The female reproductive system has external and internal organs that work together for reproduction. The external organs include the vulva, which contains the labia, clitoris, and vaginal opening. The internal organs include the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and cervix. During ovulation, an egg travels from the ovaries to the uterus through the fallopian tubes. If fertilized by sperm, it may implant in the uterus. The placenta then develops to nourish an embryo. Hormones regulate the menstrual cycle of the uterine lining shedding if no implantation occurs.

1. ANATOMY OF FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE
ORGANS
BY
AMRIT KAUR

2. INTRODUCTION
• The reproductive organ in female are those
which concerned with copulation, fertilization,
growth and development of fetus and its
subsequent exit to the outer world.
• The female reproductive organs can be
subdivided into
a) External genitalia
b) Internal genitalia
c) Accessory reproductive organs.

3. • The female reproductive system is designed to carry
out several functions. It produces the female egg cells
necessary for reproduction, called the ova or oocytes.
The system is designed to transport the ova to the site
of fertilization.
• Conception, the fertilization of an egg by a sperm,
normally occurs in the fallopian tubes. The next step for
the fertilized egg is to implant into the walls of the
uterus, beginning the initial stages of pregnancy.
• If fertilization and/or implantation does not take place,
the system is designed to menstruate . In addition, the
female reproductive system produces female sex
hormones that maintain the reproductive cycle

4. UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 4
EXTERNAL GENTILIA
The vulva refers to those
parts that are outwardly
visible
• The vulva includes:
• Mons pubis
• Labia majora
• Labia minora
• Clitoris
• Urethral opening
• Vaginal opening
• Perineum
Individual differences in:
• Size
• Coloration
• Shape

5. UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 5

6. UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 6
MONS PUBIS
• The triangular mound of fatty tissue that
covers the pubic bone
• It protects the pubic symphysis
• During adolescence sex hormones trigger the
growth of pubic hair on the mons pubis
• Hair varies in coarseness curliness, amount,
color and thickness

7. UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 7
LABIA MAJORA
• Referred to as the outer lips
• They have a darker pigmentation
• The Labia Majora:
• Protect the introitus and urethral openings
• Are covered with hair and sebaceous glands
• Tend to be smooth, moist, and hairless
• The labia majora contain sweat and oil-secreting
glands
• Become flaccid with age and after childbirth

8. UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 8
LABIA MINORA
• Referred to as the “inner lips”
• Made up of erectile, connective tissue that
darkens and swells during sexual arousal
• Located inside the labia majora
• They are more sensitive and responsive to
touch than the labia majora
• The labia minora tightens during intercourse

9. UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 9
CLITORIS
• Highly sensitive organ composed of nerves, blood
vessels, and erectile tissue
• It is made up of a shaft and a glans
• Becomes engorged with blood during sexual
stimulation
• Key to sexual pleasure for most women
• Urethral opening is located directly below clitoris

10. UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 10
VAGINAL OPENING
INTROITUS
• Opening may be covered by a thin sheath
called the hymen
• Using the presence of an intact hymen for
determining virginity is erroneous
• Some women are born without hymens
• The hymen can be perforated by many
different events

11. UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 11
PERINEUM
• The muscle and tissue located between the vaginal
opening and anal canal
• It supports and surrounds the lower parts of the
urinary and digestive tracts
• The perinium contains an abundance of nerve
endings that make it sensitive to touch
• An episiotomy is an incision of the perinium used
during childbirth for widening the vaginal opening

12. 12
INTERNAL GENITALIA
THE INTERNAL GENITALIA CONSISTS OF THE:
• VAGINA
• CERVIX
• UTERUS
• FALLOPIAN TUBES
• OVARIES

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14. 14

15. UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 15
VAGINA
• The vagina connects the cervix to the external genitals
• It is located between the bladder and rectum
• It functions :
• As a passageway for the menstrual flow
• For uterine secretions to pass down through the
introitus
• As the birth canal during labor
• With the help of two Bartholin’s glands becomes
lubricated during SI

16. UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 16
CERVIX
• The cervix connects the uterus to the vagina
• The cervical opening to the vagina is small
• This acts as a safety precaution against foreign
bodies entering the uterus
• During childbirth, the cervix dilates to
accommodate the passage of the fetus
• This dilation is a sign that labor has begun

17. UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 17
UTERUS
• Commonly referred to as the womb
• A pear shaped organ about the size of a clenched fist
• It is made up of the endometrium, myometrium and
perimetrium
• Consists of blood-enriched tissue that sloughs off
each month during menstrual cycle
• The powerful muscles of the uterus expand to
accommodate a growing fetus and push it through
the birth canal

18. Lies between rectum and bladder
Weight: 50g-80g
Divided into two portions by isthmus
Normal position is ante version and ante
flexion
Parts- body or corpus, isthmus, and cervix
Blood supply- uterine artery
Nerve supply- sympathetic component T5 and
T6 (motor) and T10 and L1 (sensory)
parasympathetic system on either side pelvic
nerve which consist of both motor and sensory
fiber S2, S3, S4.

19. The uterus is surported by the
following ligaments
• Round ligament
• Broad ligament
• Cardinal ligament
• Utero-sacral ligament

20. UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 20
FALLOPIAN TUBES
• Serve as a pathway for the ovum to the uterus
• Are the site of fertilization by the male sperm
• Often referred to as the oviducts or uterine
tubes
• Fertilized egg takes approximately 6 to 10 days
to travel through the fallopian tube to implant
in the uterine lining

21. UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 21
OVARIES
• The female gonads or sex glands
• They develop and expel an ovum each month
• A woman is born with approximately 400,000
immature eggs called follicles
• During a lifetime a woman release @ 400 to 500 fully
matured eggs for fertilization
• The follicles in the ovaries produce the female sex
hormones, progesterone and estrogen
• These hormones prepare the uterus for implantation
of the fertilized egg

22. Other Sex Organs
• Any area can be arousing depending on the
type of stimulation and the perceptions of the
recipient
• Breasts (mammary glands) – modified sweat
glands that produce milk; fatty tissue, 15 to
20 lobes, and milk-producing glands (alveoli)
Nipple, areola
– Sucking stimulates pituitary gland to release
prolactin (begin milk synthesis) and oxytocin
(release of milk)

23. UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 23
BREASTS
• Organs of sexual arousal
• Contain mammary glands
• Consist of connective tissue that
serves as support
• Each breast contain 15-25 clusters
called lobes
• Each lobule is connected by ducts
that open into the nipples
• The nipples are made up of erectile
tissue
• The pigmented around the nipples
are called the areola
• Breast size is determined primarily
by heredity
• Size also depends on the existing fat
and glandular tissue
• Breasts may exhibit cyclical
changes, including increased
swelling and tenderness prior to
menstruation
• Benign breast changes refer to
fibrocystic disease
• Lumps or masses that are
noncancerous

26. 26
MENSTRUATION
• Menarch, the onset of
menstruation signals the
bodily changes that
transform a female body
• Average age is 12.8
• Amount of bleeding
varies from woman to
woman
• Expulsion of blood clots
• Blood color can vary
from bright red to dark
maroon
• Usually occurs every 25
to 32 days
• Women can experience
fluid retention,
cramping, mood swings,
weight gain, breast
tenderness, diarrhea,
and constipation

27. UNIT 3: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 27

28. • Females of reproductive age experience cycles of
hormonal activity that repeat at about one-month
intervals. With every cycle, a woman's body prepares
for a potential pregnancy, whether or not that is the
woman's intention. The term menstruation refers to
the periodic shedding of the uterine lining.
• The average menstrual cycle takes about 28 days and
occurs in phases: the follicular phase, the ovulatory
phase (ovulation), and the luteal phase.
• There are four major hormones (chemicals that
stimulate or regulate the activity of cells or organs)
involved in the menstrual cycle: follicle-stimulating
hormone, luteinizing hormone, estrogen, and
progesterone.

29. FOLLICULAR PHASE OF THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
• This phase starts on the first day of your period. During the
follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, the following events occur:
• Two hormones, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing
hormone (LH) are released from the brain and travel in the blood
to the ovaries.
• The hormones stimulate the growth of about 15 to 20 eggs in the
ovaries each in its own "shell," called a follicle.
• These hormones (FSH and LH) also trigger an increase in the
production of the female hormone estrogen.
• As estrogen levels rise, like a switch, it turns off the production of
follicle-stimulating hormone. This careful balance of hormones
allows the body to limit the number of follicles that mature.
• As the follicular phase progresses, one follicle in one ovary
becomes dominant and continues to mature. This dominant
follicle suppresses all of the other follicles in the group. As a result,
they stop growing and die. The dominant follicle continues to
produce estrogen.

