The reproductive system is that which is concerned
with procreation. Characteristically it differs anatomically and
physiologically in both males and females. At the end of each month the female
produces the egg/ovum which is fertilized by the germ cell i.e. spermatozoa
from the male and the resultant zygote embeds in the wall of the uterus in the
female, where it grows, develops until maturity after a gestational period of
40 weeks/9 months when the body is born.
with procreation. Characteristically it differs anatomically and
physiologically in both males and females. At the end of each month the female
produces the egg/ovum which is fertilized by the germ cell i.e. spermatozoa
from the male and the resultant zygote embeds in the wall of the uterus in the
female, where it grows, develops until maturity after a gestational period of
40 weeks/9 months when the body is born.
Functions of the Female Reproductive System
·
Formation
/ Production of Ova
Formation
/ Production of Ova
·
Nurturing
of fertilized ovum/ova.
Nurturing
of fertilized ovum/ova.
·
parturition
parturition
·
Milk
Production
Milk
Production
·
Meet the
physiological needs of the individual
Meet the
physiological needs of the individual
The female reproductive organs are divided into 2
parts i.e. the external and internal organs/genitalia.
parts i.e. the external and internal organs/genitalia.
The External Genitalia
These are
collectively known as the vulva and it consists:
collectively known as the vulva and it consists:
·
The labia
Majora
The labia
Majora
·
The labia
minora
The labia
minora
·
the
clitoris
the
clitoris
·
the
vestibule
the
vestibule
·
the hymen
the hymen
·
the
greater vestibular glands
the
greater vestibular glands
The Labia Majora
These are
the two large folds of skin which form the boundary of the vulva. They are
composed of skin. Fibrous tissues and fat, containing numerous sebaceous glands
in the medial layer of the folds
the two large folds of skin which form the boundary of the vulva. They are
composed of skin. Fibrous tissues and fat, containing numerous sebaceous glands
in the medial layer of the folds
Anteriorly
they join in front of the symphysis pubis, posteriorly they merge with the skin
of the perineum.
they join in front of the symphysis pubis, posteriorly they merge with the skin
of the perineum.
At
puberty- hairs grows on the mons pubis and on the lateral aspect of the labia
majora.
puberty- hairs grows on the mons pubis and on the lateral aspect of the labia
majora.
The Labia Minora
They are
2 smaller folds of skin lying between the labia majora.
2 smaller folds of skin lying between the labia majora.
Anteriorly-Divided
into 2 parts the stretching in front of the clitoris to form the prepuce, the other
passing behind it to form the frenulum
into 2 parts the stretching in front of the clitoris to form the prepuce, the other
passing behind it to form the frenulum
Prosteriorly- They are fused together forming the
fourchette. The area between the labia minora is called the vestibule. The vagina,
the urethra and, the ducts of the greater vestibular glands open into the
vestibule.
fourchette. The area between the labia minora is called the vestibule. The vagina,
the urethra and, the ducts of the greater vestibular glands open into the
vestibule.
The clitoris
This
corresponds to the penis in the males and so contains erectile tissues. It is
attached to the symphysis pubic by a suspensory ligament and lies between the
prepuce and the frenulum
corresponds to the penis in the males and so contains erectile tissues. It is
attached to the symphysis pubic by a suspensory ligament and lies between the
prepuce and the frenulum
The Hymen
The hymen
is a thin layer of mucous membrane which partially occludes the opening of the
vagina in the virgo intacta. The pride of ladies. The greater vestibular glands
is a thin layer of mucous membrane which partially occludes the opening of the
vagina in the virgo intacta. The pride of ladies. The greater vestibular glands
The
greater vesibular glands lie in the labia majora, one on each side near the
vagina opening. They are about the size of a small pea and have ducts about 2
cm long which open into the vestibule. The glands secrete mucus which lubricate
the vulva.
greater vesibular glands lie in the labia majora, one on each side near the
vagina opening. They are about the size of a small pea and have ducts about 2
cm long which open into the vestibule. The glands secrete mucus which lubricate
the vulva.
The perineum
This is a roughly triangular area extending from
the fourchette to the anal canal. It gives attachment to the muscles of the
pelvic floor.
the fourchette to the anal canal. It gives attachment to the muscles of the
pelvic floor.