The female reproductive system consists of internal and external organs. The internal organs include the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina. The ovaries produce eggs and hormones, the fallopian tubes transport eggs to the uterus, and the uterus nourishes a fetus during pregnancy. The external organs include the vulva and breasts. The reproductive cycle involves ovarian and menstrual cycles, which regulate egg production and the uterine lining. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone control the cycles.

1. Female Reproductive System
A&P-II
Unit VI
Shabnam
Faculty INS-KMU
Acknowledegment: Muhammad Iqbal
Lecturer INS-KMU

2. Objectives
1. List the functions of female reproductive
system.
2. Categorize the Female Reproductive organs
into:
-- Essential organs and Accessory organs
3. Discuss the location and structure of Female
External Genitalia (VULVA).
4. Describe the location, Structure & function of
Female Internal Genitalia
5. Discuss the Female Reproductive Cycles
(ovarian and menstrual cycles)

3. Terminology
 Puberty: The period of life marked by the
development of secondary sexual characteristics and
the attainment of sexual reproduction.
 Menarche: the appearance of the first menstrual
period which usually occurs between 12 to 15 years.
 Menopause: Permanent cessation of menstruation
due to decreased secretion of sex hormones.
 Usually occurs at the age of 45-55 years. This period is
called climacteric.

4. Functions of the Female Reproductive System
1.The ovaries produce oocytes and hormones
including female sex hormones (estrogen and
progesterone).
2. The uterine tubes transport oocytes to the uterus.
3. The uterus is the site of fertilization and implantation of
the fertilized ovum.
4. The vagina is a passageway for childbirth.
5. The mammary glands synthesize, secrete, and eject milk
for nourishment of the newborn.

5. Female Reproductive System
Internal Genitalia:
 Ovaries—female gonads
 Fallopian Tubes or Uterine Tubes or Oviducts
 Uterus
 Vagina
External Genitalia:
--Vulva (collective name of external organs)

6. Primary and Accessory Sex Organs
Primary Sex Organs
---A pair of ovaries
Accessory Sex Organs
 Fallopian tubes
 Uterus and cervix
 Vagina
 Vulva comprising Labia majora, labia minora and clitoris

7. Female Reproductive System
Slide
Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings
Figure 16.8a

8. Ovaries
 Composed of
ovarian follicles
(sac-like structures)
 Structure of an
ovarian follicle
Oocyte
Follicular cells
Figure 16.7

9. Ovarian Follicle Stages
 Primary follicle – contains an immature oocyte
 Graafian (vesicular) follicle – growing follicle with a
maturing oocyte
 Ovulation – when the egg is mature the follicle
ruptures to release ovum
---Occurs about every 28 days
 The ruptured follicle is transformed into corpus
luteum

10. Support for Ovaries
 Suspensory ligaments – secure ovary to lateral walls of
the pelvis
 Ovarian ligaments – attach ovaries to uterus
 Broad ligament – a fold of the peritoneum, encloses
suspensory ligament

11. Uterus and Ovaries
Figure 16.8b

12. Uterus or Womb
 Lies in pelvic cavity between the rectum and urinary
bladder
 Virgin uterus is 7.5 cm long, 5 cm wide (at its upper
part), and 2.5 cm thicker.
Division
 Fundus
 Body (b/w fundus and isthmus)
 Cervix (below isthmus)

13. Uterus
 Located between the urinary bladder and rectum
 Hollow organ
 Functions of the uterus
• Receives a fertilized ovum
• Retains the fertilized ovum
• Nourishes the fertilized ovum

14. Regions of the Uterus
 Fundus – area where uterine tube enters
 Body – main portion
 Cervix – narrow outlet that protrudes into the vagina
 Cervix has internal and external OS

15. Support for the Uterus
 Broad ligament – attached to the pelvis
 Round ligament – anchored anteriorly
 Uterosacral ligaments – anchored posteriorly

