1. 05/01/2025 prepared by Debiso Erjino
Anatomy and physiology of female
reproductive system
2. 05/01/2025 prepared by Debiso Erjino
Introduction
The reproductive organ in female are those
which concerned with
copulation
fertilization
growth and development of fetus and
its subsequent exit to the outer world
3. 05/01/2025 prepared by Debiso Erjino
Introduction….
The female RS is designed to carry out several
function
It produces the female egg cells called ova/oocytes
Transport ova to the site of fertilization
Conception/Implantation-the initial stage of
pregnancy
If fertilization and/or implantation does not take
place the system is designed to menstruate
In addition female RS produce sex hormones that
maintain the reproductive cycle
4. • The female reproductive
system consists of external and
internal organ.
• External genitalia; clitoris, labia
majora,labia minora, monus
pubis,bartholin glands
• Internal organ; uterus, ovary,
vagina and uterine(fallopian)
tube
• In non pregnant state the
internal reproductive organ are
situated in true pelvis
• The external genital
organ has three main
functions;
– Enabling sperm to
inter the body
– Protecting the
internal genital organ
– Provide sexual
pleasure
6. External Genitalia
• Mons pubis – is a pad of fatty
tissue situated in front of the
symphysis pubis.
• It is covered by skin and pubic
hair which develop at the time
of puberty and appears
triangular in distribution.
• The mons pubs contains oil
secreting(sebaceous)glands that
releases substance that are
involved in sexual attraction.
• Purpose – protect the junction
of the pubic bone from trauma.
Clitoris:- is small
extremely sensitive
erectile structure situated
with in the folds of the
prepuce and frenum.
It is about 2.5 cm long and
is composed of two corpora
cavernose.
It consists of the glands,
body and two crura.
It is analogue to the penis
in male and highly
vascularized
7. External …
Labia majora(Greater
lips)- are two large
rounded folds of fatty tissue
covered by skin which meet
anteriorly at the mons pubis.
It is covered with pubic hair
on the outer surface at
puberty.
is comparable to scrotum
Contains sebaceous glands,
sweet glands, which produce
lubricants and hair follicle
Labia minora(lesser lips) – are two
thin smaller folds of skin lying
longitudinally with the labia majora.
Pink color due to rich in blood
vessels.
The area they in close is known as
the vestibule
- Anteriorly they divided in to two folds.
The upper folds surround the clitoris
and unite to form the prepuce.
The two lower folds are attached to
undersurface of the clitoris and are
known as the frenulum.
- Posteriorly, the labia minora unite to
form a thin fold of skin, the
fourchette
9. External Genitalia
vestibules:- is a triangular
space bounded anteriorly by
the clitoris, posterior by the
fourchette and on either side
by labia minus.
openings in to the vestibule
1.The urethral meatus – lies 2.5
cm below the clitoris.
2.The vaginal orifice (introitus) –
occupies the lower two
thirds of the vestibule lying
between the labia minora.
3.The bartholin’s ducts and
glands:- are situated in the
superficial perineal pouch
posterior to the vestibular bulb.
• It secretes abundant alkaline
mucus during sexual
excitement which helps in
lubrication.
4.Vestibuler bulb:- are bilateral
masses of erectile tissues
situated beneath the mucus
membrane called vestibule.
• Each bulb lies on either side of
the vaginal orifice deep to the
labia majora and minora and
anterior to bartholin’s glands.
10. Hymen
Hymen- is a thin membrane which
covers the introitus in virgin.
Hymen may be lacerated by
disease ,injury, masturbation or
physical exercise. for this reason
the state of hymen is not a
conclusive indication of virginity.
• It has d/t shape.
• Crescent or lunar hymen; a half
moon above or below
• Imperforate hymen
• labial hymen
• Micro perforate hymen
subseptate
• Septate hymen
fimbriated
• Annular hymen
• Cribriform hymen
• denticular
11. External Genitalia…
Blood supply:- The vulva is supplied with blood
from two main arteries
♥ The femoral artery in the upper part of the thigh.
♥ The internal pudendal artery running along the
pubic arch.
The blood drains through corresponding veins.
Lymphatic drainage:- some drainage in to the
inguinal glands and some is in to the external iliac
glands.
Never supply:- is from the branches of pudendal
nerve and the perineal nerve.
12. Internal genitalia
♥ The vagina
Is a tube (canal) which extends
from the vulva to the uterine
cervix.
It is longer in posterior wall
(10cm) than anterior (7cm). 2.5
cm in diameter
The vault of the vagina is
divided in to four fornices by
the projection of the cervix
Anterior
Posterior
Two lateral fornices
• The posterior fornix is the
largest
• The vaginal walls are pink in
appearance and thrown in to
small folds known as rugae
Structures
Vaginal wall is composed
of four layers.
