ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

I.

EXTERNAL PARTS:

1. Mons veneris / mons pubis a firm, cushion like elevation of adipose tissue over the symphysis pubis covered by curly hair or pubic hair forming escutcheon. 2. 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. 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. 3. 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. Functions: a. To lubricate and waterproof the vulvar skin.

b. To provide bactericidal secretion. 4. Clitoris - The clitoris measures 5 6 mm. long and 6 8 mm. across. It has very rich blood and nerve supplies Functions : a. Stimulate and elevate levels of sexual tension. b. Serve as a landmark in locating urethral opening during catheterization. 5. 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 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. Functions: a. serves as excretory duct of the uterus b. female organ for copulation c. 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 cicatrized nodules of varying size called myrtiform caruncles. 6. Perineum the area extending from the fourchette to the anus. The pelvic and urogenital diaphragm provides most of the support of the perineum. The pubococcygeus and puborectalis constrict the vagina and rectum and form an efficient functional rectal sphincter. Their functions are as follows: a. play a role in sexual sensory function b. bladder control c. 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.

II . INTERNAL ORGAN :
1. 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 and a total volume averages about 5 liters. 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 30 cm. x 20 cm. 2. 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. a. Internal Os the narrowed opening between the uterine cavity and the endocervical canal. b. External Os small round opening at the lower end of the cavity and endocervical canal. The cervical mucosa has 3 functions: 1. Provide lubrication for the vaginal canal 2. Act as a bacteriostatic agent 3. 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. . Mucosal layer or endometrium the innermost layer which composed of a single layer of columnar epithelium, glands and stroma. 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 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 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 womans posture, number of children borne, bladder and rectal fullness and even normal respiratory pattern. 1. Anteverted the fundus is tilted forward. It is considered as the normal position. 2. Anteflexed slightly bend forward. 3. Retroverted tilted backward 4. Retroflexed bending backward Functions of uterus : - Organ for menstruation -Organ for gestation

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2. Fallopian tube or oviduct, are 2 trumphet shaped about 8 14 cm. in length, 3 8 mm in diameter covered by peritoneum and their lumen lined by mucous membrane.

Parts : a. Interstitial the narrow portion contained in the muscular wall of the uterus approximately 1 cm. in length. b. Isthmus proximal to the ampulla. It is the narrow portion of the tube adjoining the uterus approximately 2 cm. in length. c. Ampulla the outer 3rd portion where fertilization occurs and considered as longest portion with approximately 5 cm. in length. d. Infundibulum distal third. Its funnel shaped opening encircles with fimbrae approximately 2 cm. long. This fimbrae become swollen, almost erectile at ovulation. 3.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. 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 : a. Tunica albuginea - dense and dull white and serves as protective layer. b. Cortex main functional part because it contains ova, graafian follicles, corpora lutea, degenerated corpora lutea (corpora albicantia). c. 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 : a. Ovulation b. Hormone production