MALE AND FEMALE

REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY
Dr. Margaret Kilonzo
MBChB
 Learning Objectives

1. Overview of development of the male and female

reproductive systems
2. To describe male reproductive anatomy
1. Male external genitalia
2. Accessory glands
3. To describe the female reproductive anatomy
1. External genitalia
2. Internal genitalia
 Development of the Genital
System
• The early genital system in the two sexes are
similar
• Initial period of genital development is referred
to as indifferent state of sexual development
• The gonad (testes and ovaries) are derived from
three sources:
1. The mesothelium (mesodermal epithelium)
lining the posterior abdominal wall
2. Underlying mesenchyme
3. Primordial germ cells
 Indifferent Gonads
• Initial stages of gonadal development occur during the 5th
week:
• Thickened area of mesothelium develops on the medial
side of the mesonephros
• Underlying mesenchyme produces a bulge on the medial
side of the Mesonephros: gonadal ridge
MALE REPRODUCTIVE
ANATOMY
TESTES
EPIDIDYMIS
DUCTUS DEFERENS
SEMINAL VESICLES
EJACULATORY DUCTS
PROSTATE
BULBOURETHRAL GLANDS
PENIS
SCROTUM
 INTRODUCTION
• Primary gonads are the testes
• External organs: Penis, scrotum
• Internal organs:
• Testes, epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory ducts, penile urethra (a complex
set of ducts and tubules leading from the testes to the penis)
• Accessory sex organs include:
• Prostate, seminal vesicles, bulbourethral glands
External Genitalia

• Scrotum

• Penis
 Scrotum
• Consists of skin and subcutaneous tissue
• A vertical scrotal septum of subcutaneous tissue in
the center divides it into two parts, each containing
one testis.
• Smooth muscle fibers, called the dartos muscle, in
the subcutaneous tissue contract to give the
scrotum its wrinkled appearance. When these
fibers are relaxed, the scrotum is smooth
• The cremaster muscle, consists of skeletal muscle
fibers. It controls the position of the scrotum and
testes. When it is cold or a man is sexually aroused,
this muscle contracts to pull the testes closer to the
body for warmth.
 Scrotum

