This PPT covers Anatomy and Physiology of Female reproductive system. Anatomy of female reproductive organs, oogenesis, hormonal regulation of ovaries and Female reproductive cycle (Mentrual cycle) are explained.

1. PREPARED BY: JEGAN S.NADAR

2. The organs of female reproductive system includes:-
 Gonads – ovaries
 Uterine (fallopian) tubes or oviducts
 Uterus
 Vagina
 External organs – vulva or pudendum
 Mammary glands
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3.  Paired glands homologous to the testes
 Produce
 Gametes – secondary oocytes that develop into mature ova (eggs) after fertilization
 Hormones including progesterone, estrogens, inhibin and relaxin
 The ovaries, one on either side of the uterus, descend to the superior portion of the pelvic
cavity during the third month of development.
 Series of ligaments hold ovaries in place
 Broad ligament
 Ovarian ligament
 Suspensory ligament
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4. 1. Germinal epithelium
 Simple epithelium (columnar/cuboidal)
 covers surface of ovary
 Does not give rise to ova
2. Tunica albuginea
3. Ovarian cortex
 It consists of ovarian follicles surrounded by dense irregular connective tissue
that contains collagen fibers and fibroblast-like cells called stromal cells
4. Ovarian medulla
 Consists of more loosely arranged connective tissue and contains blood vessels,
lymphatic vessels, and nerves Jegan

5. 5. Ovarian follicles
 Present in cortex and consist of oocytes in various stages of development
 Surrounding cells nourish developing oocyte and secrete estrogens as
follicle grows
6. Mature (graafian) follicle
 large, fluid-filled follicle ready to rupture expel secondary oocyte during
ovulation
7. Corpus luteum
 Remnants of mature follicle after ovulation
 Produces progesterone, estrogens, relaxin and inhibin until it degenerates
into corpus albicans JeganJegan

6. (a) Frontal section
Frontal
plane
Primordial
follicle
Primary
follicle
Secondary
follicle
Ovarian cortex
Follicular fluid
Mature (graafian) follicle
Ovarian medulla
Corpus hemorrhagicum
(ruptured follicle)
Corona radiata
Ovulation discharges
secondary oocyte
Degenerating
corpus luteum
Blood clot Corpus
luteum
Blood vessels in
hilum of ovary
Corpus albicans
Germinal
epithelium
Ovarian follicles
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7.  Formation of gametes in ovary
 Oogenesis begins before females are born
 Essentially same steps of meiosis as spermatogenesis
 During early fetal development, primordial (primitive) germ cells migrate from yolk
sac to ovaries
 Germ cells then differentiate into oogonia – diploid (2n) stem cells
 Before birth, most germ cells degenerate – atresia
 A few develop into primary oocytes that enter meiosis I during fetal development
but do not complete that phase until after puberty.
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8.  During this arrested stage of development, each primary oocyte is surrounded by
a single layer of flat follicular cells, and the entire structure is called a primordial
follicle
 At birth, approximately 200,000 to 2,000,000 primary oocytes remain in each
ovary.
 Of these, about 40,000 are still present at puberty, and around 400 will mature
and ovulate during a woman’s
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9. Primary oocyte
