1.
Anatomy of female reproductive
organs
Prepared by
Dr/Rehab Soliman Abd ElAliem
Lecturer of obstetric and women health
nursing

2.
outlines
1-Anatomy of external reproductive organs
- Monspubis - Labia majora
- Labia minora - Clitoris
- Vestibule - Uretheral orifice
- Vaginal orifice - Perineum
2-Anatomy of internal reproductive organs
- Ovaries - Uterus
- Cervix - Vagina

3.
General objective :
At the end of this lecture ,the under graduate student can be able to
• Demonstrate female reproductive organs.
• Differentiate between external and internal reproductive organs.
• Define external reproductive organs and classifications.
• Describe internal reproductive organs and classifications.
• List uterine supports of uterus.
• Specific objective:
• Explain the structure of female reproductive organs.
• Illustrate external and internal reproductive organs.
• Recognize the difference of uterine ligaments.

4.
It consist of Bony pelvis & soft tissue,
• soft tissue consists of:
1-External female genital organs {The Vulva}.
2-Internal female genital organs.
Anatomy of female reproductive organs

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The external female reproductive organs
The Vulva consists of the
following structures :-
1-The mons pubis or
mons veneris: is a pad of
fat, covered with pubic hair
from the time of puberty
Function: is the
protection of the symphysis
pubis during intercourse
Location: over the
symphysis pubis.

6.
2-The labia majora: are two folds of fat and areolar tissue(lage
lips), covered with skin and pubic hair on the outer surface, it
contain sweat and sebaceous (oil-secreting) glands .
Function: is the protection of the vaginal introitus
Location: arise in the mons veneris and merge into the
perineum behind.
3-The labia minora : (smalllips) are two thin folds of hairless
skin lying between the labia majora. Anteriorly, divide to
enclose the clitoris, posteriorly, fuse forming the fourchette.
Function: They lubricate the vulva, swell in response to
stimulation, and are highly sensitive.
Location: between the labia majora

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4-The clitoris: (corresponding to the
male penis). It is a small erectile organ,
very sensitive and highly vasculars
Function: is sexual stimulation.( plays a
part in the orgasm of sexual intercourse.)
Location: It is located at the anterior
junction of the labia minora. There are
folds above and below the clitoris. The
joining of the folds above the clitoris
forms the prepuce.
• 5-The vestibule:
Location: the area in which the openings
of the urethra and the vagina are situated
& enclosed by the labia
minora .it contain

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• The urethral orifice
Location : 2.5 cm posterior to the clitoris, the
Skene’s glands are located on either side of the opening to
the urethra. They secrete a small amount of mucus to keep
the opening moist and lubricated for the passage of urine
which are two small blind-ended tubules 0.5 cm long
running within the urethral wall
• The Vaginal orifice(Vaginal introitus)
Location : occupies the posterior two-thirds of the
vestibule. The orifice is partially closed by the hymen
• The Hymen, a thin membrane which tears during
sexual intercourse or during the birth of the first child.
It has one or more openings to allow escape of
menstrual blood.
• Shape of Hymen: annular , cresentic ,
cribiform , Elastic , imperforate

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• Bartholin's glands: are two small glands which open on either
side of the vaginal orifice
• Function: These are mucus-secreting, producing copious
amounts during intercourse to act as a lubricant.
6- The perineal body
The perineum is the most posterior part of the external female
reproductive organs. This external region is located between the
vulva and the anus. It is made up of skin, muscle, and fascia. The
perineum can become lacerated or incised during childbirth and
may need to be repaired with sutures. Incising the perineum area to
provide more space for the presenting part is called an episiotomy.
Function:play an important at function in supporting the
reproductive organs.

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II- Internal female genital organs

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1- The ovaries: (female gonads)
comparable to the testes in the male &
similar to almonds in size& shape. Each
ovary weighs from 2 to 5 grams and is
about 4 cm long, 2 cm wide and 1 cm thick.
Location: Are located on either side of the
uterus, below and behind the fimbriated
ends of the ova ducts.
Functions: The development and the
release of the ovum and the secretion of the
hormones estrogen ,progesterone and
androgen are the two primary functions of
the ovary.
Structure: The ovary is composed of a
medulla and cortex, covered with germinal
epithelium.

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• **The medulla: it is made of fibrous tissue
and the ovarian blood vessels, lymphatics
and nerves travel through it. The hilum
where these vessels enter lies just where the
ovary is attached to the broad ligament and
this area is called the mesovarium (which
carries the blood supply,lymphatic drainage
and nerve supply of the ovary). . The medulla
is the supporting framework
• **Thecortex: It contains the ovarian follicles
in different stages of development,
surrounded by stroma. The outer layer is
formed of a single layer of cuboidal cells, the
germinal epithelium and fibrous tissue
known as the tunica albuginea; the cortex is
the functioning part of the ovary.

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Relations:
• Anterior: the broad ligaments.
• Posterior: The intestines.
• Lateral: the side wall of the pelvis. On left, the pelvic
colon and its mesentery - On right, the appendix if it dips
into the pelvis
• Superior: The Fallopian tubes.
• Medial: The uterus and the ovarian ligament

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2- The fallopian tubes or uterine tubes:
• Open pass way extended from the cornua of the
uterus towards the sidewalls of the pelvis.each
tube is 10cm in long * Parts of the tube:
• Interstitial portion: is 1 cm long and lies within
the wall of the uterus. Its lumen is 1 mm wide.
• The isthmus: is narrow part, which extends for 2
cm from the uterus.
• The ampulla: is the wider portion of the tube
where fertilization usually occurs. It is 5 cm long.
The infundibulum: is 2 cm long is the funnel-
shaped fringed end which is composed of fimbriae.
One fimbria is elongated to form the ovarian fimbria
which is attached to the ovary

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Functions:
1-Receives the spermatozoa as they travel upwards
2- provides a site for fertilization.
3-Ovum transport and pick up.
4-Embryo transport and nourishment.
• Relations:
• Anterior and posterior. The peritoneal cavity and the intestines .
• Lateral. The sidewalls of the pelvis .
• Inferior. The broad ligaments and ovaries lie below the tubes.
• Medial. The uterus lies between the two fallopian tubes.

