Welcome to your 14th and Final Anatomy part in the Final!
In this part, we will talk about the Female Genital System.
FEMALE GENITAL
SYSTEM Every Human Being is the Author of His Own Health and
Disease!
WHAT ARE THE PARTS OF Female Genital System includes Ovaries, Uterine tubes, Uterus,
FEMALE GENITAL SYSTEM? Vagina, Vulva, and Mammary gland (Breasts).
Ovaries
Almond shape organs that lie on each side of uterus. They develop
high on Posterior abdominal wall and then descend before birth to
reach just below the pelvic brim on lateral pelvic wall.
• Ovaries are held in their position by:
1. Broad Ligament: part of Mesovarium (fold of peritoneum).
2. Ovarian Ligament: between Ovary and Uterus.
3. Suspensory Ligament: between Ovary and Pelvic wall.
WHAT IS THE HISTOLOGY OF
Each Ovary has a Wall. This wall contains (Outer → Inner):
THE OVARIES?
1. Germinal Epithelium: Simple cuboidal or squamous epithelium.
2. Tunica albuginea: irregular connective tissue.
3. Ovarian Cortex, which consists of Follicles and Dense irregular
connective tissue.
4. Ovarian Medulla, which contains Loose connective tissue, Blood
vessels, Lymphatic vessels, and Nerves.
WHAT ARE THE OVARIAN
FOLLICLES? Ovarian Follicles lie within the Cortex and consists of Oocyte
surrounded by Follicular cells (from Germinal Epithelium):
• There are 4 types of Follicles:
1. Primordial Follicle: oocyte surrounded by Flat Follicular cells
(single layer).
2. Primary Follicle: oocyte surrounded by Cuboidal Follicular cells
(single or multilayer).
3. Secondary Follicle: oocyte surrounded by Follicular cells and
fluid appears in some spaces between the cells.
4. Graafian Follicle (Mature): oocyte surrounded by Follicular
cells + fluid fills all the spaces between the cells.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER
OVULATION?
After Ovulation, two bodies will form. These bodies are called:
1. Corpus luteum: remnant of mature follicle after expulsion of
oocyte and subsequent fertilization. Corpus lute is yellow in color.
- It produces the hormone Progesterone during early pregnancy.
2. Corpus albicans: If no fertilization happens, Corpus luteum
collapses → white hyaline connective tissue (Corpus albicans).
WHAT IS BLOOD SUPPLY TO
Ovaries receive blood through Ovarian arteries, which arise from
THE OVARIES?
Abdominal aorta.
WHAT ARE UTERINE TUBES?
Each Uterine tube is 10 cm in length. It lies in the upper border of
broad ligament. Each Uterine tube is divided into 5 parts:
- It is the site of ovum fertilization and nourishes fertilized ovum.
1. Fimbria: Finger-like projections that pick up Ova from ovary.
2. Infundibulum : Funnel-shaped part of the tube.
3. Ampulla: Widest part (Fertilization happens here).
4. Isthmus: Narrowest part.
5. Intramural Part, which lies within the wall of uterus.
WHAT IS THE BLOOD SUPPLY
1. Uterine Artery (branch from Internal iliac artery).
TO THE UTERINE TUBE?
2. Ovarian Artery (branch from Abdominal aorta).
WHAT IS THE HISTOLOGY OF
1. Mucosa: Ciliated simple columnar epithelium.
UTERINE TUBE?
2. Muscularis: Inner Circular and Outer Longitudinal.
3. Serosa: Serous membrane.
WHAT ABOUT THE UTERUS? Uterus is hollow, pear-shaped organ. It has a thick muscular wall.
• Size: 3 inches (Length) x 2 inches (Width) x 1 inch (Thickness).
• Uterus has many parts:
1. Fundus: Dome-shaped part above opening of uterine tube.
2. Body: Central part below the opening of uterine tube.
3. Cervix: Narrow inferior portion.
4. Isthmus: between the Body and the Cervix.
5. Uterine Cavity: interior of Uterine Body.
6. Cervical Canal: interior of Cervix. It has Internal and External
os.
WHAT IS THE POSITION OF • Body forms an angle with Cervix called Anteflexion.
THE UTERUS? • Cervix forms right angle with Vagina called Anteversion.
- Most Common Position of Uterus is Anteverted Anteflexed.
- Sometimes, Uterus is positioned Retroflexed Retroverted. This
means that the Uterus is tilted backward and the angle between
Body and Cervix disappears. This position may cause Abortion.
WHAT MAINTAINS THE
• Position of the Uterus is maintained by:
POSITION OF UTERUS?
1. Broad ligament: peritoneal fold between Uterus and Pelvic wall.
2. Uterosacral ligament: between Uterus and Sacrum.
3. Lateral cervical ligament: inferior to broad ligament. It extends
between Pelvic wall to Cervix and Vagina.
