GENERAL FEATURES

Components of the System

Internal Genitalia
Ovaries
Uterine tubes (oviducts)
Uterus
Vagina
External genitalia
Mammary glands
Female Reproductive System
Structure of The Breast
OVARIES
Paired in the pelvic cavity
Almond-shaped organs (3x1.5x1cm)
Outermost covering:
Germinal epithelium: simple cuboidal epithelium
Inner covering:
Tunica albuginea:dense connective tissue
Cortex:
Ovarian follicle, oocyte, stroma
Medulla:
Stroma containing a rich vascular bed
General Organization
Primordial
follicles
Growing follicles
Primary follicles
Secondary
follicles
Mature (Graafian)
follicles
Atretic follicles
Ovarian Follicles
Atretic follicle
Growing
(secondary follicle)
Primary
follicle
Medulla
Cortex
Tunica
albuginea
Mature (Graafian)
follicle
Corpus luteum
Atretic follicle
Primordial follicle
Secondary (vesicular follicle)
Graafian (mature) follicle
Atretic follicle
Ovulation
Appearance of the surface of the follicle of the stigma
Increased activity of protease
(collagenase and plasmin), which
causes dissolution of connective
tissue around the follicle
A mid cycle surge of luteinizing
hormone (LH) concentration appears
to be indispensable for ovulation
Rupture of the mature follicle
Liberation of the ovum with the corona radiata
Caught by dilates end the oviduct
Temporary endocrine gland
Secreting steroid
Granulosa lutein cells: large,
pale-staining, form
progesterone-secreting cells
Theca lutein cells: secrete
estrogen, smaller, darker-
staining cells, derived from
the cells of the theca interna

Corpus Luteum
CORPUS LUTEUM
CORPUS LUTEUM OF
MENSTRUATION
Release of the follicular fluid, collapse of
the follicles wall, remnant of blood clots
Granulose lutein cells
Theca lutein cells
CORPUS LUTEUM
OVULATION
CORPUS ALBICANS
(Remains for a variable period)
ABSORBED BY MACROPHAG
CORPUS LUTEUM OF
PREGNANCY
10 14 Days

Progesterone
Estrogen
6 Months

Progesterone
Estrogen
Relaxin
Hormones
and Ovarian
Function
Oviduct
Isthmus of
oviduct
Fundus of
uterus
Infundibulum
Mesovarium
Ampulla
Fimbriae




Ovarian
ligament
UTERINE TUBES
(OVIDUCTS, FALLOVIAN TUBES)
Paired, 12 cm long muscular tubes
Function: fertilization and transports the
zygote
4 segment:
Isthmus - Infundibulum
Ampula - Fimbriae

Wall structure3
layers:
Mucosa (ciliated
simple columner
epithelium+peg
cells+lamina
propria)
Muscularis (inner
circular+outer
longitudinal smooth
muscle)
Serosa

(Left) : cross section of the ampulla of an oviduct of a mature woman.
(Right) : cross section of the isthmus of an oviduct.
UTERUS
A pear shaped muscular organ
Grossly divided into 3 region:
Fundus
Corpus
Cervix
Uterine wall consists of 3 layers:
Endometrium
Myometrium
Serosa/adventitia
Oviduct
Isthmus of
oviduct
Fundus of
uterus
Infundibulum
Mesovarium
Ampulla
Broad ligament
Fimbriae
Vagina
External vaginal os
External cervical os
Cervical canal
Endometrium
Myometrium
Ovary (cross section)
Ovarian
ligament
1. Columnar epithelium
2. Superficial lamina
propria
3. Interglandular
lamina propria
4. Basal lamina propria
5. Smooth muscle fibers
6. Smooth muscle fibers
7. Arteries
8. Uterine glands
9. Coiled artery
10. Uterine glands
11. Interglandular
smooth muscle
fibers
12. Interstitial
connective tissue
13. Smooth
muscle fibers
UTERUS : FOLLICULAR (PROLIFERATIVE) PHASE
Consists of epithelium and lamina propria
Epithelial cells are simple columnar and are a
mixture of ciliated and secretory cells
Lamina propria (connective tissue) divided into 2
zones :
The functionalism
Sloughed off at menstruation
The Basalis
Retained after menstruation

Endometrium
The thickest tunic
Consists of 4 poorly defined smooth
muscle layers,arcuate arteries
Prenancy: hyperthropy & hyperplasia

