Internal genitalia
Hypothalamus ----gonadotropin releasing hormone -
I. Ovaries
II. Fallopian tubes
III. Uterus
IV. Vagina
I. OVARIES
 Two almond-shaped organs
 3 cm long, 2 cm wide, and 1 cm thick
 located in the lower abdomen
 attached to the margins of the uterus and
to the pelvic wall by ligaments
 reproductive glands that produce eggs and
female sex hormones
 contain 300,000 to 500,000 primary oocytes
Primary oocytes
- immature eggs in different stages of
development contained within
primordial follicles (immature follicles).
- These oocytes are protected by the
varies until such time that they are
ready for release. One egg, sometimes
more, is released during ovulation
 produce hormones estrogen and
progesterone which regulate reproductive
functions secondary sex characteristics, play
a role in bone metabolism and cancer
management
OVARIAN CYCLE
 Series of events that occur in the ovaries
during and after the maturation of the
oocytes for fertilization.
 when the uterus is prepared for a possible
pregnancy.
 During a woman’s reproductive period
from menarche or the onset of
menstruation (approximately 9-14 yrs. old)
to menopause or the caesation of
menstruation (approximately 48-52 yrs.old).
Events:
---to the pituitary gland ----sending gonadotropic
hormone (follicle stimulating and luteinizing)----to
the ovaries
“Controlled by the hypothalamus through
gonadotropin releasing hormones to the pituitary
gland, which in turn sends gonadotropin-releasing
hormones to the pituitary gland which in turn sends
gonadotropic hormones (FSH and LH) to the
ovaries.”
Gonads - eggs
FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone)
- stimulates the primary oocyte to
resume its meiotic division and mature
- it also stimulates the primordial follicle
(produces primary oocyte) to increase
its lining cells and form an outer
covering that produces estrogen(female
hormone); 23-immature eggs 46-
chromosome number > fertilized egg
- These changes transform the immature
egg within the immature follicle into a
mature egg within a Graafian follicle
(stores mature egg/secondary oocyte)
LH- luteinizing hormone
- causes a Graafian follicle to burst
(ovulation), releasing the mature egg
(secondary oocyte)
- it also transforms the remnants of Graafian
follicle into a yellow body called corpus
luteum
- Burst graafian follicle > burst (bcoz of LH) ,
release mature egg
Corpus luteum
 - secretes progesterone which prepares the
lining of the uterus, primed with estrogen ,
for the implantation of fertilized egg.
- If no implantation occurs within 7 to 10
days, the corpus luteum regresses,
degenerates, and its hormonal secretion
diminishes. The cycle repeats with another
ovulation. However, if the egg is fertilized,
the corpus luteum persists becoming the
corpus luteum of pregnancy. With its own
hormones, the corpus luteum maintains the
early pregnancy until the placenta can take
over.
Ovulation
- some women may feel a slight pain in one
side of the lower abdomen (mittelschmerz)
or a rise in basal body temperature. These
symptoms may be monitored by couples
trying to conceive or wanting to prevent
pregnancy.
II. FALLOPIAN TUBES
- “oviducts”
- Pair of tubes about 10-12 cm long that
connects the ovaries to the uterus;
- have fringe-like projections with motile cilia
that help direct the egg into its lumen;
Functions:
1) propels the ovum from the ovary towards
the uterus
2) receives the sperm coming from the uterus
3) provides the site for fertilization (in which
sperm meets and penetrates the egg)
- propels the fertilized egg by ciliary current
and contractions to the uterus
- zygote – fertilized egg
- fertilization – sperm cell is able to enter on
the membrane of the egg
- chromosome no. of sperm- 23, fertilized- 26
III. UTERUS
- “womb”
- Hollow, pear-shaped muscular organ
- 7-8 cm long
- 3 layers: endometrium, myometrium and
perimetrium;
- Located in the middle of the pelvis between
the urinary bladder in front and rectum at
the back;
- Has inner lining (corpus luteum) which
thickens in preparation for the implantation
of the fertilized egg;
- Its lining along with unfertilized egg is shed
during menstruation;
Functions:
1) Houses the developing offspring and
enlarges to accommodate it throughout the
pregnancy;
2) Its powerful muscles contract to expel the
baby during childbirth; oxytocin,
vasopressin (help in contraction in uterine
muscles
Ectopic pregnancy – embryo will develop sa
fallopian tube = surgery
IV. VAGINA
- “birth canal”
- 7-12 cm long muscular cavity
- connects the uterus to the outside
(vestibule);
- Contains mucus secreted by cervical glands.
This mucus becomes sticky then changes to
an egg white consistency, indicating a fertile
period. Recognizing fertile mucus is a basis
for couples to abstain from sex to prevent
pregnancy. During pregnancy, the mucus
thickens to a plug to protect the fetus.
- Passageway connecting the uterus to the
external genitalia;
- Female organ of copulation which expands External genitalia / Vulva
to take in the erect penis and the ejected V. Perineum
semen during intercourse; VI. Mons pubis
- Stretches more to allow the baby to pass VII. Labia majora
during childbirth; 10 cm dapat if not, then VIII. Labia minora
cesarian IX. Prepuce
- Provides passage to the menstrual fluid to X. Clitoris
escape from the uterus; XI. Hymen
- Has an acidic pH (degree of acidity and XII. Vestibule
alkalinity) XIII. Bartholin’s and other accessory glands
(pH: 1-6.9=acidic, 7=neutral, 7.1-14=basic)
Purpose of acidity to vagina> prevent V. Perineum
pathogenic ogranisms, = gonorrhoea etc.
- Diamond-shaped area at the lowest end of
- richly colonized by bacterial flora,
the trunk between the vulva and the anus;
predominantly lactobacilli. Both provide
- Divided into the anterior urogenital triangle
defense against infection. However, they
occupied by the vulva with the orifices of
are usually lacking in prepubescent and
the vagina and urethra and the posterior
menopausal women.
triangle containing the opening of the anal
canal.
- The area between the opening of the vagina
and the anus, below the labia majora;
- Varies in length from almost 1 to more than
2 inches (2 to 5 centimeters).

