After the lecture, the students will be able

to:

1. Describe the location, appearance, and

functions of both internal and external
female reproductive organs
2. Enumerate the female hormones and
explain their relationships with each other
3. Discuss the ovarian and menstrual
cycles, fertilization, and pregnancy
4. Illustrate the structure of the breast and
state the importance of breastmilk
Female Reproductive System
Reproductive
System
Prepared by:
APRIL JOYCE A. GANTE, RN
 What is
Reproductive
System?

Female Reproductive System

 INTRODUCTI
ON
 The reproductive system consists of organs primarily
involved in producing offspring.
 While it contains the major reproductive organs, it does
not operate in isolation.
 It is connected to the networks of blood vessels, blood,
nerves, hormones, and tissues that nourish it, provide it
with oxygen, regulate its responses, eliminate its wastes,
strengthen and protect it.
 In human beings, male and female reproductive systems
vary.

NOTE!!!
This concept discusses the nature, structure, and function of
the organs in the reproductive system. It also presents the
various processes that occur in the system and its
neighboring organs. Female Reproductive System
Internal reproductive
organs:
 Ovaries
 fallopian tubes
 Uterus
 Cervix
 Vagina

External organs are:

 mons pubis
 labia majora and
minora
 Hymen
 Vestibule
 Clitoris
 Perineum
 Skene’s and
Bartholin’s glands.
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Female Internal Reproductive System

Female Reproductive System

 Ovaries
The ovaries are two almond-shaped
organs approximately 3 cm long, 2 cm
wide, and 1 cm thick located in the
lower abdomen (pelvis) and attached
to the margins of the uterus and to
the pelvic wall by ligaments.

The ovaries also produce estrogen and

progesterone, as well as some other
female hormones. Aside from
regulating different reproductive
functions, estrogen and progesterone
regulate the female secondary sex
characteristics. They also play a role
20XX presentation title 8
 Fallopian Tube

• The fallopian tubes or

oviducts are a pair of
tubes about 10- 12 cm
long that connects the
ovaries to the uterus.
• They have fringe-like
projections with motile
cilia that help direct the
egg into its lumen.
Female Reproductive System
• The fallopian tube propels
the ovum from the ovary
towards the uterus, receives
the sperm coming from the
uterus, and provides the
site for fertilization (in
which sperm meets and
penetrates the egg).
• The fertilized egg is
propelled by ciliary current
and contractions of the
fallopian tube to the uterus
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Female Reproductive System
 Uterus

• The uterus or womb is a hollow,

pear-shaped muscular organ about
7-8 cm long.
• It is located in the middle of the
pelvis between the urinary bladder
in front and the rectum at the back.
• It has an inner lining which thickens
in preparation for the implantation
of the fertilized egg. If the egg is
not fertilized, the lining along with
the unfertilized egg is shed during
menstruation.
• The uterus houses the developing
offspring and enlarges to
accommodate it throughout the
pregnancy. During childbirth, its
Female Reproductive System
20XX presentation title 14
 CERVIX
• The cervix is the lower
portion of the uterus, an
organ of the female
reproductive tract. It
connects the vagina with
the main body of
the uterus, acting as a
gateway between them.

• Facilitates the passage of

sperm into the uterine
cavity. This is achieved via
dilation of the external and
internal
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Female External Reproductive System

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The female external
genitalia, known
collectively as the
VULVA,
Includes:
Mons pubis- is the
mound of fat tissue
lying over the pubic
bone (lowermost part
of the abdomen),
Female Reproductive System
• Labia majora- are the two
larger fleshy folds
covered by skin and
pubic hair on the outer
surface with a pink
smooth inner surface.
• They contain oil- and
sweat-secreting glands
and protect the other
external reproductive
organs.
• They are the female
equivalent of the male
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Labia minora are the hairless,
smaller folds that lie between
the labia majora.
In the front, the upper layer
forms a fold, the prepuce,
which overhangs the clitoris.
The labia minora surround the
openings of the vagina and
urethra.

Accessory glands (Bartholin's

and Skene's glands) secrete
mucus into the labia to
lubricate them during sexual
arousal.
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 Vagina

• The vagina or birth canal ls a 7-

12 cm long muscular cavity
that connects the uterus to the
outside (vestibule).
• It contains mucus secreted by
cervical glands.
• As ovulation approaches, the
mucus becomes sticky then
changes to an egg white
consistency, indicating a fertile
period. Recognizing fertile
mucus is a basis for couples to
abstain from sex to prevent
pregnancy.
• During pregnancy, the Female
mucus
Reproductive System
• The vagina is a passageway connecting the
uterus to the external genitalia.
• It is the female organ of copulation which
expands to take in the erect penis and the
ejected semen during intercourse.
• The vagina stretches even more to allow the
baby to pass during childbirth. It also
provides passage to the menstrual fluid to
escape from the uterus.
• The normal vagina in the adult has an acidic
pH and is richly colonized by bacterial flora,
predominantly lactobacilli.
• Both of these provide defense against
infection. Female Reproductive System
• The vaginal opening is partially covered
by a thin membrane called the hymen.
This membrane is usually present in girls
who have not had intercourse. An intact
hymen, as well as bleeding from its
rupture at intercourse, was formerly
considered a sign of virginity.

