Female Reproductive System

Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System

• Uterine Tubes
  • Paired tubular organs attached to the uterine horns
  • Partially cover the ovaries
  • The most common location of fertilization
• Uterus
  • Unpaired hollow organ
  • Houses the developing embryo and fetus
  • Has three parts:
    • Fundus: the dome-shaped upper portion
    • Body: the central portion
    • Cervix: the lower portion
• Ovaries
  • Paired intraperitoneal organs located in the pelvis
  • Contain oocytes within follicles that undergo maturation
  • Produce various steroids and polypeptide hormones
  • Ligaments:
    • Suspensory ligament of ovary (infundibulopelvic ligament): attaches the tubal extremity of the ovary to the lateral pelvic wall, containing the ovarian artery, vein, nervous plexus, and lymphatic vessels
    • Ligament of the ovary (lig.ovarii proprium): attaches the uterine extremity of the ovary to the uterine horns, containing the ovarian branch of the uterine artery, corresponding veins, and lymphatic vessels
• Vagina
  • Terminal segment of the female reproductive system
  • Female organ of copulation and part of the birth canal
  • Fornices: recesses surrounding the cervix
    • Posterior fornix: important clinically as it is the site for accessing the peritoneal cavity during surgical procedures
• Cervix
  • Supravaginal part: cranial part of the cervix above the attachment of the vagina, contains mucosal folds called palmate folds
  • Vaginal part: caudal part of the cervix protruding into the vagina
  • Cervical canal: continuation of the uterine cavity inside the cervix
  • External os of uterus: opening of the cervical canal to the vagina
• Peritoneal Folds
  • Broad ligament of uterus (lig. latum uteri): double peritoneal fold located in the frontal plane of the lesser pelvis
    • Attached to the uterine border medially and is laterally continuous with the parietal peritoneum of the pelvic wall
    • Mesovarium: Peritoneal fold of the ovary
    • Mesosalpinx: Peritoneal fold of the uterine tube
    • Mesometrium: Peritoneal fold of the uterus
  • Round ligament of uterus (ligamentum teres uteri): keeps the uterus in anteversion during pregnancy
  • Cardinal ligament / transverse cervical ligament (lig.cardinale Mackenrodti / lig.transversum cervicis): paired fibrous band extending laterally from the cervix and isthmus to the pelvic wall
• Supporting Apparatus of the Uterus
  • Levator ani/pubovaginalis
  • Ischiococcygeus
  • Perineal muscles
• Arterial Supply of the Uterus
  • Uterine artery: approaches the isthmus from the side and ascends tortuously along the uterine border
    • Originates from the internal iliac artery
• Stress Urinary Incontinence
  • Involuntary leakage of urine following raised intra-abdominal pressure
  • More common in women and its prevalence increases with age
  • Occurs when bladder pressure exceeds sphincter resistance
  • Can be caused by pelvic floor weakness, intrinsic sphincter deficiency etc.
  • Manifests as predictable, small-volume urinary loss during physical exertion, without irritative bladder symptoms
• Uterine Prolapse
  • Descent of the uterus into the vaginal canal
  • More common in women who have had multiple vaginal deliveries, due to stretching and weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments

External Genital Organs

• Vestibule (vestibulum vaginae): area containing the external openings of the vagina, urethra, and paired accessory glands
• Greater vestibular gland / Bartholin’s gland (glandula vestibularis major Bartholini): paired gland emptying into the vestibule
• Lesser vestibular glands (glandulae vestibulares minores): small glands emptying into the vestible
• Labia majora (labia majora pudendi): cover the labia minora
• Labia minora (labia minora pudendi): cover the vestibule
• Clitoris (clitoris): unpaired female erectile body
• Bulb of vestibule (bulbus vestibuli): pair of female erectile bodies located around the vestibule

Clinical Correlations

• Ureter during Ovarian Artery Ligation: The ureter courses posterior to the infundibulopelvic (suspensory ligament of ovary) ligament, close to the medial leaf of the broad ligament. This is important during surgery because care must be taken to avoid injuring the ureter during ligation of the ovarian vessels.
• Cardinal ligaments: important in uterine support by enabling antero-posterior movements of the uterus
• Uterosacral ligaments: important in uterine support by providing resistance against prolapse.

### Female Reproductive System

• The female reproductive system (FRS) has external and internal components.
• The internal organs consist of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina.
• The external organs consist of the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule, and associated glands.

Ovary

• There are two ovaries, located in the pelvic cavity.
• The ovaries contain oocytes within follicles, where they mature.
• The ovaries produce steroids and polypeptide hormones.

Uterine Tube

• There are two fallopian tubes, each attached to a uterine horn.
• The fallopian tubes partially cover the ovary.
• Fertilization most commonly occurs within the fallopian tubes.

Uterus

• The uterus is a pear-shaped, unpaired organ located in the pelvis between the bladder and rectum.
• It houses a developing embryo and fetus.

Vagina

• The vagina is the terminal segment of the FRS.
• It is the female organ of copulation and part of the birth canal.

External Genitalia

• The female external genitalia are known as the vulva.
• The vulva includes the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule, and associated glands.
• The vestibule is an area containing the external openings of the vagina, urethra, and paired glands.

### Peritoneal Folds and Artery Supply

• The ovary is attached to the uterus by the broad ligament.
• The suspensory ligament of the ovary attaches the ovary to the lateral pelvic wall and contains the ovarian artery and veins.
• The ovarian ligament attaches the ovary to the uterine horn.

Vascular Supply of the Ovary

• The ovaries are supplied by the ovarian artery and the ovarian branch of the uterine artery.
• The ovarian artery arises from the abdominal aorta.
• The ovarian branch of the uterine artery arises from the internal iliac artery.

Uterine Position

• The uterus is positioned in anteversion (tip of the uterus is tilted forward) and anteflexion (bend at the juncture of the body and cervix).
• Uterine prolapse occurs when the muscles and tissue in the pelvis weaken, causing the uterus to descend into the vagina.

### External Structure of the Uterus

• The uterus has a body, isthmus, and cervix.
• The body is the largest part of the uterus, and includes the fundus, uterine horns, and uterine cavity.
• The isthmus is the narrow transitional area between the body and cervix.
• The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus.

Fornices

• The upper ending of the vagina surrounds the cervix, creating the anterior and posterior fornices (or vaults).
• The posterior fornix is deeper.

Vascular Supply of the Vagina

• The vagina is supplied by the vaginal artery, which arises from the internal iliac artery or the uterine artery.

Clinical Correlation

• Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterine endometrium.
• Tubal pregnancy occurs in the fallopian tube.
• Interstitial pregnancy occurs in the interstitial portion of the fallopian tube.
• Heterotopic pregnancy involves multiple gestations, one intrauterine, and one ectopic.

### Stress Urinary Incontinence

• Stress urinary incontinence is involuntary leakage of urine due to raised intra-abdominal pressure.
• It is more common in women than men.
• It causes predictable, small-volume urinary loss, typically during physical exertion.

Clitoris

• The clitoris is the female erectile organ.
• It consists of a glans, body, and crura.
• The crura are paired bodies of erectile tissue attached to the inferior ramus of the pubic bone.
• The body of the clitoris is formed by the fusion of the crura.
• The glans of the clitoris is the terminal part.

Bulb of Vestibule

• The bulb of the vestibule are paired erectile bodies located around the vestibule.

Explore the anatomy and functionality of the female reproductive system, including uterine tubes, uterus, and ovaries. Learn about their roles in reproduction, hormonal production, and structural components. This quiz will deepen your understanding of female anatomy and physiology.