16. Walls of the Uterus
 Perimetrium or Serous layer – outer visceral peritoneum
 Myometrium – middle layer of smooth muscle
 Endometrium—inner layer ( consists of 2 layers)
 It is devided functionally into two layres:
--Functional layer
--Basal layer
• Allows for implantation of a fertilized ovum
• Sloughs off if no pregnancy occurs (menses/catamenia)

17. Walls of the Uterus

18. Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes
 Receive the ovulated oocyte
 Provide a site for fertilization
 Attaches to the uterus
 Does not physically attach to the ovary
 Supported by the broad ligament

19. Uterine Tube Functions
 Fimbriae – finger-like projections at the distal end that
receive the oocyte
 Cilia inside the uterine tube slowly move the oocyte
towards the uterus
 Fertilization occurs inside the uterine tube usually at its
ampulla.
 Ectopic pregnancy (occurs in uterine tube which is
abnormal)

20. Vagina
 Extends from cervix to exterior of body
 Behind bladder and in front of rectum
 Serves as the birth canal
 Hymen – is vaginal mucosa which folds inward
and forms a membrane that partially closes
the vagina on its lower end until it is ruptured.

21. External Genitalia (Vulva)
 Mons pubis
• Fatty area overlying the pubic symphysis
• Covered with pubic hair after puberty
 Labia – skin folds
• Labia majora
• Labia minora

22. External Genitalia cont….
Vestibule
Enclosed by labia majora
It Contains:
• urethral and vaginal orifice
• Bartholin glands which secrete mucus as lubricant.
Clitoris
Contains erectile tissue

23. Oogenesis
 The total supply of oocytes are present at birth.
 Only 2 million oocytes remain at birth.
 Most of them undergo a process of degeneration called
atresia during childhood.
 By puberty, only 400,000 oocytes remain for lifetime.
 A female may ovulate about 480 gametes in life.
 Ability to release ova begins at puberty.
 Reproductive ability ends at menopause.
 Oocytes are matured in developing ovarian (graafian)
follicles.

24. Reproductive Cycle
Consists of Ovarian and Menstrual Cycle
Ovarian Cycle:
 Consists of follicular and luteal phase
 Follicles are stimulated by FSH
 The primordial follicles ultimately develop into tertiary
follicles
 The follicles secrete estrogen
 When estrogen level attains a peak it stimulates LH
 Ovulation occurs in response to LH as a result of
graffian follicle rupture at about 14th day

25. Reproductive Cycle cont...
Ovarian Cycle consists of:
1. Follicular Phase
2. Luteal Phase
Follicular Phase
• This is the phase of maturation of ovum with
development of ovarian follicle which extends from the
5th day of menstrual cycle.
• Ovarian Folllicles are glandular structures present in the
cortex of ovary. Each follicle consists of the ovum
surrounded by the epithelial cells.

26. Ovarian Cycle----- Follicular Phase cont
Different Follicles are:
 Primordial follicle
 Primary follicle
 Secondary or vesicular or
antral follicle
 Tertiary or Graffian or
Matured follicle

27. Ovarian Cycle----- Luteal Phase
Luteal Phase
 Luteal phase begins after ovulation.
 Graffian follicle develops into corpus luteum.
 Corpus luteum now begins the secretion of
progesterone
 If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum
degenerates otherwise it persists for 3-4 months
otherwise menstruation starts.

28. Menstrual Cycle or Uterine Cycle
 After ovulation, if pregnancy does not occur, the
thickened endometrium is shed or desquamated.
 This desquamated endometrium is expelled out through
vagina along with blood and tissue fluid.
 The process of shedding and exit of uterine lining along
with blood and fluid is called menstruation or menstrual
bleeding.
 It lasts for about 4 to 5 days. This period is called
menstrual phase or menstrual period.