Myometrium
Serosa or Adventitia
Fundus: serosa
Corpus: Adventitia
External surface of the
servix of the uterus
bulges into vagina,
covered by stratified
squamous epithelium
Wall: mucosa (simple
columnar
epithelium+servical
glands lining the
servical canal),dense
connective tissue with
smooth muscle
Uterine Cervix
Menstrual Cycle
PHASE OF CYCLE ENDOMETRIAL CHANGES CORRELATED OVARIAN
CHANGES
Menstrual Phase:
First day of
menstrual bleeding
through day 3-5 of
the cycle
Ovarian progesterone,
degeneration of corpus luteum,
shedding of
functionalisdischarge trough
vagina, basale intact
Absence of the gonadotropin
from an implanted embryo,
corpus luteum degeneate and
progesterone production ceases
Proliferative phase/
follicular phase:
Days 4-6 to day 14
of the cycle
Influence of increasing estrogen
levels(and preparation for possible
implantation, endometrium
regenerates from basale, the
glands lengthen, remaining
relatively straight
Influence of pituitary FSH, the
follicles grow and produces
estrogen. LH surge on day 14
induces ovulation & support
formation of the corpus luteum
Secretory phase/
luteal phase:
Days 14-28 of the
cycle
Progesterone from corpus luteum
causes edema of the lamina
propria & endometrial
thickening.Glands are highly
coiled&lumen dilate,Coiled
arteries elongate,Without
implantation, the cycle begins
anew
LH supports corpus luteum.
Granulosa lutein cells begin
producing progesterone, theca
lutein cells produce
estrogen.Elevated progesterone
inhibits LH production.Without
chorionic gonadotropin corpus
luteum degenerates
The Hormonal
Integration of the
Ovarian and
Menstrual Cycles
1. Columnar epithelium
2. Superficial lamina
propria
3. Interglandular
lamina propria
4. Basal lamina propria
5. Smooth muscle fibers
6. Smooth muscle fibers
7. Arteries
8. Uterine glands
9. Coiled artery
10. Uterine glands
11. Interglandular
smooth muscle
fibers
12. Interstitial
connective tissue
13. Smooth
muscle fibers
UTERUS : FOLLICULAR (PROLIFERATIVE) PHASE
1. Columnar epithelium
2. Uterine gland :
straight portion
3. Uterine glands :
tortuous portions
4. Hypertrophied
glandular epithelium
5. Fundi of uterine
glands filled with
secretion
6. Myometrium
7. Coiled arteries
8. Interglandular
lamina propria
(stroma)
9. Tortuous
uterine glands
10. Dilated
uterine
glands with
secretion
11. Basal lamina
propria
(stroma)
UTERUS PROGRAVID (SECRETORY) PHASE
UTERUS : MENSTRUAL PHASE
1. Superficial
endometrium
without epithelium
2. Glandular lumen
filled with blood
3. Coiled arteries
4. Interglandular
lamina propria of
basal region
5. Smooth muscle
fibers
(myometrium)
6. Fragments of
disintegrated
mucosa
7. Blood clots
8. Erythrocytes in
lamina propria
9. Intact fundi of
uterine glands
Functional changes relating to the hypothalamus, pituitary,
ovary, vaginal epithelium, and endometrium.
E = Estrogen (gray); P = Progesterone (dark gray).
Endometrium
Endometrium
Vaginal
smear
Vaginal
smear
Vagina
Ovary
Hypothalamus
Hypophysis
Vagina
FERTILIZATION & PREIMPLANTATION
DEVELOPMENT
Fertilization occurs at the ampulla in the
uterine tube
Sperm penetrates corona radiata&zona
pellucidaone sperm head fuses with the
membran plasma of ovumcompletion of
the second meiotic division of ovum
haploid male & female pronuclei
fusezygote
Zygote

Morula

Blastocyst
(trophoblast&inner cell
mass,floats 2-3 days
before implantation)
IMPLANTATION
Trophoblast
Syncytiotrophoblast
Cytotrophoblast
Inner cell mass
Bilaminar disk (blastodisc)
Extraembryonic mesoderm
Extraembryonic coelom
Chorion
Derivatives of trophoblast and inner cell mass
Chorion Frondosum
Chorion laeve

Blastocyst Activity
= Penetration of the uterine epithelium by blastocyst
Diagram A, B, C
and D illustrate
the stage in the
formation of the
blastocyst and
the embedding of
the blastocyts in
the uterine wall.
The relationships
of the growing
embryo to the
uterus are shown
in diagrams E
and F.
Upon implantation,
endometrium undergoes
changes reffered to the
decidual reaction
(endometrium=desidua)
Endometrium thickens, its
stromal cells
enlargedecidual cells
(secrete prolactin)
3 named parts of decidua:
Decidua basalis
Decidua capsularis
Decidua parietalis
Decidual Reaction
Decidua
capsularis
Uterin
e
cavity
Amnioti
c
cavity
Extraembryonic
coelom
Decidua basalis
Charionic
villus
Allantois
Mesoderm of
umbilicial cord
Yolk sac
embryo
Cervical
plug
Trophoblast
Decidua
parietalis
Schematic drawing of a human embryo at the end of implantation (12 days), showing the
relationships between the embryo and the endometrium (called the decidua) after
implantation. UV, uterine vessels, one of which opens into a lacuna, filling its spaces with
blood. Darker color shows the cytotrophoblast; lighter color highlights the ectoderm and
amnion.
Decidua basalis
Trophoblast cells penetrating
the endometrium
Lacunae
Amniotic cavity
Ectoderm
Endoderm
Vitelline sac
Extraembryonic mesenchyme
Cytotrophoblast
Regenerating epithelial lining
Decidua capsularis
Syncytiotrophoblast
Uterine gland
PLACENTA
Temporary organ,begins during implantation
2 components:
Embryonic (chorion frondosum)
Maternal (decidua basalis)
Syncytiotrophoblast surrounds small islands
of endomerium lacunae rupturing blood
vessel fill lacunae with maternal blood
chorionic villi grow into lacunae placental
barrier
Chorionic villi:
Primary villi
Secondary villi
Tertiary villi

