ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

OF THE
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Internal Structure
Vagina
The vagina is a hollow musculomembranous canal located posterior to the bladder
and anterior to the rectum. It extends from the cervix of the uterus to the external vulva. Its
function is to act as an organ of intercourse and to convey sperm to the cervix so that
sperm can meet to the ovum in the fallopian tube. With childbirth it expands to serve the
birth canal. When a woman is lying on her back the course of the vagina is inward and
downward. Because of this downward slant and the angle of the uterine cervix, the length
of the anterior wall of the vagina is approximately 6-7 cm; the posterior wall is 8-9 cm. At
the cervical end of the structure, there are recesses on all the sides of the cervix, termed
fornices. Behind the cervix is the posterior fornix; at the front, the anterior fornix; and at the
sides, the lateral fornices. The posterior fornix serves as a place for the pulling of semen
after coitus; this allows a large number of sperm to remain close to the cervix and
encourages sperm migration into the cervix.

Ovaries
The ovaries are grayish-white and appear pitted or with minute indentations on the
surface. An unruptured, glistening, clear, fluid-filled graafian follicle (an ovum about to be
discharged) or miniatured yellow corpus luteum often can be observed on the surface of
the ovary. Ovaries are located close to and on both sides of the uterus and the lower
abdomen. The function of the two ovaries is to produce, mature and discharged ova.
Ovarian function is necessary for maturation and maintenance of secondary sex
characteristics in females. The ovaries are held suspended and in close contact with the
ends of the fallopian tubes by three strong supporting ligaments attached to the uterus or
the pelvic wall.

Fallopian Tube
These are narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of the uterus and serve
as tunnels for the ova (egg cells) to travel from the ovaries to the uterus. Conception, the
fertilization of an egg by a sperm, normally occurs in the fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg
then moves to the uterus, where it implants to the uterine wall.

Uterus
The uterus is a hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ located in the lower pelvis,
posterior to the bladder and anterior to the rectum. The function of the uterus is to receive
the ovum from the fallopian tube; provide a place for implantation and nourishment during
fetal growth; furnish protection to a growing fetus; and, at mmaturity of the fetus, expel it
from the womans body.
Anatomically, the uterus consists of three divisions; the body or corpus, the isthmus
and the cervix. The body of the uterus is the uppermost part and forms the bulk of the
organ. The lining of the cavity is continuous with that of the fallopian tubes, which enter at
its upper aspects. The portion of the uterus between the points of attachment of the
fallopian tubes is termed the fundus. During pregnancy, the body of the uterus is the
portion of the structure that expands to contain the growing fetus. The fundus is the portion
that can be palpated abdominally to determine the amount of uterine growth occurring
during pregnancy, to measure the force of uterine contractions during labor, and to assess
that the uterus is returning to its non-pregnant state after childbirth. The isthmus is a short
segment between the body and cervix. During pregnancy this portion also enlarges greatly
to aid in accomodating the growing fetus. The cervix, is the lowest portion of the uterus. It
represents approximately one-third of the total uterus size and is approximately 2-5 cm
long. Approximately, half of it lies above the vagina and half extends to the vagina. A
central cavity is turned the cervical canal. The opening of the canal at the junction of the
cervix and the isthmus is the internal cervical os; the distal opening to the vagina is the
external os. The level of ther external os is at the level of the ischial spines.

Pelvis

The pelvis serves both to support and protect the reproductive and other pelvic
organs. It is a bony ring formed by four united bones; the two innominate bones which
formed the anterior and lateral portion of the ring, and the coccix and sacrum, which form
the posterior aspects. Each innominate bone is divided into three parts: ilium, ischium and
the pubis. The ilium forms the upper and lateral portion. The flaring superior border of
these bones is what forms the prominence of the hip. The ischium is the inferior portion. At
the lowest portion of the ischium are two projections; the ischial tuberosites. This is the
portion of bone on which a person sits. These projections are important markers used to
determine lower pelvic grid. Other important terms in relation the pelvis are the inlet, the
pelvic cavity and the outlet. The inlet is the entrance to the true pelvis or the upper ring of
bone through which the fetus must pass to be born vaginally. It is at the level of the linea
terminalis or is marked by the sacral prominence in the back. The ilium of the sides and
the superior aspects of the symphisis pubis is in the front. If one looks down at the pelvic
inlet, the passageway at this point appears heart-shaped because of the jutting sacral
prominence. It is wider transversely than in the anteroposterior dimension. The outlet is the
inferior portion of the pelvis, or the portion bounded in the back of the coccyx, at the sided
by the ischial tuberositis and in front by the inferior aspect of the symphysis pubis. In
contrast to the inlet of the pelvis, the greatest diameter of the outlet is its anteroposterior
diameter. For the baby to be delivered vaginally, he or she must be able to pass through
the inlet, the cavity and the outlet of the pelvic bone. This is not a problem for an average
fetus; it may be a problem if a mother is a young adolescent who has not yet achieved full
pelvic growth or a woman who has not had an injury.

Placenta

Organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy. It is a unique characteristic of

the higher (or placental) mammals. In humans it is a thick mass, about 7 in. (18 cm) in
diameter, liberally supplied with blood vessels. The placenta is attached to the uterus, and
the fetus is connected to the placenta by the umbilical cord. The placenta draws
nourishment and oxygen, which it supplies to the fetus, from the maternal circulation. In
turn, the placenta receives the wastes of fetal metabolism and discharges them into the
maternal circulation for disposal. There are 15-20 cotyledons found in the placenta.
External Structure
Mons Veneris
The mons veneris is a pad of adipose tissue located over the symphisis pubis, the
pubic bone joint. It is covered by a triangle of coarse, curly hairs. Its purpose is to protect
the pubic bone from trauma.

Labia Majora
The labia majora are two fold of adipose tissue covered by loose connective tissue
and epithelium; they are positioned later to the labia minora. Covered by pubic hair, the
labia majora serves as a protection for the external genitalia and the distal urethra and
vagina.

Labia Minora
It is located posterior to the mons veneris spread two hairless fold of connective
tissue. Before the menarche, these folds are fairly small; by childbearing age, they are firm
and full; after menopause they atrophy and again they become smaller.

Clitoris
The clitoris is a small rounded organ of erectile tissue at the forward junction of the
labia minora. It is covered by fold of skin known as the prepuce. It is sensitive to touch and
temperature and is the center of sexual arousal and orgasm in the female. When the
ischiocavernosus muscle surrounding it contracts with sexual arousal, the venous outflow
for the clitoris is blocked leading to clitoral erection.