• The hymen, however, is pliable, may be

absent or torn with previous non-sexual
physical activity, and may not bleed with
first intercourse.
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 Vagina

Female Reproductive System

 Vagina

Female Reproductive System

 Perineum
• The perineum is the diamond-shaped
area at the lowest end of the trunk
between the vulva and the anus.

• It is divided into the anterior

urogenital triangle occupied by the
vulva with the orifices of the vagina
and urethra and the posterior
triangle containing the opening of
the anal canal.

Female Reproductive System

• The clitoris is the counterpart of the
male penis.
• Its highly sensitive tip, hooded by the
prepuce, protrudes at the upper
junction of the labia minora.
• It has abundant nerve endings and
blood vessels. Its body, located inside
the pelvis, consists of two cavities
that fill with blood during sexual
excitement.
• Stimulation of the clitoris leads to
orgasm.
• The vestibule is the area enclosed by
the labia minora where the openings
of the urethra and vagina are located.
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 Menstrual Cycle

• The 28-day menstrual cycle (also known as the

endometrial cycle) is closely related to the
ovarian cycle.
• As the primary follicle matures, it secretes
estrogen which acts on the inner lining of the
uterus, enabling it to proliferate after
menstruation, At approximately day 14 of the
cycle, ovulation occurs.
• The corpus luteum produces predominantly
progesterone which, primed with estrogen,
prepares the lining of the uterus, for the
implantation of the fertilized egg. If no
implantation occursFemale
within seven to ten days, the
Reproductive System
• Afterwards, a new cycle starts. It entails
another maturation of follicle, secretion
of hormones, proliferation of uterine
lining, ovulation, formation of corpus
luteum, secretion of more hormones,
and further preparation of uterine
lining.
• Again, if there is no implantation,
degeneration of corpus luteum,
decrease of supporting hormones,
shedding of uterine lining, and
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 Menstrual Cycle

• A few days before menstruation, as an effect of a change in

hormones, a woman may experience headache, bloated
feelings, mood swings, breast swelling and tenderness, weight
gain, lower back muscle pain, insomnia, food cravings, pimples,
mild fatigue and irritability, and increased perspiration
(premenstrual tension).
• These symptoms characterize what is commonly called
premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
• During menstruation, a woman may feel lower abdominal
discomfort (dysmenorrhea).
• Normal menstruation starts before the age of 16 years and ends
after the age of 45 years.
• It lasts from three to eight days an entails a blood loss of less
than 80 mL. A regular cycle ranges from 21-35 days, with an
average of 28 days. Menstrual blood does no clot.
• A prolonged abnormal bleeding or a frequently heavy or vey
painful bleeding should be consulted
Female Reproductive Systemwith the doctor.
 Menstrual Cycle

Female Reproductive System

Female Reproductive System
Female Reproductive System
 The Ovarian Cycle

• The ovarian cycle is a series of events that occur in the ovaries

during and after the maturation of the oocytes for fertilization.
Likewise, in this cycle, the uterus is prepared for a possible
pregnancy.
• During a woman's reproductive period, from menarche or the onset
of menstruation (approximately 9-14 years old) to menopause or
the cessation of menstruation (approximately 48-52 years old), she
regularly undergoes the ovarian cycle.
• It is controlled by the hypothalamus through gonadotropin-
releasing hormones to the pituitary gland which, in turn, sends
gonodotropic hormones (follicle-stimulating and luteinizing) to the
ovaries. The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates the
primary oocyte to resume its meiotic division and mature, FSH also
stimulates the primordial follicle to increase its lining cells and
form an outer covering that produces estrogen.
Female Reproductive System
• These changes transform the immature egg within the immature
follicle into a mature egg within a Graafian follicle. Once a month,
the luteinizing hormone (LH) causes a Graafian follicle to burst
(ovulation), releasing the mature egg (secondary oocyte). It also
transforms the remnants of the Graafian follicle into a yellow body
called corpus luteum. The corpus luteum predominantly secretes
progesterone, which prepares the lining of the uterus, primed with
estrogen, for the implantation of the fertilized egg.
• If no implantation occurs within seven to ten days, the corpus luteum
regresses, degenerates, and its hormonal secretion diminishes. The
cycle repeats with another ovulation. However, if the egg released at
ovulation is fertilized, the corpus luteum persists, becoming the
corpus luteum of pregnancy. With its own hormones, the corpus
luteum maintains the early pregnancy until the placenta can take
over.
• During ovulation, some women may feel a slight pain in one side of
the lower abdomen (mittelschmerz) or rise in basal body
temperature. These symptoms may be monitored by couples to
conceive or wanting to prevent pregnancy.

Female Reproductive System

 Breast
• Breasts are made of mammary
glands and fat which connect to
ducts that drain into the nipples
with their surrounding areolas.
• Mild asymmetry of the breasts
may be present.
• After a woman gives birth, the
breasts release colostrum and,
after a few days, milk.
• Both are essential for the
nourishment of the newborn and
his/her protection against
diseases.
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Thank you
 Activity
I. State the location and Major functions of these female reproductive organ.
a. Uterus
b. Ovaries
c. Fallopian Tubes
d. Vagina
e. External Genitalia

II. Discuss what happens during Menstrual Cycle

III. Explain the importance of colostrum and breastmilk.

Activity
Activity