ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY BARTHOLIN’S GLANDS – vulvovaginal gland,

paravaginal and major vestibular glands.

FEMALE EXTERNAL GENITALIA  Pair or glands that secretes alkaline mucus
that helps to keep the vaginal introitus
lubricated and enhance sperm survival
SKENE’S GLANDS (paraurethral and minor vestibular
glands) – pair of glands situated at each inner side of
the urethral meatus.
 Secretions of the Skene’s and Bartholin’s
glands increases with sexual stimulation to
lubricate the vagina and facilitate
coitus(sexual intercourse)
VAGINAL ORIFICE – external opening of the vagina
located below the urethral meatus. The GRAFENBERG
or G-spot is a very sensitive area located at the inner
anterior surface of the vagina
HYMEN – thin circular membrane made of elastic tissue
which is torn during the first sexual intercourse and
childbirth.
 Hymenotomy or hymenectomy – surgical
incision of an imperforate hymen (completely
covering the vaginal introitus preventing the
passage of menstrual discharge and sexual
intercourse
URETHRAL MEATUS – The external opening of the
female urethra is located just below the clitoris.
VULVA or PUDENDA – entire female external genitalia
MONS PUBIS/MONS VENERIS – pad of fat, richly
supplied with sebaceous glands.
 Hairless and smooth in childhood, covered by
curly hair called escutcheon after puberty.
 Female is triangular with base up and in
Male, diamond shape
LABIA MAJORA – two thick folds of adipose tissues
originating from the mons and terminating in the
perineum.
 Outer surface is thick and covered by hair,
Inner aspect is thin, smooth, and moist
 Provide covering and protection to the
external organs located under it BLOOD SUPPLY – blood supply to the vulva is provided
LABIA MINORA – two thin folds of connective tissue by the pudendal artery and inferior rectus artery, this
that joins anteriorly to form the prepuce and rich blood supply facilitates rapid healing during the
posteriorly to form fourchette(thin fold of skin at the postpartum period
back of the vulva). NERVE SUPPLY – anterior portion nerve supply is
 In nulliparous women, the labia minora cover derived from the L1(ilioinguinal and genitofemoral
the vaginal introitus, vestibule and urethra. nerve) and the posterior portion is derived from
CLITORIS – highly sensitive to touch and erectile tissue S3(pudendal nerve)
situated under the prepuce of the labia minora.
 Use to guide female catheterization FEMALE INTERNAL ORGANS
 2 erectile tissues
Corposa cavernosa – connected to the pubic
bone, supplied with many sebaceous glands that
produce cheese-like secretion called smegma
FOSSA NAVICULARIS – space between the fourchette
and vaginal introitus. Obliterated during childbirth
VESTIBULE – triangular space located between the
labia minora containing openings: vaginal introitus,
urethral meatus, Bartholin’s glands and Skene’s glands.
VAGINA (8-10 cm long) - hollow membrane and  Uterine contraction – to expel the fetus
muscular located in front of the rectum and behind the during labor and to seal torn blood vessels
bladder. after delivery of the placenta
 Composed of connective and elastic tissues, Parts of the Uterus
and muscle fibers 1. Fundus – uppermost convex portion, most
 Its surface is lined by stratified squamous contractile portion. It is palpated to assess
epithelium. uterine growth during pregnancy and
 Its upper portion is separated from the involution during the postpartum period. It is
rectum by the cul-de-sac of Douglas. also palpated to assess uterine contraction
during labor.
Functions 2. Cornua – portion which the fallopian tubes
 Organ of copulation are attached
 Discharges menstrual flow 3. Isthmus – upper third of cervix, very thin
 Birth canal which forms the lower uterine segment
Rugae – transverse folds of skin in the vaginal wall that during delivery
is absent in childhood, appear after puberty and 4. Corpus – houses the fetus during pregnancy
disappears at menopause. 5. Cervix (2.5 cm long) – lowest part of your
 Allow the vaginal canal to stretch and enlarge uterus. A hole in the middle allows sperm to
during delivery enter and menstrual blood to exit.
Vaginal Column - longitudinal folds of skin in the  contains many sebaceous glands which
