GENERAL FEATURES

Components of the System

– Internal Genitalia
Ovaries
Uterine tubes (oviducts)
Uterus
Vagina
– External genitalia
– Mammary glands
Female Reproductive System
Structure of The Breast
 OVARIES
General Organization
Paired in the pelvic cavity
Almond-shaped organs (3x1.5x1cm)
Outermost covering:
– Germinal epithelium: simple cuboidal epithelium
Inner covering:
– Tunica albuginea:dense connective tissue
Cortex:
– Ovarian follicle, oocyte, stroma
Medulla:
– Stroma containing a rich vascular bed
Ovarian Follicles
Primordial
follicles Growing
(secondary follicle)

Primary
follicle Cortex Tunica
Atretic follicle Medulla albuginea

Growing follicles
– Primary follicles
– Secondary
follicles
Mature (Graafian)
follicle
Mature (Graafian) Primordial follicle
Atretic follicle

follicles Corpus luteum

Atretic follicles
 Secondary (vesicular follicle)

Graafian (mature) follicle

Atretic follicle
Ovulation
Appearance of the surface of the follicle of the stigma
• Increased activity of protease
(collagenase and plasmin), which
causes dissolution of connective
tissue around the follicle
• A mid cycle surge of luteinizing
hormone (LH) concentration appears
to be indispensable for ovulation

Rupture of the mature follicle

Liberation of the ovum with the corona radiata

Caught by dilates end the oviduct

Corpus Luteum
Temporary endocrine gland
Secreting steroid
Granulosa lutein cells: large,
pale-staining, form
progesterone-secreting cells
Theca lutein cells: secrete
estrogen, smaller, darker-
staining cells, derived from
the cells of the theca interna
 CORPUS LUTEUM

OVULATION
Release of the follicular fluid, collapse of
the follicle’s wall, remnant of blood clots

CORPUS LUTEUM
Granulose lutein cells
Theca lutein cells

CORPUS LUTEUM OF CORPUS LUTEUM OF

MENSTRUATION PREGNANCY
10 – 14 Days 6 Months

Progesterone Progesterone
Estrogen Estrogen
CORPUS ALBICANS Relaxin
(Remains for a variable period)

ABSORBED BY MACROPHAG
Hormones
and Ovarian
Function
 UTERINE TUBES
(OVIDUCTS, FALLOVIAN TUBES)
Mesovarium
Oviduct Fundus of Ovarian Ampulla
Isthmus of uterus
oviduct ligament

Fimbriae
Infundibulum

Paired, 12 cm long muscular tubes

Function: fertilization and transports the
zygote
4 segment:
– Isthmus - Infundibulum
– Ampula - Fimbriae
Wall structure3
layers:
– Mucosa (ciliated
simple columner
epithelium+peg
cells+lamina
propria)
– Muscularis (inner
circular+outer
longitudinal smooth
muscle)
– Serosa

(Left) : cross section of the ampulla of an oviduct of a mature woman.

(Right) : cross section of the isthmus of an oviduct.
 UTERUS
A pear shaped muscular organ
Grossly divided into 3 region:
– Fundus
– Corpus
– Cervix
Uterine wall consists of 3 layers:
– Endometrium
– Myometrium
– Serosa/adventitia
 Mesovarium
Oviduct Fundus of Ampulla
Isthmus of uterus Ovarian
oviduct ligament

Myometrium
Fimbriae
Endometrium
Infundibulum Cervical canal
External cervical os Broad ligament

Ovary (cross section)

Vagina

External vaginal os
 UTERUS : FOLLICULAR (PROLIFERATIVE) PHASE
1. Columnar epithelium
2. Superficial lamina
propria
8. Uterine glands

9. Coiled artery
3. Interglandular
lamina propria
10. Uterine glands

4. Basal lamina propria 11. Interglandular

smooth muscle
fibers
5. Smooth muscle fibers

12. Interstitial
connective tissue
6. Smooth muscle fibers

7. Arteries
13. Smooth
muscle fibers
Endometrium
Consists of epithelium and lamina propria
Epithelial cells are simple columnar and are a
mixture of ciliated and secretory cells
Lamina propria (connective tissue) divided into 2
zones :
– The functionalism
Sloughed off at menstruation
– The Basalis
Retained after menstruation
Myometrium
The thickest tunic
Consists of 4 poorly defined smooth
muscle layers,arcuate arteries
Prenancy: hyperthropy & hyperplasia

