FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMKristina C. Erasmo, M.D.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM External genitalia

ClitorisLabia majoraLabia minoraVestibular glands

Internal genitaliaOvaries OviductsUterusVagina

OVARY Paired, slightly

flattened, ovoid organs

Produce ova and hormones

Simple squamous or cuboidal epithelium (“germinal epithelium”)

Tunica albuginea – layer of dense CT beneath the epithelium

OVARY Cortex

Thick peripheral zoneStroma – CT substance of cortex,

Fibroblasts, collagenous fibers surrounded by amorphous intercellular substance

Ovarian follicles

MedullaVascular inner zone, pale-stainingLoose CT, abundant blood vessels

OVARIAN CYCLE Refers to structural and physiological

changes that the ovarian follicles and the stroma that surrounds them undergo during the menstrual cycle

Hormonal control:FSHLH

OVIDUCT (FALLOPIAN TUBES) Pair of muscular

tubes Passageway for

ovum on its way to the uterus and the sperms on their way to fertilizing the ovum

4 parts: Infundibulum Ampulla Isthmus Pars interstitialis

OVIDUCT (FALLOPIAN TUBES) Infundibulum

Funnel-shaped area related to the ovary and opens into peritoneal cavity

Fimbriae Ampulla

Expanded intermediate portion (2/3 of length)

Isthmus Narrow, slender part w/c

connects the FT to uterus

Pars interstitialis Part of the tube within

the uterine wall

OVIDUCT: LAYERS Mucosa

Forms numerous folds

Simple columnar epithelium Ciliated cells Non-ciliated

cellsLamina propria

Muscular layer (OLIC)

Serosa

OVIDUCT Thickness and specific

characteristics of histologic layers vary with the segments

Infundibulum and ampulla:Tunica mucosa: thick,

highly developed. Isthmus:

Tunica mucosa: thinnerTunica muscularis:

thicker

UTERUS Pear-shaped,

hollow pelvic organ Receives fertilized

ovum and nourishes the embryo throughout its dev’t

2 parts:Corpus uteri (body)

FundusCervix

Portio vaginalis

UTERUS: LAYERS Endometrium

Innermost (mucosa)

MyometriumMiddle, thickestSmooth muscles

Serosa/AdventitiaSerosa: over

fundus, posterior aspect of uterus

ENDOMETRIUM Simple columnar

epithelium Lamina propria:

CT, endometrial glands

Functional layer – superficial 2/3

Basal layer – deeper 1/3

MYOMETRIUM Thickest layer of

the corpus uteri Smooth muscle

cells arranged in bundles separated by CT

UTERINE CYCLE a.k.a. endometrial cycle, menstrual

cycle Refers to continuous sequence of

morphological and physiological changes that the endometrium undergoes in response to ovarian hormones

Proliferative (follicular) phase Secretory (luteal) phase Menstrual phase

PROLIFERATIVE PHASE Governed by estrogen (ovarian follicles) Coincides with ovarian follicle growth

(under the influence of FSH in first ½ of menstrual cycle)

Epithelial and stromal cells undergo mitosis

Glands in lamina propria Blood vessels Ground substance Thickness

SECRETORY PHASE Governed by progesterone (from corpus

luteum, under LH influence) Occurs during the 15th day of menstrual

cycle Glands become tortuous and secretory Blood vessels Thickest endometrium (due to glandular

secretion and edema of stroma)

MENSTRUAL PHASE 2 weeks after ovulation (no fertilization) Decrease in ovarian hormones No glandular secretion Blood vessels constrict → close → open Functional layer exfoliates Basal layer intact

CERVIX Cylindrical inferior

portion of uterus Parts:

Cervical canal Internal osExternal osPortio vaginalis

(ectocervix)

CERVIX: LAYERS Histologically different

from uterus Mucosa:

Forms folds Simple columnar

epithelium (external os: stratified squamous)

Lamina propria: cervical glands

Wall contains very few smooth muscle

Abundant collagenous and elastic fibers

VAGINA Fibromuscular

tube Extends from

vestibule of external genitalia to the cervix

Normally, collapsed (anterior and posterior walls are in contact with each other)

VAGINA: LAYERS Mucosa

Thrown into folds (rugae)

Stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium

Lamina propria: dense CT, no glands

Muscularis (OLIC) Adventitia

Thin CT Nerve bundles, venous

plexus

EXTERNAL GENITALIA Clitoris Labia minora Labia majora Vestibular glands

Major vestibular glands (Bartholin’s glands)Minor vestibular glands

EXTERNAL GENITALIADescription Epithelium

Clitoris Homologue of male penis,2 erectile cavernous bodies (corpora cavernosa)

Stratified squamous with specialized nerve endings

Labia minora

Form the lateral walls of the vestibule

Stratified squamous epithelium with highly vascular CT underneathNumerous sebaceous glands, no hair follicles

Labia majora

Cover the labia minoraHomologue of the male scrotum

Stratified squamous epithelium

EXTERNAL GENITALIADescription

Major vestibular glands (Bartholin’s)

Pair of larger glands in the lateral walls of vestibule, open on the inner surface of labia minoraMucus-secreting

Minor vestibular glands

Located under the urethral opening and near the clitorisMucus-secreting

MAMMARY GLAND Modified sweat

gland Provide nourishment

for offspring Enlarge markedly in

females during puberty

Attain highest degree of development during and immediately after parturition

MAMMARY GLAND: LOBES 15-20

lobes/mammary gland divided by interlobar CT

Intralobular ducts → interlobular ducts → lactiferous duct and sinusStratified cuboidal

epithelium

MAMMARY GLAND: AREOLA AND NIPPLE Lactiferous ducts

open into nipple Skin of nipple:

highly pigmented, dermis contains many smooth muscle

Areola – surrounds nipple, contains sweat and sebaceous glands, hair, glands of Montgomery