FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

PRESENTED BY:
P R I YA N K A G E H L O T
INTRODUCTION
The reproductive organs in female are those
which are concerned with copulation,
fertilization, growth and development of
the fetus and its subsequent exit to the outer
world.
Female Reproductive organs are broadly
divided into:
• External genitalia
• Internal genitalia
• Accessory reproductive organs
TERMINOLOGY:
1) Mullerian duct- Primordial anlage of
female reproductive tract. They
differentiate to form fallopian
tubes,uterus,cervix & vagina.
2) Fornices: Space between vaginal part of
cervix & vaginal wall.
3) Fourchette :lower portion of the labia
minora fuses across the midline to form a
fold of skin known as Fourchette.
4) Utero vesical pouch: Peritoneal fold
between bladder & uterus
5) Pouch of Douglas /Recto-uterine
pouch/CUL-DE-SAC: Peritoneal fold
between rectum & uterus

EXTERNAL GENITALIA ( VULVA)

RELATION:
• Anteriorly - Mons pubis
• Posteriorly -Rectum
• Laterally - Genitocrural fold
Vulva consists of the following:
• Mons pubis
• Labia majora
• Labia minora
• Clitoris
• Vestibule
• Vestibular bulb
• Perineum
MONS VENERIS (MONS PUBIS):
Pad of subcutaneous tissue in adult
female covered by hairs.
 LABIA MAJORA (GREATER LIPS):
•Elevated fold of skin and subcutaneous
tissue.
•Contains sebaceous gland , sweat gland &
hair follicles.
•Inner surface is hairless.
•Homologous to scrotum in male.

LABIA MINORA:
•Two thin folds of skin, devoid of fat, on
either side just within the labia majora
• lower portion of the labia minora fuses
across midline to form a fold of skin
known as “Fourchette”.
• Homologous to penile urethra in male
• Do not contains hair follicles.

CLITORIS:
• Small cylindrical erectile body
• Measuring about 2.5cm
• Situated in most anterior part of vulva.
• Richly supplied with nerves.
• Homologus to penis in male.

VESTIBULE:
•RELATION :
• Anteriorly - Clitoris
• Posteriorly - Fourchette
• Laterally - Labia minora.
• Triangular space
• There are four openings into vestibule.
They are as follows:
(a)Urethral opening: Situated in midline
just in front of vaginal orifice .

(b) Vaginal orifice and hymen:

• Lies in posterior end of vestibule.
• In virgins and nulliparae, opening is
closed by labia minora, but in parous, it
may be exposed.
• Closed by a septum of mucous membrane,
called hymen
(c)Opening of Bartholin’s ducts:
• Two Bartholin glands, one on each side.
• Pea-sized and yellowish white in colour.
• During sexual excitement, it secretes
abundant alkaline mucus which helps in
lubrication.
• Homologous to the bulb of the penis in
male.
(d) Skene’s glands :
• Homologous to the prostate in the male.
• Two Skene’s ducts may open in the
vestibule on either side of the external
urethral meatus.
• Function: Lubrication of vagina

VESTIBULAR BULB:
•Bilateral elongated masses of erectile
tissues
•Each bulb lies on either side of the vaginal
orifice in front of the Bartholin’s gland
PERINEUM:
•Space between vagina & rectum
• Episiotomy
RELATION:
• Superiorly-Pelvic floor
• Inferiorly-Skin between buttocks &
thighs
• Laterally- Ischiopubic ramus, ischial
tuberosities and sacrotuberous ligaments
• Posteriorly-Coccyx
 BLOOD SUPPLY:
Arteries—
Branches of internal pudendal artery,
Branches of femoral artery,
superficial and deep external pudendal
artery.

