REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• Objective: Outline the anatomy of the female

reproductive system from external to internal

• The female reproductive organs or genitalia are divided into external

and internal organs
 Structures of the female reproductive system
 Vulva -The vulva is the global term that describes all of the structures that
make the female external genitalia. The components of the vulva are the mons
pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibular bulbs, vulva vestibule,
Bartholin's glands, Skene's glands, urethra, and vaginal opening.
• Mons Pubis-The mons pubis is a tissue mound made up of fat located directly
anterior to the pubic bones. This mound of tissue is prominent in females and
is usually covered in pubic hair. The mons pubis functions as a source of
cushioning during sexual intercourse.
• Labia majora - Larger lip-like external structures that cover and
protect sexual structures.

• Labia minora - Smaller lip-like external structures found inside the

labia majora. They provide protection for the clitoris and for the
urethra and vaginal openings.

• Clitoris - Very sensitive sexual organ located in front of the vaginal

opening. It contains thousands of sensory nerve endings and responds
to sexual stimulation.
• Vagina - Fibrous, muscular canal leading from the cervix (opening of the
uterus) to the external portion of the genital canal.

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547703/
Vestibular glands
• Also known as Bartholin's glands are situated one on each side near
the vaginal opening. They are about the size of a small pea and have
ducts, opening into the vestibule immediately lateral to the attachment
of the hymen. They secrete mucus that keeps the vulva moist
Internal genitalia

• The internal organs of the female reproductive system lie in the pelvic
cavity and consist of the vagina, uterus, two uterine tubes and two
ovaries.
• Vagina: It functions as the receptacle for the penis during coitus and
provides an elastic passageway through which the baby passes during
childbirth.
 Uterus :The uterus is a hollow muscular pear-shaped organ. It lies in
the pelvic cavity between the urinary bladder and the rectum. It is
about 7.5 cm long, 5 cm wide and its walls are about two.5 cm thick. It
weighs from 30 to 40 grams. The parts of the uterus are the fundus,
body and cervix.
• The perimetrium protects the uterus from friction by forming a smooth layer
of simple squamous epithelium along its surface and by secreting watery
serous fluid to lubricate its surface.
• Deep to the perimetrium layer, the myometrium forms the middle layer of the
uterus and contains many layers of visceral muscle tissue. During pregnancy
the myometrium allows the uterus to expand and then contracts the uterus
during childbirth.
• Inside the myometrium is the endometrium layer that borders the hollow
lumen of the uterus. The endometrium is made of simple columnar epithelial
tissue with many associated exocrine glands and a highly vascular connective
tissue that provides support to the developing embryo and fetus during
pregnancy.
The thick wall of the uterus has 3 layers

• The endometrium is the inner layer that lines the uterus. It is made up
of glandular cells that make secretions.

• The myometrium is the middle and thickest layer of the uterus wall. It
is made up mostly of smooth muscle.

• The perimetrium is the outer serous layer of the uterus. The serous
layer secretes a lubricating fluid that helps to reduce friction. The
perimetrium is also part of the peritoneum that covers some of the
organs of the pelvis.
• The endometrium is the innermost tissue layer of the uterus. It
consists of epithelial tissue, including mucous membranes.
• This layer thickens during each menstrual cycle and, unless an egg
is fertilized, sloughs off during the following menstrual period.
• If an egg is fertilized, the thickened endometrium is maintained by
hormones and provides nourishment to the embryo.
• As gestation progresses, the endometrium develops into the maternal
portion of the placenta.
• The placenta is a temporary organ that consists of a mass of maternal
and fetal blood vessels through which the mother’s and fetus’s blood
exchange substances.
• The myometrium is the middle layer of the uterus. It consists mostly
of a thick layer of smooth muscle tissue.
Powerful contractions of the smooth muscle allow the uterus to
contract and expel an infant during childbirth.
• The perimetrium is the outermost layer of the uterus. It covers the
outer surface of the uterus. This layer actually consists of two layers of
epithelium that secrete fluid into the space between them. The fluid
allows for small movements of the uterus within the pelvis, without
causing it to rub against other organs
• Functions of the uterus include nurturing the fertilized ovum that
develops into the fetus and holding it till the baby is mature
enough for birth.
• The ferlized ovum gets implanted into the endometrium and derives
nourishment from blood vessels which develop exclusively for this
purpose.
• The fertilized ovum becomes an embryo, develops into a fetus and
develops until childbirth.
• Fallopian tubes - Uterine tubes which transport egg cells from the
ovaries to the uterus. Fertilization typically occurs in these tubes.

