FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

FUNCTIONS
1.

2. 3.

4.

5.

6.

Production of female gametes/ ova by process called oogenesis Reception of male gametes/spermatozoa Provision of a suitable environment for fertilization of ova by spermatozoa Provision of an environment for the development of fetus Means for expulsion of the developed fetus to the external environment Nutrition of newborn

DIVISIONS
A. Internal genitalia 1. 2 oviducts 2. 2 ovaries 3. Uterus 4. Cervix 5. Vagina B. External genitalia 1. Labia majora 2. Labia minora 3. Clitoris C. Accessory organs 1. Mammary glands 2. Placenta

EXTERNAL GENITALIA

The external genital organs of the female are the clitoris, labia minora, labia majora and the glands that open the vestibule (the space flanked by the labia minora) Richly supplied with sensory nerve endings. Meissners corpuscles are found in the papillae at the base of the epithelium Genital corpuscles present in the subpapillary layer. Pacinian corpuscles present in the deeper parts of the connective tissue of the labia majora and in the cavernous bodies of the

Clitoris

Located below the mons pubis and is the female equivalent of the penis. Consists of two erectile corpora cavernosa which is side by side surrounded by a fibrocollagenous sheath. An incomplete central septum partly separates the two. Covered by a thin epidermis that is devoid of hair follicles, sebaceous glands, eccrine and apocrine glands but is richly equipped with sensory nerves and a variety of receptors.

Clitoris

Over the superior surface, skin forms an incomplete hood (clitoral prepuce). Inferior surface, with a thin midline frenulum. At the base, corpora cavernosa diverge to lie the pubic rami, where they contain fibers of ischiocevernous muscle. Small before puberty, enlarges to greater or lesser extent with the onset sexual maturity. Becomes engorged in a manner similar to that of the penis during sexual arousal.

Clitoris

Clitoris

Labia Majora

Plump folds of skin containing a large amount of subcutaneous adipose tissue and a thin layer of smooth muscles that corresponds to the tunica dartos of the scrotum in male. Outer surface bears hair in varying amount. Inner surface is smooth and hairless. Sebaceous and sweat glands are numerous on both surfaces.

Apocrine and sebaceous glands become active at the onset sexual maturity Eccrine glands which are present at

Labia Minora

Labia Minora

Covered with stratified squamous epithelium which contains some pigments (melanin) in its deeper layers and a thin keratinized layer at the surface. Have more spongy connective tissue permeated by networks of fine elastic fibers Lacks adipose cells Abundant with blood vessels in their connective tissue No hairs found within the labia, but with numerous sebaceous glands

Vestibule

Lined with stratified squamous epithelium and into it, opens the urethra and the vagina Around the opening of the urethra and on the body of the clitoris are several vestibular glands (glandulae vestibulares minors) which contain mucus-secreting cells that resembles that of the glands of Littre in male urethra Two larger glands of Bartholin are located on the lateral walls of the vestibule

Tubuloalveolar glands corresponding to that of the males bulbourethral glands and secreting a similar

Mons Pubis

Also known as Mons Veneris is a skin superimposed in the substantial pad of subcutaneous fat. Area overlying the symphysis pubis. Characterized by the presence of unusually oblique hair follicles which produce the coarse curly hair common to most races Underneath the skin is a pad of fat.

EXTERNAL GENITALIA

VAGINA

A fibromuscular, collapsed tube that connects the uterus to the exterior of the body. Lined with nonkeratinized stratified squamous with abundaant glycogen As part of the birth canal, it is tremendously dilated during parturition. Wall follows the pattern of the female genital tract
Mucosa Muscularis Adventitia

Mucosa

Longitudinal folds (rugae) extend throughout the anterior and posterior surfaces of the vagina Stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium lines the cavity
Epithelium

does not undergo typical menstrual changes but undergoes minor cyclic changes during sex cycle. With the influence of estrogen in the proliferative stage, slight keratinization of the lining cells occur which stains acidiphilic. These cells store glycogen which is released in the vaginal lumen when surface cells are exfoliated.

