ANATOMY

FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
By:-
Simrandeep Kaur
Lecturer
Adarsh College of Nursing
Patiala. Punjab
 Female reproductive system is specially developed
for the
1. Fertilization,
2. Implantation,
3. Growth,
4. Development,
5. Child birth.

Can be divided into

1. External reproductive system
2. Internal reproductive system
EXTERNAL PARTS

Mons veneris / mons pubis

Labia majora
Labia minora
Clitoris
Vestibule
Perineum
 Mons veneris / mons pubis
 a firm, cushion – like elevation of adipose
tissue over the symphysis pubis covered by
pubic hair.
 pubic hair tends to be triangular distribution,
while in male, it tends to be diamond –
shaped.
 It serves to protect the junction of the pubic
bone from trauma.
 Labia majora
 Two rounded folds of adipose tissue with overlying
skin; they extend from the mons pubis downward
and backward to encircle the vestibule.
 The outer surface are covered with hair, where as
the inner surface contain sebaceous follicles which
are smooth and moist.
 Their purpose is mainly to protect the inner delicate
parts of the vulva.
• The labia majora are homologous of the scrotum in the male
organ.
• Beneath the skin, there are dense connective tissue and
adipose tissue.
• The adipose tissue is richly supplied with venous plexus which
may produce hematoma, if injured during child birth.
• The arterial blood is supplied by the internal and external
pudendal arteries and a portion of the inferior rectus artery.
• It also shared an extensive lymphatic supply with the
other structure of vulva, which facilitates the spread
of cancer in female reproductive organ, and obstetric
or sexual trauma may cause hematoma.
• Immediately under the skin is a sheet of dartos
muscle, which is responsible for the wrinkled
appearance as well as for their sensitivity to heat and
cold.
• Ordinarily, these structures are 7 – 8 cm. in width and
1 – 1.5 cm. in thickness
 Labia minora
• Two thin, flat, reddish folds of tissue lying between the inner
surface of the labia majora.
• Each labium minus consists of a thin fold of connective tissue
which when protected, presents a moist, reddish appearance,
similar to that of mucous membrane.
• The structure is covered by stratified squamous epithelium. It
doesn’t contain hair follicle but it contains many sebaceous
follicles and occasionally a few sweat glands.
•  Functions:
• To lubricate and waterproof the vulvar skin.
• To provide bactericidal secretion.
• The labia minora are classed among erectile
structures. This structure is extremely sensitive and
abundantly supplied with several varieties of nerve
endings.
• Anteriorly, each divide into 2 parts; the upper pair
merges into the prepuce(front of clitoris) and the
lower one fuse to form the frenulum(behind clitoris)
• Posteriorly, the labia minora fuse to form fourchette.
• The labia minora increase in size at puberty and
decrease after menopause due to estrogen level
changes.
 Clitoris
• a small, cylindrical highly sensitive erectile organ corresponding to
the male penis.
• It is made up of erectile tissue in which many large and small
venous channels surrounded by large amount of involuntary muscle
tissue, the ischiocarvernosa(muscle) facilitate erection of the organ.

• Functions :
• Stimulate and elevate levels of sexual tension.
• Serve as a landmark in locating urethral opening during
catheterization.
The clitoris measures 5 – 6 mm. long and 6 – 8 mm. across. It
has very rich blood and nerve supplies. It produces smegma, which
along with other vulvar secretion has a unique odor that may be
sexually stimulating to the male.
 Vestibule
• an almond – shaped area that is enclosed by the labia minora
laterally and extends from the clitoris to the fourchette antero-
posteriorly. The posterior portion of the vestibule between the
fourchette and the vaginal opening is called the fossa navicularis and
is usually observed only in nulliparous women.
• The vestibular bulb is located beneath the mucous membrane of the
vestibule on either side which are almond shaped aggregation of
vein 3 – 4 cm. long, 1 – 2 cm. wide and 0.5 – 1 cm. thick.
• These bulbs lie in close opposition to the ischio-pubic rami and
partially covered by the ischiocavernosus and constrictor vaginal
muscles.
• These structures are liable to injury and rupture which may result in
a vulvar hematoma or hemorrhage.
• It is perforated usually by 6 openings: urethra, vagina, and
bartholin’s gland (2) and paraurethral gland (2).
 – Urethral meatus / urethral orifice – although not a true part, it is
considered as part of the reproductive system because of its
closeness and relationship to the vulva. It is situated in the
middle of the vestibule and serves as an outlet for urine from the
urinary bladder.
 