1. Skin
2. Dartos muscle (smooth)
3. Septum
4. Cremaster muscle
(skeletal)
 Penis I
Male copulatory organ; by conveying the urethra provides
common outlet for urine and semen
Is a cylindrical pendant organ located anterior to the
scrotum and functions to transfer sperm to the vagina
Consists of three columns of erectile tissue that are
wrapped in connective tissue and covered with skin
 The two dorsal columns are the corpora cavernosa
 The single, midline ventral column surrounds the
urethra and is called the corpus spongiosum
 Penis II
• Has three parts: root, body (shaft), and glans penis
• The root of the penis attaches it to the pubic arch
• The body is the visible, pendant portion
• The corpus spongiosum expands at the distal end
to form the glans penis.
• The urethra, which extends throughout the length
of the corpus spongiosum, opens through the
external urethral orifice at the tip of the glans
penis.
• A loose fold of skin, called the prepuce, or
foreskin, covers the glans penis
 Penis III
• Arterial supply: branches of internal pudendal artery; Erectile
tissue supplied by helicine arteries
• Venous and lymphatic supply:
– Blood from the carvenous spaces is drained by venous
plexus that join the deep dorsal vein of the penis
– Blood from superficial coverings of the penis drain into the
superficial dorsal vein
• Nervous supply
– Derived from S2-S4 spinal cord segment and ganglia
– Sensory and sympathetic: Dorsal nerve of penis and
terminal branch of pudendal nerve
– Parasympathetic (innervate the helicine arteries of erectile
tissue): Cavernous nerves
– Illioinguinal nerve supplies skin at the root of the penis
 Testes
• There are two testes located in the scrotum
• Sperms cannot develop at normal body temperature
therefore they hang in the scrotum where the
temperature is 2 degrees less than that of the body.
• Each testis:
• Is an oval structure about 5 cm x 3 cm
• Is covered by tunica albuginea
• Septa with about 250 lobules each
• Each lobule contains 1 to 4 seminiferous tubules
that converge to form a single straight tubule, which
leads into the rete testis then into the epididymis
• Interstitial cells (cells of Leydig), which produce
male sex hormones, are located between the
seminiferous tubules within a lobule.
• Short efferent ducts exit the testes to enter the epididymis
 Duct System
• Sperm cells pass through a series of ducts to
reach the outside of the body. After they
leave the testes, the sperm passes through
the:
1. Epididymis
2. Ductus deferens
3. Ejaculatory duct
4. Urethra
 EPIDIDYMIS
• Seminiferous tubules merge into a larger set of tubules
called rete testis that ultimately drains into larger tubules
called efferent ducts, which in turn drain into the
epididymis.
• The epididymis has three parts: head, body and tail
• Tail of epididymis dilates into ductus deferens (A long
tube (about 6 meters) located along the superior and
posterior margins of the testes.)
• Sperms that leave the testes are immature and incapable of
fertilizing ova. They complete their maturation process and
become fertile as they move through the epididymis.
Mature sperm are stored in the lower portion, or tail, of the
epididymis
• It takes 20 days for sperms to pass through the
epididymis during which the sperm gains its motility.
 Spermatic cord
• Contains the:
• Proximal ductus deferens
• Testicular artery and veins (pampiniform plexus)
• Lymph vessels
• Testicular nerve
• Cremaster muscle
• Connective tissue covering
 Ductus Deferens (vas deferens)
A fibromuscular tube that is continuous with the epididymis. It begins at the
bottom (tail) of the epididymis then turns sharply upward along the posterior
margin of the testes; It enters the abdominopelvic cavity through the inguinal
canal and passes along the lateral pelvic wall. It crosses over the ureter and
posterior portion of the urinary bladder, and then descends along the posterior
wall of the bladder toward the prostate gland.
As each duct passes behind (dorsal to) bladder, it has appended to it a gland
called the seminal vesicle
Just before it reaches the prostate gland, each ductus deferens enlarges to form an
ampulla. The ampulla is the position of sperm storage prior to ejaculation
Sperm are stored in the proximal portion of the ductus deferens, near the
epididymis; peristaltic movements propel the sperm through the tube
 Ejaculatory Duct
• Each ductus deferens, at the ampulla, joins the duct from the adjacent seminal
vesicle (one of the accessory glands) to form a short ejaculatory duct
• Each ejaculatory duct passes through the prostate gland and empties into the
urethra
 Urethra
• It is a passageway for sperm and fluids from the
reproductive system and urine from the urinary system.
While reproductive fluids are passing through the
urethra, sphincters contract tightly to keep urine from
entering the urethra.
• Transports semen from the ejaculatory duct to the outside
of the body
• Subdivided into:
1. Prostatic urethra that extends through the prostate