Steps in Placental Development (Placentation)
Epithelium of omnion
Cytotrophoblast
Anchoring villus
Uterine gland
Connective tissue of
amnion
Connective tissue of
chorion
Floating villus
Intervillous space
Syncytio trophoblast
Peripheral syncytium
Maternal blood sinus
Placental hormones
Chorionic gonadotropin, chorionic thyrotropin,
chorionic corticotropin, estrogene,
progesterone, prolactin, placental lactogen
Transfer of nutrients and wastes
Placental barrier: syncytiotrophoblast,
cytotrophoblast, basal lamina of trophoblast,
extraembryonic mesenchyme, basal lamina of
the vessels in tertiary villi, fetal vascular
endothelial cells

Placental Functions
Structure of Placental Villi
VAGINA
Muscular tube extends from cervix to
external genitalia
Mucosa
Stratified squamous epithelium, rich in
glycogen & supported by an elastic fiber-rich
lamina propria
Lamina provide fluid during sexual arousal

Muscularis
Longitudinal smooth muscle, circular fibers
near mucosa
Adventitia
Dense connective tissue rich in elastic fibers
Extensive venous plexus, bundles of nerve
fibers & clusters of neuron
EXTERNAL GENITALIA (VULVA)
Homologous to the dorsal part of the penis
Two erectile corpora cavernosa, ending in
glans clitoridis.
Surrounded by a prepuce and covered
with stratified squamous epithelium
Clitoris
Receives the ovenings of the vagina and
the urethra
Covered by stratified squamous
epithelium
2 types of gands:
Bartholin glands (glandulae vestibulares majores)
Tubuloalveolar mucous glands on opposite sides
Vestibular glands (glandulae vestibulares minores)
More numerous
Scattered
Most lie near around the urethra and clitoris

Vestibule
Skin folds with a core of spongy (erectile)
connective tissue, thin keratinized, no hair
Labia Minora
Folds of skin have a core of subcutaneous
fat and thin layer of muscle, outer surface
has more keratin and contains coarse
hairs
Labia Majora
MAMMARY GLANDS
Accessory glands of
the skin are specialized
to secrete milk
Compound
tubuloalveolar glands
contains 15-25 lobes
separated by adipose
and dense connective
tissue
Ribs and
muscle
Lobule
Adipos
e
tissue
Tubulo
alveolar
secretory
units
(active)
Lactifer
ous
duct
Openings
of
lactiferou
s ducts
Lactifer
ous
sinus
Terminal
interlobul
ar duct
Duct
system
(inactive)
Paired ventral epidermal thickenings
running from forelimb to hindlimb, the milk
lines, appear at 6 weeks.
In the second trimester, 15-25 epithelial
invaginations develop along these lines
along on each side of thorax future
lactiferous ducts
Embryonic Development
Composed lactiferous ducts and sinuses
Lightly pigmented areola
Prepubertal Mammary Glands
Breast enlarge, accumulation of adipose
tissue and collagenous connective tissue
Nipple enlarge and become more
prominent
Changes During Puberty
Lobules are separated by loose connective
tissue and few secretory alveoli are present
Intralobular ducts: lined by cuboidal
epithelium, surrounded by a discontinous
layer of myoepithelial cells
Interlobular ducts
Lactiferous ducts: Cuboidal to collumnar
epithelium
Lactiferous sinuses: Stratified squamous
Resting Adult Gland
Intense proliferation of the ducts and
growth of alveoli at their ends, enlarging
the breasts
Terminal epithelium of the intralobular
ducts proliferates and differentiates into
milk-secreting cells
Late in pregnancy, the number of plasma
cells in the interlobular connective tissue
increasessecrete IgA
Pregnant Adult Gland
Prolactin increases
Accumulation of milk in the alveolar
lumens and their accompanying dilation
The secretory cells reduce in height from
low columnar to low cuboidal
Lactating Adult Glands
The mammary gland is the only
structure in the body that undergoes
such a striking structural and
physiologic change during the hormonal
cycle of pregnancy.
Diagram illustrating changes in the mammary
glands.
A : In nonpregnant women, the gland has an
inactive duct system.
B : during pregnancy, alveoli proliferate at the
end of the ducts and prepare for the
secretion of milk.
C : during lactation, alveoli are fully
differentiated and milk secretion is
abundant.
Once lactation is completed, the gland
reverts to the nonpregnant condition. The
gland is normally quiescent and
undifferentiated, undergoing this
differentiation and secretion only during
each cycle of pregnancy and lactation.
A
B
C
After menopause, the secretory portions,
ducts, and adipose and interlobular
connective tissues in the breasts atrophy
Senile Involution