Accessory organs of female reproductive system PART 6

1. Ms.Anu Sebastian: B.Pharm; M.Pharm
Assistant Professor,
Dept. Of Pharmacology
Nirmala College Of Pharmacy
Muvattupuzha,Ernakulam,Kerala

2. UTERUS
 Location: Between urinary bladder & rectum.
 Shape: Inverted pear shape.
 Size: 7.5* 2.5cm
Functions
 Act as the passageway for sperm to reach uterine tubes for
fertilization
 Site for the implantation of the fertilized ovum.
 Development of the foetus during pregnancy & labor.
 Source of menstrual flow during female reproductive cycle.

3.  The uterus is composed of:
 Fundus: It is dome shaped superior to the uterine tubes.
 Body: Tapered central portion
 Cervix: Inferior narrow portion. It opens into the vagina.
 The body & cervix are connected by a constricted region-Isthmus.
 Uterine cavity: Inferior of the body of the uterus.
 Cervical canal: Interior of the cervix of the uterus.
 Internal OS: It is the opening of cervical canal into the uterine cavity.
 External OS: It is the opening of the cervical canal into the vagina.

4. Fig: Structure of uterus

5. Ligaments
 Broad Ligament: double fold peritoneum attaches uterus to pelvic wall.
 Uterosacral Ligaments: Peritoneum, attaches uterus to sacrum.
 Cardinal ligaments: Below broad ligament.Attach cervix & vagina to pelvic
wall.
 Round ligaments: Band of fibrous C.T. It is between external genitalia &
uterus.
Histology
 It consist of 3 layers.
 Perimetrium: outer layer; serosa/visceral peritoneum.It is made up of simple
squamous epithelium & aerolar C.T
 Myometrium: It is made up of 3 layers of smooth muscle;thickest in fundus &
thinnest in cervix.
 Inner & outer layer: longitudinal/oblique SM
 Middle layer: Thicker circular SM.
 Endometrium: It is highly vascularized. Made up of 3 components.
 Innermost layer: Simple squamous epithelium
 Middle layer: Thick lamina propria(Areolar C.T)
 Endometrial glands: It extend from luminal epithelium to myometrium.

6.  The Endometrium is having 2 layers:
 Stratum Functionalis (Functional layer): It lines the lumen & sloughs off
during menstruation.
 Stratum basalis(Basal layer):deeper & Permanent layer. It gives rise to new
S.functionalis after menstruation.
Cervical mucus: It is a fluid produced by cervix.
 It consist of water + glycoproteins +Lipids +Enzymes +Inorganic salts
 Volume:20-60 ml ; pH :8.5; less viscous
Functions
 Provide energy to sperm.
 Protect sperm from phagocytosis

7. VAGINA
 It is thin-walled, fibromuscular tube of 8-10cm long.
Location
 Inferior to uterus
 Anterior to rectum
 Posterior to urethra & bladder
 Extends from cervix of uterus to exterior of body.
Functions
 Site for child birth/Birth canal
 Channel for menstrual flow
 Site for the entry of penis into female reproductive tract.
 The vagina is also the site where spetm is deposited

8.  The canal is very flexible & it is composed of 3 layers:
 Mucosa:It is the thinner layer made up of Non-Keratinized stratified
squamous epithelium & areolar C.T. It contain foldings called Rugae.
 It secretes glycogen that is utilized by floral bacteria & forms lactic
acid.This lactic acid generates acidic condition in vagina.
 Muscularis: It is the middle layer made up of outer circular 7 inner
longitudinal smooth muscle.
 Adventitia: It is the outer layer, made up of areolar C.T
 The vaginal opening to exterior is called vaginal orifice.
 A thin fold of blood filled mucous membrane called hymen partially closes
vaginal orifice.

9. EXTERNAL GENITALIA
 The term vulva or pudendum refers to the external genitals of the female.The
following components make up the vulva:
 Mons pubis: It is the anterior to the vagina & urethral openings. It is an
elevation of adipose tissue covered by skin & coarse pubic hair that cushions the
pubic synphysis.
 Labia majora:These are the 2 longitudinal folds of skin mons pubis, that
extend inferiorly & posteriorly .The labia majora are covered by pibic hair &
contain abundance of adipose tissue, sebaceous glands,& apocrine sudoriferous
glands.It is homologous to the scrotum.
 Labia minora: These are the two smaller folds of skin medial to the labia
majora. It is homologous to the spongy (penile) urethra.

10. Fig: Structure of External genitalia

11.  Clitoris: It is a small cylindrical mass composed of two small erectile
bodies, the corpora cavernosa & numerous nerve and blood vessels.T he
clitoris is located at the anterior junction of the labia minora. A layer of skin
called the prepuce of the clitoris Is formed at the point where the labia
minora unite & covers the body of the clitoris.
 The region between the labia minora is the vestibule. within the vestibule
are the hymen, the vaginal orifice, the external urethral orifice & the
openings of the ducts of several glands.
 Perinium: Diamond shaped area medial to thighs & buttocks in both males
& females. It is anteriorly surrounded by pubic symphysis & posteriorly by
coccyx.

12. MAMMARY GLANDS
 A pair of modified sweat/sudiferous glands that secrete milk.
 One pigmented projection—Nipple.
 The circular pigmented area surrounding nipple is called areola.
 In the areola there are large modified sebaceous glands.
Anatomy
 It consist of 15-20 lobes separated by adipose tissue.
 Each lobe contains smaller compartments-Lobule
 Each Lobule contains group of milk secreting glands- Alveoli.
 The alveoli are surrounded by myoepithelial cells-The contraction of these cells
eject milk from alveoli.

13. Flow of milk
Alveoli Secondary tubule Mammary ducts
Lactiferous ducts Lactiferous sinuses
Opens into nipple
Function: synthesis,secretion & ejection of milk-Lactation
Regulation
 Prolactin: Stimulate milk production
 Oxytocin : stimulate milk ejection

15. THANK YOU