gland
2. Membranous urethra that travels through the
urogenital diaphragm
3. Penile urethra that ends through the penis
 Accessory glands
• The vagina has a highly acidic environment to prevent
bacterial growth
• Sperm cannot survive in this type of environment, so an
alkaline secretion called seminal fluid is needed to lessen
the acidity of the vagina and bring pH values closer to
neutral
• As the sperm travel through the reproductive tract (a
process that can take several days), they are nourished by
nutrients within the seminal fluid
• The components of seminal fluid are produced by accessory
glands:
1. Seminal vesicle
2. Prostate gland
3. Bulbourethral glands
 Seminal Fluid or Semen
• A slightly alkaline mixture of sperm cells and secretions
from the accessory glands.
• Secretions from the seminal vesicles make up about 60
percent of the volume of the semen, with most of the
remainder coming from the prostate gland. The sperm and
secretions from the bulbourethral gland contribute only a
small volume.
• The volume of semen in a single ejaculation may vary from
1.5 to 6.0 ml. There are between 50 to 150 million sperm
per mL of semen.
• Sperm counts < 10 to 20 million per mL usually present
fertility problems. Although only one sperm actually
penetrates and fertilizes the ovum, it takes several million
sperm in an ejaculation to ensure that fertilization will take
 Seminal Vesicles
• The paired seminal vesicles are saccular glands located on the posterior
surface of the urinary bladder adjacent to the ampulla of the ductus
deferens.
• Each seminal vesicle is an elongated, pouch-like hollow organ approx. 5–8 cm
long.
• It is the proximal portion of each seminal vesicle that merges with a
ductus deferens to form the ejaculatory duct which then empties into the
urethra.
• The seminal vesicles secrete a viscous, whitish-yellow alkaline fluid containing
both fructose and prostaglandins
• Fructose is a sugar that nourishes the sperm as they travel
through the female reproductive tract
• Prostaglandins; contribute to the mobility and viability of the
sperm and also promote the widening and slight dilation of the
external os of the cervix
• Proteins in the fluid also cause slight coagulation reactions in the semen after
ejaculation.
 Prostate
• This is a compact encapsulated organ that weighs about 20 grams and is shaped
like a walnut (shape of human brain); it measures approximately 2 cm by 3 cm
by 4 cm.
• It is a firm, dense structure that is located just inferior to the urinary bladder. It
encircles the urethra as it leaves the urinary bladder.
• Numerous short ducts from the substance of the prostate gland empty into the
prostatic urethra
• ***The secretions of the prostate are thin, milky colored, and alkaline. They
function to enhance the motility of the sperm.
• Secretes a slightly milky fluid that is weakly acidic and rich in citric acid,
seminal plasmin, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA):
– Citric acid is a nutrient for sperm health
– Seminal plasmin is an antibiotic that combats urinary tract
infections
– PSA acts as an enzyme to help liquefy semen following
 Bulbourethral Glands (Cowper's)
• Paired, pea-shaped bulbourethral glands (or Cowper’s glands) are
located within the urogenital diaphragm on each side of the
membranous urethra.
• Each gland has a short duct that projects into the base of the
penis and enters the spongy urethra
• In response to sexual stimulation, the bulbourethral glands
secrete an alkaline, clear, viscous mucin that forms mucus
when mixed with water
• As a component of the seminal fluid, this mucin:
• Protects the urethra by neutralizing the acidity of the urine residue in
the urethra
• Helps to neutralize the acidity of the vagina
• Provides some lubrication for the tip of the penis during intercourse.
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY
 INTRODUCTION
• The anatomy of the female reproductive tract is
broadly divided into:
• External genitalia: mons pubis, labia majora,
labia minora, clitoris, vestibule of the vagina,
bulb of the vestibule & the greater vestibular
glands (collectively, they form the vulva)
• Internal genitalia: vagina, cervix, uterus,
uterine tubes, ovaries (sex gonads)
 VULVA
• The vulva is bordered laterally by the genito – crural folds,
anteriorly by the mons pubis & posteriorly by the perineal body.
• The perineal body is a fibromuscular mass located at the centre
of the perineum between the anus and the vagina.
• It serves as an attachment site for the superficial and deep
perineal muscles, the bulbospongiosus, levator ani & external
anal sphincter muscles.
• The vulva includes the outwardly visible structures, namely, the
mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urethral opening
& vaginal opening.
 CONT.
• Vestibule of the vagina
contains:
• External urethral orifice
• Vestibule glands
• Para- urethral glands
(Skene’s glands)
• Bartholin’s glands
• Vaginal opening
• Hymen
 Mons Pubis