Mucosa

Lamina propia contains many elastic fibers, a few lymph nodes and various leukocytes. Has an extensive coiled venous plexus engorged with blood during sexual stimulation
Plexus also serves as a source of tissue fluid that leak into the lumen of the vagina during copulation. Together with secretions from cervical and vestibular glands, fluid provides lubrication of the vaginal lumen during sexual intercourse.

Muscularis

Composed of 2 poorly defined smooth muscle layers Thin fibers of the inner layer are oriented circularly Thick fibers of the outer layers are situated longitudinally and are continuous with the myometrium of the uterus. Encircling the entrance of the vagina is a weak sphincter of skeletal muscles.

Adventitia

A dense connective tissue layer Surrounds the vagina and blends with adjacent organs. Has elastic tissue. Blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics transverse the region to supply the inner layers of the vagina

Vagina

Vagina

CERVIX

The cervix (or neck of the uterus) is the lower part of the uterus, part of which protrudes into the vagina The tapering, almost cylindrical, inferior part of the uterus. It is occasionally called "cervix uteri". Cervix means neck in Latin. External surface of the part of the cervix that protrudes into the vagina is the ectocervix and the lining of the lumen is the endocervix

Ectocervix

Ectocervix is covered by epithelium continuous with that of the vagina at the vaginal fornices.

Ectocervical epithelium in nonkeratinizing, stratified squamous and rich in glycogen in the sexually mature period.

Undergoes cyclical changes during menstrual cycle through the influence of estrogens and progesterone. Before the menache and after menopause, the epithelium is much thinner with fewer layers and smaller cells with less glycogen

Endocervix

Endocervical canal runs between the uterine and vaginal cavities Lined by a single layer of tall columnar mucus-secreting epithelium (endocervical epithelium) There is a large surface area for the production of cervical mucus which fills the endocervical canal.
Mucin

acts as a vaginal lubrication during sexual intercourse and as a protective barrier preventing bacterial ascent into the endometrial cavity. Movement of endometrial mucus is facilitated by a few ciliated columnar epithelial cells scattered among the mucus-secreting endocervical cells.

Endocervix

Before puberty and after menopause, amount of cervical mucus us greatly reduced. The columnar epithelium of the endocervical canal and the squamous epithelium of the ectocervix meet at the squamo-columnar junction.

Cervical Canal

Wall consists of largely of dense collagenous and elastic fibers with only about 15% of the wall being smooth muscle. Mucosa contains complex mucous glands and deep branching folds (plicae palmate). Mucosa does not participate in menstruation since it is not supplied with spiral arteries which are the functional layer of the endometrium.

Cervical Canal

Glands undergo some changes during menstruation.

Secretion is thin and watery during estrogenic phase. Becomes abundant at ovulation and the consistency of the egg whites are useful for determining the time of ovulation. Forms a semisolid mucous plug that prevents the passage of sperm and other microorganisms from entering the uterus from the vagina. Although it does not enlarge during pregnancy, it undergoes tremendous dilation during parturition. Columnar epithelium changes to stratified squamous epithelium as the cervix projects into the vagina.

Cervical Canal

Cervical Canal

UTERUS

Pear-shaped organ About 7cm long, 4 cm across at its widest, 2.5cm thick Has a thick muscular wall that is continuous with the wall of the Fallopian tubes It receives the products of conception from one of the oviducts and its endometrium undergoes cytological changes to provide sustenance to the embryo throughout its development

Parts of the Uterus

Fundus rounded upper portion above a line joinging the openings of the oviducts Body or corpus uteri wide upper two-thirds of the organ Isthmus - slightly narrower portion below the body Cervix cylindrical lower segment
vaginalis portion of cervix that protrudes into upper end of vagina Cervical canal External os of the uterus opens into vagina
portio

Parts of the Uterus

Layers of the Uterus

Myometrium
Consists

of smooth muscle Composed of interlacing bundles of long, slender fibers arranged in ill-defined layers Layers.
Stratum

submucosum thin layer, predominantly longitudinal

bundles Stratum vasculare outside stratum submucosum many blood vessels gives spongy appearance; longitudinal bundles Stratum supravasculare mainly circular bundles, some longitudinal bundles Stratum subserosum outermost; thin layer of longitudinally oriented fiber bundles

