Anatomy of
Female Reproductive System
Lecture 1, NUR 324
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Learning Objectives
1. Define the terms listed.
2. Identify the female external and
internal reproductive organs.
3. Explain the structure of the bony
pelvis.
4. Explain the functions and structures of
pelvic floor.
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function of the female reproductive
system
• The main function of the female reproductive
system is to produce eggs (ova) to be
fertilised, and to provide the space and
conditions to allow a baby to develop
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Component Parts
1. Internal female reproductive organs
2. External female reproductive organs
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External female reproductive organs
• Collectively, the external female
reproductive organs are called the
Vulva.
• Which means covering
• Function: protect the urethral and
vaginal openings
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External Female Structures
(Vulva)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Mons Pubis.
Labia Majora
Labia Minora.
Clitoris.
Vestibule.
Perineum
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1.Mons Pubis
• Is rounded, soft fullness of subcutaneous
fatty tissue, prominence over the symphysis pubis.
• It is covered with varying amounts of pubic hair
after puberty.
Funtion: it protects sympyhsis pubis during sexual
intercourse
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2. Labia Majora
• The labia Majora are two rounded, fleshy
folds of tissue that contained sweat and
sbecuos glands , they are coverd with hair
• Function: It is protect the labia minora, urinary
meatus and vaginal introitus.
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3. Labia Minora
• It is located between the labia majora,
are delicate hairless inner folds
• The lateral and anterior aspects are
usually pigmented.
• The inner surfaces are similar to
vaginal mucosa.
• They are highly vasculer and sensitve
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4. Clitoris.
• The term clitoris comes from a Greek
word meaning key.
• Erectile organ.
• It’s rich vascular, highly sensitive to
temperature, touch, and pressure
sensation
• Function: Sexual stimulation
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5. Vestibule.
• It is oval-shaped area formed
between the labia minora, clitoris,
and fourchette.
• Vestibule contains the external
urethral meatus, vaginal introitus,
and Bartholins glands and skene
gland that secret mucus.
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• The vaginal opening is surrounded by
hymen, the hymen is a tough, elastic,
perforated mucosa across the vaginal
introitus.
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6. Perineum
• Is the most posterior part of the external
female reproductive organs.
• It is located between vulva and anus.
• is composed of fibrous and muscular
tissues that support pelvic structures.
• Episiotomy: incision of the perineum
area
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Internal Female Reproductive Organs
1.
2.
3.
4.
Vagina
Uterus
Fallopian tubes
Ovaries
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1. Vagina
• It is an elastic fibro-muscular tube and membranous
tissue about 8 to 10 cm long.
• Lying between the bladder anteriorly and the rectum
posteriorly.
• The vagina connects the uterus above with the external
genitals.
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Cont.. Vagina
• The vaginal lining has multiple folds, or rugae
and muscle layer. These folds allow the vagina
to stretch considerably during childbirth.
• The reaction of the vagina is acidic, the pH is
4.5 that protects the vagina against infection.
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Anatomical relation of the vagina
•
•
•
•
•
Anterior------------Urethra and bladder
Posterior-----------Perineal body &rectum
Lateral------------- Pelvic floor muscles
Superior-----------The cervix.
Inferior------------- The vulva
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Functions of the vagina
1. To allow discharge of the menstrual
flow.
2. As the female organs of coitus.
3. To allow passage of the fetus from the
uterus.
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2. Uterus
• The uterus is a hollow, pear shaped muscular
organ at the top of vagina.
• The uterus measures about 7.5 long X 5 wide X
2.5 thick cm and weight about 50 – 60 gm.
• It lies behind the bladder and in front of the
rectum and is anchored in position by eight
ligaments and is not attached by skeleton.
• The uterus divided into three parts
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The uterus divided into three parts:
• 1. Body of the uterus
• The upper part is the corpus, or body of
the uterus
• The fundus is the part of the body above
the area where the fallopian tubes enter
the uterus.
• Length about 5 cm.
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The uterus divided into three parts:
2. Isthmus
• A narrower transition zone.
• Is between the corpus of the uterus and
cervix.
• During late pregnancy, the isthmus elongates
and is known as the lower uterine segment.
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The uterus divided into three parts:
3. Cervix
• The lowermost position of the uterus “neck”.
• The length of the cervix is about 2.5 t0 3 cm.
• The os, is the opening in the cervix that runs
between the uterus and vagina.
• The upper part of the cervix is marked by
internal os and the lower cervix is marked by
the external os.
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Layers of the uterus
1. Endometrium.
2. Myometrium.
3. Perimetrium
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1. Endometrium
• Is mucosal inner layer of the uterus. It varies thickness
0.5 to 5mm
• It is responsive to the cyclic variations of estrogen and
progesterone during the female reproductive cycle
every month.