• This is a triangular mound of fatty tissue that

covers the pubic bone. It protects the pubic
symphysis
• During adolescence sex hormones trigger the
growth of pubic hair on the mons pubis. The
normal pubic hair in the female is distributed in
an inverted triangle
• Hair varies in coarseness, curliness, amount,
color and thickness
 LABIA MAJORA
• They are referred to as the outer lips & are composed of 2 rounded mounds of
tissue originating in the mons pubis and terminating in the perineum.
• They are essentially fatty cutaneous folds forming the boundary of the pudendal
cleft. They protect the introitus and urethral openings.
• They are covered with squamous epithelium and contain sweat glands, sebaceous
glands & hair follicles. The inner surface are hairless.
• Beneath the skin is dense connective tissue and adipose tissue with a rich venous
plexus.
• The round ligament terminates at the anterior third of the labia majora.
• With age & after child birth, they become flaccid.
 LABIA MINORA
Referred to as the “inner lips”; The labia minora are 2, hairless folds of
skin medial to the labia majora.
Made up of erectile muscle fibers, connective tissue, sebaceous glands
, numerous vessels and nerve endings

REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
UNIT 3: FEMALE
Each splits anteriorly to run over, and under, the glans of the clitoris.
The more anterior folds unite to form the hood-shaped prepuce of the
clitoris, whereas the posterior folds insert into the underside of the
glans as the frenulum.
They are more sensitive and responsive to touch than the labia
majora 54
 CLITORIS
• The clitoris is the principal female erogenous organ. It is an erectile organ
composed of nerves, blood vessels & erectile tissue. It lies at the front ends
of the labia minora.
• It is located under the prepuce & is comprised of a glans, shaft & 2 crura.
• During sexual stimulation, it becomes engorged with blood & is key to
sexual pleasure for most women. The glans is highly sensitive to sexual
stimulation.
• Although homologous with the penis, it is not associated with the urethra,
so it is formed by two
• miniature corpora cavernosa without any corpus spongiosum.
• The urethral opening is located directly below the clitoris.
 Vaginal opening (Introitus)
• Opening may be covered by a thin sheath called the hymen
• Using the presence of an intact hymen for determining
virginity is erroneous
• Some women are born without hymens
• The hymen can be perforated by many different events
 Vestibule
• Triangular space bound by
• Anteriorly: clitoris
• Posteriorly: fourchette
• Laterally: labia minora
• There are six openings in the vestibule
• Urethral opening
• Vaginal orifice and hymen
• Openings of Bartholin's glands(2)
• Openings of para – urethral/ Skene glands(2)
Vestibule
 THE BULBS OF THE VESTIBULE
• They are homologues of the single penile bulb & corpus spongiosum.
They are 2 elongated erectile masses flanking the vaginal orifice &
united in front of it by a narrow commissure.
• Their posterior ends are expanded & are in contact with the greater
vestibular glands.
• The anterior ends are tapered & joined to one another by a
commissure & to the clitoris by 2 slender bands of erectile tissue.
• Superficially, each is covered by the bulbospongiosus posteriorly.
• Their deep surfaces are in contact with the inferior aspect of the
urogenital diaphragm.
 GREATER VESTIBULAR GLANDS (GLANDS OF
BARTHOLIN)
• They are homologues of the male bulbourethral glands. They consist
of 2, small/ pea – sized (0.5cm each), round or oval, reddish – yellow
bodies flanking the vaginal orifices.
• Each has a narrow duct 2.5cm long opening into the vestibule in the
groove between the hymen & the labia minora.
• The glands are composed of tubule – acinar tissue whereas the ducts
are lined by columnar epithelium but near their opening, they are
lined by stratified squamous epithelium.
• During sexual excitement, they secrete abundant alkaline mucus
which helps with lubrication.
 VASCULAR SUPPLY & LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
• Arterial blood supply: Superficial & deep external pudendal branches of the
femoral & internal pudendal artery.
• Venous drainage:
• Vulval skin: External pudendal veins to the long saphenous vein.
• Clitoris: Deep dorsal veins into the internal pudendal vein; Superficial dorsal
veins to the external pudendal & long saphenous veins
• Lymphatic drainage:
• Vulva: Superficial inguinal node  deep femoral nodes  pelvic nodes
• Lymph vessels in the perineum & lower part of the labia majora  rectal
lymphatic plexus
• Clitoris & labia minora: deep inguinal nodes; direct clitoral efferents may pass
to the internal iliac nodes.
 The Superficial Inguinal Nodes
•These nodes are located within a
triangle formed by the:
•Inguinal ligament
•Medial border of the Sartorius muscle
•The lateral border of the Adductor
longus muscle
 Cont.
• Vulvar lymphatics decussate in the mons pubis and the
posterior fourchette.
• Lymphatics do not cross the labiocrural folds & generally do
not cross the midline unless originating at the clitoris or at
the perineal body.
• As a result, metastasis of vulval tumors to contralateral
nodes is rare in the absence of ipsilateral groin
metastasis. Ipsilateral tumors can be defined as lesions that
are further than 1 cm from the midline.
 INNERVATION
• The sensory innervation of the anterior & posterior parts of the labia
majora differ, as they do in the scrotum.
• Anterior : ilioinguinal nerve (L1)
• Posterior : Labial branches of the perineal nerve (S3).
• The pudendal nerve has 3 major terminal branches: the inferior
rectal & perineal nerves as well as the dorsal nerve of the clitoris
which are accompanied by branches of the internal pudendal artery.
• Lateral aspect of the labium majora also receives innervation from the
perineal branch of the posterior cutaneous nerve of the thigh (S2).
 INTERNAL GENITALIA
• The internal genitalia consists of the:
• Vagina
• Cervix
• Uterus
• Fallopian Tubes
• Ovaries