30. OVULATORY PHASE OF THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
• Tshe ovulatory phase, or ovulation, starts about 14 days after the
follicular phase started. The ovulatory phase is the midpoint of the
menstrual cycle, with the next menstrual period starting about
two weeks later. During this phase, the following events occur:
• The rise in estrogen from the dominant follicle triggers a surge in
the amount of luteinizing hormone that is produced by the brain.
• This causes the dominant follicle to release its egg from the ovary.
• As the egg is released (a process called ovulation) it is captured by
finger-like projections on the end of the fallopian tubes (fimbriae).
The fimbriae sweep the egg into the tube.
• Also during this phase, there is an increase in the amount and
thickness of mucous produced by the cervix (lower part of the
uterus). If a woman have intercourse during this time, the thick
mucus captures the man's sperm, nourishes it, and helps it to
move towards the egg for fertilization.

31. LUTEAL PHASE OF THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
• The luteal phase of the menstrual cycle begins right after
ovulation and involves the following processes:
• Once it releases its egg, the empty follicle develops into a
new structure called the corpus luteum.
• The corpus luteum secretes the hormone progesterone.
Progesterone prepares the uterus for a fertilized egg to
implant.
• If intercourse has taken place and a man's sperm has fertilized
the egg (a process called conception), the fertilized egg
(embryo) will travel through the fallopian tube to implant in
the uterus. The woman is now considered pregnant.
• If the egg is not fertilized, it passes through the uterus. Not
needed to support a pregnancy, the lining of the uterus
breaks down and sheds, and the next menstrual period
begins.

32. PLACENTA
• The placenta is an organ that connects the
developing fetus to the uterine wall to allow
nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas
exchange via the mother's blood supply.
• The placenta functions as a fetomaternal organ
with two components: the fetal placenta, or
(Chorion frondosum), which develops from the
same sperm and egg cells that form the fetus;
and the maternal placenta, or (Decidua basalis),
which develops from the maternal uterine tissue

33. • In humans, the placenta averages 22 cm (9 inch) in length
and 2–2.5 cm (0.8–1 inch) in thickness (greatest thickness
at the center and become thinner peripherally).
• It typically weighs approximately 500 grams . It has a dark
reddish-blue or crimson color.
• It connects to the fetus by an umbilical cord of
approximately 55–60 cm (22–24 inch) in length that
contains two arteries and one vein.
• The umbilical cord inserts into the chorionic plate (has an
eccentric attachment). Vessels branch out over the
surface of the placenta and further divide to form a
network covered by a thin layer of cells. This results in the
formation of villous tree structures. On the maternal side,
these villous tree structures are grouped into lobules
called cotyledons. In humans, the placenta usually has a
disc shape.

34. Placental circulation
Maternal placental circulation
• In preparation for implantation, the uterine endometrium
undergoes 'decidualisation'. Spiral arteries in decidua are
remodeled so that they become less convoluted and their
diameter is increased. The increased diameter and straighter
flow path both act to increase maternal blood flow to the
placenta. The relatively high pressure as the maternal blood
fills intervillous space through these spiral arteries bathes the
fetal villi in blood, allowing an exchange of gases to take place.
In humans and other hemochorial placentals, the maternal
blood comes into direct contact with the fetal chorion, though
no fluid is exchanged. As the pressure decreases
between pulses, the deoxygenated blood flows back through
the endometrial veins.
• Maternal blood flow is approx 600–700 ml/min at term.

35. Fetoplacental circulation
• Deoxygenated fetal blood passes through umbilical
arteries to the placenta. At the junction of umbilical cord
and placenta, the umbilical arteries branch radially to
form chorionic arteries. Chorionic arteries, in turn,
branch into cotyledon arteries. In the villi, these vessels
eventually branch to form an extensive arterio-capillary-
venous system, bringing the fetal blood extremely close
to the maternal blood; but no intermingling of fetal and
maternal blood occurs ("placental barrier"[7]).
• Endothelin and prostanoids cause vasoconstriction in
placental arteries, while nitric oxide vasodilation.[8] On
the other hand, there is no neural vascular regulation,
and catecholamines have only little effect

