Female Reproductive System Anatomy

Female Genital System Anatomy

• The female genital system refers to the organs and structures involved in reproduction in females

The Vulva

• It includes all the female external genital structures
• The Mons Pubis is a pad of fat covered by skin and hair located above the symphysis pubis
• The Labia Majora consists of two skin folds containing fatty tissue, having a hairy outer aspect and a smooth inner aspect with sebaceous glands
• The Labia Minora are two soft skin folds medial to the labia majora that merge posteriorly to form the fourchette and divide anteriorly into the frenulum and the prepuce of the clitoris
• The Clitoris is a small erectile organ situated just below the symphysis pubis that consists of a glans (erectile tissue) and a body and is very sensitive to erotic stimulation
• The Hymen is composed of connective tissue and covered by stratified squamous epithelium on both the aspects
• The vestibule is the area between the labia minora and the fourchette where both the urethra and vagina open
• The External Urethral Meatus opens in the vestibule below the clitoris

The Vagina

• It is a fibromuscular canal extending upwards and backwards from the vulva to the uterus at a 60° angle to the horizontal
• The structure is closed anteroposteriorly, and the lower vaginal opening is closed by the hymen
• The cervix protrudes into the superior closed end of the vagina or vaginal vault, and separating the organ into four fornices (anterior, posterior, and two lateral)
• The anterior vaginal wall is 8 cm and is closely related to the urethra and urinary bladder
• The posterior vaginal wall is 11 cm and is connected to the perineal body, rectum, and the peritoneum of the Pouch of Douglas

The Uterus

• The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped muscular organ that measures 1x2x3 inches in a nullipara and 1½x2½x3½ inches in a multipara
• It contains a triangular cavity that communicates with the cervical canal via the internal os
• The fallopian tubes connect to the uterine cavity at the cornu
• It is positioned anteriorly relative to the vagina (anteversion), with the body curved forward on the cervix (anteflexion)
• The uterus is divided into three parts

Parts of the Uterus

• The Corpus (Body) Uteri is the largest part of the structure above the attachment of the tubes referred to as the fundus
• The Isthmus Uteri is a small area bounded on the top by the anatomical internal os and on the bottom by the histological internal os measuring 0.5-1 cm that expands during pregnancy forming the lower uterine segment (10 cm)
• The Cervix (Neck) forms the structure's elongated lower part, which is around one inch, features a spindle-shaped cavity, and links the uterine cavity above with the vagina below
• The attachment of the vagina divides the cervix into two parts: the supravaginal and infravaginal segments (portiovaginalis)

Uterus Histology

• Contains 3 layers
• The Endometrium (mucosa) is lined by simple cubical or columnar epithelium, contains tubular glands, and shows cyclic changes with the menstrual cycle
• The Myometrium (musculosa) consists of three layers: outer longitudinal muscle layer, middle layer of criss-cross muscle fibres, and inner circular muscle layer
• The Perimetrium is also known as the peritoneal covering
  • Anteriorly, it is firmly attached to the fundus and body until the isthmus, where it becomes loose and reflected on the urinary bladder forming the vesicouterine pouch
  • Posteriorly, it is firmly attached to the fundus, body, cervix, and posterior vaginal fornix, then reflects on the pelvic colon, creating the Douglas pouch
  • Laterally, the anterior and posterior peritoneal coverings blend to form the broad ligaments

Fallopian Tubes

• The fallopian tube (oviduct) is a hollow organ that extends 10 cm from the uterus's cornu into the peritoneal cavity
• The fallopian tube is positioned within the superior border of the broad ligament and is divided into four components
  • Interstitial Portion (1 cm): This segment penetrates the uterine wall and enters the uterus
  • Isthmus (2 cm): This straight, thick-walled section sits directly outward from the uterus
  • Ampulla (5 cm): This section is broad and contains thin walls that are curved
  • Infundibulum (2 cm): This distal segment joins into the peritoneal cavity through the tubal ostium
  • It also ends with several fimbriae

Functions of the Tubal

• Ovum Pick Up, occurring at the time of ovulation, is managed with the free fimbrial end
• Transport Of The Ova occurs along the tubal lumen through peristaltic and ciliary movements
• Production Of Secretions is required for the sperm's capacitation and the nutrition of the ova during their journey by their lining cells

The Ovaries

• These are two almond-shaped organs measuring 3x2x1.5 cm
• The ovary is attached to the rear of the broad ligament through the mesoovarium, toward the lateral pelvic wall via the infundibulopelvic ligament, and towards the uterine cornu through the ovarian ligament
• Ovaries are not covered by peritoneum
• Surfaces are pearly white and corrugated due to the monthly ovulatory activity

The Regions Of The Ovary

• Cortex: This is the ovary's specialized functioning component, forming the organ's main mass
• Medulla: A semilunar region enclosed by the cortex
• Hilum: Serves as the point from which ovarian vessels, lymphatics, and nerves access and exit the ovary

Test your knowledge of the female reproductive system. Questions cover topics such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, and their functions. This quiz assesses understanding of anatomical structures and their roles in reproduction.