– Vulvovaginal / bartholin’s gland – pair of small, pea – sized
glands located within the substances of the labia majora. They
correspond to the bulbourethral of Cowper’s gland in male.
Often, they are sites of infection, abcess and cyst formation.
Usually, the openings are not visible or palpable. The gland
secretes a small amount of clear, viscid mucus during sexual
excitement.
– Paraurethral / skene’s gland – a pair of small glands lying on each side
of the urethra. They produce a small amount of mucus and are especially
susceptible to gonorrheal infection. It is homologous to male prostate.
 
– Vaginal orifice / introitus – occupies the lower portion of the vestibule
and varies considerably in size and shape. The vagina has an abundantly
vascular supply. In nulliparae, the opening is closed by the labia minora,
but in parous, it may be exposed. Its upper third is supplied by the
vesicovaginal branches uterine arteries. Its middle third by the inferior
vesical arteries. Its lower third by the middle hemorrhoidal internal
pudendal arteries.
 Perineum
• the area extending from the fourchette to the anus. The pelvic
and urogenital diaphragm provides most of the support of the
perineum. 
• Pelvic diaphragm – consists of the levator ani muscles which
is the principal muscle that is close to vagina and the
coccygeus muscle posteriorly.
• The levator ani muscles form a broad muscular sling that
originates from the posterior surface of the superior rami of
the pubis, from the inner surface of the ischial spine and
between the 2 sites from the obturator rami.
• 3 portion of levator ani muscle:
• iliococcygeus muscle
• pubococcygeus muscle
• puborectalis muscle
• The pubococcygeus and puborectalis constrict the vagina and
rectum and form an efficient functional rectal sphincter. Their
functions are as follows:
• play a role in sexual sensory function
• bladder control
• control perineal relaxation during labor and in expulsion of the
fetus during birth.
•The perineal body is a wedge – shaped between the vaginal and
canal opening which serves as an anchor point for the muscles,
fascia and ligament of the upper and lower pelvic diaphragm. The
perineal body is about 4 cm. wide x 4 cm. deep
•and continuous with the septum between the rectum and vagina.
This tissue is flattened and stretched as the fetus moves through
the birth canal.
INTERNAL ORGAN
 • Vagina
• The Uterus
• Fallopian tubes
• The ovary
 Vagina
 occupies the lower portion of the vestibule and varies
considerably in size and shape. The vagina has an abundantly
vascular supply. In nulliparae, the opening is closed by the
labia minora, but in parous, it may be exposed.
 Anteriorly, the vagina is in contact with the bladder and
urethra from which is separated by a connective tissue referred
to vesicovaginal septum. Posteriorly between the lower
portion and the rectum is the rectovaginal septum.
Approximately, the upper ¼ of the vagina is separated from
the rectum by the rectouterine or cul-de-sac of Douglas.
 The vagina varies in length. The anterior and
posterior vaginal walls commonly measure 6 – 8 cm.
and 7 – 10 cm. in length, respectively. The areas
around the cervix at the upper end of the vagina are
called fornicles, right and left, anterior and posterior
 The walls are lined with mucous membrane, which
falls into folds, or corrugated formation called rugae.
These are referred to the inner wall of vagina. It is
smooth during labor and parturition. It is not present
before menarche and gradually become obliterated
after repeated childbirth and menopause. A healthy
vagina has pH of 4.0 – 6.0. it is acidic from puberty
to menopause. Due to the presense of bacteria
Doderlein which converts glyogen to lactic acid
 Functions:
 serves as excretory duct of the uterus
 female organ for copulation
 part of birth canal

 Hymen comprised mainly of connective tissue both elastic and

collagen. Both surfaces are covered by stratified squamous
epithelium. The hymen can be broken through strenous
physical activities or masturbation. After childbirth, especially
in multipara, the remnants of the hymen from several nodules
of varying size called myrtiform caruncles
Uterus
 Uterus – a hollow pear – shaped organ partialy covered by
peritoneum or serosa.
 The posterior wall of the uterus is directly covered with
peritoneum and the lower portion forms the anterior portion of
the cul-de-sac of Douglas.
 The cavity of the uterus is lined by the endometrium.
 During pregnancy, the uterus serves for reception, implantation,
retention and nutrition of the conceptus which then expels during
labor.
 It undergoes remarkable growth due to hypertrophy of muscle
fibers.
 Its size increases from 60 g. to about 1,100 g. at term
 a total volume averages about 4ml to 4000ml.
 A non – pregnant uterus has an approximately measurement of
7.5 cm. long x 5 cm. wide x 2.5 cm thick, and during pregnancy,
it is approximately measures 30 cm. x 23 cm. x 20 cm
 body or the corpus – upper triangular portion which
constitute the greater part.
 Fundus – the upper, rounded prominence above the
insertion of the fallopian tube.
 Corpus - main portion encircling the intrauterine
cavity.
 Isthmus - known as the lower uterine segment during
pregnancy. It is slightly constricted portion that joins
the corpus to the cervix.
 Cervix – the lowermost portion of the uterus. It is divided by the
attachment of the vagina into vaginal and supravaginal portion. The
supravaginal segment on its posterior surface is covered by
peritoneum, laterally, it is attached to the cardinal ligament and
anterior, it is separated from the overlying bladder by loose connective
tissue. The cavity of the cervix is a narrow tube called cervical canal.
 Internal Os – the narrowed opening between the uterine cavity and the
endocervical canal.
 External Os – small round opening at the lower end of the cavity and
endocervical canal
The corpus of the uterus is made up of 3 layers

