EXTERNAL REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS/VULVA

1. Clitoris

 Small sensitive organ, contains erectile tissue

 Capable of enlargement upon tactile stimulation and plays a role in female sexual excitement

2. Labia Majora

 2 folds of fatty tissue covered with the skin extending backwards from the mons of either side of the

vulva and disappearing into the perineum behind

3. Labia Minora

 2 smaller fleshy fold within the labia majora; they meet in front to form a hood-like structure called

prepuce

4. Mons Pubis

 Pad of fat with skin lying over the symphisis

pubis

 Bears hair during puberty

5. Vestibule of the vagina

 Cleft between the labia minora

 Within it are the hymen, vaginal orfice and

external urethral orifice and openings of

ducts to several glands

 VAGINAL ORIFICE – opening of vagina,

bordered by hymen

 EXTERNAL URETHRAL ORIFICE – opening of

the urethra to the exterior

6. Greater Vestibular Gland (Bartholins glands)

 Produce small quantity of musucs during

sexual arousal and intercourse that adds to

cervical mucus and also provides lubrication

7. Bulb of Vestibule

 Engorged with blood during sexual arousal,

narrowing the vaginal orifice

Perineum

o Is the diamond shaped area medial to the

thighs and buttocks to both male and females

o Contains external genitalia and anus

o Transverse line anterior UROGENITAL Triangle that contains the external genitalia and posterior ANAL

triangle that contains the anus

ACCESSORY ORGANS

1. Mammary Glands

 2 glands which secrete

milk to nourish newborn

 NIPPLE has a series of

closely spaced openings

of ducts called

LACTIFEROUS DUCTS

where milk emerges

 AREOLA – Circular

pigmented skin,

sorrounding the nipple

 Consists of 12-25 lobes

separated by adipose

tissue and each lobe is

composed of smaller

compartments called
lobules which is

composed of alveolar

glands that produce mild

i. Colostrums –

secretion of gland, 1st milk

ii. True milk – secretion until about 3rd day of puerperium

FEMALE HORMONES

Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone :

Follicle Stimulating Hormone:

Luteinizing Hormone:

Estrogen:

Secondary sex characteristics

Lower blood cholesterol levels

Inhibit release of GnRH and Secretion of FSH and LH

Increase protein anabolism, Including building of stronger

bones

Progesterone

Produced by corpus luteum

Helps maintain pregnancy and prepare breast for milk

PHYSIOLOGY

1. Puberty – begins with menarche

2. Menstrual Cycle

 Controlled by estrogen and progesterone in the ovary

 Cyclic changes in the uterus

i. Menstrual phase – (day 1 to day 4/5) composed of sloughed cells, secretion and blood

ii. Proliferative phase – (day 5 – day 14) epithelial cells multiply and form glands
iii. Secretory phase – (day 15 – day 28) endometrium becomes thicker and endometrial glands

secrete. Uterus is prepared for implantation of fertilized ovum by day 21

 Estrogen stimulates the proliferation of the endometrium, stimulates GnRH, FSH and LH

 Progesterone casues hypertrophy

 FSHH initiates development of follicles

 LH stimulates ovulation and formation of the corpus luteum

 Positive feedback mechanism causes FSH and LH levels to increase the time of ovulation

3. Menopause – Cessation of the menstrual cycle

4. Female Sexual Behavior and Female Sex act

 Female sex drive is partially influenced by the testosterone ( adrenal glands) and estrogens produced
by

the ovary

 Autonomic nerves cause erectile tissues to become engorged with blod, the vestibular blands to
secrete

mucus, and the vagina to produce a lubricating fluid