66
Female reproductive system
 VAGINA
• The vagina forms the inferior – most region of
the female reproductive tract that connects the
uterus with the outside of the body anteriorly.
• Functions:
• Birth canal
• Copulatory organ of the female
• Serves as the passageway for menstruation, &
uterine secretions
 Structure
• The vagina is a thick – walled, fibromuscular
tube; with anterior, posterior & 2 lateral walls.
• The cervix projects into the anterior vaginal
wall, making it shorter than the posterior wall
by about 3 cm.
• The posterior vaginal wall is about 7 to 9 cm in
length in the adult female, although there is
great variability in this dimension.
 Cont.
• The spaces between the cervix & the vagina are known as the
anterior, posterior & lateral vaginal fornices.
• The vagina’s relatively thin, distensible wall consists of 4
layers:
• Inner mucosa
• Sub mucosa
• Muscularis
• Outer adventitia
• The mucosa is of the non – keratinized stratified squamous
type and lies on a loose areolar vascular submucosa.
 The vagina's relations to other parts of the body can be
understood by dividing it into thirds.
• Lower third:
• Anteriorly: fused with the urethra
• Posteriorly: fused with the perineal body/ central tendon of the perineal body.
• Laterally: Fused to each levator ani
• Middle third
• Anteriorly: Vesical neck & trigone
• Posteriorly: Rectum posteriorly
• Laterally: Levator ani
• Upper third
• Anteriorly: adjacent to bladder & ureters
• Posteriorly: cul – de – sac of Douglas
• Lateral: cardinal ligaments
Vascular & lymphatic drainage & innervation
• Blood supply:
• Vaginal artery & branches from the uterine, middle rectal, and
internal pudendal arteries.
• Generally to the:
• Upper third of the vagina External iliac nodes
• Middle third  Common & internal iliac nodes
• Lower third  Superficial inguinal and peri – rectal nodes
• Innervation:
• Upper vagina : uterovaginal plexus
• Distal vagina: pudendal nerve
 Uterus
• The uterus is a fibromuscular organ usually divided into:
• a lower cervix
• an upper corpus or uterine body
 Cervix

• The portion of cervix exposed to the vagina is the exo- cervix or

portio vaginalis.
• It has a convex round surface with a circular or slit- like opening
(the external os) into the endo- cervical canal
• The endo- cervical canal is about 2 to 3 cm in length and opens
proximally into the endometrial cavity at the internal os
• The cervical mucosa contains:
• Stratified squamous epithelium characteristic of the
exocervix,
• Mucus- secreting columnar epithelium, characteristic of the
endocervix
 Cervix