4. Round ligament: band of fibrous tissue that extends between
Uterus and Labia majora.
WHAT IS THE HISTOLOGY OF
1. Outer (Perimetrium), which extends:
THE UTERUS?
a. Anteriorly: forms shallow pouch called Vesicouterine pouch.
b. Posterioly: forms deep pouch called Rectouterine pouch (pouch
of Douglas).
2. Middle (Myometrium), which has 3 types of muscles:
a. Outer and Inner (Longitudinal).
b. Middle (Circular).
3. Inner (Endometrium), which consists of 3 layer (Anatomy):
a. Inner: Simple columnar epithelium.
b. Middle: Stroma (Areolar connective tissue).
c. Outer: Glandular.
• Functionally, the Endometrium is divided into:
1. Stratum Functionalis: sloughs during menstruation.
2. Stratum Basalis: permanent (doesn’t slough).
WHAT IS THE BLOOD SUPPLY
OF UTERUS?
Internal iliac artery → Uterine artery → Arcuate artery → Radial
artery → Straight and Radial arterioles.
WHAT ABOUT THE VAGINA? Vagina is a Fibromuscular tube lined by Mucous membrane. It
extends from Cervix to Exterior.
- It lies between Bladder & rectum & directed upward & backward
- It attaches to cervix and forms Folds called Fornices (2 Lateral,
1 Posterior, and 1 Anterior).
WHAT ARE THE RELATIONS OF
• Laterally:
THE VAGINA?
a. Superior: Ureters.
b. Middle: Levator ani muscle.
c. Inferior: Urogenital diaphragm + Bulb of Vestibule.
• Anteriorly: Bladder (Upper) + Urethra (Lower).
• Posteriorly:
a. Superior: Ampulla of Rectum.
b. Middle: Pouch of Douglus.
c. Inferior: Perineal body.
WHAT ABOUT THE HISTOLOGY • Epithelium: Non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.
OF VAGINA? - Mucosa forms transverse folds called Rugae.
- Mucosa has dendritic cells (Antigene presenting cells) for the
transmission of HIV Virus.
• Muscularis: Outer Longitudinal and Inner Circular.
• Adventitia: Areolar connective tissue.
Hymen is a thin fold of mucous membrane that closes the inferior
end of vagina ()ﻏﺸﺎء اﻟﺒﻜﺎرة.
WHAT ABOUT EXTERNAL
External Genitalia of Female is called Vulva. It is composed of:
FEMALE GENITALIA?
1. Mons Pubis: Elevation of adipose tissue covered by hair.
2. Labia Majora: Longitudinal folds of skin that extends from
Mons Pubis and directed Infero-posteriorly.
- It is covered by hair and contains Sebaceous and Sweat glands. It
is homologous to Scrotum in Males.
3. Labia Minora: Small longitudinal folds medial to Majora.
- They are not covered by hair and has no Sebaceous glands. It is
homologous to Penile urethra.
4. Clitoris: cylindrical mass of erectile tissue.
- It is homologous to Glans penis. It is covered by Skin called
Prepuce of Clitoris (it is the most sensitive part of Vulva).
5. Vestibule: region between labia minora. It contains the External
urethral orifice and Vaginal orifice.
- On either sides of the Urethral orifice, there are Paraurethral
glands (Skenes glands).
- On either sides of vaginal orifice are Bartholin’s glands.
6. Bulb of Vestibule, which are 2 erectile tissues deep to Labia.It
becomes engorged with blood during sexual arousal. It is
homologous to Corpus spongiosum in males.
WHAT IS FEMALE Female Circumcision (Clitoridectomy) is the partial or complete
CIRCUMCISION? removal of the Clitoris, Prepuce, or Labia of a girl.
- It is common among certain cultures (Africa and western Asia).
- It is done to reduce feelings of sexual arousal in women, because
clitoris has a large number of nerve endings, and generates
feelings of sexual arousal when stimulated.
• Side effect include: Hemorrhage, Shock, Sterility, Sexual
dysfunction, Depression.
• This procedure is Forbidden, because it is against the Nature,
Law, and religion.
WHAT ARE THE CLINICAL Rectouterine Pouch (Pouch of Douglas) is the lowest part of
CORRELATES TO THIS SUBJECT? Peritoneal cavity. Fluid and cells collect in it in some conditions.
- Aspiration of fluid from this pouch can be done by a needle
puncture of the posterior vaginal fornix near the midline between
Uterosacral ligaments.
• Indications of this procedure:
a. Pain of the lower abdomen and pelvic regions.
b. Ruptured ectopic pregnancy or Ovarian cyst.
WHAT ELSE? Accidental Perforation of Posterior fornix and Rectouterine pouch
during curettage of uterus might lead to intra abdominal bleeding.
