28. ANATOMY OF FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM , A. EXTERNAL REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS / VULVA

28. ANATOMY OF FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Functions of the Female Reproductive System


1. The ovaries produce secondary oocytes and hormones, including progesterone and estrogens (female sex hormones), inhibin, and relaxin.

2. The uterine tubes transport a secondary oocyte to the uterus and normally are the sites where fertilization occurs.

3. The uterus is the site of implantation of a fertilized ovum, development of the fetus during pregnancy, and labor.

4. The vagina receives the penis during sexual intercourse and is a passageway for childbirth.

5. The mammary glands synthesize, secrete, and     eject milk for nourishment of the newborn



The organs of the female reproductive system 

A. EXTERNAL REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS / VULVA 

1. Mons pubis
2. Labia majora
3. Labia minora
4. Vestibular glands
5. Clitoris
6. Vestibule
7. Perineum


Vulva

• The term vulva (VUL-va to wrap around), or pudendum (pu¯-DEN-dum), refers to the external genitals of the female. 
• The following components comprise the vulva:

1. Mons pubis

2. Labia majora
3. Labia minora
4. Vestibular glands
5. Clitoris
6. Vestibule

1. Mons pubis

• Anterior to the vaginal and urethral openings is the mons pubis 

• (MONZ PU¯ -bis; mons mountain), 
• an elevation of adipose tissue covered by skin and coarse pubic hair that cushions the pubic symphysis.

2. Labia majora


• From the mons pubis, two longitudinal folds of skin, the labia majora extend inferiorly and posteriorly. 

• Forms the outer border of the vulva.
• (LA¯ -be¯-a ma-JO¯ -ra; labia lips; majora larger), 
• The singular term is labium majus. 

• The labia majora are covered by pubic hair

• and contain an abundance of 

• adipose tissue, 
• sebaceous (oil) glands, and
•  apocrine sudoriferous (sweat) glands. 

• They are homologous to the scrotum.

3. Labia minora

• Medial to the labia majora are two smaller folds of skin called the labia minora 

• (mı¯-NO¯ -ra; minora smaller). 
• The singular term is labium minus. 
• Unlike the labia majora, the labia minora are devoid of pubic hair and fat 
• and have few sudoriferous glands, 
• but they do contain many sebaceous glands. 

• The labia minora are homologous to the spongy (penile) urethra.

• Labia minora and labia majora surround vaginal and urethral orifices.

4. Clitoris


• The clitoris (KLI-to-ris) is a small cylindrical mass 

• composed of two small erectile bodies, the corpora cavernosa,
• and numerous nerves and blood vessels. 
• The clitoris is located at the anterior junction of the labia minora. 

• A layer of skin called the prepuce of the clitoris is formed at the point where the labia minora unite and covers the body of the clitoris. 

• The exposed portion of the clitoris is the glans clitoris. 

• The clitoris is homologous to the glans penis in males. 
• Like the male structure, the clitoris is capable of enlargement upon tactile stimulation 
• and has a role in sexual excitement in the female.

5. Vestibule

• The region between the labia minora is the vestibule. 

• Within the vestibule are 

• the hymen (if still  present), 
• the vaginal orifice,
• the external urethral orifice, and 
• the openings of the ducts of several glands. 

• The vestibule is homologous to the membranous urethra of males. 

• The vaginal orifice, the opening of the vagina to the exterior, occupies the greater portion of the vestibule 
• and is bordered by the hymen. 

• Anterior to the vaginal orifice and posterior to the clitoris is the external urethral orifice,

                    - the opening of the urethra to the exterior.

• On either side of the external urethral orifice are the openings of the ducts of the paraurethral (Skene’s) glands. 
• These mucus-secreting glands are embedded in the wall of the urethra.

• The paraurethral glands are homologous to the prostate.

• On either side of the vaginal orifice itself are the greater vestibular (Bartholin’s) glands ,

            - which open by ducts into a groove between the hymen and labia minora. 

• They produce a small quantity of mucus during sexual arousal and intercourse that adds to cervical mucus and
• provides lubrication.  

• The greater vestibular glands are homologous to the bulbourethral glands in males. 

• Several lesser vestibular glands also open into the vestibule.

• The bulb of the vestibule  

• consists of two elongated masses of erectile tissue just deep to the labia on either side of the vaginal orifice. 
• The bulb of the vestibule 

              - becomes engorged with blood during sexual arousal, 
               - narrowing the vaginal orifice and                            - placing pressure on the penis during intercourse. 

• The bulb of the vestibule is homologous to the corpus spongiosum and bulb of the penis in males.

6. Perineum

•  (per -i-NE¯ -um) 
• is the diamond-shaped area medial to the thighs and buttocks of both males and females . 

• It contains the external genitals and anus. 

Boundaries 

•  anteriorly by the pubic symphysis,
•  posteriorly by the coccyx and 
• .laterally by the ischial tuberosities

• A transverse line drawn between the ischial tuberosities divides the perineum into 

a. an anterior urogenital triangle (u¯ -ro¯-JEN-i-tal) that contains the external genitals and

b.  a posterior anal triangle that contains the anus. 



Mammary Glands

•  The mammary glands are considered part of 

a. both the integumentary system
b. and the female reproductive system.

• Each breast is a hemispheric projection of variable size 
• anterior to the pectoralis major and serratus anterior muscles and 
• attached to them by a layer of fascia composed of dense irregular connective tissue.

• Each breast has one pigmented projection, the nipple, 
• that has a series of closely spaced openings of ducts called lactiferous ducts, where milk emerges. 

• The circular pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple is called the areola (a-RE¯ - o¯ -la small space); 
• it appears rough because it contains modified sebaceous (oil) glands.

•  Strands of connective tissue called the suspensory ligaments of the breast (Cooper’s ligaments) 
• run between the skin and fascia 
• and support the breast. 
• These ligaments become looser with age or with the excessive strain that can occur in long-term jogging or high-impact aerobics.
• Wearing a supportive bra can slow this process and help maintain the strength of the suspensory ligaments.

Mammary gland

• Within each breast is a mammary gland,
•  a modified sudoriferous (sweat) gland that produces milk  
• A mammary gland consists of 15 to 20 lobes, or compartments, 
• separated by a variable amount of adipose tissue. 

• In each lobe are several smaller compartments called lobules, 
• composed of grapelike clusters of milk-secreting glands termed alveoli( small cavities) 
• embedded in connective tissue. 
• Contraction of myoepithelial cells surrounding the alveoli helps propel milk toward the nipples. 

• When milk is being produced, it passes from the alveoli into a series of secondary tubules and then into the mammary ducts. 
• Near the nipple, the mammary ducts expand to form sinuses called lactiferous sinuses (lact- milk), where
• some milk may be stored before draining into a lactiferous duct.

• Each lactiferous duct typically carries milk from one of the lobes to the exterior

The functions of the mammary glands are the 
1. synthesis, 
2. secretion,
3. and ejection of milk; 
          - these functions, called lactation,
are associated with pregnancy and childbirth. 

• Milk production is stimulated largely

         - by the hormone prolactin from the anterior pituitary,

• with contributions from progesterone and estrogens. 

• The ejection of milk is stimulated by oxytocin, 
• which is released from the posterior pituitary in response to the sucking of an infant on the mother’s nipple (suckling).