Chapter 35- Female Reproductive System

what is the course of ova through the female reproductive system?

1. ovaries

2. uterine tubes

3. uterus

what are the additional structures of the female reproductive system that are NOT involved in ova production & transportation?

1. vagina

2. greater vestibular glands

3. labia minora

4. labia majora

5. clitoris

6. mons pubis

what is the ovary?

female gonad that contains follicles

what do the follicles of the ovary function in?

producing female sex cell and female sex hormones

what are female sex cells?

ovum

what are female sex hormones?

2

progesterone and estrogen

how many ovaries does the female reproductive system have?

2

where are the ovaries located?

on the lateral wall of the pelvis

how does the ovum leave the ovary?

the ovum is expelled by the follicle at the surface of the ovary

where does the ovum go once it is expelled from the ovary?

it enters the abdominal cavity where it is picked up by the uterine tube

what is the uterine tube also called?

fallopian tube or oviduct

how many uterine tubes are in the female reproductive system?

2

where are the uterine tubes?

extending from the ovary to the uterus

where does the uterine tube attach?

what side

lateral wall of the uterus

what is on the ovarian end of the uterine tube?

fimbriae

what are fimbriae?

finger-like processes at the ovarian end of the uterine tube

where does the uterine tube convey the ovum (released from the ovary) to?

toward the uterus

what happens if fertilization is to occur?

where does fert happen

the fertilization will occur in the uterine tube

what happens if fertilization does not occur?

the ovum will degenerate in the uterine tube

what is the uterus?

organ with an extremely thick muscular wall that expands during development of a fetus

where is the uterus located?

in the pelvis - lying upon the superior surface of the urinary bladder

what parts does the uterus exhibit?

fundus

body

isthmus

cervix

rectouterine pouch of Douglas

what is the fundus?

part of the uterus that lies above the opening of the uterine tubes

what is the body?

main mass of the uterus that extends posteriorly to the isthmus

what is the isthmus?

constricted part of the uterus located between the body and cervix

what is the cervix?

part of the uterus that opens into the vagina

where can the cervix be palpated and when is this important?

-the opening of the cervix can be palpated through the vagina

-the extent of the opening of the cervix is determined during childbirth (when the cervix dilates)

what lies posterior to the uterus?

rectouterine pouch of Douglas

What do ligaments do in regards to the reproductive organs

they anchor and support the reproductive organs

What do the broad and round ligaments do

in what direction

they anchor the uterus laterally to the pelvic wall

what does the proper ovarian ligament do

it connects the ovary to the uterus

what does the suspensory ligament of the ovary do

it suspends the ovary from the pelvic wall

what is the vagina?

canal that extends from the cervix of the uterus inferiorly to the vestibule of the vagina

what is the vestibule of the vagina?

inferior opening of the vagina

what is the fornix?

btw what two things

recess between cervix and vaginal wall

which fornix is the longest?

the posterior fornix

where is the vagina located?

think ant and post

located anterior to the rectum and posterior to the urinary bladder

are the vagina and urethra connected in the female reproductive system?

NO, the vagina is a separate and distinct canal from the urethra (the urethra doesn't join the repro organs in the female system like it does in the male)

which female organ is involved in sexual intercourse?

the vagina

what is the vestibule of the vagina partially closed by?

the hymen - a membranous fold

What are the Greater Vestibular Glands?

2 small ovoid glands

where are the greater vestibular glands located?

lateral wall of the vagina - just inside the vestibule of vagina

where do the ducts draining the greater vestibular glands open?

into the vestibule (the inferior opening of the vagina)

what happens to the greater vestibular glands during sex?

they are compressed and secrete a mucus that lubricates the vagina

what are the labia minora?

2 small folds of skin at either side of the vestibule of the vagina (usually hidden by labia majora)

what are the labia majora?

2 elongated folds of skin that extend posteriorly from the pubis

what is the texture of the outer and inner surface of the labia majora?

the outer surface is covered with coarse hairs

the inner surface is smooth

what is the clitoris homologous to?

penis

what does the clitoris contain?

erectile tissue that fills with blood resulting in an erection

does the urethra course through the clitoris?

no (but the male urethra courses through the penis)

where is the clitoris?

where the 2 labia minora join anteriorly

what is the mons pubis?

rounded, fatty elevation that lies over the pubic symphysis

what is the mons pubis covered by?

pubic hairs (coarse hairs)

what supplies the majority of the female reproductive organs?

branches from the internal iliac artery - including internal pudendal, vaginal, and uterine arteries

What is the gonadal artery in woman called

ovarian

what does the gonadal artery (ovarian in women) supply?

the ovaries and fallopian tubes

where does the gonadal (ovarian artery) arise from?

directly off the abdominal aorta