Serosa or Adventitia
Fundus: serosa
Corpus: Adventitia
Uterine Cervix
External surface of the
servix of the uterus
bulges into vagina,
covered by stratified
squamous epithelium
Wall: mucosa (simple
columnar
epithelium+servical
glands lining the
servical canal),dense
connective tissue with
smooth muscle
 Menstrual Cycle
PHASE OF CYCLE ENDOMETRIAL CHANGES
Menstrual Phase: Ovarian progesterone,
First day of degeneration of corpus luteum,
menstrual bleeding shedding of
through day 3-5 of functionalisdischarge trough
the cycle vagina, basale intact
Proliferative phase/ Influence of increasing estrogen
follicular phase: levels(and preparation for possible
Days 4-6 to day 14 implantation, endometrium
of the cycle regenerates from basale, the
glands lengthen, remaining
relatively straight
Secretory phase/ Progesterone from corpus luteum
luteal phase: causes edema of the lamina
Days 14-28 of the propria & endometrial
cycle thickening.Glands are highly
coiled&lumen dilate,Coiled
arteries elongate,Without
implantation, the cycle begins
anew
CORRELATED OVARIAN
CHANGES
Absence of the gonadotropin
from an implanted embryo,
corpus luteum degeneate and
progesterone production ceases
Influence of pituitary FSH, the
follicles grow and produces
estrogen. LH surge on day 14
induces ovulation & support
formation of the corpus luteum
LH supports corpus luteum.
Granulosa lutein cells begin
producing progesterone, theca
lutein cells produce
estrogen.Elevated progesterone
inhibits LH production.Without
chorionic gonadotropin corpus
luteum degenerates
 The Hormonal
Integration of the
Ovarian and
Menstrual Cycles
 UTERUS : FOLLICULAR (PROLIFERATIVE) PHASE
1. Columnar epithelium
2. Superficial lamina
propria
8. Uterine glands

9. Coiled artery
3. Interglandular
lamina propria
10. Uterine glands

4. Basal lamina propria 11. Interglandular

smooth muscle
fibers
5. Smooth muscle fibers

12. Interstitial
connective tissue
6. Smooth muscle fibers

7. Arteries
13. Smooth
muscle fibers
 UTERUS PROGRAVID (SECRETORY) PHASE

1. Columnar epithelium

2. Uterine gland : 7. Coiled arteries

straight portion
3. Uterine glands :
tortuous portions 8. Interglandular
lamina propria
(stroma)

9. Tortuous
uterine glands
4. Hypertrophied
glandular epithelium

5. Fundi of uterine
glands filled with 10. Dilated
secretion uterine
glands with
secretion
11. Basal lamina
propria
6. Myometrium (stroma)
 UTERUS : MENSTRUAL PHASE

1. Superficial
endometrium
without epithelium 6. Fragments of
disintegrated
2. Glandular lumen mucosa
filled with blood
7. Blood clots
3. Coiled arteries
8. Erythrocytes in
lamina propria
4. Interglandular 9. Intact fundi of
lamina propria of uterine glands
basal region

5. Smooth muscle
fibers
(myometrium)
 Vaginal Hypothalamus
Endometrium smear Ovary Vaginal
Vagina Hypophysis Vagina smear Endometrium

Functional changes relating to the hypothalamus, pituitary,

ovary, vaginal epithelium, and endometrium.
E = Estrogen (gray); P = Progesterone (dark gray).
FERTILIZATION & PREIMPLANTATION
DEVELOPMENT

Fertilization occurs at the ampulla in the

uterine tube
Sperm penetrates corona radiata&zona
pellucidaone sperm head fuses with the
membran plasma of ovumcompletion of
the second meiotic division of ovum
haploid male & female pronuclei
fusezygote
 Zygote

Morula

Blastocyst
(trophoblast&inner cell
mass,floats 2-3 days
before implantation)
 IMPLANTATION
= Penetration of the uterine epithelium by blastocyst

Blastocyst Activity
Trophoblast
– Syncytiotrophoblast
– Cytotrophoblast
Inner cell mass
– Bilaminar disk (blastodisc)
– Extraembryonic mesoderm
– Extraembryonic coelom
Chorion
– Derivatives of trophoblast and inner cell mass
– Chorion Frondosum
– Chorion laeve
Diagram A, B, C
and D illustrate
the stage in the
formation of the
blastocyst and
the embedding of
the blastocyts in
the uterine wall.
The relationships
of the growing
embryo to the
uterus are shown
in diagrams E
and F.
Decidual Reaction
Upon implantation, Amnioti
endometrium undergoes Uterin
e
c
cavity
Extraembryonic
coelom
changes reffered to the Decidua
cavity
Decidua basalis
capsularis
decidual reaction
(endometrium=desidua) Charionic
villus

Endometrium thickens, its

stromal cells Allantois

enlargedecidual cells
Mesoderm of
(secrete prolactin) umbilicial cord

3 named parts of decidua: Decidua

Yolk sac
embryo
– Decidua basalis parietalis
Trophoblast
– Decidua capsularis Cervical
plug
– Decidua parietalis
 Decidua basalis
Trophoblast cells penetrating
the endometrium

Lacunae
Amniotic cavity
Ectoderm
Endoderm
Vitelline sac

Extraembryonic mesenchyme
Uterine gland
Cytotrophoblast
Syncytiotrophoblast Regenerating epithelial lining
Decidua capsularis

Schematic drawing of a human embryo at the end of implantation (12 days), showing the
relationships between the embryo and the endometrium (called the decidua) after
implantation. UV, uterine vessels, one of which opens into a lacuna, filling its spaces with
blood. Darker color shows the cytotrophoblast; lighter color highlights the ectoderm and
amnion.
 PLACENTA

