The Female Reproductive System

• Vaginal canal and vagina

• External genitalia

• OvariesAll three enclosed

within broad ligament.

• Uterus

• Uterine tubes

Female Reproductive System

The Ovaries

• Held in position by ovarian ligament and suspensory ligaments.

• Ovarian cycle and follicular development.(dictates uterine cycle)

• Ovarian artery and vein enter at ovarian hilus.

• Covered by tunica albuginea.

Ovaries -> eggs, estrogen and progesterone.

The Uterine Tubes

• Intramural portion that opens to uterine cavity

• Infundibulum with fimbriae

• Ampulla

• Isthmus

• Lined with ciliated and nonciliated simple columnar epithelium - aids in transport

ciliated and

non-ciliated

simple columnar

epithelium

Gross Divisions of the Uterus

• Body (largest portion)

• Fundus

• Cervix– External os– Uterine cavity– Cervical canal– Internal os

Uterine Wall (Layers)

• Myometrium – muscular (thickest ~90%).

• Endometrium - innermost layer– Contains endometrial (uterine) glands.

• Perimetrium – outermost (superficial).

– Functional layer, top 1/3 (sheds).– Basal Layer, bottom 2/3 (remains).

The Uterine Wall

• Basic histology of the uterine wall.

Figure 27.16b

http://www.usc.edu/hsc/dental/ghisto/rep/c_33.html

http://www.usc.edu/hsc/dental/ghisto/rep/c_34.html

http://www.usc.edu/hsc/dental/ghisto/rep/c_19.html

The Vagina• Elastic muscular tube from uterus to external

genitalia (has rugae).

• Passageway:

• Forms lower portion of birth canal.

• Lined by stratified squamous epithelium.

• Hymen partially blocks entrance to vagina.

The External Genitalia• Vulva (pudendum)

Labia majora – outer (larger)

Labia minora – inner (smaller)

Greater vestibular (Bartholin’s) gland.

Mons pubis

Clitoris – erectile tissue (spongiosum)- Prepuce (hood, foreskin of

clitoris)Vestibule (created by labia minora)

The Ovarian and Uterine Cycles

• 28 day menstrual cycle

• Begins with onset of menses– Destruction of functional zone of endometrium– Menstruation continues for 1-7 days

• Proliferative phase– Functional zone undergoes repair and thickens

• Entire cycle begins at menarche (puberty)– Continues until menopause