1.Serosallayer or perimetrium – the outermost layer which is

composed of peritoneum.
2.Muscular uterine layer or myometrium
3.The mucous membrane or endometrium
 A. Serosal layer or perimetrium – the outermost layer which is composed
of peritoneum.
 B. Muscular uterine layer or myometrium – the middle layer. This is
continuous with the muscle layer of the fallopian tube and with that of the
vagina. This helps the organ present a unified reaction to various stimuli –
ovulation and orgasm
 C. Mucosal layer or endometrium – the innermost layer which composed
of a single layer of columnar epithelium, glands and stroma.

 Myometrium has 3 distinct layers of uterine ( smooth ) involuntary muscles

:
 The outer layer – found mainly over the fundus, is made up of longitudinal
muscles especially suited to expel the fetus during birth.
 The middle layers – thick and made up of interlacing muscle fibers in
figure of 8 patterns. These muscles fibers surround large old vessels and
their contraction produces a hemostatic action and control of blood loss
after placental separation.
 The inner layer – made up of circular fibers, which forms sphincter
 The cervical mucosa has 3 functions:
 provide lubrication for the vaginal canal
 act as a bacteriostatic agent
 provide an alkaline environment to shelter deposited sperm
from the acidic vagina.
 At ovulation, cervical mucus is clearer, thinner and more
alkaline than at other times.
 From menarche to menopause, the endometrium
undergoes monthly degeneration and renewal in the
absence of pregnancy. During menstruation and
following delivery, the compact surface and middle
spongy layers slough off. Just after the menstrual
flow ends, the endometrium is 0.5 mm thick; near the
end of the endometrial cycle, just before menstruation
begins again, it is about 5 mm thick. When pregnancy
occurs, the endometrium undergoes changes and
become decidua.
Ligaments of uterus
1. Broad ligament
2. Round ligament
3. Cardinal / transverse cervical ligament / Mackenrodt
4. Uterosacral ligament
5. Ovarian ligament
6. Infundibulopelvic ligament
1. Broad ligament – comprised of 2 winglike structures that
extend from the lateral margins of the uterus to the pelvic
walls and thereby divide the pelvic cavity into anterior and
posterior compartments.
Each broad ligament consists of a fold of peritoneum and these
superior, lateral, inferior and medial margins. The inner 2/3
of the superior margin forms the mesosalphinx to which the
fallopian tubes are attached. The outer third of the superior
margin extends from the fimbriated end of the oviduct to the
pelvic wall, forms the infundibulopelvic ligament. The
broad ligament keeps the uterus centrally placed and
provides stability within the pelvic cavity
2. Round ligament – composed of smooth muscle and
connective tissue, and helps the broad ligament in
keeping the uterus in place. It is capable of contraction
on time of labor thereby, it steady the uterus, pulling
downward and forward, so that the presenting part of
the fetus is forced into the cervix. 
3. Cardinal / transverse cervical ligament /Mackenrodt
– composed of the dense connective tissue that medially
is united firmly to the supravaginal portion of the
cervix. It serves as the chief uterine support and to
upper part of the vagina thus to prevent uterine
prolapse.
4. Uterosacral ligament – a cordlike folds of
peritoneum extending from the supravaginal cervical
portion of the uterus. It provides support for the uterus
at the level of the ischial spine. They also contain
sensory nerve fibers that contribute to dysmenorrhea.
5. Ovarian ligament – anchor the lower pole of the
ovary to the cornua of the uterus. They composed of
muscle fibers that allow the ligament to contract.
6. Infundibulopelvic ligament – the suspensory ligament
of the ovary. It contains the ovarian vessels and nerves.
Position of uterus
 The position of the uterus varies depending on a woman’s
posture, number of children borne, bladder and rectal fullness
and even normal respiratory pattern.
 Anteverted – the fundus is tilted forward. It is considered as
the normal position.
 Anteflexed – slightly bend forward.
 Retroverted – tilted backward
 Retroflexed – bending backward
 BLOOD SUPPLY
Uterine artery. It is divided into 2 main branches:-
 Cervicovaginal artery
 Internal iliac artery
Ovarian artery– a direct branch of the aorta enters the
broad ligament through the infundibulopelvic ligament.
Nerve Supply
The nerve supply is derived principally from the
sympathetic nervous system but partly from the
cerebrospinal and parasympathetic system.
 Functions of uterus :
Organ for menstruation
Organ for gestation
Fallopian tube or oviduct
 are 2 trumphet shaped about 8 – 14 cm. in length, 3 – 8mm in
diameter covered by peritoneum and their lumen lined by
mucous membrane.
 Parts :
 Interstitial
 Isthmus
 Ampulla
 Infundibulum
 Interstitial– the narrow portion contained in the muscular
wall of the uterus approximately 1 cm. in length.
 Isthmus – proximal to the ampulla. It is the narrow portion of
the tube adjoining the uterus approximately 2 cm. in length.
 Ampulla – the outer 3rd portion where fertilization occurs and
considered as longest portion with approximately 5 cm. in
length.
 Infundibulum – distal third. Its funnel shaped opening
encircles with fimbrae approximately 2 cm. long. This
fimbrae become swollen, almost erectile at ovulation.
 The wall of the fallopian tube is made up of 4 layers

