The document summarizes the female reproductive system. It describes the internal and external organs including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, mammary glands, and vulva. It explains their functions in fertility, pregnancy, and lactation. The menstrual cycle and hormonal regulation are also outlined, noting the roles of estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH in ovulation, the proliferative phase, and secretory phase across approximately 28 days. Fertilization and sex determination from the fusion of an egg and sperm containing X or Y chromosomes is briefly explained.

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Female reproductive system/Prepared BY:-DR.C.K.singh
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Female reproductive system is the system of reproduction in female human beings.
FUNCTIONS OF FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 Formation of ova.
 Reception of spermatozoa.
 Fetal development.
 Parturition (child birth).
 Lactation, the production of breast milk, which provides complete nourishment for the baby
in its early life.
ORGANS OF FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
The female reproductive organs are divided into:
A. External female
reproductive organs /
External genitalia / The
vulva
 Mons pubis
 Labia majora
 Labia minora
 Clitoris
 Hymen
 Vestibular glands
 Perineum
B. Internal female
reproductive organ
/ Internal genitalia
 Vagina
 Uterus
 Uterine tube
 Ovary
C. Mammary glands
EXTERNAL GENITALIA
i. Mons pubis: This is a rounded eminence present in front of the pubic symphysis. It is
formed by accumulation of subcutaneous fat. It is covered with pubic hair, after puberty.
ii. Labia majora: The labia majora are two round and thick folds of skin which form the side
of valva.
iii. Labia minora: They are two thin folds of skin which lie in the space enclosed by labia
majora.
iv. Clitoris: The clitoris is an erectile organ. It is situated behind the anterior commissure of the
labia majora.
v. Hymen: It is a thin membrane which covers the vaginal orifice of virgin woman. It is
usually perforated so as to allow menstrual flow.
vi. Vestibular glands: The vestibular glands (Bartholin’s glands) are situated on each side of
vaginal orifice. The vestibular glands are secreting mucus that keeps the vulva moist.
vii. Perineum: Perineum is an area extending from the base of labia minora to the anal
canal. The area is about 2-4cm.It is roughly triangular and consist of connective tissue,
muscle and fat.

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Female reproductive system/Prepared BY:-DR.C.K.singh
Fig. External Genitalia
INTERNAL GENITALIA
The internal organs of the female reproductive system lies in the pelvic cavity consist of
vagina, uterus, uterine tube, ovaries.
Fig. Inetrnal Genitalia
VAGINA
The vagina is a fibro muscular tube. It lies in the front of the rectum & anus and behind the
urinary bladder. It is about 3 inches long.
FUNCTIONS OF VAGINA
 Birth passage.
 Passage way of sperm.
 Sexual intercourse.
UTERUS
The uterus is the pear shaped, hollow muscular, flattened, organ. It situated in the pelvic cavity
between the urinary bladder and the rectum. The length of uterus is about 7.5cm long, 5cm
wide, 2.5cm thick weight about 30-40 gm.

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Female reproductive system/Prepared BY:-DR.C.K.singh
PARTS OF UTERUS
The uterus is divided into three parts:
i. Fundus: It lies above the entrance of the uterine tubes.
ii. Body: It lies below the entrance of the uterine tubes.
iii. Cervix: It lies anterior wall of the vagina.
STRUCTURE OF UTERUS
The wall of the uterus is composed of three layers of tissue:
i. Perimetrium:-The perimetrium is an outer layer of the uterus, consists of peritoneum.
ii. Myometrium:-It is a middle layer of uterus. The myometrium is consists of smooth muscle
fibers with areolar tissue, blood vessels and nerves.
iii. Endometrium:-This is an inner layer of uterus and consists of columnar epithelium.
Fig. Structure of Uterus
SUPPORT OF THE UTERUS
The support of the uterus is:
• The pelvic floor
• Muscles of pelvic floor
• Broad ligaments
• Round ligaments
• Uterosacral ligaments
• Transverse cervical
ligaments
• Pubocervical
ligaments
• Pubocervical fascia
• Peritoneum and
• Connective tissue
FUNCTIONS OF UTERUS
 Provide site for implantation of embryo.
 Provide space for growth of fetus.
 Provide nutrition to the fetus.
 Passage way for sperm to reach to the fallopian tube for fertilization, for menstruation.
 Periodic contraction and relaxation during labor to expel out fetus.
UTERINE TUBE/FALLOPIAN TUBE
Fallopian tubes are two tortuous ducts which extend from the lateral side of uterus to ovary.
They are about 10 cm long. They are also known as oviducts, uterine tubes.
PARTS OF UTERINE TUBE
Fallopian tube is divided into four parts:
i. Interstitial or intramural part: - It is the segment that pierces the uterine wall.
ii. Isthmus: - It is the narrowest part of the tube and lies just lateral to the uterus.

