The
Female
Reproducti
ve System
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE STRUCTURES
INTERNAL ORGANS
● Ovaries
● Uterus
● Cervix
● Fallopian Tubes
● Vagina
EXTERNAL ORGAN
● Vulva
Perineum-Urogenital Triangle
THE PERINEUM IS BELOW THE PELVIC
DIAPHRAGM AND BETWEEN THE LEGS. IT IS
A DIAMOND-SHAPED AREA THAT INCLUDES
THE ANUS AND, IN FEMALES, THE VAGINA.
THE PERINEUM HAS CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Female perineum muscles
BECAUSE IT CAN BE TORN DURING
CHILDBIRTH POSSIBLY RESULTING IN
INVOLUNTARY SEEPAGE FROM THE RECTUM
AND PARTIAL VAGINAL OR UTERINE
PROLAPSE
A SURGICAL INCISION CALLED AN
EPISIOTOMY MAY BE MADE IN THE
PERINEUM, THOUGH THIS PROCEDURE IS
DECREASING IN FREQUENCY
Male perineum muscles
Ovaries
THE OVARY PRODUCES EGGS/OVA THROUGH MEIOSIS. OOGENESIS IS THE
TERM USED FOR EGG PRODUCTION. OVULATION IS THE RELEASE OF AN
OVUM AT THE END OF OOGENESIS
Meiosis results in four
daughter cells being
produced that have
HALF the number of the
original cell.
Human body cells = 46
chromosomes
Human sex cells = 23
chromosomes
THE OVARIES ALSO SECRETE, THE HORMONES, ESTROGEN AND
PROGESTERONE
ESTROGEN PROGESTERONE
IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE THICKENING
DEVELOPMENT OF FEMALE SECONDARY IN THE LINING OF THE UTERUS EACH
SEX CHARACTERISTICS, SUCH AS MONTH. THE ENRICHED ENDOMETRIAL
BREASTS, WIDER HIPS, PUBIC HAIR LINING IS PREPARED TO RECEIVE AND
AND ARMPIT HAIR. ESTROGEN ALSO NOURISH A FERTILIZED EGG. IF A
REGULATES THE GROWTH OF THE PREGNANCY OCCURS, PROGESTERONE
UTERINE LINING DURING THE FIRST IS PRODUCED IN THE PLACENTA AND
PART OF THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE. LEVELS REMAIN ELEVATED DURING
PREGNANCY.
Uterus
THE UTERUS CONSISTS OF A
WIDE UPPER PORTION CALLED
THE BODY AND A NARROW
LOWER PART CALLED THE
CERVIX, OR NECK.
THE UTERUS MAINTAINS AN
ENVIRONMENT SUITABLE FOR
ACCEPTING A FERTILIZED
EGG.
THREE LAYERS COMPOSE THE
UTERINE WALL
ENDOMETRIUM,
Cervix
The cervix is the lower part
of the uterus that protrudes
into the vagina.
It produces cervical mucus
that changes in consistency
during the menstrual cycle to
prevent or promote
pregnancy.
During childbirth,
the cervix dilates widely to
allow the baby to pass
through.
During menstruation,
the cervix opens a small
amount to permit passage of
Fallopian Tubes
• The Fallopian Tubes are
extensions of the uterus
that connect with the
ovaries
• Fertilization usually occurs
in the Fallopian tubes
• The fertilized egg (zygote)
implants in the uterus
• Sometimes the egg
implants in the fallopian
tube, this is called an
ectopic pregnancy. In
this case, the embryo is
NOT VIABLE.
In animals that have a large
number of offspring (like
cats) the uterus is divided
into two uterine horns (the
fallopian tubes in humans).
Gestation of embryos occurs
in these tubes.
Fallopian Tubes
Quick Ovary
Check
Uterus
Cervix
Vagina
Vagina
The hymen is tissue that
partially covers the opening
of the vagina. The tissue
thins and disappears over
time and may stretch and/or
disappear during activities
other than sex. See “
6 Things You Never Knew A
bout Your Hymen
”
The Vagina is a tubular organ located between the rectum and the urethra and bladder.
Functions of the Vagina
• The vaginal mucosa has exocrine glands that secrete lubricating fluid during female
sexual arousal
• During sexual intercourse, the vagina lubricates the glans penis which triggers
semen ejaculation
• The vagina is a receptacle of semen which pools in the area of the cervix
VAGINAL EXAM
A Speculum is used
during exams
During an annual PAP test, a
doctor removes cells from
around the cervix and a lab
checks them for abnormalities.
A gynecologist performs this
procedure.
THE DOCTOR CAN ALSO CHECK FOR ABNORMALITIES WITH THE UTERUS AND
THE BLADDER DURING A VAGINAL EXAM.
SO FAR WE HAVE DISCUSSED THE INTERNAL ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM. NOW LET’S EXAMINE THE EXTERNAL ANATOMY.
Vulva
THE VULVA IS
COMPOSED OF THE
MONS PUBIS, LABIA
MAJORA, LABIA
MINORA, CLITORIS,
URINARY MEATUS,
VAGINAL ORIFICE, AND
BARTHOLIN’S
(GREATER
VESTIBULAR) GLANDS.
FUNCTIONS OF THE
VULVA
● BOTH, THE MONS PUBIS
AND LABIA PROTECT THE
DELICATE TISSUES OF THE
CLITORIS AND VESTIBULE
● THE CLITORIS HAS A
LARGE NUMBER OF
SENSORY RECEPTORS, • BARTHOLIN'S GLANDS SECRETE
BECOMES ERECT DURING MUCUS TO PROVIDE VAGINAL
INTERCOURSE, AND SENDS LUBRICATION DURING SEXUAL
AROUSAL.
INFORMATION BACK TO THE
• THE VAGINAL ORIFICE IS THE
BRAIN ON THE SEXUAL BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE
RESPONSE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL GENITAL
CAN YOU IDENTIFY & DISCUSS THE FUNCTIONS OF
THE VULVA?
A FEW DISORDERS
Because HPV infection is so common, most
people get HPV infections shortly after
becoming sexually active for the first time.
Cervical cancer: Virtually all cases Fortunately, there is a VACCINE,
of cervical cancer are caused by recommended for young girls (and boys)
HPV, human papillomavirus. before they become sexually active.
Source: Cancer.gov
