Accessory organs of female reproductive system PART 6
1. Ms.Anu Sebastian: B.Pharm; M.Pharm
Assistant Professor,
Dept. Of Pharmacology
Nirmala College Of Pharmacy
Muvattupuzha,Ernakulam,Kerala
2. UTERUS
Location: Between urinary bladder & rectum.
Shape: Inverted pear shape.
Size: 7.5* 2.5cm
Functions
Act as the passageway for sperm to reach uterine tubes for
fertilization
Site for the implantation of the fertilized ovum.
Development of the foetus during pregnancy & labor.
Source of menstrual flow during female reproductive cycle.
3. The uterus is composed of:
Fundus: It is dome shaped superior to the uterine tubes.
Body: Tapered central portion
Cervix: Inferior narrow portion. It opens into the vagina.
The body & cervix are connected by a constricted region-Isthmus.
Uterine cavity: Inferior of the body of the uterus.
Cervical canal: Interior of the cervix of the uterus.
Internal OS: It is the opening of cervical canal into the uterine cavity.
External OS: It is the opening of the cervical canal into the vagina.
5. Ligaments
Broad Ligament: double fold peritoneum attaches uterus to pelvic wall.
Uterosacral Ligaments: Peritoneum, attaches uterus to sacrum.
Cardinal ligaments: Below broad ligament.Attach cervix & vagina to pelvic
wall.
Round ligaments: Band of fibrous C.T. It is between external genitalia &
uterus.
Histology
It consist of 3 layers.
Perimetrium: outer layer; serosa/visceral peritoneum.It is made up of simple
squamous epithelium & aerolar C.T
Myometrium: It is made up of 3 layers of smooth muscle;thickest in fundus &
thinnest in cervix.
Inner & outer layer: longitudinal/oblique SM
Middle layer: Thicker circular SM.
Endometrium: It is highly vascularized. Made up of 3 components.
Innermost layer: Simple squamous epithelium
Middle layer: Thick lamina propria(Areolar C.T)
Endometrial glands: It extend from luminal epithelium to myometrium.
6. The Endometrium is having 2 layers:
Stratum Functionalis (Functional layer): It lines the lumen & sloughs off
during menstruation.
Stratum basalis(Basal layer):deeper & Permanent layer. It gives rise to new
S.functionalis after menstruation.
Cervical mucus: It is a fluid produced by cervix.
It consist of water + glycoproteins +Lipids +Enzymes +Inorganic salts
Volume:20-60 ml ; pH :8.5; less viscous
Functions
Provide energy to sperm.
Protect sperm from phagocytosis
7. VAGINA
It is thin-walled, fibromuscular tube of 8-10cm long.
Location
Inferior to uterus
Anterior to rectum
Posterior to urethra & bladder
Extends from cervix of uterus to exterior of body.
Functions
Site for child birth/Birth canal
Channel for menstrual flow
Site for the entry of penis into female reproductive tract.
The vagina is also the site where spetm is deposited
8. The canal is very flexible & it is composed of 3 layers:
Mucosa:It is the thinner layer made up of Non-Keratinized stratified
squamous epithelium & areolar C.T. It contain foldings called Rugae.
It secretes glycogen that is utilized by floral bacteria & forms lactic
acid.This lactic acid generates acidic condition in vagina.
Muscularis: It is the middle layer made up of outer circular 7 inner
longitudinal smooth muscle.
Adventitia: It is the outer layer, made up of areolar C.T
The vaginal opening to exterior is called vaginal orifice.
A thin fold of blood filled mucous membrane called hymen partially closes
vaginal orifice.
9. EXTERNAL GENITALIA
The term vulva or pudendum refers to the external genitals of the female.The
following components make up the vulva:
Mons pubis: It is the anterior to the vagina & urethral openings. It is an
elevation of adipose tissue covered by skin & coarse pubic hair that cushions the
pubic synphysis.
Labia majora:These are the 2 longitudinal folds of skin mons pubis, that
extend inferiorly & posteriorly .The labia majora are covered by pibic hair &
contain abundance of adipose tissue, sebaceous glands,& apocrine sudoriferous
glands.It is homologous to the scrotum.
Labia minora: These are the two smaller folds of skin medial to the labia
majora. It is homologous to the spongy (penile) urethra.
11. Clitoris: It is a small cylindrical mass composed of two small erectile
bodies, the corpora cavernosa & numerous nerve and blood vessels.T he
clitoris is located at the anterior junction of the labia minora. A layer of skin
called the prepuce of the clitoris Is formed at the point where the labia
minora unite & covers the body of the clitoris.
The region between the labia minora is the vestibule. within the vestibule
are the hymen, the vaginal orifice, the external urethral orifice & the
openings of the ducts of several glands.
Perinium: Diamond shaped area medial to thighs & buttocks in both males
& females. It is anteriorly surrounded by pubic symphysis & posteriorly by
coccyx.
12. MAMMARY GLANDS
A pair of modified sweat/sudiferous glands that secrete milk.
One pigmented projection—Nipple.
The circular pigmented area surrounding nipple is called areola.
In the areola there are large modified sebaceous glands.
Anatomy
It consist of 15-20 lobes separated by adipose tissue.
Each lobe contains smaller compartments-Lobule
Each Lobule contains group of milk secreting glands- Alveoli.
The alveoli are surrounded by myoepithelial cells-The contraction of these cells
eject milk from alveoli.
13. Flow of milk
Alveoli Secondary tubule Mammary ducts
Lactiferous ducts Lactiferous sinuses
Opens into nipple
Function: synthesis,secretion & ejection of milk-Lactation
Regulation
Prolactin: Stimulate milk production
Oxytocin : stimulate milk ejection