- The layers from in to out
wards are :
i. Mucus coat lined by
stratified squamous
epithelium.
ii. Sub mucous layer
iii. Muscular layer – inner
circular and outer
longitudinal
iv. Fibrous coat
13. The vagina…
Contents
• There are no glands situated in
the wall of the vagina
• The vagina contains a small
amount of fluid which is derived
from two sources;
Alkaline mucus which secrete
from the glands of the cervix,
The vaginal blood vessels which
allow serous fluid to transude
through the vaginal wall into its
lumen.
• The vaginal fluid is acidic in
reaction having a PH of about
4.5 during reproductive
life(lactobacilli)
Relations
Anterior – the bladder and the
urethra
Posterior - lowest 2/3 perineal
body
- Middle third rectum
-Upper third pouch of Douglas.
Lateral - upper 2/3 pelvic fascia at
the base of the broad ligament.
Lowest third -two levator ani
muscles
-bulbo-cavernosus
muscles.
Superior – Uterine cervix
Inferior – hymen and the
structures of the vulva
14. Vagina
Blood supply
Arterial supply from the vaginal, the
uterine (descending branch), the
middle haemorrodial, the inferior
vesical and pedundial arteries
The vein drains in a corresponding
manner.
Lymphatic drainage
The lowest 2/3 drain to the
horizontal inguinal groups along
with those of the vulva.
Upper 1/3 drain to the internal iliac
and sacral glands.
Nerve supply
• is from the sympathetic and pelvic
splanchnics nerves
Functions
Entrance for
spermatozoa
Exit for menstrual flow
and products of
conception
Helps to support the
uterus
Organs for sexual
intercourse
Prevent from infection
15. The Uterus
Is a hollow, flattened,
muscular pear shaped
organ situated between
the bladder and rectum in
non pregnant state.
It is normally anteverted
and ante flexed
It measures 8cm in length
5cm width and 2-3 cm
thick. Its weight is
approximately 50gm.
16. The Uterus…
It consists of the following parts.
a) Body or corpus
• Comprise the upper 2/3 of the
uterus
• Lies between the isthmus and the
opening of the fallopian tubes.
b) Cervix
Forms the lower third of the
uterus and measures about 2.5
cm in length.
It is conical in shape
The cervix projects through the
anterior wall of the vaginal which
divides it in to an upper is the
supravaginal portion and lower is
the infravaginal portion.
SUPRA VAGINAL
CERVIX – lies out side
and above the vagina
Superiorly it meets the
border of the uterus at
the isthmus.
Is separated in front
from the bladder by
parametrium.
Posteriorly it is covered
by the peritoneum.
17. The Uterus…
INFRAVAGINAL CERVIX- is the part
which projects in to the anterior
vaginal wall between the anterior
and posterior fornices.
c) The internal os-opens in to the
cavity of the uterus
It dilates during labor.
Incompetence of the cervix at this
level results in spontaneous
abortion.
d) The external os – opens in to the
vagina at the lower end of the
cervical canal.
e) The cervical canal – lies between
the internal and external os
It is fusiform in shape.
18. The Uterus…
FUNCTIONS OF THE CERVIX
• It helps to prevent
infection entering the
uterus.
• It dilates and withdraws
during labor to enable
vaginal delivery of the
fetus and placenta.
Clinical correlates
1. transformation zone
(squamocolumnar junction)
2. Progress of labour(cervical
dilitations )
3. Abortions(cervical circleage )
4. Paracervical block
5. Sample(biopsy )
19. The Uterus…
f) The funds- is the domed upper wall between
the insertions of the fallopian tubes.
g) The cornua- are the upper outer angles of the
uterus where the fallopian tubes join.
h) The cavity- is a potential space between the
anterior and posterior walls
It is triangular in shape the base of the triangle
being upper most.
i) The isthmus- is a narrow area between the
cavity and the cervix which is 7 mm long.
It enlarges during pregnancy to form the lower
uterine segment.
21. The Uterus…
STRUCTURES
1. The mucous membrane
(tunica mucosa) –
Endometrium
Forms a lining of ciliated
epithelium on a base of
connective tissue or
stroma.
The epithelial cells are
cubical in shape and dip
down to form glands which
secrete alkaline mucus
2.The muscular coat (tunica
muscularis)- Myometrium.
It is thick in the upper part
of the uterus and is more
sparse in the isthmus and
cervix.
Its fibers are outer
longitudinal, middle
interlacing oblique and
inner circular.
Its muscle fibers are
embedded in collagen
fibers which enable to
stretch in the labor
22. The Uterus…
3.The serous coat (tunica serosa)- Perimetrium
(mesometrium).
