FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Our Lady of Fatima University

College of Medical Laboratory Science
II. Female Reproductive System

-undergoes cyclic changes roughly every 28 days

especially the ovaries and the uterus;

-controlled by pituitary gonadotropins FSH and LH

which modulate follicle growth and development
and hormone production (estrogen and
progesterone) which controls the menstrual cycle.
A. Ovaries

Paired, almond-shaped organ

Covered by germinal epithelium (do not form
oocytes)
Innermost covering is the tunica albuginea
With a cortex which harbors the oocytes and
ovarian follicles embedded in the stroma,and a
medulla (vascular bed)
Ovarian Follicles
Consists of a single oocyte surrounded by 1 or
more layers of follicle cells (granulosa cells )

a. Primordial follicle: present before puberty,

with a primary oocyte and a layer of squamous
follicles

b. Growing follicles : with stratified cuboidal

epithelium; with steroid hormone producing
cells (theca folliculi ); with primary and
secondary follicles

Liquor folliculi : fluid-filled cavity or antrum

With theca externa and interna

c. Mature Graafian follicle : precedes ovulation;

with corona radiata which rests on a pedestal
of follicle cells (cumulus oophorus )
Atretic follicles : out of 400,000 follicles, only
about 450 mature, 99% degenerate by autolysis
(atresia)
Corpus Luteum
Temporary endocrine gland formed by remnants
of follicles after ovulation
Cells in the granulosa layer and theca interna
enlarge and secrete steroids
granulosa lutein cells : secretes
theca lutein cells : secretes estrogen
progesterone

Corpus Luteum of Menstruation : when no

fertilization occurs, degenerates after about 14
days

Corpus Luteum of Pregnancy : develops with

fertilization; enlarges and maintained for 6
months; secretes relaxin which loosens the
symphysis pubis allowing pelvis to enlarge
during parturition

Corpus Albicans : white scar that replaces a

degenerated corpus, removed by macrophages
B. Uterine Tubes (oviducts and fallopian tubes)
Paired, muscular tubes continuous with the uterus
Functions to capture and conduct ovulated ovum towards the
uterus

With 4 segments:
1. Pars interstitialis (intramural portion) : penetrates the uterine
walls, with few mucosal folds with the myometrium in
the muscularis layer.
2. Isthmus : narrowest segment
3. Ampulla : wide middle segment; most common site of
fertilization, with numerous mucosal folds
4. Infundibulum : funnel-shaped distal segment with
finger-like
extensions (fimbriae)
C. Uterus
pear-shaped, muscular organ, site of
implantation and development of embryo

With 3 regions:
endometrium : uterine mucosa, simple
columnar with simple tubular glands
stratum functionale (pars functionalis) :
temporary layer at the surface which
responds to hormones; undergoes cyclic
thickening and shedding
stratum basale (pars basalis) : thin, deep,
permanent layer

myometrium : muscularis layer, thick,

whorled (figure of 8)
serosa (in the fundus) and adventitia (
in the body)
D. Clitoris : homologous to the dorsal penis with 2
erectile cavernous bodies; with glans clitoritidis;
with prepuce lined by stratified squamous
epithelium

Vestibule : receives the opening of the vagina and

the urethra

With 2 glands:
1. Bartholin’s glands (Glandulare Vestibulares
majore) : mucus glands in the
homologous to the Cowper’s gland
vestibule;
2. Vestibular glands (Glandulare Vestibulares
minore) : analogous to the Littre’s gland
A. Labia majora :
- folds of skin with core of subcutaneous fats;
- by keratinized epithelium with hair
covered sebaceous glands and sweat glands
follicles,

B. Labia minora :
- skin folds of spongy, erectile connective
tissues,
- covered by stratified squamous epithelium
with thin keratin, with sweat and sebaceous
glands but without hair follicles .
E. Mammary Glands
Compound tubulo-alveolar gland specialized to
secrete milk
With 15separated by
– 25 lobes adipose tissues
with lactiferous ducts which empty into the
lactiferous sinus in the nipple