• Intersection between the two epithelia is the squamo- columnar

junction
• Is geographically variable and dependent on hormonal
stimulation
• It is this dynamic interface, the transformation zone, that is
most vulnerable to the development of squamous neoplasia
• In early childhood, during pregnancy, or with oral contraceptive
use:
• Columnar epithelium may extend from the endo- cervical canal
onto the exo- cervix, a condition known as eversion or ectopy
• After menopause, the transformation zone:
• usually recedes entirely into the endo - cervical canal
 CORPUS (BODY OF THE UTERUS)
• The uterus is pear shaped
• Varies in size and shape, depending on:-
• Hormonal levels
• Previous parturition
• Presence of pathology (e.g. fibroids, adenomyosis)
• In the adult the uterus is about 8cm long, 5cm wide, walls 1.25cm thick, and
weighs 50 - 80 grams
• At birth, the cervix and corpus are about equal in size (ratio 1:1), in adult women,
the corpus has grown to 2 to 3 times the size of the cervix, post menopausal
women the corpus: cervix ratio is 1:1
 Parts of the uterus
• The uterine corpus is divided into 3 parts:
• Isthmus
• Cornu
• Fundus
• The uterus is made up of three layers the:
• Endometrium
• Myometrium
• Perimetrium (serosa)
 Supports of the uterus
• Transverse cervical ligaments (cardinal ligaments)
• Uterosacral ligaments
• Pubocervical ligaments
• The round ligaments
• Pelvic diaphragm (Levator ani)
• Urogenital diaphragm  made of a pair of:
• Deep transversus perinei
• The sphincter urethrae muscles
• Perineal body
 Ligaments
• Although the cervix of the uterus is fixed, the body is free to rise and fall with the
filling and emptying of the bladder. The so called ligaments supporting the uterus
consist of the uterosacral ligaments, the transverse ligaments of the
cervix(cardinal ligaments), the round ligaments, and the broad ligaments.
• The round ligaments of the uterus may assist in maintaining the body of the
uterus in its typical position over the bladder. they consist of fibrous cords
containing smooth muscle from the outer layer of the corately below that the
ovarian ligament, each round ligament extends downward, laterally,and forward
between the 2 layer of the mesometrium, toward the abdominal inguinal ring.
 Ligaments

• 4 pairs of ligaments
• Round ligament
• Uterosacral ligament Broad lig.
• Cardinal ligament Round lig.
• Broad ligament
Cardinal lig.
1. Round ligament  attaches
anterior-inferiorly to utero-
tubal junctions, pass in the
broad ligaments, end in labia
majora. They help to keep Ligments of uterus
uterus in the position of
anteversion.
2. Broad ligament – arise from the
side of the uterus to the lateral
pelvic wall, provide minimal
support.
Between two leaves of Broad lig.
ligaments there lies
Round lig.
• round ligaments
• fallopian tubes Cardinal lig.
• ovarian ligament
• Mesosalpinx
• infundibulum ligament
• ovarian vessels and nerves in Ligments of uterus
the infundibulopelvic lig.
• The broad ligment, consisting of a transverse fold of peritoneum that arises from
the floor of the pelvis between the rectum and the bladder; provides minimal
support.
• The cervix is embedded in tissue called the para- metrium. There are 2 pairs of
structures continuous with the para metrium and with the wall of the cervix; the
uterosacral ligaments and the cardinal ligament of the neck, the latter is the chief
means of support and suspends the uterus from the lateral walls of the pelvis
minor.
 CARDINAL LIGAMENTS
• Extend from cervix and lateral parts of vaginal fornix to lateral walls of pelvis.
• Chief means of support and suspends the uterus from the lateral walls of the
pelvis minor
• 4.Uterosacral ligaments –
arise from the sacral fascia,
and insert into the
posteroinferior portion of
the uterus at about the level
of the isthmus. They provide
important support for the
uterus.
• The uterosacral ligaments
are the inferior posterior
folds of peritoneum from the
broad ligament
• In addition to the static
support of these ligament,
the pelvic diaphragm
 Isthmus
• Limited above by the anatomical internal os and below by the histological os
• Forms the lower uterine segment in pregnancy

