Anatomy & Physiology Of Female Reproductive System

Learning Objectives

Define the terms listed.Identify the female external

reproductive organs.Explain the structure of the bony

pelvis.Explain the functions and structures

of pelvic floor.

Introduction

External Female Structures

Collectively, the external female reproductive organs are called the

Vulva.

External Female Structures

Mons Pubis.Labia Majora Labia Minora.Clitoris.Vestibule.Perineum

Mons Pubis

Is rounded, soft fullness of subcutaneous fatty tissue, prominence over the symphysis pubis that forms the anterior border of the external reproductive organs.

It is covered with varying amounts of pubic hair.

Labia Majora & Minora

The labia Majora are two rounded, fleshy folds of tissue that extended from the mons pubis to the perineum.

It is protect the labia minora, urinary meatus and vaginal introitus.

Labia MinoraIt is located between the labia majora,

are narrow.The lateral and anterior aspects are

usually pigmented.The inner surfaces are similar to

vaginal mucosa, pink and mois.Their rich vascularity.

Clitoris.

The term clitoris comes from a Greek word meaning key.

Erectile organ.It’s rich vascular, highly sensitive

to temperature, touch, and pressure sensation

Vestibule.

Is oval-shaped area formed between the labia minora, clitoris, and fourchette.

Vestibule contains the external urethral meatus, vaginal introitus, and Bartholins glands.

Perineum

Is the most posterior part of the external female reproductive organs.

It extends from fourchette anteriorly to the anus posteriorly.

And is composed of fibrous and muscular tissues that support pelvic structures.

Internal Female Structures

VaginaUterusFallopian tubesOvaries

Fallopian tubes

The two tubes extended from the cornu of the uterus to the ovary.

It runs in the upper free border of the broad ligament.

Length 8 to 14 cm average 10 cmIts divided into 4 parts.

1. Interstitial partWhich runs into uterine cavity,

passes through the myometrium between the fundus and body of the uterus. About 1-2cm in length.

2. Isthmus

Which is the narrow part of the tube adjacent to the uterus.

Straight and cord like , about 2 – 3 cm in length.

3. Ampulla

Which is the wider part about 5 cm in length.

Fertilization occurs in the ampulla.

4. Infundibulum

It is funnel or trumpet shaped.Fimbriae are fingerlike processes, one

of these is longer than the other and adherent to the ovary.

The fimbriae become swollen almost erectile at ovulation.

Functions

Gamete transport (ovum pickup, ovum transport, sperm transport).

Final maturation of gamete post ovulate oocyte maturation, sperm capicitation.

Fluid environment for early embryonic development.

Transport of fertilized and unfertilized ovum to the uterus.

OvariesOval solid structure, 1.5 cm in thickness,

2.5 cm in width and 3.5 cm in length respectively. Each weights about 4–8 gm.

Ovary is located on each side of the uterus, below and behind the uterine tubes

Structure of the ovaries

CortexMedullaHilum

Ovaries and Relationship to Uterine Tube and Uterus

Figure 28–14

Function of the ovary

Secrete estrogen & progesterone.

Production of ova

Uterus

The uterus is a hollow, pear shaped muscular organ.

The uterus measures about 7.5 X 5 X 2.5 cm and weight about 50 – 60 gm.

Its normal position is anteverted (rotated forward and slightly antiflexed (flexed forward)

The uterus divided into three parts

1. Body of the uterus

The upper part is the corpus, or body of the uterus

The fundus is the part of the body or corpus above the area where the fallopian tubes enter the uterus.

Length about 5 cm.

2. IsthmusA narrower transition zone.Is between the corpus of the uterus

and cervix.During late pregnancy, the isthmus

elongates and is known as the lower uterine segment.

3 .Cervix

The lowermost position of the uterus “neck”.

The length of the cervix is about 2.5 t0 3 cm.

The os, is the opening in the cervix that runs between the uterus and vagina.

The upper part of the cervix is marked by internal os and the lower cervix is marked by the external os.

Layers of the uterus

Perimetrium. Myometrium. Endometrium.

1. Perimetrium

Is the outer peritoneal layer of serous membrane that covers most of the uterus.

Laterally, the perimetrium is continuous with the broad ligaments on either side of the uterus.

2. Myometrium

Is the middle layer of thick muscle.

Most of the muscle fibers are concentrated in the upper uterus, and their number diminishes progressively toward the cervix.

The myometrium contains three types of smooth muscle fiber

Longitudinal fibers (outer layer)

Which are found mostly in the fundus and are designed to expel the fetus efficiently toward the pelvic outlet during birth.

Middle layer figure-8 fibers

These fiber contract after birth to compress the blood vessels that pass between them to limit blood loss.

Inner layer circular fibers

Which form constrictions where the fallopian tubes enter the uterus and surround the internal os

Circular fibers prevent reflux of menstrual blood and tissue into the fallopian tubes.

Promote normal implantation of the fertilized ovum by controlling its entry into the uterus.

And retain the fetus until the appropriate time of birth.

3. EndometriumIs the inner layer of the uterus.It is responsive to the cyclic

variations of estrogen and progesterone during the female reproductive cycle every month.

The two or three layers of the endometrium are:

*Compact layer

*The basal layer

*The functional or Sponge layer this layer is shed during each menstrual period and after child birth in the lochia

The Function of the uterus

Menstruation ----the uterus sloughs off the endometrium.

Pregnancy ---the uterus support fetus and allows the fetus to grow.

Labor and birth---the uterine muscles contract and the cervix dilates during labor to expel the fetus

VaginaIt is an elastic fibro-muscular tube

and membranous tissue about 8 to 10 cm long.

Lying between the bladder anteriorly and the rectum posteriorly.

The vagina connects the uterus above with the vestibule below.

The upper end is blind and called the vaginal vault.

The vaginal lining has multiple folds, or rugae and muscle layer. These folds allow the vagina to stretch considerably during childbirth.

The reaction of the vagina is acidic, the pH is 4.5 that protects the vagina against infection.

Functions of the vagina

To allow discharge of the menstrual flow.

As the female organs of coitus.To allow passage of the fetus from

the uterus.

Support structures

The bony pelvis support and protects the lower abdominal and internal reproductive organs.

Muscle, Joints and ligaments provide added support for internal organs of the pelvis against the downward force of gravity and the increases in intra-abdominal pressure

Bony Pelvis

Bony Pelvis Is Composed of 4 bones:

1. Two hip bones.

2. Sacrum.

3. Coccyx.

1. Two hip bones.

Each or hip bone is composed of three bones:

*Ilium *Ischium *Pubis

*Ilium

It is the flared out part.The greater part of its inner

aspect is smooth and concave, forming the iliac fossa.

The upper border of the ilium is called iliac crest

*IschiumIt is the thick lower part.It has a large prominence

known as the ischial tuberosity on which the body rests while sitting.

Behind and little above the tuberosity is an inward projection the ischial spine.

2. Sacrum

Is a wedge shaped bone consisting of five vertebrae.

The anterior surface of the sacrum is concave

The upper border of the first sacral vertebra known as the sacral promontory

3 .Coccyx.

Consists of four vertebrae forming a

small triangular bone.