Female Reproductive System

the female reproductive system consists of:

2 ovaries, 2 uterine (fallopian) tubes, 1 uterus, 1 vagina, external genetalia, mammary glands

ovaries

primary female reproductive organ, produces oocytes and sex hormones, one on either side of uterus, anchored by ligaments

ovarian follicle

groups of cells in ovaries that contain oocytes, each ovarian follicle contains an oocyte, FSH stimulates several follicles to begin developing during each menstrual cycle only 1 follicle will typically be ovulated

oogenesis

process of gamete production in females, begins before female is born; by 4th month of development, the ovaries contains 5 million oogonia

oogonia

the cells from which oocytes develop

females are born with BLANK oogonia

2 million

after puberty, about BLANK oogonia are left

300,000-400,000

uterine tube

part of uterus which extends toward ovaries and receive oocytes

fimbriae

fringe-like structures around opening of uterine tubes that help sweep oocyte into uterine tubes

ampulla

where fertilization usually occurs near the ovary

tubal ligation

cutting the uterine tube so sperm cannot reach oocytes, permanent, several rates 50-90%

uterus function

receive, retain, and provide nourishment for fertilized oocyte, where embryo resides and develops

fundus of uterus

the part of the uterus superior to the entrance of the uterine tubes

cervix

narrow region that leads to vagina, must dilate for vaginal childbirth, checked for precancerous cells with pap smear

walls of the uterus

perimetrium, myometrium, endometrium

perimetrium

serous, outermost layer

myometrium

muscular, middle layer, composed of smooth muscle

endometrium

innermost layer that is sloughed off during menstruation

vagina

extends from uterus to outside of body, contains very muscular walls and a mucous membrane, maintains an cidic environment to keep unhealthy bacteria out, has a balanced microbiome

vulva

external female sex organs

mons pubis

fatty layer of skin superficial to the pubic symphysis

labia majora

larger, outer folds surrounding the vulva

labia minora

thinner, inner folds surrounding the vestibule