Female reproductive organs are ovaries, oviducts, uterus vagina, External genitalia , mammary glands and accessory glands.
This system is Concerned with
formation of ova, fertilization, foetal development and child birth.
ovaries: Are primary sex organs of female. A pair of ovaries are
present in pelvic Cavity each on either side of uterus. Each ovary is Small
sized (3 cm x 2 cm X 1 cm) & almond Shaped structure.
ovary remains attached with dorsal
body wall by mesovarium while with pelvic wall (lateral) by suspensory ligament
and with uterus by Ovarian ligament.
Each ovary is solid internally and remains lined by germinal epithelium ( now called surface epithelium) of Cuboidal epithelial cells. Inner to surface epithelium tunica albuginea , a layer of fibrous connective tissue is present. Inner to it, the stroma or matrix of ovary is present which remains differentiated into outer Cortex and inner medulla.
The Cortex Contains a number of Small, oval or rounded
developing ovarian or primary follicles in different stages of
development. From puberty, every month one of the follicle
Charges into Graffian follicle under the influence of FSH. The
graafian follicle produces hormone estrogen. The graffian follicle
Contains secondary oocyte and by ovulation it forms ovum. The
remaining structures of graffian follicle forms
Corpus luteum which acts as
temporary endocrine gland and produces hormone progesterone. If egg do not get
fertilized, the Corpus luteum
degenerates into corpus albicans.
The medulla is less dense and
Contains blood vessels, nerves, connective tissue etc.
The part of ovary through which
blood vessels and nerves enter/leave ovary is called hilum.
• Fallopian tubes or oviducts: 1 pair, long (10cm), Ciliated
, muscular and tubular structure extending from ovary to uterus. It remains
suspended by mesosalpinx (peritoneum).
Each oviduct has 3 parts:
• Infundibulum: It lies near ovary and it's opening is called ostium
which remains surrounded by fine finger like projections called fimbrae which
Captures egg during ovulation.
• Ampulla: It is outer Curved and widest part. If sperm comes ;
fertilization takes place here.
it is also Common site for ectopic pregnancy (Implantation of zygote in other place than uterus).
• Isthmus: It is narrow part which opens into uterus.
A small part of oviduct lies
inside uterus called uterine part.
Internally , oviduct remains lined
by Ciliated Columnar epithelium (for the movement of ovum) and non-ciliated
glandular (secretory Cells) Called peg
cells provide nutrients to ovum ,
zygote and sperms. They also help in Capacitation of sperm.
Functions: to carry egg , act as site of fertilization and provide
nutrients to ovum, sperm and zygote.
• Uterus or womb or Hystera: It is large ( 8cm X 5cm x 2cm) , hollow,
muscular, highly vascular and inverted pear shaped structure
where growth of embryo takes place. It lies in pelvic Cavity in
between urinary bladder and rectum. It remains suspended by
mesometrium.
It Consists of 3 parts: Fundus,
Body and Cervix.
⇒ Fundus: is upper dome shaped structure lies above the opening of
oviducts. It is the Common site of implantation.
⇒ corpus: is main two-third part also called body.
⇒ Cervix: is lower one-third tubular part and Consists of outer
ectocervix and inner endocervix with inner Cervical Canal which contains thick
mucus produced by cells which lines it. The endocervix opens into corpus of uterus by internal OS while ectocervix
opens into Vagina by
external Os. The endocervix
remains lined by columnar epithelial cells while ectocervix remains lined by
squamous epithelial cells and the area where they meet is Called transitional or transformation Zone
which is most common site for Cervical
cancer ( Caused by Human papilloma
virus - HPV).
☆ Pap smear test is done to diagnose cervical
Cancer.
The wall of uterus consists of 3 layers:
perimeterium, myometrium and
endometrium.
⇒
perimeterium: also called epimetrium is outer
layer and consists of simple squamous epithelial Cells.
⇒ myometrium: is middle , thickest layer of smooth muscles.
⇒ Endometrium: is innermost layer and remains lined by Columnar
epithelial Cells. It Consists of two layers: stratum
basilis or basilar layer towards myometrium and stratum functionalis (functional
layer). The functional layer changes
during menstrual cycle.
* surgical removal of Uterus is
called Hysterectomy.
☆ uterine prolaps (Aang Khasnu) : uterus slips off from its position into vagina and is
Common among multiparous ( having many births) woman.