• Normal position of the uterus is ante- flexed and ante- verted

This slide shows the changes of isthmus during pregnancy and labor. The isthmus can
extend from 1cm to 10cm.in the prepubertal period, it is considerably smaller. In women
who have borne children, it is larger. Its shape, size, and characteristics in the pregnant
state become considerably modified depending on the stage of gestation.
 Position and Axis Direction:
The position and axis direction of the uterus varies greatly. Normally , the uterus forms a
angle with the vagina, there is a bend in the area of isthmus.

anteversion: retroversion
tipped forward tipped backwards

retroflexion: the fundus is pointing

anteflexion: the fundus is pointing
backwards. Anterior of uterus is
forwards. The isthmus is bend.
convex.
 Blood supply of the uterus

• Uterine artery - arises from the anterior division of the internal iliac
arteries
• The ovarian arteries - arises from the abdominal aorta
• The chief blood supply to the vagina is
through the vaginal branch of the uterine
artery. After forming the coronary or
circular artery of the cervix, it passes
medially, behind the ureter, to send 5
main branches onto the anterior wall to
the midline.
• The blood supply to the uterus is from
the uterine and ovarian arteries. As a
terminal branch of the hypogastric
artery, the uterine artery runs downward
and medially to cross the ureter near the
cervix. It then ascends along the lateral
border of the uterus to join with the
ovarian artery in the mesometrium.
• The blood supply to the tubes is derived
from the ovarian and uterine arteries.
• The ovarian artery is the chief source of
blood for the ovary. Though both
arteries may originate as branches of
the abdominal aorta, the left frequently
originates from the left renal artery; the
right, less frequently.
 Blood supply of the uterus

• The uterine artery travels through the cardinal ligament and passes over the
ureter ( NB the ureter is located approximately 1.5 cm lateral to the cervix.)
• It then joins the uterus near the level of the internal cervical os and gives off
branches that run superiorly towards the uterine corpus and inferiorly towards
the cervix .
• The uterine corpus branches anastomose with vessels that derive from the
ovarian arteries, thus providing collateral blood flow.
 Lymphatic drainage of the uterus

• Fundus and upper part of body- aortic nodes, superficial inguinal nodes along the
round ligament
• Lower part of the body - external iliac nodes
• Cervix - external iliac nodes, internal iliac nodes, sacral nodes
 Nerve supply of the uterus

• Sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves through the inferior hypogastric and

ovarian plexuses
• Sympathetic from T12, L1 segment of spinal cord
• Parasympathetic nerves- S2, S3, S4
 Uterus- Functions
• Site for implantation
• Supports, protects, and nourishes the developing embryo/fetus
• Forms a vascular connection with the mother’s uterine wall that
later develops into the placenta
• Ejects the fetus at birth after maternal oxytocin levels increase to
initiate the uterine contractions of labor
• Site for menstruation if an oocyte is not fertilized or after a baby
is expelled, the muscular wall of the uterus contracts and sheds its
inner lining as menstruation
 Adnexa
• The fallopian tubes and ovaries collectively are referred to as the adnexa
 Oviducts (Fallopian Tubes)

• Paired hollow structures representing the proximal

unfused ends of the mü llerian duct
• Length: 7 to 12 cm
• Function: ovum pickup, provision of physical environment
for conception, and transport and nourishment of the
fertilized ovum
• The tubal mucosa is ciliated columnar epithelium
• Made up of an inner circular and outer longitudinal
smooth muscle layer
• Blood supply: uterine and ovarian arteries
• Innervation: utero- vaginal plexus and the ovarian plexus
 Oviducts (Fallopian Tubes)
• Divided into 4 parts:
• Interstitial: narrowest portion of the tube, lies within the uterine wall and
forms the tubal ostia at the endometrial cavity
• Isthmus: narrow segment closest to the uterine wall
• Ampulla: larger diameter segment lateral to the isthmus
• Fimbria (infundibulum): funnel-shaped abdominal ostia of the tubes,
opening into the peritoneal cavity; this opening is fringed with numerous
fingerlike projections that provide a wide surface for ovum pickup
 Ovaries
• Are paired gonadal structures suspended between the
pelvic wall and the uterus by the infundibulopelvic
ligament laterally and the uteroovarian ligament medially
• Inferiorly, the hilar surface of each ovary is attached to the
broad ligament
• The normal ovary is about 5 × 3 × 3 cm
• Each ovary consists of an outer cortex, the central medulla
and the rete ovarii (the hilum)
• The hilum is the point of attachment of the vary to the
mesovarium, it contains nerves, blood vessels and hilus
cells.
• The hilus cells are very similar to the testosterone
producing Lydig cells of the testes
 Ovarian cortex

