THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE

SYSTEM
L.MAKHAKHE
 Objectives
• To know the anatomy, structure and functions
of:
• The uterine tubes
• The ovaries
• Know what is puberty
• The reproductive cycle
• Know what is menopause
• The female breasts
 Uterine/Fallopian tubes
Anatomy
• The fallopian tubes are muscular tubes that sit
in the lower abdomen/pelvis, alongside the
other reproductive organs
• There are two tubes, one on each side, that
extend from near the top of the uterus, run
laterally and then curve over and around the
ovaries.
• Their shape is similar to an extended J.
 Cont…
• The end of each tube has fingerlike
projections called fimbriae. The longest of
these is the ovarian fimbria, which is in close
association with the ovary.
 Parts of the uterine tubes
• Infundibulum: The funnel-like portion of your
fallopian tube that’s closest to your ovaries. It
includes finger-like structures called fimbriae
that reach out toward the ovary. A single
fimbriae called the fimbria ovarica is long
enough to reach your ovary. The fimbriae
catch an egg once it’s released from your
ovary and sweep it gently into your fallopian
tube.
 Cont…
• Ampulla: The major channel in your fallopian tube,
located in-between the infundibulum and the isthmus.
Fertilization most often takes place in the ampulla.
• Isthmus: A tiny channel that connects the ampulla to
the portion of your fallopian tube that’s closest to your
uterus, the intramural portion.
• Intramural (interstitial) portion: The part of your
fallopian tube that extends into the top of your uterus.
It opens into your uterine cavity, where an embryo can
implant into your uterine wall and develop into a fetus.
Figure of a uterine tubes
 Structure
• Ross and Wilson (2014: 454) state that uterine
tubes are covered with peritoneum (broad
ligament), have a middle layer of smooth
muscle and are lined with ciliated epithelium.
Blood and nerve supply and lymphatic
drainage are as for the uterus as a whole
 Functions
• A holding place for your egg: Each month, one of
your ovaries releases a mature egg as part of your
menstrual cycle. Finger-like structures at the end of
your fallopian tube, called fimbriae, sweep the egg
into the tube, where the egg waits to be fertilized.
• The site where fertilization happens: If your partner
ejaculates during intercourse, their sperm travels
through your vagina, cervix, uterus and eventually
into your fallopian tubes. Fertilization happens in
your fallopian tubes when an egg and sperm meet.
 Cont…
• An active passageway that moves a fertilized
egg to your uterus: A fertilized egg (embryo)
travels through your fallopian tubes until it
reaches your uterus, where it can grow into a
fetus. Your fallopian tube consists of powerful
muscles that move the embryo along.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23
184-fallopian-tubes
 Ovaries
Anatomy
• Ovaries are on the right and left sides of the uterus
in the lower abdomen. They are held in place by
several muscles and ligaments in the pelvis. The
ovarian ligament connects ovaries to the uterus;
however, a human’s uterus and ovaries don't
touch.
• Ovaries are oval-shaped and firm with a slight
texture. They range in color from light gray to
white.
 Cont…
• The size of ovaries is related to age. They can
be as large as a kiwi (around 6 centimeters)
before menopause. Ovaries get smaller as one
ages and can be as small as 2 centimeters (or
the size of a kidney bean) after menopause.
The average size of an ovary is around 4
centimeters. Studies show that the size of
your ovaries declines every decade of life once
a person turns 30.
 Structure
Main layers of Ovaries
• Surface – formed by simple cuboidal epithelium
(known as germinal epithelium). Underlying this layer
is a dense connective tissue capsule.
• Cortex – comprised of a connective tissue stroma and
numerous ovarian follicles. Each follicle contains an
oocyte, surrounded by a single layer of follicular cells.
• Medulla – formed by loose connective tissue and a
rich neurovascular network, which enters via the
hilum of the ovary.
 Functions
• Production and Storage: it is an organ in which
the female gametes are stored and develop
prior ovulation
• Endocrine function: it releases hormones
essential to the physiological changes during
the reproductive cycle e.g. estrogen,
progesterone and inhibin.
 Puberty in females
• What is puberty?
• What are the physical and psychological
changes in puberty?
• What is menarche?
 Menstruation/Reproductive cycle
• It is a series of events occurring regularly in
females every 26 to 30 days through the
childbearing period between menarche and
menopause
• The cycle consists of a series of changes taking
place concurrently in the ovaries and uterine
lining, stimulated by changes in blood
concentrations of hormones.
 Hormones involved
• Each month, between days six and 14 of your
menstrual cycle follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH) causes follicles in one of your ovaries to
mature.
• At about day 14 in the menstrual cycle, a
sudden surge in luteinizing hormone (LH)
causes the ovary to release an egg (ovulation)
 Phases of mensturation
Menstrual phase (the period)
• When: During the period – from the time vaginal bleeding starts
to the time it ends.

• What: Blood from the previous cycle from inside the uterus is
shed through the cervix and vagina. The uterine lining, called the
endometrium, is thinnest during this phase. A typical period may
last up to 8 days, but on average lasts about five or six.

• Hormones: Levels of estrogen and progesterone are typically at

their lowest. This causes the top layers of the lining to release and
leave the body.
Cont…
 Cont…
Proliferative phase
• When: From the end of the period until ovulation.
• What: Proliferative means growing quickly. The
uterus builds up a thick inner lining while the
ovaries prepare eggs for release (oocytes) (8). The
uterus thickens so a potential fertilized egg can
implant and grow.
• Hormones: Estrogen typically rises during this
phase. This signals the uterine lining to grow.
 Cont…
Secretory Phase
• When: From ovulation until the start of the
next period.
• What: The endometrium (uterine lining) gets
ready to support a pregnancy or to break
down for menstruation. The cells of the lining
make and release many types of chemicals.
 Cont…
• Hormones: Progesterone rises. This causes the
uterine lining to stop thickening and prepare
for a fertilized egg. Prostaglandins, “PGF2α”
and “PGE2”, cause the uterine muscle to cramp.
These hormones rise after ovulation and are
highest during a period. Cramping helps start
the period. Blood vessels shrink and the uterine
lining breaks down. The uterine cells produce
less of these chemicals if pregnancy happens.
 Menopause
• Menopause usually occurs between the ages
of 45 and 55 years, marking the end of the
childbearing period.
• It may occur suddenly or over a period of
years, sometimes as long as 10 years and it is
cause by progressive reduction in oestrogen
levels, as the number of functional follicles in
the ovaries declines with age
Symptoms
 Cont…
• anxiety.
• changes in mood - such as low mood or
irritability.
• changes in skin conditions, including dryness or
increase in oiliness and onset of adult acne.
• difficulty sleeping – this may make you feel tired
and irritable during the day.
• discomfort during sex.
• feelings of loss of self.
 Breasts
• The breasts or mammary glands are accessory
glands of the female reproductive system
• They exist also in males but are useless for
them
Structure of the breasts
Cont…
 Functions
• Namely, the primary biological function of the
breast is to produce milk to feed infants.
• The breast can also be a symbol of femininity
and play a role in sexual attraction and
pleasure.
THANK YOU