MT Chapter 15: Female Reproductive System, Obstetrics, and Neonatology

The main purpose of the female reproductive system is to…

produce the female sex cells known as oocytes, to nourish a developing embryo, and to nurse an infant.

Obstetrics in the field of medicine concerned chiefly with…

childbirth and the care of women throughout their pregnancy.

Neonatology, also known as neonatal medicine, deals with…

the care of a newborn and includes the study of disorders of the newborn

Structures:

• the external genitalia (commonly known as the genitals or vulva) include the mons pubis, labia majora, and labia minora, clitoris, the vestibule (surrounding area) of the vagina and its glands, and the openings of the urethra and vagina; these organs enable spermatozoa to enter the body, protect the internal genital organs from infectious organisms, and provide sexual pleasure

• the interal genitalia are the passages involved in human reproduction; these structures form a pathway called the genital tract

• the breasts are functionally a part of the female reproductive system because they contain the milk-producing structures that nourish an infant

Functions:

• producing female sex hormones

• propagating life by producing oocytes, the female sex cells

• transporting occytes to a site where they may be fertilized by spermatozoa to form ova

• supporting and nurturing a developing embryo and fetus in a favorable environment until birth

• providing an infant’s first source of nutrition and protective antibodies after birth through breast milk

breasts/ mammary glands

modified sweat glands that produce milk

areola

pigmented area around the breast nipple

lactiferous ducts

channels that carry breast milk to the nipple

lactiferous sinuses

expanded chambers that converge on the nipple surface

lobes of mammary gland

15-20 separate portions of the mammary gland that radiate from the central area deep to the nipple-like wheel spokes and comprise the body of the mammary gland; each is drained by a single lactiferous duct

lobules of mammary gland

subdivisions of the lobes of the mammary gland that make breast milk; also called lactiferous lobules

nipple

projection on the breast surface through which milk can be secreted

genitalia

external and internal organs of reproduction

ovaries

pair of oval reproductive glands that produce hormones and release oocytes

oocyte

female gamete or sex cell; when fertilized by a sperm, it develops into an ovum and is capable of developing into a new individual

corpus lutenum

temporary endocrine gland formed in the ovary that secretes the hormone progesterone during the second half of the menstrual cycle

menstrual cycle

period of time which an oocyte matures, is ovulated, and enters the uterus through the uterine tubes; during this time, ovarian hormonal secretions effect endometrial changes; if fertilization does not occur, the endometrium is shed and menstrual flow begins; the cycle lasts about 28 days

vesicular ovarian follicles/ graafian follicles

fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries in which the primary oocyte matures

ovum/ ova

oocyte that has been fertilized by a spermatozoon; an egg cell

uterine tunes/ salpinges, fallopian tubes

tubular structures that carry the oocyte from the ovary to the uterus

fimbriae

finger-like extensions of each uterine tube that drape over each ovary

uterus/ womb

pear-shaped organ located in the middle of the pelvis that supports a growing embryo and fetus and is the site of menstruation

adnexa

appendages or adjunct parts; the adnexa of the uterus consist of the uterine tubes, the ovaries, and the ligaments that hold them together

endometrium

inner layer that lines the uterus; this layer is shed during menstruation

myometrium

thick, muscular middle layer of the uterus

perimetrium

outer layer of the uterus that covers the body of the uterus and part of the cervix

cervix

tubular, lower portion of the uterus that opens into the vagina

cervical os

vaginal opening of the uterus; also called external os of uterus

fundus

dome-shaped top portion of the uterus that lies above the entrance of the uterine tubes

vagina/ birth canal

muscular tube projecting inside a female that connects the uterus to the outside of the body

vulva

the female external genital organs

clitoris

small (less than 2 cm) mass of erectile tissue in females that responds to sexual stimulation

hymen

thin fold of mucous membrane covering the entrance to the vagina

greater vestibular glands/ Bartholin glands

glands that keep the vagina moist and provide a lubricant for the vagina during sexual intercourse

labia

two sets of skin folds that cover the female external genital organs and tissues

labia majora/ labium majus

part of the labia that covers and protects the female external genital organs

labia minora/ labium minus

inner folds of the labia that surround the openings to the vagina and urethra

mons pubis

rounded mound of fatty tissue that covers the pubic bone

perineum

surface area between the thighs extending from the coccyx to the pubis that includes the anus posteriorly and the external genitalia anteriorly

vaginal orifice/ introitus

opening of the vagina

vestibule

central space between the labia minora

amnion

inner layer of membrane surrounding the fetus and containing the amniotic fluid

amnionic fluid/ amniotic fluid

fluid that encases the fetus and provides a cushion for the fetus as the mother moves

chorion

outermost membrane surrounding the fetus

conception/ fertilization

fertilization of an oocyte by a sperm

effacement

thinning of the cervix in preparation for delivery

embryo

the developing organism from conception until the end of the eighth week of gestation

fetus

developing embryo from the end of the eighth week of gestation until delivery

gamete

an organism’s reproductive cell, such as sperm or oocytes

gestation/ pregnancy

period of development from fertilization until birth

human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

hormone secreted by the fertilized ovum soon after conception

lactation

production of breast milk by the mammary glands after childbirth

lochia

normal vaginal discharge consisting of mucus, blood, and tissue debris following childbirth

ovulation

process of discharging an oocyte from an ovary

placenta

temporary organ implanted in the uterus through which the embryo/fetus receives nutrients and oxygen from the mother’s blood and passes waste through the umbilical cord

prolactin

hormone that stimulates breast growth and milk secretion

umbilical cord

connecting stalk between the embryo/fetus and the placenta that contains two arteries and one vein cord composed of blood vessels and connective tissue that is connected to the fetus from the placenta

The umbilical cord is…

one of several sites where stem cells can be harvested. Stem cells are self-renewing - that is, they reproduce through cell division - and can produce many different types of specialized cells, such as blood cells, heart cells, or pancreatic cells. These cells are retrieved from the blood in the umbilical cord.

zygote

cell resulting from the union of a sperm and oocyte

cervic/o

neck, cervix (neck of uterus)

colp/o

vagina

episi/o

vulva (external genitalia; wrapper)

gyn/o, gynec/o

woman

hyster/o

uterus (womb)

men/o, menstru/o

menstruation

metr/o, metri/o

uterus

my/o

muscle

oophor/o, ovari/o

ovary

pelv/i

pelvis, pelvic cavity

perine/o

perineum (area between the anus and vulva)

salping/o

uterus

vagin/o

vagina

vulv/o

vulva (external genitalia; wrapper)

amni/o, amnion/o

amnion

cephal/o

head

chori/o

chorion (membrane)

embry/o, embryon/o

embryo, immature form

fet/o

fetus

fund/o

fundus (part farthest from opening or exit)

galact/o

milk

gestat/o

from conception to birth

gravid/o

pregnancy

hydr/o

water, fluid

lact/o

milk

mamm/o, mast/o

breast, mammary gland

nat/o

birth

olig/o

scanty, few

omphal/o

umbilicus, navel

pub/o

pubis

toc/o

labor, birth

ante-

before

dys-

painful, difficult, abnormal

ecto-

outer, outside

endo-

in, within

micro-

small

multi-

many

neo-

new

nulli-

none

poly-

many, much

post-

after, behind