vaginal canal secretes a clear viscid and alkaline
Vaginal vault – upper end of the vagina mucus that lubricates it and the vagina.
Fornix/Fornices – cervix projects to the vagina forming  Nabothian cysts – a lump with mucus
4 recesses or depression around its upper portion Parts of the Cervix
called fornices: anterior fornix, lateral fornices, a) Internal os – opens to corpus
posterior fornix(area that vaginal secretions collect and b) Cervical canal – spindle shaped area which is
semen pools. Posterior wall (10 cm), Anterior wall actually a continuation of the triangular
(7cm) uterine cavity
Vaginal pH – Before puberty (6.8-7.2) which is alkaline. c) External os – opens to vagina
After puberty (4.5) acidic.
 Before puberty young girls do not have Levels of the Uterus
enough estrogen yet to stimulate cervical 1. Perimetrium – outermost serosal layer
mucus secretion but with puberty, the ovary attached to the broad ligaments
begins to produce estrogen which stimulates 2. Myometrium – middle muscular layer
mucus production in the cervix. responsible for uterine contractions during
 This mucus is rich in glycogen then converted labor
to lactic acid by Doderlein bacilli (bacteria 3. Endometrium – innermost ciliated mucosal
normally presen in vagina) making the vaginal layer containing uterine glands that secrete a
environment acidic. thin alkaline fluid to keep the uterine cavity
Blood supply – blood supply of the vagina is derived moist. Consist of 2 layers:
from the vaginal artery that is a branch of the uterine a. Grandular layer – this layer peels
arteries. off during menstruation and
 Upper portion – cervicovaginal branch of thickens during the proliferative
uterine artery and secretory phase
 Middle portion – inferior vesical arteries b. Basal layer – gives rise to the new
 Lower portion – rectal and pudendal arteries endometrium after menstruation
Its lymphatic drainage is via the inguinal, internal iliac and delivery
and sacral glands Uterine Ligaments
Nerve supply – uterovaginal plexus or Lee Franken 1. Cardinal/Transverse-Cervical/Mackenrodt’s
hauser plexus and S1 to S3 nerves ligament – lower portion, it is the main
support of the uterus and damage to this will
UTERUS (2.5 to 3 inch long, thick, 2 inch wide, 50- result in uterine prolapse
70grams) – hollow muscular canal resembling an 2. Broad Ligaments/ Peritoneal Ligaments –
inverted pear which is situated in the true pelvis. supports the sides of the uterus and assists in
 During puberty, it increase in size and reaches holding the uterus in antaversion. The
its maximum size at 17 years. pampiniform plexus is located here. Made
Functions of mesosalpinx (encloses uterine
 Cardinal function (organ of reproduction tube), mesoovarium (carries ovarian vessels
 Organ of menstruation
 and nerves), mesometrium (contains part of FALLOPIAN TUBES (OVIDUCT) – pair of tube-like
transverse cervical ligament) structures originating from the cornua of the uterus
3. Round Ligament – connects uteris to the with distal ends located near the ovaries. Each tube is
labia majora. Gives stability to the uterus about 4 inch(10cm) long and ¼ inch in diameter.
4. Uterosacral Ligament – connects uterus to  Rhythmic contractions of the fallopian tubes
sacrum are strongest at the time of ovulation and
5. Anterior Ligament – provides support to the weakest during pregnancy.
uterus in connection with the bladder. Over Function
stretching of this ligament will lead to 1. Transport ovum from ovary to the uterus
herniation of the bladder to the vagina, a 2. The site of fertilization
condition called cystocele. 3. Provides nourishment to the ovum during its
6. Posterior ligament – forms the cul-de-sac of journey
Douglas. Damage to this will lead to Parts of Oviducts
herniation of rectum to the vagina called 1. Interstitial/Intramural – thick walled, located
rectocele. inside the uterus and is about 1 cm long
2. Isthmus – narrowest portion of the uterus
and is about 1 cm long. This is the site of
tubal ligation
3. Ampulla – middle portion and widest part.
This is the site of fertilization
4. Infundibulum – most distal portion. it has
fingerlike projections called fimbria

Blood supply – derived from the ovarian artery and

drainage is via the ovarian and uterine arteries.