36. • Blood from the placenta is carried to the fetus by
the umbilical vein. About half of this enters the fetal ductus
venosus and is carried to the inferior vena cava, while the
other half enters the liver proper from the inferior border of
the liver. The branch of the umbilical vein that supplies the
right lobe of the liver first joins with the portal vein. The
blood then moves to the right atrium of the heart. In the
fetus, there is an opening between the right and left
atrium (the foramen ovale), and most of the blood flows
through this hole directly into the left atrium from the right
atrium, thus bypassing pulmonary circulation. The
continuation of this blood flow is into the left ventricle, and
from there it is pumped through the aorta into the body.
Some of the blood moves from the aorta through the internal
iliac arteries to theumbilical arteries, and re-enters
the placenta, where carbon dioxide and other waste products
from the fetus are taken up and enter the maternal
circulation.

37. • Some of the blood entering the right atrium does
not pass directly to the left atrium through
the foramen ovale, but enters the right
ventricle and is pumped into the pulmonary artery.
In the fetus, there is a special connection between
the pulmonary artery and theaorta, called
the ductus arteriosus, which directs most of this
blood away from the lungs (which aren't being used
for respiration at this point as the fetus is
suspended in amniotic fluid).

38. • With birth, a change from parallel flow through the
heart to a serial one gradually takes place. The
following changes must occur:
• The gas exchange takes place in the baby's lungs.
• By cutting the umbilical cord, the placental
circulation system is switched off.
• The fetal heart shunts become closed.

39. • With the activation of breathing the lungs becomes
distended, the capillary network dilated and
their resistance is reduced drastically so that a rich
flow of blood can take place. As a consequence, the
pressure in the right atrium sinks in comparison
with that of the left one. This pressure
turnaround in the atria causes the septum primum
to be pressed against the septum secundum and
the foramen secundum becomes
functionally closed. Towards the end of the first
year, it has also grown together in 99% of the
babies --> The shunt between the left and right
atrium is closed.

40. • On the other hand, with the cutting of the umbilical
cord following birth, the placental low resistance area
also disappears and the peripheral resistance increases
in the systemic circulation. The pressure in the aorta is
now higher than that in the truncus pulmonalis and the
right-left shunt via the ductus arteriosus that is present
before birth is turned around into being a left-right
shunt. The pO2 pressure in the aorta increases since
the blood is now oxygenated directly in the baby's
lungs. This increase in pO2 triggers a contraction of the
smooth musculature in the wall of the ductus
arteriosus and thereby to a functional seal.
After a few weeks or months this shunt via the ductus
arteriosus is definitively obliterated and the remnant is
known as the ligamentum arteriosus.

42. Flow Chart of Fetal Circulation

45. • Pulmonary and Systemic Vascular
resistances
• pulmonary vascular resistance greatly
decreases as a result of expansion of the
lungs.
• loss of blood flow through the placenta
doubles the systemic vascular resistance.
Changes In The Fetal Circulation At
Birth.

46. • Blood coming from lung rise pressure in
left atrium – close foramen ovale.
• Ductus arteriosus constricts within few
hours after birth –functional closure
(Mechanism unknown).
• Anatomical closure after 24-48hrs.

47. FUNCTIONS
Nutrition
• The perfusion of the intervillous spaces of the placenta with
maternal blood allows the transfer of nutrients and oxygen
from the mother to the fetus and the transfer of waste
products and carbon dioxide back from the fetus to the
maternal blood supply. Nutrient transfer to the fetus occurs
via both active and passive transport. Active transport
systems allow significantly different plasma concentrations of
various large molecules to be maintained on the maternal
and fetal sides of the placental barrier.
• Adverse pregnancy situations, such as those involving
maternal diabetes or obesity, can increase or decrease levels
of nutrient transporters in the placenta resulting in
overgrowth or restricted growth of the fetus

48. • Excretion
Waste products excreted from the fetus such as urea, uric acid
and creatinine are transferred to the maternal blood by
diffusion across the placenta.
• Immunity
IgG antibodies can pass through the human placenta,
thereby providing protection to the fetus in utero.[10]
Furthermore, the placenta functions as a
selective maternal-fetal barrier against transmission
of microbes to the fetus. However, insufficiency in this
function may still cause mother-to-child transmission of
infectious diseases.
In humans, aside from serving as the conduit for oxygen
and nutrients for fetus, the placenta secretes hormones
(secreted by syncytial layer/syncytiotrophoblast of
chorionic villi) that are important during pregnancy

49. • . Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): hCG testing is proof that all
placental tissue is delivered. hCG is present only during pregnancy because
it is secreted by the placenta, which is present only[ during pregnancy. hCG
also ensures that the corpus luteum continues to secrete progesterone and
estrogen. Progesterone is very important during pregnancy because, when
its secretion decreases, the endometrial lining will slough off and pregnancy
will be lost. hCG suppresses the maternal immunologic response so that
placenta is not rejected.
• Human Placental Lactogen (hPL [Human Chorionic
Somatomammotropin]): This hormone is lactogenic and growth-promoting
properties. It promotes mammary gland growth in preparation for lactation in
the mother. It also regulates maternal glucose, protein, and fat levels so that
this is always available to the fetus.
• Estrogen is referred to as the "hormone of women" because it stimulates
the development of secondary female sex characteristics. It contributes to
the woman's mammary gland development in preparation for lactation and
stimulates uterine growth to accommodate growing fetus.
• Progesterone is necessary to maintain endometrial lining of the uterus
during pregnancy. This hormone prevents preterm labor by reducing
myometrial contraction. Levels of progesterone are high during pregnancy.

50. • Placental expulsion begins as a physiological
separation from the wall of the uterus. The period
from just after the fetus is expelled until just after
the placenta is expelled is called the third stage of
labor. The placenta is usually expelled within 15–30
minutes of the baby's being born.
• Placental expulsion can be managed actively, for
example by giving oxytocin via intramuscular
injection followed by cord traction to assist in
delivering the placenta. As an alternative, it can be
managed expectantly, allowing the placenta to be
expelled without medical assistance.

51. AMNIOTIC FLUID
• Amniotic fluid or liquor amnii is the nourishing
and protecting liquid contained by the amniotic
sac of a pregnant woman.
• From the very beginning of the formation of the
extracoelomal cavity, amniotic fluid [AF] can be
detected. This firstly water-like fluid originates
from the maternal plasma, and passes through
the fetal membranes by osmotic and hydrostatic
forces. As the placental and fetal vessels develop,
the fluid passes through the fetal tissue, as the
exsudatum of the skin.

52. • At first it is mainly water with electrolytes, but by about the
12-14th week the liquid also
contains proteins, carbohydrates, lipids andphospholipids,
and urea, all of which aid in the growth of the fetus.
• The volume of amniotic fluid is positively correlated with the
growth of fetus. From the 10th to the 20th week it increases
from 25ml to 400ml approximately. From the 8th week, when
the fetal kidneys begin to function, fetal urine is also present
in the AF. Approximately in the 10th week the breathing and
swallowing of the fetus slightly decrease the amount of AF,
but neither urination nor swallowing contributes significantly
to AF quantity changes, until the 25 week, when
keratinization of skin is complete. Then the relationship
between AF and fetal growth stops. It reaches the plateau of
800ml at the 28 week (gestational age). The amount of fluid
declines to roughly 400 ml at 42 weeks ga.
• Till term it measures about 600-800 ml.

53. • The forewaters are released when the
amnion ruptures. This is commonly known as the
time when a woman's "water breaks". When this
occurs during labour at term, it is known as
"spontaneous rupture of membranes" (SROM). If
the rupture precedes labour at term, however, it
is referred to as "premature rupture of
membranes" (PROM). The majority of the
hindwaters remain inside the womb until the
baby is born. Artificial rupture of membrane
(ARM), a manual rupture of the amniotic sac, can
also be performed to release the fluid if the
amnion has not spontaneously ruptured.[2]

54. Functions of amniotic fluid
• Amniotic fluid is "inhaled" and "exhaled" by the fetus. It
is essential that fluid be breathed into the lungs in order
for them to develop normally. Swallowed amniotic fluid
also creates urine and contributes to the formation
of meconium. As well, amniotic fluid protects the
developing baby by cushioning against blows to the
mother's abdomen, allows for easier fetal movement,
promotes muscular/skeletal development.
• Analysis of amniotic fluid, drawn out of the mother's
abdomen in an amniocentesis procedure, can reveal
many aspects of the baby's genetic health. This is
because the fluid also contains fetal cells, which can be
examined for genetic defects.