Is derived from the peritoneum; it invests the
fundus and the whole of the intestinal surface
of the uterus, covers the vesical surface as
only far as the junction of the body and
cervix.
23. The Uterus…
♦ The form, size and situation of
the uterus vary at different
periods of life and under different
circumstances.
In the fetus:- the uterus is
contained in the abdominal cavity
projecting beyond the superior
aperture of the pelvis.
• The cervix is considerably larger
than the body.
At puberty- it is pyriform in shape
and weights from 14 to 17 gm.
In the adults- the position of the
uterus depends on the condition
of the bladder and rectum.
When the bladder is empty the
entire uterus is directed forward
and is at the same time bent on
itself at the junction of the body
and cervix, so that the body lies up
on the bladder.
as the bladder fills the uterus
gradually becomes more and more
erect until with a fully distended
bladder the fundus may be
directed back ward toward the
sacrum.
24. The Uterus…
During menstruation:-the
uterus is enlarged, more
vascular, and its surface
rounder; the external orifice is
rounded, its labia swollen, and
the lining membrane of the
body thickened, softer, and of
a darker color.
During pregnancy- the uterus
becomes enormously enlarged.
By 12th
week of pregnancy it rises
out of the pelvis and becomes
abdominal organs, by 38-40th
week it reaches the xiphisternum.
It is not longer anteverted and
anteflexed but it is becoming
vertical.
At full term the uterus is 30cm in
length, 23 cm wide and 20cm
thick.
Its weight has increased from
50gm to 1000gm.
25. The Uterus…
After parturition-the uterus
nearly regains its usual size,
weighinig about 50gm; but
the cavity is larger than in the
virgins state, its vessels are
tortuous, and its muscular
layers are more defined; the
external orifice is more
marked, and its edges
present one or more fissures.
In old age - the uterus
becomes atrophied, and
denser in texture, a more
distinct separates the body
and cervix.
• The internal orifice is
frequently, and the
external orifice
occasionally, obliterated,
while the lips almost
entirely disappear.
26. The Uterus…
FUNCTION OF THE UTERUS
To prepare a bed for the
fertilized ovum.
To nourish the fertilized ovum
for the gestation period
To expel the product of
conception at full term.
To involutes following child birth
Clinical correlates
• Congenital anomalies
• Amenhhorea
• Implantations
• Uterine CA
• Contraceptives
……………….
27. FALLOPIAN TUBES
Are paired structures which are attached with
the lateral angle of uterine cavity.
They run along the upper margin of the broad
ligament and 10 cm in length.
It has four portions
1.The interstitial portion- is 1.25 cm long and lies
within the wall of the uterus.
Its lumen is 1mm wide
28. FALLOPIAN TUBES…
2.The isthmus – is another narrow part which
extends for 2.5 cm from the uterus.
It acts as reservoir for spermatozoa because its
temperatures is lower than other.
3.The ampulla- is the wider portion where
fertilization usually occurs & it is 5 cm in length.
4.The infundibulum- is the funnel shaped fingered
end which is composed of many processes know
as fimbriae.
30. FALLOPIAN TUBES…
RELATIONS
♥ Anterior, posterior and superior the
peritoneal cavity and the intestine
♥ Lateral the side walls of the pelvis.
♥ Inferior the broad ligaments and ovaries.
♥ Medial the uterus.
31. FALLOPIAN TUBES…
LAYERS OF THE FALL0PIAN TUBE
• It consists of three coats
1.The external or serous coat is the peritoneum.
2.Middle or muscular coat- consists of inner circular
and outer longitudinal layer of smooth muscles
which helps for peristaltic movement of the
fallopian tube.
3.The internal or mucous coat-is line by columnar
and ciliated epithelium.
Beneath the lining is a layer of vascular
connective tissue.
32. FALLOPIAN TUBES…
SUPPORT - by the infundibulo pelvic ligaments.
These ligaments are formed from folds of the
broad ligament and run from the infundibulum
of the tube to the side walls of the pelvis.
Blood supply:- is via the uterine and ovarian
arteries; venous return is by the corresponding
veins.
Lymphatic drainage- is in to the lumbar gland.
NERVE SUPPLY – is from the ovarian plexus.
33. FALLOPIAN TUBES…
FUNCTIONS
Propels the ovum towards the uterus.
Receives the spermatozoa as they travel
up wards
Provides a site for fertilization
Supplies the fertilized ovum with nutrition
during its continued journey to the uterus.
34. THE OVARIES
Are two nodular bodies which produce ova and
hormones estrogen and progesterone.
POSITION
They are attached to the back of the broad
ligament within the peritoneal cavity
Size 3 cm in length, 2 cm in width and about 1
cm in thickness and weight from about 6gm.