• The three layers of the endometrial are:
*Compact layer
*The basal layer
*The functional or Sponge layer this layer is shed
during each menstrual period and after child birth.
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2. Myometrium
• Is the middle layer of thick muscle.
• The myometrium contains three types of
smooth muscle fiber
3. Perimetrium
• Is the outer peritoneal layer of serous membrane
that covers most of the uterus.
• Laterally, the perimetrium is continuous with the
broad ligaments on either side of the uterus.
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Anatomical relation of the uterus
•
•
•
•
•
Anterior------------Bladder
Posterior-----------The rectum
Lateral-------------F. T& ovaries
Superior-----------The intestines.
Inferior------------- The Vagina
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The Functions of the uterus
1. Menstruation ----the uterus sloughs off
the endometrium.
2. Pregnancy ---the uterus support fetus
and allows the fetus to grow.
3. Labor and birth---the uterine muscles
contract and the cervix dilates during
labor to expel the fetus
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3. Fallopian tubes
• The two tubes extended from the uterus to the
ovary.
• It runs in the upper free border of the broad
ligament.
• Length average is 10 cm
• Its divided into 4 parts.
• The ends of the fallopian tubes lying next to the
ovaries feather into ends called fimbria (Latin for
"fringes" or "fingers"). Millions of tiny hair-like cilia
line the fimbria and interior of the fallopian tubes 31
Segments of the fallopian tube
1. Fimbria segment - faces the ovary
2. Infundibulum segment - funnel shaped
segment behind the fimbria
3. Ampulla segment - wide middle segment
Fertilization occurs in the ampulla.
4. Isthmus segment - narrow muscular segment
near the uterus
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Functions of fallopian tube
1. Transport of fertilized and unfertilized
ovum to the uterus.
2. Fluid environment for early
embryonic development
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4. Ovaries
• Oval solid structure, 1cm in thickness, 2
cm in width and 4 cm in length. Each
weights about 4–5 gm.
• Ovary is located on each side of the
uterus, below and behind the uterine
tubes
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Structure of the ovaries
•Cortex
•Medulla
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Ovaries and Relationship
to Uterine Tube and Uterus
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Figure 28–14
Function of the ovary
1. Secrete estrogen & progesterone.
2. Production of ova
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Bony pelvis
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Support structures
• The bony pelvis support and protects
the lower abdominal and internal
reproductive organs.
• Muscle, Joints and ligaments provide
added support for internal organs of
the pelvis against the downward force
of gravity and the increases in intraabdominal pressure
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Bony Pelvis
• Bony Pelvis Is Composed of 4
bones:
1. Two hip bones.
2. Sacrum.
3. Coccyx.
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1. Two hip bones.
• Each or hip bone is composed
of three bones:
*Ilium
*Ischium
*Pubis
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2. Sacrum
• Is a wedge shaped bone consisting of
five vertebrae.
• The anterior surface of the sacrum is
concave
• The upper border of the first sacral
vertebra known as the sacral
promontory
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3. Coccyx.
Consists of four vertebrae forming
a small triangular bone.
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Pelvic Joints
• There are four pelvic joints:
* One Symphysis pubis
* Two sacro-iliac joints
* One sacro-coccygeal
joint
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PELVIC SHAPE
1-GYNECOID
• Typical female pelvis found in 50% of women
• Rounded—slightly oval inlet
• Straight pelvic sidewalls
• Good sacral curve
• Pubic arch is wide
PELVIC SHAPE
2-ANDROID
• Typical male pelvis found in 1/3 white women
1/6 non-white
• Pelvic brim is heart shaped
• Pelvis funnels from above downwards
• Narrow pubic arch
PELVIC SHAPE
3-ANTHROPOID
 25% white women & 50% nonwhite
 Pelvic brim APD > TD
 Long & narrow pelvic canal with long sacrum
 Straight pelvic sidewalls
4-PLATYPELLOID
 3% of women
 Pelvic brim TD >>>APD  kidney shape
 Sacral promontory pushed forwards
Pelvic Shape
Differentiation between female and male pelvic
Female






Male
Cavity is broad, shallow
 Cavity is narrow, deep
Pelvic inlet oval + outlet round
 Smaller inlet + outlet
Bones are lighter, thinner
 Bones heavier, thicker
Pubic angle larger
 Pubic angle more acute
Coccyx more flexible, straighter
 Coccyx less flexible, more curved
Ischial tuberosities shorter, more
 Ischial tuberosities longer, face
everted
more medially
Frolich, Human Anatomy, Pelvis I
Blood Supply
• The uterine blood supply is carried by the
uterine arteries, which are branches of the
internal iliac artery.
• These vessels enter the uterus at the
lower border of the broad ligament, near
the isthmus of the uterus.
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Student Practice 1
1. Eating Seafood During Pregnancy is it safe
or not?
2. What is recommended diet during
Pregnancy
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