Lecture 17: Female Reproductive System

Functions of the female reproductive system

androgen + sex hormone production, oogenesis, sexual activity, support growth and survival of embryo from conception to birth, nourish newborn through breastfeeding

Bartholin’s glands/greater vestibular glands

glands that supply mucus lubrication to vagina during sexual activity

Functions of the vagina

support uterine secretions to outside body, receive penis during intercourse, passes fully developed fetus during normal delivery

Cesarean section

delivery of a baby through an incision made in the mother’s abdomen and uterus, elected when pregnancy is dangerous/at risk

Risk factors to elect c-section

Obstructed labor (hips not wide enough), breech birth (feet first), twins, advanced maternal age (over 35), obesity, high BP, large uterine fibroids, convenience

Ovaries

organs that produce oocytes and sex hormones

Fallopian tubes

tubes that transport secondary oocytes in the direction of uterus, location of fertilization

Ectopic pregnancy

non-viable pregnancy where egg implants in the fallopian tubes

Uterus

muscular organ that is the site of implantation, placenta formation, and fetal development

Cervix

barrier that protects the uterus, allows menstrual fluids to exit the body, produces mucus to nourish sperm and promote fertility

Fertilization

fusion of male and female gamete, changes the membrane of the egg

Stages of zygote-fetus development

Zygote → 4 cells → morula (ball) → early blastocyst (fluid filled) → blastocyst implants on uterine wall

HPV high risk strains

16 +18, block host’s ability to prevent mutated cells from dividing

P53 protein

protein that detects mutations and stops them from replicating, blocked by high risk HPV strains

Most common cause of cervical cancer

HPV

Breasts

accessory organs of the female reproductive system, supply milk to infants

Mammary glands

modified sweat glands that secrete milk into alveoli

Mammary alveoli

groups of milk-secreting cell clusters

Lactiferous sinus

ducts that take milk from the alveoli to the lactiferous ducts

Lactiferous ducts

15-20 ducts that allow milk to exit the breast through the nipple