Veins—
Internal pudendal vein,
Vesical or vaginal venous plexus,
Long saphenous vein.
NERVE SUPPLY:
Bilateral spinal somatic nerves—
Anterosuperior (L1 and L2) and
posteroinferior (S1.2.3).
Vulva is supplied by pudendal nerve
(S2.3.4).
LYMPHATICS:
• Superficial inguinal nodes
• Intermediate groups of inguinal lymph
nodes
• External and internal iliac lymph nodes.
 DEVELOPMENT:
• External genitalia is developed in
ectodermal cloacal fossa
• Clitoris from the genital tubercle
• Labia minora from genital folds
• Labia majora from labioscrotal
swelling
• vestibule from urogenital sinus.
INTERNAL GENITAL ORGANS
The internal genital organs in female
include:
• Vagina
• Uterus
• Fallopian tubes
• Ovaries.
VAGINA
•Fibromuscular membranous sheath
communicating uterine cavity with vulva.
• Excretory channel for uterine secretion
and menstrual blood.
• Organ of copulation and forms birth canal
of parturition
•Length-
Anteriorly 7.5 cm
Posteriorly 9cm.
•
•Fornices: Space between vaginal part of
cervix & vaginal wall.
•There are four fornices—
One anterior
One posterior and
Two lateral.
RELATIONS:
Anteriorly— Bladder , urethra
Posteriorly—Pouch of Douglas
Laterally— Lateral fornices, levator ani,
vestibular bulbs & Bartholin’s glands .
STRUCTURES:
Layers from within outwards are—
(1) Stratified squamous epithelium
(2) Loose areolar vascular tissues
(3) Muscular layer consisting of inner
circular and outer longitudinal muscles
(4) Fibrous coat derived from endopelvic
fascia and is highly vascular.

PH of Vagina : Acidic from puberty to

menopause because of Doderlin’s bacilli
which produce lactic acid from
glycogen(3.8-4.5 PH).

BLOOD SUPPLY:
Arteries – vaginal artery, internal iliac,
pudendal artery.
Veins - internal iliac veins, internal
pudendal veins.

LYMPHATICS: Internal iliac ,superficial

inguinal lymph node
NERVE SUPPLY:
• Sympathetic and
parasympathetic ,pudendal nerve.

DEVELOPMENT:
Vagina -Endoderm.
Musculature -Mesoderm
External vaginal orifice -Ectoderm
UTERUS
•Hollow pyriform muscular organ situated in
the pelvis between the bladder in front and
the rectum behind.
POSITION:
•Anteversion(90 degree):angle between
cervix & vagina and
•Anteflexion(120 degree):angle of uterus
with self.

MEASUREMENT:
•7.5-8 cm long
• Normal length of uterine cavity 6.5-7 cm

• 1.25 cm wall thickness

• Weight-50-80gm

PARTS:
1. Body or corpus-: further divided into:
Fundus & Body cavity
2. Isthmus (0.5 cm)
3. Cervix (2.5 cm):
Parts of cervix: two parts
-Endocervix/supra vaginal part: continue
with uterus
-Ectocervix/vaginal part of cervix: continue
with vagina
RELATIONS:
Anteriorly—Urinary bladder (utero vesical
pouch )
Posteriorly- Rectum ( Pouch of Douglas
/Recto-uterine pouch/CUL-DE-SAC)
Laterally— Folds of peritoneum
STRUCTURES:
The wall consists of three layers from
outside inwards:
1. Parametrium: Serous coat.
2. Myometrium: Smooth muscle fibers
3. Endometrium: Mucous lining
SECRETION:
Endometrial secretion- scanty and watery.
Cervical secretion- alkaline and thick, rich
in mucoprotein, fructose and sodium
chloride
BLOOD SUPPLY:
Arteries- Uterine arteries
Veins- Internal iliac veins

LYMPHATICS:
(a) Body—
Preaortic &
Lateral aortic lymph node
Superficial inguinal lymph node
External iliac lymph node
(b) Cervix—
External iliac
Paracervical lymph nodes
Internal iliac lymph node

NERVES:
a)Nerve supply of the uterus is derived
principally from the sympathetic system and
partly from the parasympathetic system.
(b) Sympathetic supply-
T5 and T6 (motor)
T10 to L1 spinal segments (sensory)
c)Parasympathetic supply- both motor and
sensory fibers from S2, S3, S4.
DEVELOPMENT: Müllerian ducts

FALLOPIAN TUBE (Uterine tube,

oviduct)
• Paired structure
• measuring 10 cm
•Each tube has got two openings-
 Communicating with uterine cavity-
Uterine opening
 Lateral end of tube-Pelvic
opening/Abdominal ostium

• Abdominal ostium is surrounded by a

number of radiating fimbriae (20–25), one
of these is longer than rest and is attached
to the outer pole of ovary called ovarian
fimbriae .
• Transports gametes ,facilitate
fertilization
PARTS:
There are four parts—
1)Intramural or Interstitial-1.25 cm length ,
1 mm diameter
2)Isthmus- 3–4 cm
3)Ampulla- 5 cm in length & most
commonly fertilization takes place at
ampulla-isthmic region
4)Infundibulum - 1.25 cm, diameter 6 mm.
STRUCTURES:
It consists of three layers—
(1)Serous
(2)Muscular
(3)Mucous membrane

FUNCTIONS:
(1) Transport of the gametes
(2) To facilitate fertilization and survival
of zygote through its secretion.
BLOOD SUPPLY:
A. Arteries- Uterine and ovarian.
B. Veins- Ovarian veins.