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Female reproductive system/Prepared BY:-DR.C.K.singh
iii. Ampulla: - The Ampulla is the widest part of the tube. It is most common site of
fertilization.
iv. Infundibulum: - It is the funnel-shaped lateral end of the fallopian tube.
STRUCTURE OF UTERINE TUBE
The uterine tube is composed of three layers of tissue:
 Outer layer consists of peritoneum.
 Middle layer is composed of smooth muscle.
 Inner layer is composed of ciliated epithelium tissue.
FUNCTIONS OF UTERINE TUBE
 Provide a site of fertilization.
 They also provide nourishment for the fertilized ovum and transport it to the cavity of the
uterus.
 They also transport spermatozoa from the uterus to the ampulla part.
OVARY
The ovary is the female gonad or sex gland. It lies in shallow fossae on the lateral wall of the
pelvis. They are about 2.5-3.5 cm long, 2 cm wide and 1 cm thick.
STRUCTURE OF OVARY
The ovary contains:
 A central soft tissue called stroma.
 An outer surface called germinal epithelium.
The germinal epithelium contains the graffian follicles. The graffian follicles contain the ova.
The ova are surrounded by a fluid called liquor folliculi.
FUNCTIONS OF OVARY
 To develop and mature ova.
 To discharge mature ovum at each mense.
 To produce sex hormones: estrogen and progesterone.
FUNCTIONS OF ESTROGEN
 Enlargement of uterus to about double of its childhood size.
 It increases blood supply to endometrium.
 It increases size of uterine tube.
 It reduces the pH of the vagina.
 It increases the shape and size of vagina.
 It develops the mammary glands (breast).
 It develops hair in the pubic region and axilla.
 It brings softness and smoothness to the skin.
 Voice: The larynx remains in pre pubertal stage which produces high pitch voice.
 It increases bone growth (osteoblast activity).
FUNCTIONS OF PROGESTERONE
 It increases the thickness of the endometrium.
 It increases the size of the uterine glands.
 It increases in the secretory activities of glandular cells.
 It increases the depositions of lipid and glycogen in the stromal cells.
 It promotes secretory changes in the mucosal lining of the fallopian tube.

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Female reproductive system/Prepared BY:-DR.C.K.singh
MAMMARY GLANDS/BREAST
The mammary glands or breast is the most important organs of the female reproductive system.
POSITION OF BREAST
The breast lies in the superficial fascia of the pectoral region, extent to the vertically, the 2nd
to
6th
ribs, horizontally. It extends from the lateral border of sternum to the mid axillary line.
STRUCTURE OF BREAST
The mammary glands or breast consists of glandular tissue, fibrous tissue and fatty tissue.
Fig. Structure of Breast
i. Glandular tissue: The glandular tissue made up of about 15- 20 lobes composed of solid
cords of ductal cells.
ii. Fibrous tissue: The fibrous tissue supports the glandular tissue and ducts.
iii. Fat tissue: Fat tissue covers the surface of the gland and also found between the lobes.
NIPPLE
Nipple is a small conical eminence at the centre of the breast surrounded by a pigmented area
called areola. The areola is reddish or brown in colour at puberty but, converted into black after
pregnancy. On the surface of the areola there are numerous sebaceous glands which lubricate
the nipple during lactation.
FUNCTION OF MAMMARY GLANDS
 The mammary glands are only active during pregnancy and after childbirth, when they
produce milk (Lactation).Lactation is stimulated by hormones called Prolactin.
MENSTRUAL CYCLE
This is the series of events, occurring in rhythmic fashion during the reproductive period of a
woman’s life. It starts at the age of 12-15 years, which marks the onset of puberty. The menstrual
cycle stops at the age of 40-45 years. The duration of menstrual cycle is usually 28 days but it
may be vary between 20-35 days. The permanent stopage of menstrual cycle in old age is called
menopause. The complete menstrual cycle involves following phase:

