The female reproductive system

What do the ovaries produce

• produce ova (eggs) and hormones- both endocrine and exocrine

Medulla of the ovaries

• fibrous connective tissue

• the blood vessels are there within the medulla of the ovary

Cortex of the ovary

• where the ovarian follicles are

• there will be 1 egg that forms and many follicular cells in the cortex

Anatomy of the ovaries

• medulla

• cortex

• there are no ducts→ an ovum/egg is released by the bursting of follicles also known as ovulation

• held in place by ligaments:

  • the suspensory ligament and ovarian ligament

Blood supply of the ovaries

• The ovaries receive blood from the ovarian artery and uterine artery

primary female reproductive sex organ

ovaries

secondary sex organs in females

uterine tubes, uterus, vagina

define ovulation

• release of an oocyte/ovuum when a follicle raptures

Process of ovulation

• starts as primordial follicle, then grows to primary follicles, then to secondary follicle, then to mature follicle

• the oocyte is grown and matured

• eventually the ovulated oocyte will bust out on the surface of the ovary

• the oocyte will be swept into the uterine tube

• the follicle collapses and becomes the corpus luteum and will then continue to menstruation

Corpus luteum

• produces progesterone

• prepares the uterus for pregnancy

• scar tissue will be left over (corpus albicans)

• there will be the thickened lining of the uterus that will shed out as a result of menstruation

Uterine tubes

also known as the oviducts or fallopian tubes

• the uterine tubes are ciliated and muscular canals from the ovaries and connect to the uterus

• there are three parts

  • infundibulum

  • ampulla

  • isthmus

Infundibulum

• the ovarian end

• flares and has feathery finger-like projections called fimbriae

Ampulla

• inbetween the infundibulum and the isthmus

• THE TYPICAL FERTILIZATION SITE

• if fertilization does not occur here, then a miscarriage will likely happen

isthmus

• connects to the uterus

Uterus

• thick muscular pouch that sits on the urinary bladder

• has a fundus, body, and cervix

• as well as the uterine wall

Fundus of the uterus

at the top

Body of the uterus

the biggest portion

Cervix

the part that is more near the vagina

Uterine wall layers

• perimetrium-external serosa (the external layer)

• myometrium (the layer in the middle that contracts)

• endometrium (the inside layer)

Blood supply (pathway of blood to ovary and uterus)-

• uterus is supplied blood by the ovarian and uterine arteries

• it goes from the internal iliac→uterine artery→ arcuate artery→ spinal arteries→abdominal aorta→ ovarian artery

Menstrual cycle

• a 28 day monthly cycle of endometrium build up, break down, and then discharge

• day 0-6 involves menstruation

• proliferative phase

• secretory phase

• premenstrual phase

proliferative phase

• begins on day 6 approximately

• endometrial (thickening of the wall) lining built up through mitotic division (cell division) controlled by estrogen secretion by follicles

• menstruation is complete by now

secretory phase

• endometrial wall continues thickening by fluid accumulation, stimulated by progesterone from corpus luteum

• after day 6 this happens

premenstrual and menstrual phases

• blood flow to endometrial lining is interrupted causing tissue necrosis, blood pools in the tissue and is discharged (spiral arteries)

vagina & functions

• no internal glands, lubricated by cervical glands from above the vagina

• it is the tube from the uterus to the external environment

1. allows passage of menstrual fluid

2. receives penis for sperm delivery

3. passageway for baby

vaginal fornices

• extra spaces

• posterior and anterior

Vaginal rugae

• ridges

• help induce ejaculation

Metaplasia

• simple cuboidal to stratified sqaumous

• stimulated by estrogen in puberty as the body prepare for intercourse

External genitalia

• referred to as vulva or pudendum

• mons pubis

• labia majora

• labia minora

• vestibule

• clitoris

• vestibular bulbs

• greater vestibular glands

• paraurethral glands

mons pubis

adipose tissue overlaying the pubic symphysis

labia majora

• thick folds of skin between the thighs

• outside of the vagina

labia minora

• hairless and thinner than the labia majora

• medial to the majora

vestibule

• area enclosed by labia minora (urethral and vaginal orifices)

clitoris

• primary center of stimulation (sexual)

vestibular bulbs

• deep to labia majora

• made up of erectile tissue

• cause the vagina to tighten around a penis

  • the bulbs will fill up with blood during sexual excitement

greater vestibular glands

• lubrication

paraurethral glands

• milky fluid from female ejaculation

breast

• tissue that enlarges at puberty

• contains the mammary gland

areola

• blood vessels and nerves are close to surface making it darker and sensitive

• sensitive bc it has so many nerve endings

• assists in pleasure

mammary glands

• develops during pregnancy

• deteriorates post-nursing