Genital Systems - Female

Genital tubercle

becomes the clitoris in females and penis in males

Urethra fold

becomes the labia minora in females and form the spongy urethra and part of the penile shaft in males

Labioscrotal fold/swelling

becomes the labia majora in females and the scrotum in males

where are female gametes made?

ovaries (internal genitalia)

explain the growth of an oocyte in the ovaries by meiosis

meiosis occurs but gives all the cytoplasm to only one the two split cells in each division, leaving the other cells nonviable. this creates a mega oocyte which then erupts through the ovary into the coelom curing ovulation. meiosis pauses and doesn’t complete meiosis II until it is fertilized

what leads an oocyte to the uterus?

uterine tubes (internal genitalia)

what are the fimbriae of the uterine tube vs. the abdominal ostium? explain how these structures receive an oocyte

fimbriae - smooth muscle; finger-like structures

abdominal ostium - the opening to the uterine tube

the fimbriae draw the oocyte into the abdominal ostium by creating a current in the coelom fluid with contraction in a “come hither” motion

where do young begin to develop?

uterus (internal genitalia)

what are the three sections of the uterus called?

fundus (where ovaries implant), body, and cervix (the part in the pelvic cavity)

what are the layers of the uterine wall and their SDF?

1) perimetrium - outer tube layer; mesothelium; serosa mostly but adventitia on the bottom (produces serous fluid vs doesn’t)

2) myometrium - middle tube layer; smooth muscle + CT; contracts to help push out endometrium

3) endometrium - inner layer of tube; simple columnar epithelium; changes across the menstrual cycle and sheds due to hormonal signaling

vagina (internal genitalia)

the passageway for birth, sexual intercourse, and menstruation

what is the cuff of the vagina all around the cervix where sperm collects before moving in?

vaginal fornix

what are the three tunics of the vagina? (since the vagina is a tube)

1) mucosa of vagina - nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium; secretes mucus

• rugae - folds allowing to expand

• spongy layer - vascular loose CT (submucosa)

2) muscular layer of vagina - smooth muscle and CT and some skeletal muscle at the very end

3) adventitia - dense irregular CT

structure of labia majora

has epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. also has hair follicles and apocrine sudoriferous glands, eccrine sudoriferous glands, and sebaceous glands

structure of labia minora

differs from labia majora in that it has no hair, apocrine sudoriferous glands, eccrine glands, or hypodermis

what’s the hood over the clitoris called?

prepuce of clitoris

what are the two erectile tissues of a female? (special type of CT)

cavernous erectile tissue (most vascular) and spongy tissue

what are the parts of the clitoris and what tissue are they made of?

1) crus of clitoris - cavernous erectile tissue (the legs on either side)

2) body of clitoris - cavernous erectile tissue (where the two crus’ meet and fold down)

3) glands of clitoris - spongy erectile tissue (the very tip of the clitoris)

vestibule of vagina

the area immediately around and including the entrance to the vagina and urethra made of nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium because it is just thin skin

bulb of vestibule

directly behind the labia minora made of spongy erectile tissue

greater vestibular glands

secretes lubricant for more frictionless intercourse (under the bulb of vestibule)

what are the female genital organs in?

peritoneal coelom