• Ovaries - Female primary reproductive structures that produce

gametes and sex hormones. There is one ovary on each side of the
uterus.
The functions of the female reproductive system are:

 Formation of female gametes, ova

 Reception of male gametes, spermatozoa

 Provision of suitable environments for fertilisation of the ovum by

spermatozoa and development of the resultant fetus . Parturition
(childbirth)
• Lactation, the production of breast milk, which provides complete
nourishment for the baby in its early life.
• https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Human_Biology/Book%3A_Hu
man_Biology_(Wakim_and_Grewal)/
22%3A_Reproductive_System/22.08%3A_Functions_of_the_Female_
The functions of the female reproductive system
• Its functions include producing gametes called eggs, secreting sex
hormones (such as estrogen), providing a site for fertilization, gestating
a fetus if fertilization occurs, giving birth to a baby, and breastfeeding a
baby after birth.
Male reproductive system
Male Reproductive System Organs
The male reproductive system consists of sexual organs, accessory
glands, and a series of duct systems that provide a pathway for fertile
sperm cells to exit the body.
• Penis - Main organ involved in sexual intercourse. This organ is
composed of erectile tissue, connective tissue, and skin. The urethra
extends through the length of the penis, allowing urine and sperm to
pass.
• Testes - Male primary reproductive structures that produce male
gametes (sperm) and sex hormones.
• Scrotum - External pouch of skin that contains the testes. Because the
scrotum is located outside of the abdomen, it can reach temperatures
that are lower than that of internal body structures. Lower
temperatures are necessary for proper sperm development.
• Epididymis - System of ducts that receive immature sperm from the
testes. Its function is to develop immature sperm and to house mature
sperm.
• Ductus Deferens or Vas Deferens - Fibrous, muscular tubes that are
continuous with the epididymis and provide a pathway for sperm to
travel from the epididymis to the urethra
• Ejaculatory Duct - Duct formed from the union of the ductus
deferens and seminal vesicles. Each ejaculatory duct empties into the
urethra.
• Urethra - Tube that extends from the urinary bladder through the penis. This
canal allows for the excretion of reproductive fluids (semen) and urine from
the body. Sphincters prevent urine from entering the urethra while semen is
passing through.
• Seminal Vesicles - Glands that produce fluid to nurture and provide energy for
sperm cells. Tubes leading from the seminal vesicles join the ductus deferens
to form the ejaculatory duct.
• Prostate Gland - Gland that produces a milky, alkaline fluid which increases
sperm motility. The contents of the prostate empty into the urethra.
• Bulbourethral or Cowper's Glands - Small glands located at the base of the
penis. In response to sexual stimulation, these glands secrete an alkaline fluid
which helps to neutralize acidity from urine in the urethra and acidity in the
vagina
The functions of the male reproductive system are:
• The functions of the male reproductive system include producing and
transporting sperm, ejaculating sperm into the female reproductive
tract, and producing and secreting male hormones.
Variations between mitosis and
meiosis
Common disorders of the male and female
reproductive system
What is endometriosis?
• The uterus, or womb, is the place where a baby grows when a woman
is pregnant. It is lined with tissue (endometrium).
• Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue that is similar to the lining
of the uterus grows in other places in your body. These patches of
tissue are called "implants," "nodules," or "lesions." They are most
often found:
On or under the ovaries
On the fallopian tubes, which carry egg cells from the ovaries to the
uterus
Behind the uterus
On the tissues that hold the uterus in place
On the bowels or bladder
In rare cases, the tissue may grow on your lungs or in other parts of
your body.
Ectopic pregnancy

• This is the implantation of a fertilised ovum outside the uterus, most

commonly in a uterine tube. As the fetus grows the tube ruptures and
its contents enter the peritoneal cavity, causing acute inflammation
(peritonitis) and possibly severe intraperitoneal haemorrhage.
Acute prostatitis
• Acute prostatitis is a sudden inflammation of the prostate gland. It
is a rare type of prostatitis, which is a common prostate problem. The
prostate is a small gland that surrounds a man's urethra.
Sexually transmitted diseases
https://
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/sexually-trans
mitted-diseases#molluscum-contagiosum