29. Menstrual Cycle cont...
• The day when bleeding starts is considered as the first
day of the menstrual cycle.
• Two days before the onset of bleeding, that is on 26th or
27th day of the previous cycle, there is a sudden
reduction in the release of estrogen and progesterone
from ovary as a result of degeneration of corpus luteum.
• Decreased level of these two hormones is responsible for
menstruation.

30. Menstrual Cycle cont...
UTERINE CHANGES DURING MENSTRUAL CYCLE
During each menstrual cycle, along with ovarian changes,
uterine changes also occur simultaneously.
Menstrual cycle is divided into three phases:
1. Menstrual phase
2. Proliferative phase
3. Secretory phase

31. Menstrual Cycle cont...
Menstrual Phase
 It follows the secretary phase of the last menstrual cycle
 Menstruation usually starts on 29th day of the menstrual
cycle.
 It lasts for about 3—5 days.
 It is characterized by the shedding of stratum
compactum and spongiosum along with about 60 ml of
blood during menstruation.
 The onset of menstruation occurs as a result of
decreased level of estrogen and progesterone due to the
degeneration of corpus luteum.

32. Menstrual Cycle cont...
• Lack of estrogen and progesterone causes sudden
involution of endometrium.
• Uterine contractions expel the blood along with
desquamated uterine tissues to the exterior through
vagina.
• It leads to reduction in the thickness of endometrium,
up to 65% and reduces to its original size of about 1
mm.

33. Menstrual Cycle cont...
Proliferative Phase
 This is also known as follicular phase. This phase follows
the menstrual phase.
 It is characterized by the active proliferation of
endometrium which grows 3 to 4 mm in thickness.
Uterine glands increase in length and remain straight.
 Proliferation occurs under the influence of estrogen
secreted by maturing ovarian follicles in the ovary.
 This phase generally lasts from 5th to 14th day in a 28
days menstrual cycle.
 On 14th day, ovulation occurs under the influence of
LH. This is followed by secretary phase.

34. Menstrual Cycle cont...
Secretary Phase
• This is also known as progestational phase.
• Endometrium further grows up to 5—7 mm.
• Increase in size is due to the accumulation of glycogen and
lipid in stromal cells and tissue fluid in the stroma.
• Many new blood vessels appear within endometrial stroma.
• Endometrial glands become dilated and tortuous.
• This phase is influenced by progesterone.
• Secretory phase extends between 15th and 28th day of the
menstrual cycle, i.e. between the day of ovulation and the day
when menstruation of next cycle commences.
• This phase lasts for 14 days in a 28 days cycle.

35. Clinical Correlation
Anovulatory Cycle
Sometimes ovulation does not occur and the
corpus luteum is not formed. There is no effect
of progesterone on the endometrium. However,
under the influence of estrogen, the
endometrium proliferates enough to breakdown
and slough during menstruation.

38. Hormones of Pregnancy
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
8 to 9 days after conception to test pregnancy
Peaks around 10-12 weeks of gestation
Like LH, it stimulates the growth of corpus luteum to
increase the amounts of estrogen and progesterone
Without HCG, the corpus luteum will atrophy

39. ABNORMAL MENSTRUATION
 Amenorrhea: Absence of menstruation
 Hypomenorrhea: Decreased menstrual bleeding
 Menorrhagia: Excess menstrual bleeding
 Oligomenorrhea: Decreased frequency of menstrual
bleeding
 Polymenorrhea: Increased frequency of menstruation
 Dysmenorrhea: Menstruation with pain
 Metrorrhagia: Uterine bleeding in between
menstruations.

40. Clinical Correlation
 Cesarean Section
 Tubal Ligation
 IUCD--intrauterine contraceptive device is a small,
often T-shaped birth control device that is inserted into
a woman's uterus to prevent pregnancy.
 Fibroids-- are of large masses of smooth muscles
myometrium
 Hysterectomy—Removal of uterus
 Salpingitis---inflammation of the fallopian tubes
 IVF--In vitro Fertilization
 Mittelschmerz---- painful ovulation