THE

FEMALE
REPRODU
CTIVE
SYSTEM
FEMALE REPRODUCTION
 Unlike males, who are
able to produce sperm
cells throughout their
reproductive lives,
females produce a finite
number of egg cells.
 During early fetal
development germ cells
migrate into the ovaries
and differentiate into
oogonia
GROSS ANATOMY
 The ovaries are solid, ovoid
structures, about 2 cm in
length and 1 cm in width.
 Like the testes, they develop
from embryonic tissue
along the posterior
abdominal wall, near the
kidneys.
 Accessory organs include
the uterine tubes, uterus,
and vagina.
UTERINE TUBES
(FALLOPIAN TUBES)
 an important passageway for an egg and a sperm
to meet and for a fertilized egg (embryo) to make
its way to your uterus

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UTERINE TUBES
(FALLOPIAN TUBES)
 Fimbriae are finger-like projections on the ends of your
fallopian tubes closest to your ovaries. Each month,
your fimbriae catch the egg that one of your ovaries
releases during ovulation. Your fimbriae then sweep
the egg (ovum) into the fallopian tube where the egg
can be fertilized

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UTERUS
 Hollow, thick-walled organ located in the pelvis anterior to
the rectum and posterosuperior to the bladder
 Carries the fertilized egg in a period of 9 months

 Your uterus is a pear-shaped organ in the reproductive

system of people assigned female at birth. It's where a
fertilized egg implants during pregnancy and where
your baby develops until birth. It's also responsible
for your menstrual cycle.

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UTERUS

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 UTERINE HISTOLOGY
 Endometrium
 Simple columnar epithelium
 Stroma of connective tissue and endometrial glands

Stratum functionalis: Shed during menstruation



Stratum basalis: Replaces stratum functionalis each

month
 Myometrium
3 layers of smooth muscle
 Perimetrium
 Visceral peritoneum
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FEMALE: LATERAL VIEW

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CERVIX
 Narrow lower neck of the uterus which projects into the
vagina inferiorly
 passage that allows fluids to flow inside and out of
your uterus. It's also a powerful gatekeeper that can
open and close in ways that make pregnancy and
childbirth possible

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Endocervical canal

Fornix

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VAGINA
 Thin-walled tube lying between the bladder and the rectum,
extending from the cervix to the exterior of the body
 provides a passageway for blood and mucosal
tissue from the uterus during a woman's monthly
period. receives the penis during sexual intercourse
and holds the sperm until they pass into the uterus.
provides a passageway for childbirth.

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FEMALE EXTERNAL GENITALIA
 Mons pubis: fatty pad over the pubic symphysis
 Labia majora & minora: folds of skin encircling vestibule
where find urethral and vaginal openings
 Clitoris: small mass of erectile tissue
 Bulb of vestibule: masses of erectile tissue just deep to the
labia on either side of the vaginal orifice
 Perineum: Area between the vagina and anus

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FEMALE EXTERNAL GENITALIA

Perineum

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BARTHOLIN’S GLANDS
(AKA: VESTIBULAR GLANDS)
 The Bartholin's glands are located on each side of the
vaginal opening.
 They secrete fluid that
helps lubricate the vagina.
 Sometimes the ducts of
these glands become
obstructed.
 Fluid backs up into the gland
and causes swelling
(Bartholin's cyst)

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MAMMARY GLANDS
 Modified sweat glands that produce milk (lactation)
 Amount of adipose determines size of breast
 Milk-secreting glands open by lactiferous ducts at the nipple
 Areola is pigmented area around nipple

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BREAST

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 BREAST

 Prolactin from the

pituitary gland
stimulates the
synthesis of milk
 Oxytocin from
the posterior
pituitary gland
stimulates milk
ejection

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Why is it important
for a person to learn
about the human
reproductive
system?
ASSIGNMENT
 Reseach on the facts/trivia on male and
female reproductive system (minimum of 5
each)
 What are the different hormones associated
to male and female reproductive system.
What are the functions of these hormones?
 Cite exampes of male and female sexual
characteristics. (minimum of 5 each)