OVARIES – almond-shaped glandular organs located

on either side of the uterus. Before puberty, the
ovaries are smooth, flat and ovoid organs. After
several ovulations they assume a nodular and pitted
appearance. Each ovaries weighs between 6-19 g, 1.5
– 3 cm wide and 2-5 cm long.
Functions
Blood supply: 1. Oogenesis - for development and maturation
1. Uterine artery – branch of internal iliac or of ovum
hypogastric artery which divides into two 2. Ovulation – release of ovum from the ovary
main branches: cervicovaginal branch that 3. Hormone production – it produce estrogen
supplies the upper portion of vagina and and progesterone
lower portion of cervix and the main branch Layers of the Ovary
which divides into fundal, tubal and ovarian 1. Tunica Albuginea – outermost protective
arteries layer surrounded by a single layer of cuboidal
2. Ovarian artery – direct branch of the aorta epithelium called germinal layer of Waldeyer.
Innervation: The 11th and 12th thoracic nerves are 2. Cortex – site of ovum formation and
responsible for painful uterine contractions during maturation. It contains the primordial
labor. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th sacral nerves supply the cervix follicles, Graafian follicles, corpus luteum and
and upper part of the birth canal. The lower portion of corpus albicans.
the birth canal is innervated by the pudendal nerve. o 2 months intrauterine – 600,00
T12 and L1 supply most part of the female internal oogonia
genitalia. o 5 months intrauterine – 6,800,000
o At birth – 2 million oocytes
 o Prepuberty/childhood – 300,00 to c) Ischiococyygeus muscles
400,00
o 36 years old – 30,000 to 400,000 THE MAMMARY GLANDS
o 36 years old – 30,000 to 400,000
o Menopause – absent The female breasts are accessory organs of
3. Medulla – contains blood vessels, lymphatics, reproduction meant to provide the infant with the
nerves and muscle fibers. Blood supply is most ideal nourishment after birth.
derived from the ovarian artery. External Structures
Analogous Structures in the Male and Female 1. Nipple or Mammary Papillae – it has 15-20
Reproductive System opening connected to lactiferous ducts and in
Male Female which milk flows out.
 Spermatozoa  Ovum 2. Areola – pigmented skin that surrounds the
 Glans penis  Glans clitoris nipple. Both nipple and areola have
 Scrotum  Labia majora pigmented and wrinkled skin
 Penis  Vagina 3. Montgomery tubercles – glands in the areola
 Testes  Ovaries
that secrete an oily substance that keeps the
 Vas deferens  Fallopian tubes
 Prostate glands  Skene’s glands areola and nipple lubricated
 Cowper’s glands  Bartholin’s glands Internal Structures
1. Lobes – 15 to 20 lobes are found in each
breast that are divided into several lobules
THE PELVIC FLOOR AND ITS MUSCLES 2. Lobules – composed of clusters of acini cells
Perineal body is a collection of muscles and fibrous 3. Acini cells – milk secreting cells that is
tissue located between the vagina and rectum. It stimulated by prolactin
provides main support to the pelvic floor. 4. Lactiferous ducts – serve as passageways of
 It’s the point where the bulbocavernous, milk
superficial transverse muscle of perineum, 5. Lactiferous sinus – dilated portions of the
external sphincter ani and fibers of the ducts located behind the nipple that serve as
levator ani muscles unite. reservoir of milk
 It is often lacerated during childbirth Hormones that Influence the Mammary Glands:
The pelvic diaphragm is composed of the following 1. Estrogen – stimulates development of the
structures: ductile structures of the breast
1. The superficial perineal muscles composed: 2. Progesterone – stimulates the development
a) Bulbocavernous muscles – act like sphincter of the acinar structures of the breast
to the vagina and urethra 3. Human Placental Lactogen – promotes
b) Ischiocavernous muscle – provide transverse breast development during pregnancy
support to the perineum 4. Oxytocin – let-down reflex
c) External anal sphincter – controls passage of 5. Prolactin – stimulates milk production
feces and flatus
d) Sphincter of the urethra – controls the flow THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
of urine The primary hormones involved in the functioning of
2. Levator ani muscles and its fascia is the deep the male reproductive system are follicle-stimulating
muscle layer stretching in the pelvic cavity hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and
like hammock testosterone. FSH is necessary for sperm production
a) Pubococcygeus muscle – deepest part, (spermatogenesis). LH stimulates the production of
damage to this muscle will result to testosterone, which is necessary to continue the
cycstocele and rectocele, and urinary stress process of spermatogenesis. Testosterone is also
continence important in the development of male characteristics,
b) Iliococcygeus muscles including muscle mass and strength, fat distribution,
bone mass and sex drive.
 VAS DEFERENS - a long, muscular tube that travels
from the epididymis into the pelvic cavity, to just
behind the bladder. It transports mature sperm to the
urethra in preparation for ejaculation.

