FEMAL REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

OVARIES (FEMALE GONADS)

FUNCTIONS:

• PRODUCE GAMETES

• SECRETE HORMONES (ESTROGEN, PROGESTERONE, INHIBIN, RELAXIN

• PAIRED LANDS, LOOK LIKE UNSHELLED ALMONDS

• PRODUCES GAMETES (SEX CELLS)

• HOMOLOGOUS O TESTES: SAME EMBRYONIC ORGAN AS MALE TESTES

HILUM

• ENTRY AND EXIT POINT FOR BLOOD VESSELS AND NERVES, ATTACHED TO THE MESOVARIUM

BEFORE BIRTH

• PTIMORDIAL GERM CELLS MIGRATE FROM YOLK SAC > OVARIES

• BECOME OOGONIA (2N STEM CELLS) > DIVIDE TO FORM MILLIONS

• MOST DEGENERATE (ATRESIA)

• SOME > TIMARY OOCYTE> ENTER MEIOSIS 1 (STUCK IN PROPHASE UNTIL PUBERTY)

AT BIRTH

• AT ____: 200,000 TO 2M PRIMARY OOCYTE PER OVARY

• AT _____: 40,000 LEFT AND ONLY 400 WILL OVULATE IN LIFETIME; REST UNDERGO ATRESIA

MONTHLY CYCLE (PUBERTY>MENOPASUE)

• FSH AND LH FROM PITUITARY STIMULATE DEVELOPMENT

• PRIORDIAL FILLICLE > PRIMARY FOLLICLE

• SECONDARY FOLLICLE

• MATURE GRAAFIN FOLLICLE

IF FERTILIZATION OCCURS

• SPERM ENTERS SECONDARY OOCYTE > MEIOSIS II RESUMES

• PRODUCES:

OVUM (MATURE EGG)

SECOND POLAR BODY (DEGENERATES)

• EGG NUCLEUS +SPERM +NUCLEUS > DIPLOID ZYGOTE

UTERINE (FALLOPIAN) TUBES / OVIDUCTS

Basic Info

• Women have 2 uterine tubes, ~10 cm long.

• Function:

⚬ Route for sperm → ovum.

⚬ Transport secondary oocyte / fertilized egg → uterus.

Infundibulum

funnel-shaped, near ovary, open to pelvic cavity.

￭ Has fimbriae (fingerlike fringes) to catch

the ovulated egg.

Ampulla

widest & longest part (lateral 2/3)

• most common site for fertilization

Isthmus

short, narrow, thick-walled portion

that joins uterus

UTERUS (WOMB)

Basic Info

• Site of implantation of fertilized ovum.

• Supports fetal development & labor.

• Source of menstrual flow if no implantation.

Fundus

dome-shaped, above uterine tubes.

BODY

central portion

Isthmus

narrow region between body & cervix

Cervix

lower narrow portion, opens into vagina.

VAGINA

⚬ 10 cm (4 in.) fibro-muscular canal.

• Location: Between urinary bladder (front) &

rectum (back).

Functions

⚬ Outlet for menstrual flow.

⚬ Passageway for childbirth.

Fornix

recess around cervix; contraceptive

diaphragm fits here.

Hymen

thin fold partially covering vaginal

opening (vaginal orifice)

⚬ Can rupture (first intercourse, sports, tampon

use).

⚬ If completely closed → imperforate hymen

> may need surgery

VULVA

• EXTERNAL FEMALE GENITALS

Mons Pubis

• Fatty mound with pubic hair,

cushions the pubic symphysis.

Labia Majora

• Large outer lips, with hair,

fat, oil & sweat glands; homologous to

scrotum.

Labia Minora

• Smaller inner lips, no fat/hair, many oil glands; homologous to spongy urethra.

Clitoris

• Erectile tissue with nerves &

  vessels, covered partly by prepuce, has

  glans clitoris; homologous to glans penis

PERINEUM

Diamond-shaped area between thighs & buttocks.

UROGENITAL TRIANGLE

(FRONT > EXTERNAL GENITALS)

Anal triangle

• (BACK>ANUS)