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The Female Reproductive
System
The Female Reproductive System
The Female Reproductive System
Main Topics

Ovaries

Uterine (fallopian) Tubes

Uterus

Vagina

Vulva (pudendum)

Mammary Glands (breasts)
Ovaries
Overview

Connective Tissue Components

Oogenesis & Folliculogenesis
Uterine (fallopian) Tubes
Overview

Gross Anatomy

Histology
Uterus
Overview

Functions of the Uterus

Gross Anatomy

Supporting Ligaments

Histology
Vagina
Overview

Gross Anatomy

Histology
Vulva (pudendum)

Mons Pubis

Labia Majora

Labia Minora

Clitoris

Vestibule
Overview
Mammary Glands (breasts)
Overview

Surface Anatomy

Internal Framework

Functional Unit

Ducts
Ovaries

Connective Tissue Components

Oogenesis & Folliculogenesis
Ovaries
Connective Tissue Components

Supporting ligaments - anchor the ovaries




ovarian ligament - attaches the ovary to the uterus
suspensory ligament - attaches the ovary to the pelvic
wall
broad ligament - attaches the ovary to the uterus and
uterine tube
Internal framework



tunica albuginea - dense, irregular fibrous capsule of
the ovary
cortex - outer region where germ cells develop
medulla - occupied by the major arteries and veins
Ovaries
Connective Tissue Components
Ovaries
Internal Framework
Ovaries
Oogenesis


the production of the egg
accomplished by cyclic changes in
hormone secretions



female germ cells differentiate into oogonia
by age 6 months, all oogonia transform into
primary oocytes which have reached early
meiosis I
remain so until puberty
Ovaries
Folliculogenesis


Folliculogenesis - the development of the
follicle
Ovarian follicles - lie in the cortex

contain oocytes in various stages of egg
production
Ovaries
Folliculogenesis

primordial follicle

primary follicle

secondary follicle

tertiary follicle

mature (graafian) follicle
Primordial Follicle

primordial follicle



primary oocyte (in early
meiosis), surrounded by
follicular cells and a
basement membrane;
concentrated in the cortex
primary oocyte - diploid cell
developed from oogonia
follicular cells - single layer
of squamous cells that
surround the primary
oocyte
Primary Follicle

primary follicle



developing primordial
follicle
consists of:
 the enlarging primary
oocyte
 single layer of
cuboidal follicular
cells
begins developing after
puberty
Secondary Follicles

secondary follicles




consists of
 even larger oocyte
 clear glycoprotein gel
(zona pellucida)
 two or more layers of
stratified follicular cells
(granulosa cells)
surrounding the oocyte
granulosa cells - two or more
layers of follicular cells that
surround the primary oocyte
zona pellucida - clear
glycoprotein layer between
the primary oocyte and
granulosa cells
theca folliculi - connective
tissue thickening surrounding
the follicle
Tertiary Follicles

tertiary follicles - characterized
by the fluid-filled cavity of the
follicle
 antrum - follicular fluid-filled
cavity; produced by the
secretions of the granulosa
cells
 cumulus oophorus - mound of
granulosa cells; covers the
oocyte; secures the oocyte to
the follicular wall
 corona radiata - first layer of
granulosa cells attached to the
zona pellucida; send
cytoplasmic processes to the
theca folliculi - differentiates into the theca
oocyte
interna and theca externa
 assures that everything
theca interna - vascular internal layer; consists of
from the bloodstream must
secretory cells
pass through the corona
cells to get to the oocyte
theca externa - outer connective tissue layer
Mature Follicle

mature follicle (Graafian
follicle)


contains the secondary
oocyte
as ovulation approaches:
 the cumulus oophorus
constricts
 oocyte becomes attached
to the wall by a only thin
thread
 eventually floats free
Uterine (fallopian) Tubes

General Information



4” long tubes that extend laterally from the superior
lateral angle of the uterus
transport secondary oocytes and zygotes from the
ovaries to the uterus
lie within the broad ligament

Gross Anatomy

Histology
Uterine (fallopian) Tubes
Gross Anatomy

Infundibulum - open,
funnel-shaped portion
near the ovary

fimbriae (sing: fimbria)
- finger-like projections
of the infundibulum

movement creates a
current that sweeps the
ovulated secondary
oocyte into the tube
Uterine (fallopian) Tubes
Gross Anatomy

Ampulla



widest and longest
portion
two-thirds of the
uterine tube length
fertilization usually
occurs here
Uterine (fallopian) Tubes
Gross Anatomy

Isthmus



short, medial third
narrow portion of the
oviduct
connects to the uterus
Uterine (fallopian) Tubes
Histology

Mucosa - internal layer lying next to the lumen




ciliated columnar epithelium - help move the fertilized
ovum or secondary oocyte along the tube
secretory cells - contain microvilli which provides
nutrition for the ovum
Muscularis - double-layer (inner circular; outer
longitudinal) of smooth muscle; peristaltic waves
move the ovum down the tube
Serosa - outer serous membrane (visceral
peritoneum)
Uterine Tube
Secretory Cells
Uterus