(a) Primordial follicle
Basement
membrane
Follicular cells
Collagen
fiber
Stromal
cell
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10.  Each month from puberty to menopause, FSH and LH stimulate the development
of several primordial follicles
 Usually, only one reaches ovulation
 Primordial follicles develop into primary follicles
 Primary follicles
 Primary oocyte surrounded by granulosa cells
 Forms zona pellucida between granulosa cells and primary oocyte
 Stromal cells begin to form theca folliculi
 Primary follicles develop into secondary follicles
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11. (b) Late primary follicle
Zona pellucida
Collagen fiber
Theca folliculi
Basement
membrane
Granulosa
cells
Primary
oocyte
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12.  Secondary Follicle
 Theca differentiates into theca interna secreting estrogens and theca
externa made of stromal cells and collage fibre
 In addition Granulosa cells secrete follicular fluid in antrum
 Innermost layer of granulosa cells firmly attaches to zona pellucida forming
corona radiata
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13. (c) Secondary follicle
Zona pellucida
Antrum
Theca folliculi:
Theca externa
Theca interna
Stromal cell
Collagen fiber
Blood vessels
Granulosa
cells
Primary
oocyte
Corona
radiata
Basement
membrane
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14.  Secondary follicle becomes mature (graffian) follicle
 Just before ovulation, diploid primary oocyte completes meiosis I
 Produces 2 unequal sized haploid (n) cells –secondary oocyte and first
polar body (which is discarded)
 Once a secondary oocyte is formed, it begins meiosis II but then stops in
metaphase.
 The mature (graafian) follicle soon ruptures and releases its secondary
oocyte, a process known as ovulation
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15. (d) Mature (graafian) follicle
Basement
membrane
Antrum filled with follicular
fluid
Zona pellucida
Theca folliculi:
Theca externa
Theca interna
Corona
radiata
Primary
oocyte
Granulosa
cells
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16.  At ovulation, secondary oocyte is expelled with first polar body and corona
radiata
 If fertilization does not occur, cells degenerate
 If a sperm penetrates secondary oocyte, meiosis II resumes
 Secondary oocyte splits into 2 cells of unequal size – second polar body (also
discarded) and ovum or mature egg
 Nuclei of sperm cell and ovum unite to form diploid zygote
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17. Oogonium
2n
Primary oocyte
2n
n
n
n n
n
nn
2n
n
n
Secondary
oocyte
First
polar body
Sperm
cell
Secondary
oocyte
Fertilization
Second
polar body
Ovum
Zygote
Meiosis I
Meiosis II
During fetal development meiosis I
begins.
After puberty, primary oocytes complete
meiosis I, which produces a secondary
oocyte and a first polar body that may or
may not divide again.
The secondary oocyte begins meiosis II.
A secondary oocyte (and first polar
body) is ovulated.
After fertilization, meiosis II resumes. The
oocyte splits into an ovum and a second
polar body.
The nuclei of the sperm cell and the
ovum unite, forming a diploid (2n)
zygote.
+
Ovulation
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18. Jegan

19.  Females have two uterine (fallopian) tubes, or oviducts, that extend laterally
from the uterus
 10 cm long
 Provide a route for sperm to reach an ovum
 Transport secondary oocytes and fertilized ova from ovaries to uterus
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20.  The anatomical division of fallopian tube are
 The funnel-shaped portion of each tube is called the infundibulum
 Infundibulum ends in finger-like projection called fimbria
Produce currents to sweep secondary oocyte in
 Ampulla – widest and longest portion
 Isthmus –short , narrow and thick- walled portion that joins uterus
 3 layers
 Mucosa – ciliary conveyor belt, peg cells provide nutrition to ovum
 Muscularis – peristaltic contractions
 Serosa – outer layer Jegan

21. Posterior view of uterus and associated structures
Infundibulum of
uterine tube
Uterine cavity
Endometrium
Myometrium
Perimetrium
Internal os
Cervix of uterus
Cervical canal
Lateral fornix
Rugae
Infundibulum of
uterine tube
Suspensory
ligament
Uterine (fallopian) tube
Ovary
Ovarian ligament
Fimbriae of uterine tube
Fundus of uterus
Isthmus of
uterine tube
Broad ligament
Body of uterus
Ureter
Isthmus
Uterosacral ligament
External os
Vagina
View
Ampulla of
uterine tube
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22.  The uterus (womb) serves as pathway for sperm deposited in the vagina to
reach the uterine tubes.
 It is also the site of implantation of a fertilized ovum,
 Development of the fetus during pregnancy, and labor.
 During reproductive cycles the uterus is the source of menstrual flow
 Situated between the urinary bladder and the rectum
 In females who have never been pregnant, it is about 7.5 cm long, 5 cm wide,
and 2.5 cm thick.
 The uterus is larger in females who have recently been pregnant
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23. Anatomy
 Anatomical subdivisions of the uterus include
 Fundus- Superior dome shaped portion
 Body- Tapering central portion
 Cervix- Inferior narrow portion
 Isthmus- a constricted region between body and cervix
 The interior of body of uterus is known as uterine cavity
 The interior of cervix is called cervical canal
 Cervical canal open into uterine cavity at internal os and into vagina at external os
 Normal position of uterus is anteflexion – anterior and superior over bladder
 Ligaments maintain position – Broad, Uterosacral, Cardinal and Round
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24. Posterior view of uterus and associated structures
Ampulla of
uterine tube
Infundibulum of
uterine tube
Endometrium
Myometrium
Perimetrium
Lateral fornix
Rugae
Infundibulum of uterine
tube
Suspensory
ligament
Uterine (fallopian) tube
Ovary
Ovarian ligament
Fimbriae of uterine tube
Fundus of uterus
Isthmus of uterine
tube
Broad ligament
Body of uterus
Ureter
Isthmus
Uterosacral ligament
External os
Vagina
View
Uterine cavity
Internal os
Cervix of uterus
Cervical canal
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25. Histology
3 layers
 Perimetrium – outer layer
 Part of visceral peritoneum
 Myometrium
 3 layers of smooth muscle
 Contractions in response to oxytocin from posterior pituitary
 Endometrium – inner layer
 Highly vascularized
 Stratum functionalis –lines cavity, sloughs off during menstruation
 Stratum basalis – permanent, gives rise to new stratum functionalis after each
menstruation Jegan

26. Posterior view of uterus and associated structures
Ampulla of
uterine tube
Infundibulum of
uterine tube
Uterine cavity
Myometrium
Internal os
Cervix of uterus
Cervical canal
Lateral fornix
Rugae
Infundibulum of uterine
tube
Suspensory
ligament
Uterine (fallopian) tube
Ovary
Ovarian ligament
Fimbriae of uterine tube
Fundus of uterus
Isthmus of uterine
tube
Broad ligament
Body of uterus
Ureter
Isthmus
Uterosacral ligament
External os
Vagina
View
Endometrium
Perimetrium
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27.  It is a fibromuscular canal extending from exterior of body to uterine cervix
 10 cm long
 Functions
 It is the receptacle for the penis during sexual intercourse,
 The outlet for menstrual flow,
 The passageway for childbirth.
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28. 4 layers
 Mucosa continuous with uterine mucosa
 Decomposition of glycogen makes acidic environment hostile to microbes and sperm
 Alkaline components of semen raise pH
 Muscularis – 2 layers of smooth muscle
 Adventitia – anchors vagina to adjacent organs
 Hymen – forms border around and partially closes vaginal orifice
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29. Jegan

30. The following components make up the vulva:
 Mons pubis – cushions pubic symphysis
 Labia majora – homologous to scrotum
 Labia minora – homologous to spongy (penile) urethra
 Clitoris – 2 small erectile bones and numerous nerves and blood vessels Homologous
to glans penis
 Vestibule – region between labia minora
External urethral orifice, openings of several ducted glands, and vaginal orifice
 Bulb of the vestibule – 2 elongates masses of erectile tissue on either side of vaginal
orifice Jegan

31. (a) Inferior view
Anus
Prepuce of clitoris
Clitoris
External urethral orifice
Vaginal orifice (dilated)
Mons pubis
Labia majora (spread)
Labia minora (spread
exposing vestibule)
Hymen