LYMPHATICS: Para-aortic nodes.

NERVE SUPPLY: Uterine and ovarian

nerves.

DEVELOPMENT: Mullerian duct

 OVARY
•Paired organ concern with germ cell
maturation,storage & its release.
• Intraperitoneal structure
•Measures : 3 cm long, 2 cm wide, 1 cm
thickness.
•Oval in shape & pinkish gray in color.
•2-3 gm weight of each ovary.
• The number of oogonia-
At 20 week – 7 million,
At birth – 2 million,At puberty – 4 lakh
RELATIONS:
Posteriorly-Broad ligament by mesovarium
Laterally- Infundibulopelvic ligament &
To uterus by ovarian ligament.

STRUCTURES:
• Ovary is covered by a single layer of
cubical cell known as germinal
epithelium
• The substance of the gland consists of
outer cortex and inner medulla.
• Cortex— related to sex hormone
production and ovulation. structures
include :primordial follicles, maturing
follicles, Graffian follicles and corpus
luteum.
• Medulla— Small collection of cells
called “hilus cells” which are
homologous to the interstitial cells of the
testes.
BLOOD SUPPLY:
Arteries- Ovarian artery( abdominal aorta).
Veins- Pampiniform plexus, ovarian veins
( inferior vena cava).
LYMPHATICS: Para-aortic lymph nodes.

NERVE SUPPLY: Sympathetic supply by

T10 segment.

DEVELOPMENT: Cortex of the

undifferentiated genital ridges
PELVIC FLOOR (Synonym: Pelvic
diaphragm)

•Pelvic floor is a muscular partition which

separates pelvic cavity from anatomical
perineum.
• It consists of three sets of muscles on
either side—pubococcygeus, iliococcygeus
and ischiococcygeus and these are
collectively called levator ani.
•Important muscle supporting pelvic
organs is levator ani which forms pelvic
floor.

•Pelvic fascia covers pelvic wall,pelvic

floor & pelvic viscera.

ORIGIN: Each levator ani arises from the

back of the pubic rami, from the condensed
fascia and from the inner surface of the
ischial spine.
NERVE SUPPLY: 4th sacral nerve,
inferior rectal nerve, pudendal nerve S2,3,4.

FUNCTIONS:
1)To support the pelvic organs.
2)To maintain intra-abdominal pressures.
3)Facilitates anterior internal rotation of the
presenting part when it presses on the
pelvic floor.
ACCESSORY REPRODUCTIVE
ORGAN
BREAST
•Breasts are bilateral glandular structure &
in female constitute accessory reproductive
organ
•Shape of the breast varies in women and
also in different periods of life. But the size
of the base of the breast is fairly constant.
•It usually extends from the 2nd to 6th rib
in the midclavicular line.
STRUCTURES (Non-lactating breasts):
•Areola is placed about center of breast
and is pigmented.
• 2.5 cm in diameter.
•Montgomery glands are accessory glands
located around periphery of areola. They
can secrete milk
•Nipple is a muscular projection covered by
pigmented skin accommodates about 15–20
lactiferous ducts and their openings.
Lactation :
• 2 hormones are responsible
• Prolactin-Production of milk
• Oxytocin-Ejection of milk

• 4 steps of lactation:
• Mammogenesis
• Lactogenesis
• Galactokinesis
• Galactopoiesis
BLOOD SUPPLY:
Arteries-
• Axillary artery
• Internal mammary
• Inter costal arteries
Veins-
• Axillary vein
• Internal mammary
• Inter costal veins
LYMPHATICS:
Anterior axillary nodes (75%)
Internal mammary nodes
Mediastinal node

NERVE SUPPLY:
4th,5th,6th intercostal nerves.

DEVELOPMENT:
Parenchyma - Ectoderm.
Connective tissue stroma - Mesoderm.
SUMMARY:
The female reproductive system is
designed to carry out several functions.it
produces the female egg cells necessary
for reproduction, called ova or oocytes. It
participate in conception ,fertilization of
egg by a sperm ,normally occurs in
fallopian tubes.
 
CONCLUSION: