1. The female and
male reproductive
systems ensure the
sexual maturation
of each individual
and produce cells
necessary to
propagate the next
generation.

2. The reproductive
systems of the male
and female have
some basic
similarities and
some specialized
differences. Most of
the reproductive
organs of both sexes
develop from similar
embryonic tissues
and are therefore
homologous.

3. Note homology

4. Both male and
female
reproductive
systems have
gonads: ovaries in
females (which
produce oocytes)
and testes in males
(which produce
sperm). In
addition, these
gonads also
produce sex
hormones.

5. Fertilization
occurs when
the male sperm
meets the
female oocytes
in the female
Fallopian tubes
Male Female

6. The sexual union
between a male and
female is known as:
copulation, coitus, or
sexual intercourse.

7. Puberty is associated with activation of the male and female
reproductive systems to a functional state: males can produce sperm
and females experience first menstrual bleeding (menarche). Puberty
is initiated by hormones secreted by the hypothalamus and by the
anterior pituitary gland.

8. Both systems have gonads that produce gametes and sex hormones,
and both systems are latent until puberty. However, males have
continuous sperm production after puberty while females have a
relatively fixed number of ova released periodically.

9. Females have a “relatively” fixed number of ova released
periodically after puberty and before menopause.

10. In both males and females, the perineum, is a diamond-shaped area
between the thighs. Note the anterior triangle (urogential triangle),
which contains the urethral and vaginal orifices in the female and the
base of the penis and scrotum in males. The posterior triangle (anal
triangle) is the location of the anus in both sexes.

11. Sagittal section through the female pelvis

12. Vesicouterine
pouch
The parietal peritoneum dips down between the uterus and the bladder to
form the vesicouterine pouch. It also dips down between the uterus and
the rectum to form the rectouterine pouch (Douglas’ cul-de-sac)

13. Douglas’ cul-de-sac

14. Syringe inserted into vagina with the help of a speculum and forceps
uterus
Culdocentesis to remove fluid to diagnose Pelvic Inflammatory
Disease (PID).

15. The primary sex
organs are the
ovaries. The
accessory sex
organs include
the uterine tubes
(Fallopian tubes),
uterus, vagina,
clitoris, and
mammary glands

16. The ovaries are solid,
ovoid structures
positioned in the upper
pelvic cavity on both
sides of the uterus.
They are slightly
larger than an almond.

17. A double fold of the
peritoneum, called the
mesovarium, attaches to each
ovary and secures it to the
broad ligament.

18. Each ovary is anchored to the posterior aspect of the broad ligament by an ovarian ligament,
which is the superior portion of the round ligament of the uterus.

19. Blood vessels of
suspensory ligament
The suspensory ligaments
attach to the lateral edge of Each suspensory ligament
each ovary and project contains an ovarian artery,
superolaterally to the ovarian vein, nerves, and
pelvic wall. smooth muscle.

20. Fertilization occurs within the Fallopian tubes (oviducts, uterine
tubes, or salpinges)

21. Note sperm normally encountering the egg in the Fallopian tube.
This view also demonstrates that ovulation occurs within the
peritoneal cavity.

22. Each Fallopian tube is supported by a
specific portion of the broad ligament
Broad ligament

23. Fallopian
tube
Infundibulum
fimbriae

24. The inner lining of the Fallopian tube (mucosa) is coated with cilia that propel the
egg towards the uterus. The muscular wall of the Fallopian tube (muscularis) also
carries out peristaltic contractions to aide egg movement. The serosa covers the
outside of the Fallopian tube.

25. Note that the sperm cells must migrate against the flow created by
the cilia in the Fallopian tube.

26. If implantation occurs outside the uterus, an ectopic pregnancy
occurs. An egg getting stuck in the Fallopian tube (tubal pregnancy)
is a common site for such ectopic pregnancies. See the clinical view

27. The uterus is a thick-walled
muscular organ shaped like an
inverted pear. It is where an
egg normally implants.

28. Normally (see below), the uterus is angled anterosuperiorly across
the superior surface of the bladder, a position referred to as
anteverted. If the uterus was tilted posteriorly towards the rectum, it
would be called retroverted.

29. The uterus provides a site for implantation of the pre-embryo,
nourishes the developing embryo/fetus, expels the fetus at birth, and
sheds its inner lining every month if pregnancy does not occur.

30. Note indicated anatomic regions of the uterus

31. Pap smear being collected from cervix
with the help of a circular speculum

34. Read the clinical view in
of the cervix the text

35. The uterus is supported by the muscles of the pelvic floor, the round
ligaments, the transverse cervical ligaments, and by the uterosacral
ligaments.

36. Note round
ligament passes
through
inguinal canal
and inserts into
labia majora

38. Uterine prolapse

39. The broad ligament,
despite its name, is not
a strong support for the
uterus. Rather, it is a
peritoneal drape over
the uterus.

40. Arterial blood supply to the
ovaries is via the ovarian
arteries

41. Note layers
to uterine
wall

42. Parietal peritoneum
The perimetrium, the outer surface of the uterus, is actually the
parietal peritoneum

43. Note layers
to uterine
wall

44. Read about
endometriosis in
the clinical view in
the text

45. Endometrial tissue
in peritoneal cavity
(endometriosis)

46. The vagina (Latin for “sheath” or “scabbard”) is the organ that
receives sperm during intercourse and also is the exit during
menstruation and parturition.

47. The vagina is about 3.6 inches long and extends from the vaginal
orifice to the cervix. The uterus attaches at nearly a 90 degree angle
Vagina

48. The vagina
Sperm deposited in the
is the
vagina quickly
copulatory
encounter the egg in the
organ of
Fallopian tube so
the female
fertilization can occur.