32.  Each breast is a hemispheric projection of variable size
 Each breast has one pigmented projection called nipple
 Nipple has a series of closely spaced openings of ducts called lactiferous ducts
where milk emerges
 The circular pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple is called the areola
 Strands of connective tissue called the suspensory ligaments of the breast (Cooper’s
ligaments) run between the skin and fascia and support the breast.
 Mammary gland – modified sudoriferous gland that produces milk
 15-20 lobes divided into lobules composed of alveoli (milk-secreting glands)
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33. (a) Sagittal section
Sagittal plane
(b) Anterior view, partially sectioned
Rib
Pectoral fascia
Intercostal muscles
Suspensory ligament of the breast (Cooper’s
ligament)
Pectoralis major muscle
Lobule containing alveoli
Secondary tubule
Mammary duct
Lactiferous sinus
Lactiferous duct
Nipple
Areola
Areola
Nipple
Adipose tissue in
subcutaneous layer
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34. 1. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
 Secreted by hypothalamus controls ovarian and uterine cycle
 Stimulates release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing
hormone (LH) from anterior pituitary
2. FSH
 Initiate follicular growth
 Stimulate ovarian follicles to secrete estrogens
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35. 3. LH
 Stimulates further development of ovarian follicles
 Stimulate ovarian follicles to secrete estrogens
 Stimulates theca cells of developing follicle to produce androgens
 Androgens then converted to estrogens in granulosa cells
 Triggers ovulation
 Promotes formation of corpus luteum – produces estrogens, progesterone,
relaxin and inhibin
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36. 4. Estrogens secreted by ovarian follicles
 Promote development and maintenance of female reproductive structures
and secondary sex characteristics
 Increases protein anabolism including building strong bones
 Lowers blood cholesterol
 Inhibit release of GnRH, LH and FSH
5. Progesterone
 Secreted mainly by corpus luteum
 Works with estrogens to prepare and maintain endometrium for
implantation and mammary glands for milk production
 Inhibits secretion of GnRH and LH Jegan

37.  Relaxin
 Produced by corpus luteum
 Relaxes uterus by inhibiting contraction of myometrium
 At end of pregnancy, increases flexibility of pubic symphysis and dilates
uterine cervix
 Inhibin
 Secreted by granulosa cells of growing follicles and by corpus luteum
 Inhibits secretion of FSH and LH
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38. Hypothalamus
Anterior pituitary gland
GnRH
FSH
LH
LH stimulates
Corpus luteumOvulationOvaries
Growing
follicles
Initial development of ovarian
follicles
Further development of ovarian follicles
and their secretion of estrogens and
inhibin
Estrogens Progesterone Relaxin Inhibin
• Promote development and maintenance
of female reproductive structures,
feminine secondary sex
• characteristics, and breasts
• Increase protein anabolism
• Lower blood cholesterol
• Moderate levels inhibit release of GnRH,
FSH, and LH
• Works with estrogens to prepare
endometrium for implantation
• Prepares mammary glands to secrete
milk
• Inhibits release of GnRH and LH
• Inhibits contractions of uterine smooth
muscle
• During labor, increases flexibility of
pubic symphysis and dilates uterine
cervix
• Inhibits release of FSH and, to
a lesser extent, LH
FSH stimulates
Secretion of progesterone, estrogens, relaxin, and inhibin
by corpus luteum
GnRH stimulates
release of FSH and LH
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39.  Encompasses ovarian and uterine cycle, hormonal changes that
regulate them, and related changes in breast and cervix
 Ovarian cycle– series of events in ovaries that occur during and after
maturation of oocyte
 Uterine (menstrual) cycle– concurrent series of changes in uterine
endometrium preparing it for arrival of fertilized ovum
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40. Phases Of Female Reproductive Cycle
 Typical duration 24-35 days
 Assume a duration of 28 days
 4 Phases
1. Menstrual phase
2. Preovulatory phase
3. Ovulation
4. Postovulatory phase
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41. Estrogens
Progesterone and estrogens
Corpus luteumOvulation
Mature (graafian)
follicleSecondary
follicle
Primary
follicles
Primordial
follicles
LH
FSH
Hypothalamus
GnRH
Anterior
pituitary
Corpus
albicans
Luteal phaseFollicular phase
Menstrual
phase
Preovulatory
phase Ovulation
Postovulatory
phase
(a) Hormonal regulation of changes in the ovary and uterus
Stratum
functionalis
Stratum
basalis
Ovarian cycle
Uterine
(menstrual)
cycle
Days
Corpus
Hemor-
rhagicum
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42. Progesterone
Days
(b) Changes in concentration of anterior pituitary and ovarian hormones
FSH
Estrogens
LH
Hormoneconcentration
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43.  Roughly first 5 days of cycle
 First day of menstruation is day 1 of new cycle
 Events in ovaries
 Under FSH influence, several primordial follicles develop into primary
follicles and then into secondary follicles
 Takes several months
 Follicle that begins to develop in one cycle may not mature for several
cycles later
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44.  Events in uterus
 Menstrual discharge occurs because declining levels of estrogens and
progesterone stimulate release of prostaglandins causing uterine spiral
arterioles to constrict
 Cells deprived of oxygen begin to die
 Only stratum basilis remains
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45.  More variable in length
 Lasts from days 6-13 in a 28 day cycle
 Events in ovaries
 Some of secondary follicles begin to secrete estrogens and inhibin
 Dominant follicle – one follicle outgrown all others
 Estrogens and inhibin of dominant follicle decrease FSH causing other
follicles to stop growing
 Fraternal (nonidentical) twins result when 2 or 3 secondary follicles
become co-dominant and are ovulated and fertilized at the same timeJegan