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Female reproductive system/Prepared BY:-DR.C.K.singh
• Menstrual phase
• Proliferative phase
• Secretory phase
Fig. Menstrual cycle
MENSTRUAL PHASE
 It is also called as mense.
 It involves discharge of blood, connective tissue and mucus from Endometrium.
 The loss is about 50-100 ml and continues for 3-5 days.
 In this time level of oestrogen and progesterone is very low in the blood.
 It occurs only when the ovum is not fertilized.
PROLIFERATIVE PHASE
 It consists of rapid proliferation of endometrial cells. After menses from 5th
to14th
days.
 The follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates the development of graffian follicles.
 The graffian follicles cells secrete hormone oestrogen. Its level is maximum at 12th
day of
cycle.
 The Endometrium becomes thick and more vascular and becomes ready for implantation
 The uterine movements increase due to contraction of uterine muscles.
SECRETARY PHASE
 It occurs from 14th
-28th
days.
 In this phase secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) form anterior pituitary.

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Female reproductive system/Prepared BY:-DR.C.K.singh
 The luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulate ovulation.
 The corpus luteum secrete progesterone hormone.
 Progesterone inhibits further maturation of any follicle or ovulation.
 Progesterone stimulates thickening of endometrium. It stimulates uterine gland to secrete
mucus.
 Progesterone also affects the mammary gland.
 If ovum is not fertilized, the corpus luteum starts to degenerate and level of progesterone
and estrogen is decreased. At 28th
day, the progesterone level falls, the blood vessels
constrict and prevent the blood supply to Endometrium. It results in shedding off the
Endometrium causing menstrual flow.
HORMONAL REGULATION OF FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
OOGENESIS
It is the process by which oogonia is developed into mature ovum.
OVULATION
Ovulation is the process by which the graffian follicle in the ovary ruptures and the ovum is
released into the abdominal cavity.
Time of ovulation:-It occur 14 +-1days after the onset of menstruation.
Secondary oocyte
Oogonium
Primary oocyte
Ovum
Enlarge
1st
Meiosis
2nd
Meiosis
Stimulates
Hypothalamus
Gonadotropins releasing hormone
Anterior pituitary gland
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Overian follicle
Oestrogen
Stimulates
Corpus luteum
Progesterone
Secrete Secrete
Released
Stimulates

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Female reproductive system/Prepared BY:-DR.C.K.singh
FERTILIZATION
Fertilization is a process of fusion of male gamete (spermatozoa) and female gametes (ovum or
eggs) in ampulla region of fallopian tube to form zygote.
SEX DETERMINATION
When, sperm enters the ovum 23 chromosomes from ovum and 23 chromosomes from the
sperm join together to form the 23 pairs (46) of chromosomes in the fertilized ovum. Now, sex
determination occurs. Ovum contains the X chromosomes. Sperm has either X chromosome or
Y chromosome. If the ovum is fertilized by a sperm with X chromosome, the child will be
female with XX chromosome. And if the ovum is fertilized by a sperm with Y chromosome,
the sex of the child will be male with XY chromosome. So, the sex of the child depends upon
the male partner.
Male gonad (Testes)
Spermatogenesis
Sperm
Female gonad (Ovary)
oogenesis
Ovum (Egg)
Zygote
Chart . Fertilization