Layers of the Uterus

During pregnancy, under the influence of estrogen, the myometrium increases greatly in size by both cell division and cell growth At parturition, strong contractions of the myometrium are reinforced by the action of the hormone oxytocin secreted by the posterior pituitary. These contractions expel the fetus from the uterus into the vagina and also constrict the blood supply to the placenta, thus precipitatin its detachment from the uterine wall

Layers of the Uterus

Endometrium
Consists
simple

of

columnar epithelium with or without cilia A wide tunica propria housing extensive mucosal glands The endometrial stroma (thick lamina propria) Divided into Lamina basalis basal one third Lamina functionalis luminal two-thirds

Layers of the Uterus

Endometrium
Functions
Normal

locale for the implantation of the morula and the blastocyst stages of the early embryo Usual site for the development of the placenta Location of the glandular and vascular changes associated with the menstrual cycle

During menstruation, the functional zone degenerates while most of the basal layer remains intact, which regenerates the new mucosa for the next menstrual cycle

OVIDUCT/FALLOPIAN TUBE

Portion of the female reproductive system that receives the ovum released from the ovary, provides the appropriate environment for its fertilization and transports it to the uterus. It is a muscular tube about 12cm long

Parts of the Oviduct include:

Infundibulum the funnel-shaped abdominal end Fimbriae fringe-like processes Ampulla an expanded intermediate segment below the infundibulum Isthmus the slender medial third near the uterine wall

Wall of the Oviduct

Consists of 3 layers: Serous layer - outer Muscular layer/Muscularis
Inner

circular layer Outer longitudinal layer

Mucosa
Relatively

thick with longitudinal folds or folia

The oviduct is lined by SIMPLE COLUMNAR EPITHELIUM

with 2 types of cells: Ciliated Non-ciliated/Secretory The nonciliated cells produce a secretion which is propelled towards the uterus by the ciliated cells. This secretion may have a role in the nutrition and protection of the ovum.

OVARY

Primary sexual organ Small ovoid organs lying in the right and left lateral pelvic cavities Sites of oogenesis Paired organs about the size and shape of almonds Mesovarium: folds of peritoneum from each side of uterus that suspend and enclose the ovary : carries blood vessels and nerves to ovary Functions: 1. Source of mature ova 2. Endocrine organs producing steroid hormone that prepare the endometrium for conception and maintain pregnancy if fertilization occur

Epithelium of Ovary

Single layer of cuboidal or low cuboidal epithelium

Continuous with pelvic peritoneum at the hilum of ovary

Misnamed as germinal epithelium Surface epithelial cell have prominent microvilli and occasional cilia Mitochondria abundant Small pinocytic vesicles associated with the base of some microvilli

Irregularly fissured which are lined by surface epithelium

Tunica albuginea- fibrous layer of connective tissue beneath the germinal epithelium that encloses the organ - substantial basement membrane that separates the surface cells from underlying ovarian tissue in the mature ovary

Epithelium of Ovary

Hilum- a shallow depression on the medial surface of ovary where mesovarium attaches

- route where blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves enter and leave the ovary - Continuous with medulla and central cortex of ovary

- Contain vestigial remnants of the embryonic Wolffian duct and clusters of hilus or hilar cells

Wolffian duct remnants- persist as irregular tubules lined by flat or cuboidal epithelium (rete ovarii)

Hilus cells- identical to interstitial (Leydig) cells of testis

- round or oval with eosinophilic granular or goamy cytoplasm containing brown lipofuscin-like pigment - densely packed

2 Poorly Demarcated Zones

1. Medulla - Central zone of stroma - contains clusters of stromal cell identical to those occupying the cortex - Has large helical arteries and veins and nerves embedded in a dense stroma

2 Poorly Demarcated Zones

2. Cortex outer Peripheral zone of stroma Contains follicles in various stages of development, their sequels and stroma of atypical fibroblasts arranged in a spiral fashion 2 components: a. Supporting stroma- composed of closely packed spindle-shaped fibroblast-like cells, reticular fibers and ground substance - 3 main functions: Provides structural support for developing ova Gives rise to theca interna and theca externa Secretes steroid hormones