49. Note that females, unlike males, have an open road from their
vagina all the way to their peritoneal cavity. This makes PID more
likely.
FINISH
START

50. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
is a common cause of infertility and
ectopic pregnancies because it either
narrows or blocks the Fallopian tubes.

51. A wet suit should be
worn to prevent
contaminated lake
water being propelled
by hydrostatic
pressure up the
vagina, uterus, and
Fallopian tubes into
the peritoneal cavity
when a female water
skier falls. The is also
a concern in high
velocity water slides.
Pelvic inflammatory
disease could result.

52. The inner lining of the adult female vagina is slightly acidic
Vaginal rugae

53. female Vaginal rugae
allow
considerable
stretching of
the vagina
during coitus.
The vagina of
an adult female
is normally
acidic because
of the normal
flora bacteria
that thrive in
the vagina.
male

54. The vaginal orifice may be partially, or completely, obstructed by a
thin membrane called the hymen (maidenhead).

55. Different appearances of the hymen. It may be torn by activities
unrelated to intercourse and an intact hymen is NOT a sure
indication of virginity. If desired, it can easily be removed by
minor surgery in a doctor’s office.

56. Retained menstruation by an imperforate hymen (hematocolpos) in a
female who has just reached puberty

57. Excision of an
imperforate
hymen to allow
menstrual blood
to escape in a
female who has
reached puberty.

58. Female external
genitalia (vulva)

59. Note homology between the penis and clitoris and between the
scrotum and the labia majora.

60. Note labia majora, labia
minora, and clitoris.

61. The vaginal vestibule is the region between the labia minora where
the vagina, the urethra and Bartholin’s glands open.

62. Note the bulb of
the vestibule
which becomes
erect during
sexual intercourse

63. The clitoris is a small erectile body located at the anterior region of
the labia minora. It is homologous to the male penis.

64. Close up of exposed
clitoris

65. Female circumcision

66. Female genital
mutilation
with clitoris
possibly
removed and
labia sewed
shut (female
circumcision)
Opening left
for menstrual
blood to
escape.

68. Mammary glands
are the glands within
the breast.

69. Changes in female breasts with age.

70. The nipple
contains erectile
tissue and is
surrounded by the
pigmented areola.

71. During
pregnancy the
areola becomes
darker and
enlarges,
presumably to
become more
conspicuous to a
nursing infant.

72. Intense focus

73. Intense focus followed by
action

74. Note suspensory
ligaments
(suspensory
ligaments of Cooper)

75. Each mammary gland is
composed of 15-20 lobes,
each with its own drainage
pathway to the nipple

76. Milk is produced
in the alveoli in
the lobes of a
lactating female,
which is then
collected into
tiny ducts. These
ducts merge into
lactiferous ducts,
each of which
expand into a
lactiferous sinus
near the nipple.
The milk is then
ejected from the
nipple.

77. Stimulation of the
maternal nipple is
essential in promoting
production and release
of milk. Read about
lactation and after pains
in your text if you desire.

78. Breast
cancer.
Read the
clinical
view in
your text

79. In
mammography
the breast is
compressed to
thin it out and
then x-rays are
employed to
detect
abnormalities
early.

80. Abnormal lump
detected the x-
rays employed
with
mammography.

81. Types of
mastectomies.
In the older
women who are
present in the
cadaver lab,
radical
mastectomies
are common.
Hopefully, this
will become
less common in
the future.

83. A 45-year-old
female physician
who died of
metastatic breast
cancer (note
bilateral radical
mastectomy).
Observe the
numerous tumors
that are easily seen
under the skin and
rupturing through
the skin.

84. Before reconstruction
following radical
After reconstruction
mastectomy.

85. • EVERYTHING PAST THIS POINT IS
EXTRA OR FOR EXAMS

87. Suspensory ligaments of Cooper extend
between lobules, but are NOT that supportive.

88. Uterine
prolapse

89. Uterine prolapse

92. The primary sex
organs are the
ovaries which
produce eggs
(ova) and the
female sex
hormones
estrogen and
progesterone.
These sex
hormones
increase at
puberty and
decrease after
menopause.

93. Secondary sex
characteristics are
features that are not
essential for the
reproductive process, but
generally are considered
to be sexual attractants.
Examples are body
physique, pattern of body
hair, breast development,
etc.

94. Venous drainage is identical to that seen with the testes. Note the
right ovarian vein drains directly into the inferior vena cava while
the left ovarian vein drains into the left renal vein.

95. Blood is brought to the vaginal walls by branches of the internal
iliac artery.

99. Females are
more prone to
dysfunctions and
diseases of the
reproductive
organs than
males.

100. Gynecology is the
specialty concerned
with dysfunction and
diseases of the female
reproductive system.
Obstetrics deals with
pregnancy and
childbirth. Many
doctors do both
(OB/GYN)

103. Normal
hysterosalpingography
Abnormal
hysterosalpingography
showing blocked
Fallopian tubes.

105. Note inflation
with carbon
dioxide gas.
Mons pubis

106. Sterilization of the
female (tubal ligation)

107. Breast self-exam for lumps

109. right

110. Ectopic
pregnancy

111. Pus from gonorrhea exiting cervix

177. Bi-manual pelvic exam to palpate
uterus

178. Bi-manual pelvic exam to
palpate uterus

179. Inverted nipple
Normal nipple

196. Read interest
item about
radical
mastectomies
used to control
severe breast
cancer.

197. Figure 28.co

198. Figure 28.01

199. Figure 28.02

200. Figure 28.03ab

201. Figure 28.07a

202. Figure 28.09

203. Figure 28.03c

204. Figure 28.p864

205. Figure 28.p868

206. Figure 28.p870