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• Supports:
• The fallopian tubes are held in place by their attachment to
the uterus. The peritoneum folds over them, draping down
below as the broad ligaments and extending at the sides to
form the infunibulopelvic ligaments.
• The peristaltic movement of the fallopian tube is due to
the action of the smooth muscles. The tube is covered with
peritoneum but the infundibulum passes through it to open
into the peritoneal cavity.

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3-The uterus
• It is a hollow, muscular, pear –shaped organ in non-
pregnant woman,it is 7.5 cm long , 5cm wide and
2.5cm in depth, each wall being 1.25 cm thick.
• Function: shelter the fetus during pregnancy. It
prepares for this possibility each month and
following pregnancy it expels the uterine contents.
• Location: situated in the true pelvis, between the
bladder and rectum.( In pelvic cavity).
*parts of the uterus: The uterus consists of the
following parts:
1-The body or corpus makes up the upper two thirds of
the uterus and is the greater part.

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2-The fundus is the domed upper wall between the insertion of
the fallopian tubes.
3-The cronua are the upper outer angles of the uterus where
the fallopian tubes join.
4-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.
5-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.
6-The cervix or neck: the cervix forms the lower third of the
uterus and measures 2.5cm in each direction. It is narrow lower
part of the uterus composed of fibrous connective tissue,
projects into the vagina & is divided into two portions :

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a-vaginal portion :
Below the attachment site that protrudes into the vagina.
b- Supra vaginal portion :
Above the site of attachment of the cervix to the vaginal wall.
. The internal os: (mouth) is the narrow opening between the isthmus and the cervix.
. The external os: is a small round opening at the lower end of the cervix. After
childbirth this becomes a transverse slit.
The cervical canal: is a continuation of the uterine cavity, lies between the internal & the
external os, and is narrow at each end &wider in the middle

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• Layers of the uterus:
The uterus has three layers:
• The perimetrium: (the outer layer, serous coat) double membrane
drape over the uterus, an extension of the peritoneum covering all
but narrow on either side .
• The myometrium: (muscle coat) ,the muscular myometrium forms
the main bulk of the uterus and comprises smooth muscle fibres
intermingling with areolar tissue, blood vessels, nerves and
lymphatics which is thick in the upper part of the uterus and is
more sparse in the isthmus and cervix.
The endometrium: (mucous membrane) The endometrial layer is
covered by a single layer of columnar epithelium. This epithelium is
mostly lost due to the effects of pregnancy and menstruation. The
endometrium undergoes cyclical changes during menstruation and
varies in thickness between 1 and 5mm

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• The uterus is supported by the pelvic floor and maintained
in position by several ligaments which are:
• Pubocervical ligaments: pass from the cervix under the bladder to the
pubic bones.
• Transverse cervical ligaments (cardinal ligaments) from the sides of
the cervix to the side walls of the pelvis.
• Utero sacral ligaments run from the cervix to the sacrum. In the erect
position they are almost vertical in direction and support the cervix.
• Broad ligaments: fold of peritoneum which are draped over the
fallopian tubes and spread from side of the uterus to the side wall of
the pelvis.
Supports

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• Round ligaments: fibro muscular coat from upper, outer angles of
uterus, through inguinal canal, terminating in labia majora.
• The ovarian ligaments: also begin at the cornea of the uterus but
behind the fallopian tubes and pass down between the folds of the
broad ligament to the ovaries.
• Relations
• Superior. Above the uterus lie the intestines.
• Inferior. Below the uterus is the vagina.
• Lateral. On either side of the uterus are the broad ligaments, the
fallopian tubes and the ovaries.
• Anterior: In front of the uterus lie the uterovesical pouch and the
bladder.
• Posterior: Behind the uterus are the recto uterine pouch of Douglas
and the rectum.

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4- Vagina: passage as musculomembranous canal situated in
front of the rectum and behind the bladder, passing upwards and
backwards into the pelvis along a line approximately parallel to
the plane of the pelvic brim.
• Structure:
The posterior wall is 10 cm long while the anterior wall is only 7.5
cm in length because the cervix projects at a right angle into its
upper part. The vaginal walls stretch during intercourse and child
birth due to transverse folds as rugae. In the nulliparous adult the
vagina is H- shaped in section.
• Functions:
1- Allows the escape of the menstruation and act as excretory duct
for uterine secretion
2- Receives semen from the male during sexual intercourse
3-provides an exit for the fetus during delivery.

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• Contents:
• The vagina has an acidic environment, which protects it against
ascending infections the fluid is strongly acid (pH 4.5) .
• Layers:
• The lining is made of squamous epithelium. Beneath the epithelium
lies a layer of vascular connective tissues.
• Relations:
• Superior. Above the vagina lies the uterus.
• Inferior. Below the vagina lie the external genitalia.
• Lateral: Beside the upper two-thirds are the pelvic fascia and the
ureters, which pass beside the cervix.
• Anterior. Vaginal wall is related to bladder and urethra.
• Posterior. Behind, the pouch of Douglas, the rectum and the
perineal body.