* uterine - cervical cancer (common among multiparous) is most common
among Neplease woman while Breast cancer
(common among Nulliparous) is most common among woman of world.
• vagina: It is a muscular tubular structure extending from Cervix to
outside. It is about 8-10 cm in length and remains lined by non-keratinised
stratified squamous epithelium. It's inner surface has transverse folds Called
vaginal rugae. The PH of vagina is about (4-4.5) due to bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus which produces lactic acid to inhibit growth of other
micro organisms.
It opens into vestibule by vaginal
orifice partially Covered by a thin layer of mucus membrane Called hymen.
Generally hymen breaks during
first Coitus. However, it may breaks during vigorous physical activity,
cycling, Horse riding, Jumping etc.
vagina acts as Copulation Canal as
it receives penis /sperm during sexual intercourse , as passage for menstrual
flow and as birth canal.
• External genitalia or vulva: It consists of following
structures:
⇒ Mons pubis: It is anterior
most part of external genitalia and consists of fatty tissue Covered by Skin
and acts as cushion. It contains pubic hairs after puberty.
⇒ vestibule: Central depressed plate like structure which contains
two openings; urethral orifice (anterior) and vaginal orifice (Posterior).
⇒ Labia Minora: vestibule
remains bounded by thin , moist and smaller fold of skin with sebaceous gland
called as labia minora. posteriorly the labia minora are fused together to form
fourchette. Anteriorly they fuse to
form prepuce in front of clitoris.
The clitoris is small, finger like, erectile and highly sensative organ at the
top of vestibule. .
The space between fourchette and
anus is Called perineum.
⇒ Labia majora: These are two large thick fatty folds of
skin outer to labia minora and forms
boundary of vulva. They are partially Covered by pubic hair and Contain many
sebaceous glands.
Accessory glands: two
type of vestibular glands are present:
⇒ Greater vestibular glands: Also called Bartholin's glands are a pair of small , pea-sized gland located each on the
either side of vaginal orifice. They secrete alkaline viscous fluid which
provides lubrication during sexual intercourse.
⇒ Lesser vestibular glands: Also called paraurethral glands or glands of skene:
Are numerous minute glands on either side of urethral orifice. They secrete
mucus to lubricate the vagina during sexual arousal and also protect from
infection.
• Mammary glands (Breasts): Are rounded eminences located
over the pectoralis major muscle on the front wall of thorax (second to sixth
Ribs) and remain held by suspensory ligaments called Cooper's ligaments. They
enlarge considerably in adult female. Externally, they remain Covered by Skin
and Contain small elevated area at middle Called nipple which remains surrounded by a circular , pigmented area
called areola. The areola contains
sebaceous gland which produces oily secretion to prevent cracking of nipple
specially during lactation.
Internally, it contains adipose
tissue, Connective tissue and mammary glands.
The amount of fat determines size
of breast. The Connective tissue supports mammary glands.
The mammary gland is modified
sweat gland, apocrine &
tubulo-alveolar gland.
Each mammary gland Consists of
(15-20) lobules of compound tubulo-alveolar gland which secrete milk to nourish
the new baby. Each lobule is cluster Cells Called alveolie. The Cells of
alveolie produces milk which is stored in the lumen of alveolie. The alveolie
open into mammary tubules and these mammary tubules of each lobe Join to form
mammary duct. several mammary ducts Join to form a wider mammary ampulla
or lactiferous sinus where milk maybe
stored before going to lacticferous duct. Each lactiferous duct opens at the
top of nipple and Carries milk from one lobule to exterior.
In non-pregnant woman , the
glandular tissue is scanty.
During pregnancy, glands grow
under the influence of oestrogen and progesterone. on infant's birth, prolactin
stimulates the Production of milk and oxytocin Causes release of milk as
infants sucks the breast.
After menopause, the gland
atrophy.
A nursing woman secretes 1 to 2
Itrs milk per day. The first day milk is Called Colostrum & Contains
immunoglobins (IgA).
. Rudimentary milk glands are present in male.
☆ Hormones:
⇒ Estrogen : for growth of
Growth of breasts.
⇒ progesterone: To increase number of alveolie during pregnancy.
⇒ prolactin: For milk production.
⇒ oxytocin: For ejection of milk.
Homologous
organs of male and female reproductive
system
