Anatomy and Physiology of the Female Reproductive System

Mons Veneris / Pubis

Pad of fat which lies over the symphysis pubis where dark curly hair grow in triangular shape that begins 1-2 years before menstruation.

Tanner stage is used in assessment.

Protects the surrounding delicate tissue from trauma.

Labia Majora

Two lengthwise fatty folds of skin extending from mons veneris to the perineum that protects the labia minora, urinary meatus and vaginal orifice.

Has hair

Labia Minora

Two thinner, length wise folds of hairless skin extending

from clitoris to fourchette.

• Glands lubricates the vulva.

• Very sensitive because rich in nerve supply.

• Space – vestibule.

Does not have hair

Clitoris

Small erectile structure at the anterior junction of the labia

minora that contains more nerve endings.

• Very sensitive to temperature and touch.

• Secretes fatty substance called smegma (whitish

substance).

Vestibule

Flattened smooth surface inside the labia.

Encloses the opening of urethra and vagina

Skene’s / Paraurethral Glands

Located just lateral to the urinary meatus on both sides.

Secretion helps in lubricate the external genitalia during coitus

When assessing these, Insert your finger on the vaginal opening

Bartholin’s / Vulvovaginal Glands

• Located at the lateral to the vaginal opening on both sides.

• Lubricates external vulva during coitus and the alkaline pH

of their secretion helps to improve sperm survival in the

vagina.

Fourchette

Thin fold of tissue formed by the merging of the labia majora

and labia minor below the vaginal orifice.

Perineum

Skin - covered between the vaginal opening and the anus.

• Stretched during childbirth to allow enlargement of vagina

and passage of the fetal head

Urethral Meatus

• External opening of the urethra.

• Contains the opening of Skene’s gland

Vaginal Orifice / Introitus

External opening of the vagina, covered by a thin membrane called hymen.

Fallopian Tube / Oviduct

Four inches long.

• Transport the mature ova from the ovaries to the uterus.

• Place where fertilization of the ova by the sperm in its outer

3rd or outer half.

Interstitial: lies within the uterine wall.

o Isthmus: portion that is cut or sealed in tubal ligation.

o Ampulla: widest, longest portion that spreads into

fingerlike projection / fimbriae, where fertilization

usually occurs.

o Infundibulum: rim of the funnel covered by fimbriated

cell that help to guide the ova into the fallopian tube.

▪ Fimbrae are finger-like.

Uterus

Hollow, pear shape muscular organ, three inches long, two

inches wide, weighs 50 to 60 grams.

• Organ for menstruation.

• Site of implantation and provide nourishment to the

products of conception

Three layers of uterus

o Perimetrium: outermost

o Myometrium: middle layer, expel fetus during birth

process then contracts around blood vessels to prevent

hemorrhage.

o Endometrium: inner layer is visibly vascular and is shed

during menstruation and following delivery.

▪ Layer most sensitive to hormones.

▪ Most sensitive part.

Division of uterus

Fundus: upper rounded, dome shaped portion;

palpated to determine uterine growth during

pregnancy, force of contraction, assessment that the

uterus is returning to its pre-pregnant state

▪ Most contractile part of the uterus.

▪ The one that you palpate in measuring the fundic

height.

▪ The location of the fundus will determine if how

many days are passed when the mother gave

birth.

o Corpus: body of the uterus.

o Isthmus: area between corpus and cervix; cut when a

fetus is delivered in caesarian section, enlarged to aid

in accommodating the growth of the fetus.

▪ Isthmus is the part that is connected to the cervix.

Cervix

Lower cylindrical portion that represents 1/3 of the total

uterus; cervical canal.

▪ Two opening:

o Internal os: connected to the uterus.

o External os: connected to the vagina

Vagina

• 3-4 inches long dilatable canal located between the bladder

and the rectum.

• It contains rugae which permit stretching without tearing.

Döderlein’s bacillus

the normal flora of the vagina which

makes the pH of the vagina acidic.