1. Peritoneal (serous) – covers the tubes.

2. Subserous ( adventitial ) – contains the blood and nerve supply
3. Muscular - responsible for the peristaltic movement of the
tube.
4. Mucosal – composed of ciliated and unciliated cells with the
number of ciliated cells more abundant at the fimbria.
 Any malformation or malfunction of the tubes
could result in infertility, ectopic pregnancy or even
sterility. Each fallopian tube is richly supplied with
blood by the uterine and ovarian arteries.
 Functions :
 site of fertilization
 provide transport for the ovum from the ovary to
the uterus
 serve as a warm, moist, nourishing environment for
the ovum or zygote
 Ovaries
2 almond shaped organ situated in the upper part of
the pelvic cavity. The size varies among women and
according to the stage of the menstrual cycle.
Each ovary weighs 6 – 10 g with 1.5 – 3 cm wide, 2 –
5 cm long and 1 – 1.5 cm thick. After menopause,
ovarian size diminishes remarkably. The ovary is
attached to the broad ligament by the mesovarium.

 mesometrium and mesosalpinx

 They also changed in appearance from smooth –
surfaced, dull white organs to pitted gray organ.
Scarring due to ovulation causes this pitting.
 There is no peritoneal covering for the ovaries.
Although this lack of covering assists the mature
ovum to erupt, it also allows easier spread of
malignant cells from cancer of the ovaries.
 A single layer of cuboidal epithelial cells, called
the germinal epithelium covers the ovaries.
 Layers of ovaries :
 Tunica albuginea - dense and dull white and serves as
protective layer.
 Cortex – main functional part because it contains ova,
graafian follicles, corpora lutea, degenerated corpora lutea
(corpora albicantia).
 Medulla – or central portion of the ovary is composed of
loose connective tissue.
 Both sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves supply the
ovaries. These also a counterpart to the testes of male
organ. 
 Functions :
 ovulation
 hormone production
Breast
 The breasts are bilateral glandular structures and in female it
constitutes the accessory reproductive organ.
 The shape of the breast varies in women and also in different
periods of life
 Extends from the 2nd to 6th rib in the midclavicular line.
 It lies in the subcutaneous tissue over the fascia covering the
pectoralis major
 The pigmented aeola is present about centre of the breast is
about 2.5 cm in diameter. There are numerous sebaceous
glands present over it.
 Nipple is a muscular projection covered by pigmented skin. It
is vascular and erectile.
 Each breast is divided into 15 – 20 lobes by fibrous tissue
septa
 Each lobe drains to lactiferous duct

Lobes (15 – 20) lactiferous ducts

Lobules collecting ducts

Alveoli (10 – 100) small ducts

 Alveoli has acini cells which produces milk after parturition
 Each Alveoli are surrounded by myoepithelial cells which
contract and propel the milk out
 Behind the nipple, the main duct i.e., lactiferous duct dilates
to form ampulla where the milk is stored

 BLOOD SUPPLY- axillary artery and internal mammary

artery