VI. Mons pubis

- rounded mound of fatty tissue that covers

the pubic bone.
- During puberty, it becomes covered with
pubic hair.
- contains oil-secreting (sebaceous) glands
that release substances that are involved in
sexual attraction

VII. Labia majora

- (literally, large lips) are two relatively large,

fleshy folds of tissue that enclose and
protect the other internal genital organs.
- comparable to the scrotum in males
 - contain sweat and sebaceous (oil) glands,
which produce lubricating secretions.
- hair appears during puberty
VIII. Labia minora
- (literally, small lips) hairless, can be very
small or up to 2 inches wide;
- lie just inside the labia majora
- surround the openings to the vagina and
urethra.
- A rich supply of blood vessels gives the labia
minora a pink color. During sexual
stimulation, these blood vessels become
engorged with blood, causing the labia
minora to swell and become more sensitive
to stimulation.
IX. Prepuce
- folds formed by the upper layer of labia
minora which over hangs the clitoris
X. Clitoris
- highly sensitive tip hooded by prepuce
- protrudes at the upper junction of labia
minora
- located between the labia minora at their
upper end, is a small protrusion that
corresponds to the penis in the male.
- like the penis, is very sensitive to sexual
stimulation and can become erect.
- stimulating the clitoris can result in an
orgasm.
XI. Hymen
- Partially covered the vaginal opening
- Usually present in girls who have not had
intercourse
- Its rupture and bleeding is a sign of virginity
- Not developed ang hymen = no bleeding
happens
XII. Vestibule
- Area enclosed by the labia minora where
the openings of the urethra and vagina are
located.
XIII. Bartholin and Skene (Accessory glands)
- Secretes mucus into the labia to lubricate
them during sexual arousal
Breast
- Contain mammary glands and fat which
connect to ducts that drain into the nipples
with their surrounding areola;
- Each breast contain 15-25 clusters called
lobes;
- Nipples are made of erectile tissue;
- Size is determined by heredity;
- Size also depends on the existing fat and
glandular tissue;
- Exhibit cyclical changes including increased
swelling and tenderness prior to
menstruation
- Release Colostrum (milk) after giving birth
and milk after few days (milk nourishment/
protection against diseases)
The Menstrual Cycle
- 28-day cycle > “endometrial cycle”
1) As the primary follicle matures,
 2) it secretes estrogen which acts on the inner
lining of the uterus, enabling it to
proliferate after menstruation;
SUMMARY:
3) At approximately day 14 of the cycle,
ovulation occurs; 1ST DAY OF
MENSTRUATION MA START COUNT
4) The corpus luteum produces predominantly
progesterone which, primed with estrogen,
prepares the lining of the uterus, for the
implantation of the fertilized egg;
5) If no implantation occurs within 7 to 10
days, the corpus luteum degenerates, its
hormonal support decreases and the
uterine lining is shed as menstruation.
6) Afterwards, a new cycle starts
Premenstrual syndrome(PMS)
- Feeling of discomfort as an effect of a
change in hormones
- headache; food cravings
- mood swings; irritability
- breast swelling and tenderness; insomnia
- mild fatigue, etc
Dysmennorhea
- lower abdominal discomfort during
menstruation, > ndi continuous ang flow
sang blood
Menstruation
- Normal menstruation starts before the age
of 16 years old
- ends after the age of 45 years old
- lasts from 3 to 8 days and entails a blood
loss of less than 80 mL.
- A regular cycle ranges from 21-35 days with
an average of 28 days.
Note: Menstrual blood does not clot. A
prolonged abnormal bleeding or a
frequently heavy or very painful bleeding
should be consulted with the doctor.
• A woman with no reproductive system
cannot bear a child/children
• The female reproductive systems consists of
2 ovaries, 2 fallopian tubes, 1 uterus, 1
vagina and the external genitalia
• Every month,1 egg matures, released and
propelled by the cilia of the oviduct into the
uterus
• Hormones secreted by the ovaries prepare
the uterus to accept and nourished the
fertilized egg
• If the egg becomes fertilized, it moves to
the prepared uterus where it embeds itself,
is nourished and grows
• If the egg is not fertilized, the uterus sheds
its unused lining and excretes it together
with the unfertilized egg through the vagina
during menstruation
• Estrogen and progesterone produced by the
ovaries regulate female reproductive
functions and secondary sex characteristics.
• The external genitals, particularly the
clitoris, play a role in sexual stimulation;
also provide pathway for the entry of
infections
• Difference of Ovarian -> Menstrual Cycle
Ovarian - preparation for the releasing of
egg, Endocrine lining/tissues
Menstrual - preparation and maintainance
of uterine lining