Anatomy & Physiology of Female Reproductive System 1

1. Anatomy & Physiology Of
Female Reproductive System
Sarita Sharma
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology
Mumbai

2. Internal Female Structures
1) Ovaries
2)Fallopian tubes
3) Uterus
4) Vagina

5. 1)Ovaries
Oval solid structure, 1.5 cm inthickness,
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/fallopian tubes.
attached to uterus by ovarian ligament

6. Structure of the ovaries
Cortex
Medulla
Hilum

7. Ovaries and Relationship
to Uterine Tube and Uterus

8. A series of ligaments holds them in position
1.Broad ligament of uterus, a fold of parietal
peritonium, attaches to ovaries by double layered
fold of peritonium called mesovarium.
2. Ovarian ligament-ovary to uterus
3. Suspensory ligament-ovary to pelvic wall
Each ovary contains a hilum(hilus), a point of
entrance & exit for blood vessels & nerves

9. Function of the ovary
Secrete estrogen & progesterone.
Production of ova (female
gamate)

10. 2)Fallopian tubes
 The two tubes extended fromthe cornu
of the uterus to the ovary.
 It runs in the upper free borderof the
broad ligament.
Length 8 to 14 cm
Its divided into 3parts. a. Infundibulum
b. Ampulla
c. Isthmus

11. 1. Infundibulum
It is funnel or trumpetshaped.
Fimbriae are fingerlike projections,
adherent to the ovary.
The fimbriae catch and hold the egg
when it released from ovary.

13. 2. Ampulla
 Which is the wider part about 5 cm in length.
Inner layer made up of specialized cilia which
helps the ova in moving ahead.

14. 3. Isthmus
Which is the narrow part/nack liketube
adjacent/opens in to the uterus.
Straight and cord like , about 2–3 cm
in length.
Fertlization process takes place here(fusion of
male and female gamates)

15. Functions of Fallopian tubes
Gamete transport (ovum pickup, ovum transport, sperm
transport).
Final maturation of gamete post ovulate oocyte
maturation, sperm capicitation.
Fluid environment forearly embryonic development.
Transport of fertilized and unfertilized ovum to the uterus.

16. 3)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.
 T h e uterus divided intothree parts
a. Fundus/body of uterus
b. Isthmus
c. cervix

17. a. Body of the uterus/ fundus
The upper part is the corpus, orbody
of the uterus
The fundus is the part of the body
above the area where the fallopian
tubes enter the uterus.(cornu of
uterus)
Length about 5 cm.

18. b. Isthmus
 A narrower transitionzone.
Is between the fundus and cervix.
During late pregnancy, the isthmus
elongates and is known as the lower
uterine segment.

19. c. Cervix
The lowermost position ofthe uterus
“neck”.
The length of the cervix isabout
2.5 t0 3 cm.
The upper part of the cervix is marked by
internal os and the lower cervix is marked
by the external os.

20. Layers of the uterus
 Perimetrium.
 Myometrium.
 Endometrium.

22. 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.

23. 2. Myometrium
thick Is the middle layer of
muscle.
Most of the muscle fibers are
concentrated in the upper uterus,
and their number diminishes
progressively toward the cervix.

24. myometrium contains 3 types of
smooth muscle fiber
1. Longitudinal
fibers /outer layer:
found mostly inthe
fundus
designed to expel the
fetus efficiently
towards pelvic outlet
during birth
2. Middle fibers:
These fiber
contract after birth
to compress the blood
vessels that pass
between them to
limit blood loss.
3.Circular
fibers/inner layer:
form constrictions where
the fallopian tubes enter
the uterus
Also prevent reflux of
menstrual blood and
tissue into the fallopian
tubes.

25. 3. Endometrium
Is the inner layer of theuterus.
 It is responsive to the cyclic variations of
estrogen and progesterone during the female
reproductive cycle every month.
 this layer is shed during each menstrual
period and after child birth

26. The Function of the uterus
1.Menstruation ----the uterus sloughs off
the endometrium.
2.Pregnancy ---the uterus support fetus and
allows the fetus to grow.
3.Labor and birth---the uterine muscles contract
and the cervix dilates during labor to expel the
fetus

27. 4)Vagina
 It 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 theuterus above
with the vestibule below.

28. 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.

29. Functions of the vagina
To allow discharge ofthe
menstrual flow.
As the female organs ofcoitus.
To allow passage of the fetusfrom
the uterus.(called birth canal)

30. External Female Structures
Collectively, the external female
reproductive organs are called the
Vulva.

31. External Female Structures
1.Mons Pubis.
2.Labia Majora
3.Labia Minora.
4.Clitoris.
5.Vestibule.

32. Mons Pubis
Is rounded, soft fullness of
subcutaneous fatty tissue, that forms
the anterior border of the external
reproductive organs.
It is covered with varying amounts
of pubic hair.

33. Labia Majora & Minora
The labia Majora are two thick rounded, lip like structure
of tissue that extended from the mons pubis.
Also called "greater lips" are the part around the vagina containing
two glands (Bartholin’s glands) which helps lubrication during
intercourse.
 I t is protect the labia minora,urinary orifice and vaginal
orifice.
Consists of sweat and sebaceous glands & also pubic hairs.

34. Labia Minora
 "lesser lips" are the thin hairless ridges at the
entrance of the vagina, located between the labia
majora.
 In front they split to enclose the clitoris
 The lateral and anterior aspectsare usually
pigmented.
 more sebaceous glands and don’t have
sweat glands& pubic hairs.
 having rich vascularity.

35. Clitoris.
is a small pea- shaped structure. It plays an
important part in sexual excitement in females.
It’s rich vascular, highlysensitive to
temperature, touch, and pressure sensation
Below this external urethral orifice and below that
vaginal orifice is located.

36. Vestibule.
Is oval-shaped area formed
between the labia minora, clitoris.
Vestibule contains the external
urethral orifice, vaginal orifice,
and Bartholins glands.

37. Support structures
The bony pelvis support
and protects the lower
abdominal and internal
reproductive organs.

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

39. Bony Pelvis
 Bony Pelvis Is Composed of 4
bones:
1. Two hip bones.
2. Sacrum.
3. Coccyx.

40. 1. Two hip bones.
Each or hip bone is composed
of three bones:
*Ilium
*Ischium
*Pubis

41. Ilium*
It is the flared outpart.
The greater part of its inner
aspect is smooth and concave,
forming the iliac fossa.
The upper border of the iliumis
called iliac crest

42. Ischium*
It is the thick lower part.
It has a large prominence
known as the ischial tuberosity
on which the body rests while
sitting.

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

44. 2. Sacrum
Is a wedge shaped bone consistingof
five vertebrae.
The anterior surface of the sacrumis
concave
The upper border of the firstsacral
vertebra known as the sacral
promontory

45. .Coccyx. 3
 Consists of four
vertebrae forming a
small triangular bone.