Functions of the Uterus

Gross Anatomy

Supporting Ligaments

Histology
Uterus
Functions

Pathway for sperm to reach the
uterine tubes

Site of menstruation

Site of fertilized ovum implantation

Site of fetal development
Uterus
Gross Anatomy

Fundus



dome-shaped
portion superior to the
uterine tubes
contains the thickest
myometrium
Uterus
Gross Anatomy

Body - major central
portion; tapers from
the fundus to the
cervix; contains the
uterine cavity

uterine cavity - the
lumen of the uterine
body; continuous with
the cervical canal
through the internal os
Uterus
Gross Anatomy

Cervix - inferior, narrow
portion opening into the
vagina; contains the cervical
canal



cervical canal - narrow interior
passageway within the cervix;
connects the uterine cavity
with the vagina
internal os - opening of the
cervical canal into the uterine
cavity
external os - opening of the
cervical canal into the vagina
Uterus
Supporting Ligaments

Broad ligaments
(right/left)


Uterosacral ligaments
(right/left)


attaches the uterus to the
pelvic wall
attaches the uterus to the
sacrum
Round ligaments
(right/left)

attaches the uterus to the
labia majora
Uterus
Histology

Perimetrium (serosa;
visceral peritoneum)


outer layer
consists of simple
squamous epithelium
and areolar connective
tissue
Uterus
Histology

Myometrium - middle
layer; forms bulk of the
uterine wall; consists of
three layers of smooth
muscle fibers; thickest in
the fundus, thinnest in
the cervix

under the influence of
oxytocin (produced by the
hypothalamus and secreted
by the posterior pituitary
gland); helps expel the
fetus from the body of the
uterus
Uterus
Histology

Endometrium - inner layer;
highly vascularized; consists of
simple columnar epithelium
(ciliated and secretory) that
lines the lumen; divided into
two layers: stratum
functionalis, stratum basalis


stratum functionalis
(functional layer) - lies closest
to the uterine cavity; shed
during menstruation
stratum básalis (basal layer) permanent layer; gives rise to
a new stratum functionalis
after each menstruation
Vagina

General Information

4” tubular, fibromuscular passageway
for the menstrual flow and childbirth
 receives semen from the penis


Gross Anatomy

Histology
Vagina
Gross Anatomy

Fornix


recess that surrounds
the vaginal attachment
to the cervix
Vaginal orifice

vaginal opening to the
exterior
Vagina
Histology

Mucosa


Muscularis


nonkeratinized, stratified squamous
epithelium and areolar tissue
outer circular and inner longitudinal smooth
muscle layer
Adventitia

superficial layer of areolar connective tissue
that anchors the vagina to surrounding tissues
Vulva (pudendum)
External Genitalia

Mons Pubis

Labia Majora

Labia Minora

Clitoris

Vestibule
Vulva

Mons Pubis


elevation of
adipose tissue
covered by skin
and coarse pubic
hair
cushions the pubic
symphysis
Vulva

Labia Majora




two longitudinal
folds of skin
homologous to the
scrotom
contain adipose
tissue
sebaceous glands,
and apocrine
sudoriferous glands
Vulva
Labia Minora - two
smaller longitudinal
folds of skin medial
to the labia
majora; contain
many sebaceous
glands
Vulva

Clitoris - small,
cylindrical mass of
erectile tissue and
nerves; homologous
to the penis


Prepuce - layer of skin
covering the clitoris
Glans - exposed
portion of the clitoris;
like the penis, capable
of enlargement upon
tactile stimulation
Vulva

Vestibule - region
between the labia
minora


Vaginal orifice vaginal opening to
the exterior
External urethral
orifice - urethral
opening to the
exterior
Mammary Glands (breasts)

General Information - - modified sudoriferous
sweat glands that produce milk

Surface Anatomy

Internal Framework

Functional Unit

Ducts
Mammary Glands
Surface Anatomy

Nipple



pigmented projection
contains series of closely
spaced openings of the
lactiferous ducts
Areola

circular pigmented area of
skin surrounding the nipple
Mammary Glands
Internal Framework

Suspensory ligaments of the
breast (Cooper’s ligaments)



strands of connective tissue
that run between the skin and
deep fascia (which attaches to
the pectoralis major muscle &
serratus anterior muscle)
support the breast tissue
Lobes - 15-20 compartments
within the breast separated by
adipose tissue

lobules - smaller
compartments within the lobe;
consist of milk-secreting
glands (alveoli)
Mammary Glands
Functional Unit

Alveoli - grape-like
clusters of milk-secreting
glands embedded in
connective tissue

myoepithelial cells spindle-shaped muscle cells
that help propel the milk
towards the nipple
Mammary Glands
Surface Anatomy

Lactiferous duct


carries milk from the
lobules
Lactiferous sinus


expansion of the lactiferous
duct
opens onto the surface of
the nipple