1. FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Kristina C. Erasmo, M.D.

2. Female reproductive system
External genitalia
Clitoris
Labia majora
Labia minora
Vestibular glands
Internal genitalia
Ovaries
Oviducts
Uterus
Vagina

4. 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

5. OVARY Cortex Medulla Thick peripheral zone
Stroma – CT substance of cortex,
Fibroblasts, collagenous fibers surrounded by amorphous intercellular substance
Ovarian follicles
Medulla
Vascular inner zone, pale-staining
Loose CT, abundant blood vessels

7. 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:
FSH LH

11. 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

12. 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

13. Oviduct: layers Mucosa Muscular layer (OLIC) Serosa
Forms numerous folds
Simple columnar epithelium
Ciliated cells
Non-ciliated cells
Lamina propria
Muscular layer (OLIC)
Serosa

14. OVIDUCT
Thickness and specific characteristics of histologic layers vary with the segments
Infundibulum and ampulla:
Tunica mucosa: thick, highly developed.
Isthmus:
Tunica mucosa: thinner
Tunica muscularis: thicker

15. uterus Pear-shaped, hollow pelvic organ
Receives fertilized ovum and nourishes the embryo throughout its dev’t
2 parts:
Corpus uteri (body)
Fundus
Cervix
Portio vaginalis

16. UTERUS: LAYERS Endometrium Myometrium Serosa/Adventitia
Innermost (mucosa)
Myometrium
Middle, thickest
Smooth muscles
Serosa/Adventitia
Serosa: over fundus, posterior aspect of uterus

17. endometrium Simple columnar epithelium
Lamina propria: CT, endometrial glands
Functional layer – superficial 2/3
Basal layer – deeper 1/3

18. MYOMETRIUM Thickest layer of the corpus uteri
Smooth muscle cells arranged in bundles separated by CT

19. 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

21. 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

23. 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)

25. 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

27. CERVIX Cylindrical inferior portion of uterus Parts: Cervical canal
Internal os
External os
Portio vaginalis (ectocervix)

28. 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

30. vagina Fibromuscular tube
Extends from vestibule of external genitalia to the cervix
Normally, collapsed (anterior and posterior walls are in contact with each other)

31. Vagina: layers Mucosa Muscularis (OLIC) Adventitia
Thrown into folds (rugae)
Stratified squamous non-keratinized epithelium
Lamina propria: dense CT, no glands
Muscularis (OLIC)
Adventitia
Thin CT
Nerve bundles, venous plexus

32. External genitalia Clitoris Labia minora Labia majora
Vestibular glands
Major vestibular glands (Bartholin’s glands)
Minor vestibular glands

34. EXTERNAL GENITALIA Description 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 underneath
Numerous sebaceous glands, no hair follicles
Labia majora
Cover the labia minora
Homologue of the male scrotum
Stratified squamous epithelium

35. EXTERNAL GENITALIA
Description
Major vestibular glands (Bartholin’s)
Pair of larger glands in the lateral walls of vestibule, open on the inner surface of labia minora
Mucus-secreting
Minor vestibular glands
Located under the urethral opening and near the clitoris

36. 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

37. Mammary gland: lobes
lobes/mammary gland divided by interlobar CT
Intralobular ducts → interlobular ducts → lactiferous duct and sinus
Stratified cuboidal epithelium

38. 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