.
- Ampulla: it is the wider portion where fertilization usually occurs. It is about 5cm long.
- Infundibulum: this is the finger-like end that is funnel shaped. It consists of many
processes called fimbrae. One fimbra is longer than the others and is called fimbra
ovarica which is attached to the ovary. The infundibulum opens into the peritoneal
cavity.

The lining of the fallopian tube is ciliated and with cuboidal epithelium thrown into longitudinal
complicated folds known as plicae. These folds slow down the movement of the ovum on its
way to the uterus.

Function – it serves as passage for the ovum to the uterus. When the egg is fertilized, it helps to
waft it via its ciliated peristalsis movement towards the uterine cavity for implantation. It is also
a passage for spermatozoa.

MENSTRUAL CYCLE AND PHYSIOLOGY OF MENSTRUATION

Menstruation is the monthly discharge of blood from the uterine endometrium. Sometimes it
commences at puberty and ends at menopause.
The first menstruation period is known as menarche and its onset varies among girls.

The menstrual cycle is a harmonious regular cyclic changes that occur in the ovaries and the
uterus from menarche to menopause.

In other words, the menstrual cycle consist of the ovarian cycle and the uterine cycle. The
changes that occur involves the activities of hormones.

The follicle stimulating (FSH) from the anterior pituitary gland stimulates the ovary to produce
oestrogens and progesterone which have their effects on the cycle.

THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE

Proliferative Phase: This is when the endometrium is under the influence of the follicle
stimulating hormone (FSH) from the anterior pituitary gland.

This phase follows immediately after menstruation and lasts till ovulation. During this phase the
endometrium is reformed and regenerates. There is regrowth and thickening of the
endometrial lining that was shed during menstruation. This phase corresponds with the time
the FSH causes growth of one primordial follicle to ripen to a Graafian follicle. This is follicular
phase of the ovarian cycle.

The ripen Graafian follicle produces oestrogens in large quantity. This causes the endometrium
to proliferate at a certain level of oestrogen in the blood, the anterior pituitary gland releases
the luteinizing hormone (LH) which causes a ripened Graafian follicle to rupture and release an
egg. This process is called Ovulation.

Ovulation: usually occur around the 14 – 16th day of the cycle. After ovulation the empty shell
is called corpus luteum or yellow body under the influence of LH. The corpus luteum now starts
to produce oestrogen and progesterone but progesterone is much more in quantity and this
causes the level of progesterone to rise in the blood.