1) The document describes the key external and internal female reproductive organs including the vagina, labia, clitoris, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and mammary glands. 2) It explains the functions of these organs such as facilitating sexual intercourse, menstruation, fertilization, pregnancy, and lactation. 3) The structures and roles of each organ are defined in detail, such as the various parts of the uterus that allow it to accommodate a growing fetus and aid in childbirth.

1. MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH:

2. Female Reproductive Organ
• The vagina is an elastic, muscular canal with a
soft, flexible lining that provides lubrication
and sensation. The vagina connects the uterus
to the outside world. The vulva and labia form
the entrance, and the cervix of the uterus
protrudes into the vagina, forming the interior
end.

3. • Labia majora: The labia majora (“large lips”)
enclose and protect the other external
reproductive organs. During puberty, hair
growth occurs on the skin of the labia majora,
which also contain sweat and oil-secreting
glands.
• Labia minora: The labia minora (“small lips”)
can have a variety of sizes and shapes. They lie
just inside the labia majora, and surround the
openings to the vagina

4. • Bartholin’s glands: These glands are located
next to the vaginal opening on each side and
produce a fluid (mucus) secretion.
• Clitoris: The two labia minora meet at the
clitoris, a small, sensitive protrusion that is
comparable to the penis in males. The clitoris
is covered by a fold of skin, called the prepuce,
which is similar to the foreskin at the end of
the penis. Like the penis, the clitoris is very
sensitive to stimulation and can become erect.

6. • Vestibule : it is the triangular space between
the labia minora where the vaginal intoritous,
urethral meatus, Bartholin’s Glands and
skene’s Glands are located.
• Skene’s Glands: also known as paraurethral
and minor vestibular glands
• Vaginal Orifice: it is the external opening of
the vagina located just below the urethral
meatus.

7. • Hymen: it is a thin circular membrane made of
elastic tissue situated at the vaginal opening
that separates the female internal organs fron
the external organs.
• Some women may be born w/o a hymen.
• Imperforate hymen is a hymen that completely
covers the vaginal introitus preventing the
passage of menstrual discharge or sexual
intercourse.
• Hymenotomy is the surgical incision of an
imperforated hymen.

9. • Urethral Meatus: it is the external opening of
the female urethra located just below the
clitoris.
• Female are most susceptible to UTI than
males because of their shorter urethra.

10. Female internal organs
• Vagina: The vagina is a canal that joins the
cervix (the lower part of uterus) to the outside
of the body. It also is known as the birth canal.
• Functions of Vagina
– Organ of copulation
– Discharges menstrual flow

12. • Rugae: this are the transverse folds of the skin
in the vaginal wall that is absent in childhood,
appear after puberty and disappear at
menopause.
• Rugae allows the vaginal canal to stretch
during coitus and enlarge during deliver

13. • Vaginl pH
• Before puberty- alkaline in nature (6.8 to 7.2)
• After puberty becomes acidic (4 to 5)
• Doderlein Bacilli (bacteria normally present in
the vagina) conver the glycogen content of
vaginaal mucus to lactic acid making the
vaginal environment acidic. This acidity helps
control the growth to pathogenic
microorganism that may cause vaginal
infections.

14. • Uterus : It is a hallow muscular canal
resembling an inverted pear.

16. • Functon of the Uterus
• It is an organ of reproduction
• Organ of Menstruation
• Receive the fertilized ovum
• Implantation site
• Protects the growing fetus
• Expel the fetus at maturity through uterine
contraction.

17. • Parts of the Uterus
• A. Fundus
• The uppermost convex portion located
between the inserions of the fallopian tube
• This is the most muscular are of the uterus
thisckest and most contractile portion
• During pregnancy, palpation of its height is
used to assess uterine growth and during the
postpartum period, to assess for uterine
involution. It is the ideal site for implantation
of the zygote.

18. • Corpus: the corpus is the main body of the
uterus. It’s very muscular and can stretch to
accommodate a developing fetus. During labor,
the muscular walls of the corpus contract to help
push the baby through the cervix and vagina.
• Isthmus: the portion of the uterus between the
corpus and the cervix is called the isthmus. This is
where the walls of the uterus begin to narrow
toward the cervix.

19. • Cervix
• The cervix is the lowest part of the uterus. It’s lined with
a smooth mucous membrane and connects the uterus
to the vagina. Glands in the cervical lining usually
produce a thick mucus. However, during ovulation, this
becomes thinner to allow sperm to easily pass into the
uterus.
• The cervix has three main parts:
• Endocervix. This is the inner part of the cervix that leads
to the uterus.
• Cervical canal. The cervical canal links the uterus to the
vagina.
• Exocervix. The exocervix is the outer part of the cervix
that protrudes into the vagina.
• During childbirth, the cervix dilates (widens) to allow
the baby to pass through the birth canal.

22. • Perimetrium – outermost layer attached to
the broad ligaments
• Myometrium- middle muscular layer
responsible for uterine contractions during
labor
• Endometrium- innermost layer, mucosal lining
of the uterine cavity changes in thickens
during menstrual cycle

23. Fallopian tubes (Oviducts)
• Pair of tube- like structures originating from
the cornua of the uterus with distal ends
located near the ovaries

24. Functions
• Transport ovum from ovary to the uterus
• The site of fertilization
• Provides nourishment to the ovum during its
journey.

25. Ampulla
• Widest part, site of fertilization

26. Ovaries
• Almond- shape glandular organs located on
their side of the uterus.

27. Functions
• Oogenesis- development and maturation of
ovum.
• Ovulation- release ovum from the ovary
• Hormone production – main source of estrogen
and progesterone
• Estrogen- hormone of women, promotes female
secondary sex characteristics.
• Progesterone - hormone of pregnancy, prevents
sloughing off of endometrium, prevents
premature uterine contruction.

28. Mammary Glands
• The female breast accessory organs of
reproduction for lactation.
• They are situated over the
pectoralis major muscles,
between the second
and sixth ribs.

29. External Structures
• 1. Nipple or Mammary Papillae – located at
the center of the anterior surface of each
breast. It has 15 – 20 opening connected to
lactiferous ducts and in which milk flows out.
• 2. Areola – the pigmented skin that surrounds
the nipple.
• 3. Montgomery Tubercles- glands in the areola
that secrete an oily substance that keeps the
areola and nipple lactated.

31. Hormones that influence the
Mammary Glands
• Estrogen- stimulates the development of the
ductile structures of the breast
• Progesterone – stimulates the development of
the acinar structures of the breast.
• Human Placental Lactogen – promotes breast
development during pregnancy
• Oxytocin – promotes let- down reflex. This
hormone is inhibited by progesterone.
• Prolactin – stimulates milk production. Inhibit by
estrogen.