46.  Normally, one dominant follicle becomes the mature (graffian) follicle
 In ovarian cycle, menstrual and preovulatory phases are termed follicular
phase because follicles are growing
 Events in uterus
 Estrogens stimulate repair of endometrium
 Cells of stratum basalis undergo mitosis to form new stratum functionalis
 Thickness of endometrium doubles
 In uterine cycle, preovulatory phase is the proliferative phase because
endometrium is proliferating
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47.  Rupture of mature (graffian) follicle and release of secondary oocyte
 Day 14 of 28 day cycle
 High levels of estrogens exert a positive feedback effect on cells secreting LH
and GnRH
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48. High levels of
estrogens from
almost mature
follicle stimulate
release of more
GnRH and LH
Hypothalamus
Anterior pituitary
Ovary
Corpus hemorrhagicum
(ruptured follicle)
Almost mature
(graafian) follicle
LH
GnRH
1 High levels of
estrogens from
almost mature
follicle stimulate
release of more
GnRH and LH
Hypothalamus
Anterior pituitary
GnRH promotes
release of FSH
and more LH
Ovary
Corpus hemorrhagicum
(ruptured follicle)
Almost mature
(graafian) follicle
LH
GnRH
1
2
High levels of
estrogens from
almost mature
follicle stimulate
release of more
GnRH and LH
LH surge
brings about
ovulation
Ovulated
secondary
oocyte
Hypothalamus
Anterior pituitary
GnRH promotes
release of FSH
and more LH
Ovary
Corpus hemorrhagicum
(ruptured follicle)
Almost mature
(graafian) follicle
LH
GnRH
1
2
3
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49.  Duration most constant of phases
 Lasts for 14 days in 28 day cycle (day 15-28)
 Events in one ovary
 After ovulation, mature follicle collapses to form corpus luteum under the
influence of LH
 Secretes progesterone, estrogen, relaxin and inhibin
 In the ovarian cycle, this is the luteal phase
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50.  If oocyte not fertilized, corpus luteum lasts 2 weeks
 Degenerates in corpus albicans
 As levels of progesterone, estrogens and inhibin decrease, release of
GnRH, FSH, and LH rise sue to loss of negative feedback
 Follicular growth resume as new ovarian cycle begins
 If oocyte is fertilized, corpus luteum lasts more than 2 weeks
 Corpus leutum is recued from degenration by Human chorionic
gonadotropin (hCG), produced by chorion of embryo about 8 days after
fertilization
 Like LH, hCG stimulates the secretory activity of corpus luteum
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51.  Events in uterus
 Progesterone and estrogens produced by corpus luteum promote growth
of endometrium and endometrial gland
 Because of secretory activity of endometrial glands, this is the secretory
phase of uterine cycle
 Changes peak about 1 week after ovulation when a fertilized ovum might
arrive in uterus
 If fertilization does not occur, levels of progesterone and estrogens decline
due to degeneration of corpus luteum
 Withdrawal of estrogens and progesterone causes menstruation
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52. Copyright 2009, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Jegan

53. Thank You
Jegan