1. Enumerate the organs of female reproductive system
Enumerate the organs of female reproductive system. Discuss the structure and functions of uterus Describe the uterus and its supports. Write short notes on Graffian Follicle

2. The Uterus
Definition
A hollow muscular organ of the female reproductive sys.
Shape : pear-shaped, flattened anteroposteriorly
Situation
In the pelvic cavity
Between urinary bladder and th rectum
Position
Anteverted – anteversion – leans forward
Anteflexed – anteflexion – bent forward almost at right angles to the vagina with its anterior surface resting on the urinary bladder

3. When upright the uterus is almost horizontal.
Wall 1 inch thick
The parts of the uterus are:
The fundus – dome shaped portion
The body – main part. Narrowest inferiorly at the internal os.
The cervix – protrudes through the anterior wall of the vagina, opening into it at the external os

6. Structure
Wall – three layers
Perimetrium
Myometrium
Endometrium
Peritoneum – anteriorly vesico uterine pouch
- posteriorly rectouterine pouch
- laterally double fold, broad ligament – contains the fallopian tubes – which attaches the uterus to the sides of the pelvis

15. Myometrium
Muscle layer. Blood vessels + nerves+
Endometrium
Columnar epithelium – mucus secreting glands – the thickness of this layer varies during the monthly menstrual cycle.
Cervical canal
The cavity of the cervix – lined by mucous membrane above and squamous epithelium below continuous with that of the vagina

16. Blood supply, lymph drainage and nerve supply
Arterial supply – uterine arteries branches of the internal iliac arteries.
Venous drainage – into the internal iliac veins through the named veins
Lymph drainage – to the aortic lymph nodes and iliac nodes
Nerve supply – sacral outflow and lumbar outflow of parasympathetic and sympathetic fibres respectively.

17. Supports of the uterus
Supported by the floor of the pelvic cavity
The broad ligments
Round ligaments – from the side of the uterine fundus to the inguinal canal whence it passes into the labium majus and merges in it.
Uterosacral ligaments
Transverse cervical ligaments (cardinal ligament)
Pubocervical fascia

18. Functions of the Uterus
Menstruation – preparation of the uterus to receive, nourish and protect the fertilized ovum
Provides the environment for the growing foetus
Delivery of the foetus at term – themuscles of the uterus contract strongly and push the foetus. The cervix responds by dilating and effacing.

19. Uterine Tubes
10 cm long
Begin from the sides of the uterus at the junction of the body and fundus
Situated in the free border of the broad ligament
The lateral ends open near the ovaries
The ends have finger like projections called fimbriae
Ciliated epithelium lines the inside
Peristaltic movements by smooth muscle layer
Conveys the ovum from the ovary to the uterus
Mucus secreted by the lining epithelium provides ideal environment for the movements of the ovum and sperm. Fertilization usually takes place in the uterine tube.

20. Ovaries Female gonads or glands In the lateral walls of the pelvis
Attached to the upper part of the uterus by the ovarian ligament
Attached to the broad ligament by mesovarium
Structure
Two layers
Medulla
Cortex
Medulla – framework of connective tissue or stroma
Covered by germinal epithelium
Contains ovarian follicles

21. Ovary contains ovarian follicles in various stages of maturity
Each ovarian follicle contains an ovum
Before puberty the ovaries are inactive but the stroma already contains immature (primordial) follicles.
During childbearing age one ovarian follicle (Graafian follicle) matures, ruptures and releases its ovum into the peritoneal cavity. This is called ovulation
Ovulation occurs each menstrual cycle

22. Maturation of the follicle is stimulated by follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) from the anterior pituitary.
While maturing, the folicle lining cells produce the hormone oestrogen.
After ovulation the follicle lining cells develop into the corpus luteum (yellow body), under the influence of the luteinising hormone (LH) from the anterior pituitary.
Corpus luteum produces progesterone
Fertlized ovum embeds itself in the wall of the uterus grows and produces the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin.
Chorionic gonadotrophin stimulates the corpus luteum to continue secreting progesterone for the first 3 months of the pregnancy.
If the ovum is not fertilised the corpus luteum degenerates and a new cycle begins with menstruation.

26. Section of the ovary. (After Schrön. ) 1. Outer covering. 1’
Section of the ovary. (After Schrön.) 1. Outer covering. 1’. Attached border. 2. Central stroma. 3. Peripheral stroma. 4. Bloodvessels. 5. Vesicular follicles in their earliest stage. 6, 7, 8. More advanced follicles. 9. An almost mature follicle. 9’. Follicle from which the ovum has escaped. 10. Corpus luteum.