37. 05/01/2025 prepared by Debiso Erjino
Inrtoduction
• After birth, the gonads are quiescent until they
are activated by gonadotropins from the pituitary
to bring about the final maturation of the
reproductive system.
• The onset of the menstrual cycle, begins at
puberty and ceases at menopause
38. 05/01/2025 prepared by Debiso Erjino
Cont..
• This period of final maturation is known as
adolescence called puberty
• puberty is the period when the endocrine and
gametogenic functions of the gonads first develop to
the point where reproduction is possible.
In girls, the first event is
Thelarche: the development of breasts
Pubarche: the development of axillary and pubic hair
Menarche: the first menstrual period.
39. 05/01/2025 prepared by Debiso Erjino
Cont…
• This is the stage of life at which secondary
sexual characteristics appear.
• Girls begin dramatic development and
maturation of reproductive organs at
approximately age 12 to 13 years
40. 05/01/2025 prepared by Debiso Erjino
Cont…
• Although the mechanism that initiates this
dramatic change is not well understood,
• the hypothalamus under the direction of the
central nervous system may initiate or regulate
mechanism set to turn on gonadal functioning at
this age.
41. 05/01/2025 prepared by Debiso Erjino
Cont…
In girls pubertal changes typically occur in the order
of:
–Marked physical growth
–Increase in the transvers diameter of the pelvis
–Breast development
–Growth of pubic and axillary hair
–Vaginal secretion/Menarche
42. 05/01/2025 prepared by Debiso Erjino
Cont…
The normal reproductive years of the female
are characterized by:
Monthly rhythmical changes in the rates of
secretion of the female hormones
physiological changes in the ovaries and other
sexual organs.
This rhythmical pattern is called the female
monthly sexual cycle or, the menstrual cycle.
43. 05/01/2025 prepared by Debiso Erjino
Cont…
Menstruation (period) is the regular discharge of
blood and mucosal tissue from the inner lining of
the uterus through the vagina
The menstrual cycle is characterized by the rise
and fall of hormones
Menstruation is triggered by falling progesterone
levels and is a sign that pregnancy has not
occurred.
44. 05/01/2025 prepared by Debiso Erjino
Cont…
The length of menstrual cycle varies greatly among
women (ranging from 21 to 35 days)
average length 28 days
Amount 30-80ml
Duration 1-5 days average 3 days
The blood is arterial(85%)oxygenated the rest 10
15% is deoxygenated
Color dark red and non clotted in nature
Occurs average age 13 years(9-17years)
It is the hallmark(features) of reproductive year
45. 05/01/2025 prepared by Debiso Erjino
Cont…
The four body structure that are involved in
the normal physiology of the menstrual cycle
are
• The hypothalamus
• The pituitary gland
• The ovaries
• The uterus
46. 05/01/2025 prepared by Debiso Erjino
A, Reproductive Hormones
The development and integration of regular,
cyclic, and spontaneous menstrual cycles
involves the interaction among hypothalamic,
pituitary, and ovarian hormones
It stimulates maturation of the Graafian follicle
and its production of estradiol
47. 05/01/2025 prepared by Debiso Erjino
Phases of menstrual cycle
OVARIAN CYCLE CONSISTS OF
–Follicular phase (day 1-14)
–Ovulation (day 14)
–Luteal phase(day 14-28)
UTERINE CYCLE CONSISTS OF
–Menstruation (day 1-5)
–Proliferative phase (day 6-8)
–Secretory phase (14-28)
50. 05/01/2025 prepared by Debiso Erjino
Hormone Function Source
GnRH (Gonadotrophin
Releasing Hormone)
Controls pituitary secretion Hypothalamus
FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) Causes immature follicle to develop
increases estrogen secretion,
stimulates new gamete formation
and development of uterine wall
after menstruation.
Pituitary gland
(controlled by
hypothalamus)
LH (luteinizing hormone) Stimulates further development
of oocyte and follicle, stimulates
ovulation, increases progesterone
secretion, aids development of
corpus luteum.
Pituitary gland
(controlled by
hypothalamus)
5/28/2024
51. 05/01/2025 prepared by Debiso Erjino
Estrogen Stimulates thickening of uterine
wall, maturation of oocyte,
development of female sex
characteristics, inhibits FSH
secretion, increases LH secretion.
Ovarian follicle, corpus luteum
(controlled by FSH)
Progesterone Stimulates thickening of uterine
wall, stimulates formation of
mammary ducts
Corpus luteum
(controlled by LH)
HCG (Human Chorionic
Gonadotropin)
5/28/2024
Prevents corpus luteum from
disintegrating, stimulates estrogen
and progesterone secretion from
corpus luteum.
Embryonic membranes placenta
1