• The outermost portion of the cortex is called the tunica

albuginea, topped on its surface by a single layer of
cuboidal epithelium, referred to as the ovarian surface
epithelium or ovarian mesothelium.
• The cortex is composed of a specialized stroma and
follicles in various stages of development or attrition
• The oocytes, enclosed in complexes called follicles, are in
the inner part of the cortex, embedded in stromal tissue.
• Blood supply: ovarian artery, anastomoses with the uterine
artery
• Innervation: ovarian plexus and the utero- vaginal plexus
• The stromal tissue is composed of connective tissue and interstitial cells which
are derived from mesenchymal cells.
• The medulla occupies a small portion is composed primarily of fibromuscular
tissue and blood vessels
 Ovaries
• The female gonads or sex glands
• The physiologic role of the ovary is periodic release of
gametes(eggs, oocytes) and the production of the steroid
hormones estradiol and progesterone
• Both activities are integrated in the continuous repetitive
process of follicle maturation, ovulation, and corpus
luteum formation and regression
• A woman is born with approximately 400,000 immature eggs called follicles
• During a lifetime a woman release @ 400 to 500 fully matured eggs for
fertilization
• The follicles in the ovaries produce the female sex hormones, progesterone and
estrogen
• These hormones prepare the uterus for implantation of the fertilized egg
 Structure of Ovary
Covered with germinal epithelium
Tunica Albuginea
Cortex (outer layer)
Medulla (inner core)
 GERMINAL EPITHELIUM

•Surface epithelium
having a single layer
of cuboidal cells
GERMINAL EPITHELIUM
 TUNICA ALBUGENIA

• Dense connective
tissue present
between epithelium
and cortex
 • Outer zone
Contains follicles and
smooth muscle fibres
Only primordial and
primary follicles
before puberty

CORTEX
 • Composed of
reticular fibres and
spindle shaped cells
Stroma contributes to
growth of theca
folliculi
Little elastic tissue

OVARIAN STROMA
 • Inner zone
•Contains loose ,
connective tissue,
blood
vessels ,lymphatics
and nerves

MEDULLA
Reproductive System Homologues
Female Organ Male Organ Common Function
Homologue
Ovary Testis Produce gametes and sex
hormones
Clitoris Glans Penis Contain autonomic nervous
system axons that
stimulate arousaland sexual
climax

Labia Majora Scrotum Protect and cover some

reproductive organs

Vestibular Bulbourethral gland Secrete mucus for

glands lubrication
 Perineum
• Diamond-shaped area between the thighs that is circumscribed anteriorly by the
pubic symphysis, laterally by the ischial tuberosities, and posteriorly by the
coccyx
• 2 distinct triangle bases are formed by an imaginary horizontal line extending
between the ischial tuberosities of the coccyx
• Anterior triangle, called the urogenital triangle, contains:
• urethral and vaginal orifices in females
• base of the penis and the scrotum in males
• Posterior triangle, called the anal triangle, is the location of the anus in both
sexes
 Mammary glands
• Are present in both males and females but normally
function only in women
• They are important to mammalian reproduction,
although not actually a part of the reproductive system
• Consist of small sacs of epithelial tissue that secrete milk
• Milk drains into a series of ducts opening at the nipple
• In nonlactating female mammal, the mammary glands
are composed primarily of fatty (adipose) tissue
• In males, the low level of estrogen prevents the
development of both the secretory apparatus and the fat
deposits, so male breasts remain small, and nipples are
not connected to ducts