EJACULATORY DUCTS - These ducts are formed by the

fusion of the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles. The
ejaculatory ducts empty into the urethra.

URETHRA - tube that carries urine from the bladder to

outside of your body
 expelling (ejaculating) semen when you reach
orgasm, When the penis is erect during sex,
the flow of urine is blocked from the urethra,
EXTERNAL ORGANS allowing only semen to be ejaculated at
PENIS - is the male organ for sexual intercourse. It has orgasm.
three parts:
 The root: part of the penis that attaches to SEMINAL VESICLES - sac-like pouches that attach to the
the wall of your abdomen.
vas deferens near the base of the bladder.
 The body or shaft: Shaped like a tube or
 make a sugar-rich fluid (fructose) that
cylinder, the body of the penis is made up of
three internal chambers. Inside these provides sperm with a source of energy and
chambers there’s a special, sponge-like helps with the sperms’ ability to move
erectile tissue that contains thousands of (motility)
large spaces that fill with blood when you’re
sexually aroused. As the penis fills with blood, PROSTATE GLAND - walnut-sized structure that’s
it becomes rigid and erect, which allows for located below the urinary bladder in front of the
penetration during sex. The skin of the penis rectum. The prostate gland contributes additional fluid
is loose and elastic, allowing for changes in to the ejaculate. Prostate fluids also help nourish the
penis size during an erection sperm
 The glans: cone-shaped end of the penis. The
glans, which is also called the head of the BUBOURETHRAL GLANDS - or Cowper’s glands, are
penis, is covered with a loose layer of skin
pea-sized structures located on the sides of the
called foreskin. This skin is sometimes
urethra, just below the prostate gland
removed in a procedure called circumcision.
 produce a clear, slippery fluid that empties
SCROTUM - loose pouch-like sac of skin that hangs directly into the urethra, this fluid serves to
behind the penis. It holds the testicles (also called lubricate the urethra and to neutralize any
testes), as well as many nerves and blood vessels. The acidity that may be present due to residual
scrotum protects your testes, as well as providing a sort drops of urine in the urethra.
of climate control system
MENSTRUAL CYCLE
TESTILES (TESTES) - oval organs about the size of very
large olives that lie in the scrotum, secured at either
end by a structure called the spermatic cord
 responsible for making testosterone, the
primary male sex hormone, and for producing
sperm.
 Within the testes are coiled masses of tubes
called seminiferous tubules. These tubules
are responsible for producing the sperm cells
through a process called spermatogenesis

EPIDIDYMIS - long, coiled tube that rests on the

backside of each testicle. It carries and stores sperm
cells that are created in the testes. It brings the sperm
to maturity

INTERNAL ORGANS/ACCESSORY ORGANS