Female Reproductive System

Functions of the Female Reproductive System

 Formation of ova

 Reception of spermatozoa

 Provision of suitable environment for fertilization and fetal development Parturition

 Lactation, the production of breast milk, which provides complete nourishment for the baby in its early life.

Female External Structures

Functions of the External Female Reproductive Structures

 To enable sperm to enter the body

 Protect the internal genital organs from infectious organisms.

 Mons Veneris - A pad of adipose tissue located over the symphysis pubis, the pubic bone point. It protects the
junction of the pubic bone from trauma.

 Labia Minora - Normally the folds of the labia minora are pink; the internal surface is covered with mucous
membrane, and the external surface with skin.

 Labia Majora - two folds of adipose tissue covered by loose connective tissue. Covered by pubic hair, it is served as
protection for the external genitalia and the distal urethra and vagina
 Vestibule - flattened, smooth surface inside labia

 Clitoris - small rounded organ of erectile tissue

 Skene’s Gland (Paraurethral Glands) & Bartholin’s Gland ( Vulvovaginal Glands) - help lubricate the external
genitalia during coitus

 Fourchette - tissue joining labia minora and labia majora

 Hymen - elastic semicircle of tissue that covers the opening of vagina during childhood.

The clitoris is sensitive to touch and temperature and is the center of sexual arousal and orgasm in a woman. Arterial blood
supply for the clitoris is plentiful. When the ischiocavernosus muscle surrounding it contracts with sexual arousal, the
venous outflow for the clitoris is blocked, leading to clitoris arousal

Posterior to the fourchette is the perineal muscle or the perineal body. Because this is a muscular area, it is easily
stretched during childbirth to allow for enlargement of the vagina and passage of the fetal head.

Hymen is often torn during the time of first sexual intercourse. However, because of the use of tampons and active sports
participation, many girls who have not had sexual relations do not have intact hymens at the time of their first pelvic
examination. Occasionally, a girl has an imperforate hymen, or a hymen so complete that it does not allow for passage of
menstrual blood.

Female Internal Structures

Functions of the Internal Female Reproductive Structures

The internal genital organs form a pathway (the genital tract). This pathway consists of the following functions:

 Vagina (part of the birth canal), where sperm are deposited and from which a baby can emerge

 Uterus, where an embryo can develop into a fetus

 Fallopian tubes (oviducts), where a sperm can fertilize an egg

 Ovaries, which produce and release eggs

Ovaries

Ovaries - approx. 4cm long by 2cm in diameter and approx. 1.5cm thick or the size and shape of almonds. The function of
the two gonads is to produce, mature, and discharge ova.

Produces estrogen and progesterone and initiate and regulate menstrual cycles

Ovaries have three principal divisions:

1. Protective layer of surface epithelium

2. Cortex, where the immature (primordial) oocytes mature into ova and large amounts of estrogen and progesterone
are produced

3. Central medulla, which contains the nerves, blood vessels, lymphatic tissue, and some smooth muscle tissue

If the ovaries are removed before puberty (or are nonfunctional), the resulting absence of estrogen prevents breasts from
maturing at puberty; in addition, pubic hair distribution assumes a more male pattern than normal. After menopause, or
cessation of ovarian function, the uterus, breasts, and ovaries all undergo atrophy or a reduction in size because of a lack of
estrogen.

Fallopian Tube

Fallopian Tube - approx. 10cm in matured woman; they convey the ovum from the ovaries to the uterus and provide a
place for fertilization of the ovum by sperm

- composed of mucous membrane which contains mucus-secreting and ciliated cells

4 PARTS:

1. Interstitial Portion - the most proximal division where the part of the tube lies within the uterine wall
 2. Isthmus - next distal portion; approx. 2cm in length, it is the part that is sealed in a tubal ligation

3. Ampulla - the longest portion of the tube; approx 5cm in length where fertilization occurs

4. Infundibular - most distal segment of the tube; it is covered by fimbria that help to guide the ovum into the
fallopian tube

The mucus acts as nourishment for the fertilized egg because it contain proteins, water, and salts.

Uterus

Functions of the Uterus

 to sustain a developing fetus.

 It prepare for this possibility for each month

 At termination of pregnancy it expels the uterine contents

The uterus is a hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ located in the lower pelvis, posterior to the bladder and anterior to
the rectum.

It measures 8 cm long, 5 cm wide ,1.25 cm thick and Weighs 50 gms.

It consists of 3 layers: ENDOMETRIUM, MYOMETRIUM, PERIMETRIUM

 ENDOMETRIUM: inner lining of uterus, nourishes developing embryo, built up each month for pregnancy, if not, shed
during menstruation

 MYOMETRIUM: muscular, supports fetus, contracts at birth and to shed the endometrium during menstruation.

 PERIMETRIUM: The perimetrium is a serous membrane that lines the outside of the uterus.

Vagina
 a hollow, musculomembranous canal located posterior to the bladder and anterior to the rectum.

 Vagina = “birth canal”
 A tube like, muscular but elastic organ
 About 4 to 5 inches long in an adult woman.
 PH- 4 acidic
 It is the passageway for sperm to the egg and for
menstrual bleeding
 Organ of copulation and forms the birth canal of
parturition
 Posterior wall of vagina is 10 c m long
 Anterior wall is only 7.5 cm length
 The upper end of the vagina is known as the vault
 Pink in appearance

 It connects the external genital organs to the uterus

 the organ of sexual intercourse in women.

FEMALE BREASTS

The mammary glands are sweat glands specialized for the production of milk. The milk-producing secretory cells form
walls of bulb-shaped chambers called alveoli that join together with ducts, in grapelike fashion, to form clusters called
lobules.