Temporary organ,begins during implantation

2 components:
– Embryonic (chorion frondosum)
– Maternal (decidua basalis)
Steps in Placental Development (Placentation)
Syncytiotrophoblast surrounds small islands
of endomerium lacunae  rupturing blood
vessel fill lacunae with maternal blood 
chorionic villi grow into lacunae  placental
barrier
Chorionic villi:
– Primary villi
– Secondary villi
– Tertiary villi
 Epithelium of omnion
Connective tissue of
amnion
Cytotrophoblast Connective tissue of
chorion
Floating villus

Intervillous space

Syncytio trophoblast
Anchoring villus

Peripheral syncytium

Uterine gland

Maternal blood sinus

Placental Functions
Placental hormones
– Chorionic gonadotropin, chorionic thyrotropin,
chorionic corticotropin, estrogene,
progesterone, prolactin, placental lactogen
Transfer of nutrients and wastes
– Placental barrier: syncytiotrophoblast,
cytotrophoblast, basal lamina of trophoblast,
extraembryonic mesenchyme, basal lamina of
the vessels in tertiary villi, fetal vascular
endothelial cells
Structure of Placental Villi
 VAGINA
Muscular tube extends from cervix to
external genitalia
Mucosa
– Stratified squamous epithelium, rich in
glycogen & supported by an elastic fiber-rich
lamina propria
– Lamina provide fluid during sexual arousal
Muscularis
– Longitudinal smooth muscle, circular fibers
near mucosa
Adventitia
– Dense connective tissue rich in elastic fibers
– Extensive venous plexus, bundles of nerve
fibers & clusters of neuron
EXTERNAL GENITALIA (VULVA)
Clitoris
Homologous to the dorsal part of the penis
Two erectile corpora cavernosa, ending in
glans clitoridis.
Surrounded by a prepuce and covered
with stratified squamous epithelium
Vestibule
Receives the ovenings of the vagina and
the urethra
Covered by stratified squamous
epithelium
2 types of gands:
– Bartholin glands (glandulae vestibulares majores)
Tubuloalveolar mucous glands on opposite sides
– Vestibular glands (glandulae vestibulares minores)
More numerous
Scattered
Most lie near around the urethra and clitoris
Labia Minora
Skin folds with a core of spongy (erectile)
connective tissue, thin keratinized, no hair

Labia Majora
Folds of skin have a core of subcutaneous
fat and thin layer of muscle, outer surface
has more keratin and contains coarse
hairs
 MAMMARY GLANDS
Duct
system
(inactive)
Accessory glands of Terminal
interlobul
the skin are specialized ar duct
Lactifer
to secrete milk ous
sinus
Compound
tubuloalveolar glands
contains 15-25 lobes
Openings
separated by adipose of
lactiferou
and dense connective Lactifer
s ducts
Adipos ous
Ribs and e duct
tissue muscle Tubulo
tissue alveolar
Lobule
secretory
units
(active)
Embryonic Development
Paired ventral epidermal thickenings
running from forelimb to hindlimb, the milk
lines, appear at 6 weeks.
In the second trimester, 15-25 epithelial
invaginations develop along these lines
along on each side of thorax future
lactiferous ducts
Prepubertal Mammary Glands
Composed lactiferous ducts and sinuses
Lightly pigmented areola

Changes During Puberty

Breast enlarge, accumulation of adipose
tissue and collagenous connective tissue
Nipple enlarge and become more
prominent
Resting Adult Gland
Lobules are separated by loose connective
tissue and few secretory alveoli are present
Intralobular ducts: lined by cuboidal
epithelium, surrounded by a discontinous
layer of myoepithelial cells
Interlobular ducts
Lactiferous ducts: Cuboidal to collumnar
epithelium
Lactiferous sinuses: Stratified squamous
Pregnant Adult Gland
Intense proliferation of the ducts and
growth of alveoli at their ends, enlarging
the breasts
Terminal epithelium of the intralobular
ducts proliferates and differentiates into
milk-secreting cells
Late in pregnancy, the number of plasma
cells in the interlobular connective tissue
increasessecrete IgA
Lactating Adult Glands
Prolactin increases
Accumulation of milk in the alveolar
lumens and their accompanying dilation
The secretory cells reduce in height from
low columnar to low cuboidal
 The mammary gland is the only
A
structure in the body that undergoes
such a striking structural and
physiologic change during the hormonal
cycle of pregnancy.
Diagram illustrating changes in the mammary
B glands.
A : In nonpregnant women, the gland has an
inactive duct system.
B : during pregnancy, alveoli proliferate at the
end of the ducts and prepare for the
secretion of milk.

C C : during lactation, alveoli are fully

differentiated and milk secretion is
abundant.
Once lactation is completed, the gland
reverts to the nonpregnant condition. The
gland is normally quiescent and
undifferentiated, undergoing this
differentiation and secretion only during
each cycle of pregnancy and lactation.
Senile Involution
After menopause, the secretory portions,
ducts, and adipose and interlobular
connective tissues in the breasts atrophy