female reproductive

• Ovaries are

the female gonads

what do ovaries produce

Produce female gametes (ova)

– Secrete female sex hormones, estrogen

(estradiol, estrone, estriol) and progesterone

Accessory ducts include

Uterine tubes

– Uterus

– Vagina

Internal genitalia

Ovaries

– Uterine tubes

– Uterus

– Vagina

External genitalia

External sex organs

Ovarian ligament

anchors ovary medially to

uterus

Suspensory ligament

anchors ovary

laterally to pelvic wall

Mesovarium

suspends ovary

Suspensory ligament and mesovarium

part of

broad ligament which supports uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina

Blood supply of ovaries

ovarian arteries and

ovarian branch of the uterine arteries

what are ovaries surrounded by

fibrous tunica albuginea and Germinal epithelium - outer layer

Ovarian follicles

Immature egg (oocyte) surrounded by

– Follicle cells (one cell layer thick)

– Granulosa cells (more than one layer present)

Primordial follicle

single layer of follicle cells + primary (immature) oocyte and

More mature follicles – has several layers of granulosa cells

Ovaries Vesicular (antral or tertiary) follicle

fully mature follicle

– Fluid-filled antrum forms; follicle bulges from

ovary surface and prepares for ovulation

Ovulation

Ejection of oocyte from ripening follicle

develops from ruptured follicle after ovulation

corpeus luteum

Female Duct System

Ducts have no contact with ovary

– Oocyte cast into peritoneal cavity; some lost

there

Uterine Tubes

Receive ovulated oocyte; usual site of

fertilization

Isthmus of uterine tube

constricted region where tube

joins uterus

Ampulla of uterine tube

Distal expansion with infundibulum near

ovary

ciliated fimbriae function

reate

currents to move oocyte into uterine tube

How is the oocyte moved through the uterine tube?

By peristalsis and ciliary action.

What is the function of the nonciliated cells in the uterine tubes?

: They nourish the oocyte and sperm.

What covers the outside of the uterine tubes?

the peritoneum

What are the main functions of the uterine tubes?

o transport the oocyte and provide nourishment for the oocyte and sperm

Uterus

Hollow, thick-walled, muscular organ

uterus function

Receive, retain, nourish fertilized ovum

Body of uterus

major portion

Fundus of uterus

rounded superior portion

Isthmus of uterus

narrowed inferior region

Cervix (uterus)

narrow neck, or outlet; projects

into vagina

Cervical canal

communicates with

– Vagina via external os

– Uterine body via internal os

Mesometrium—lateral

support attaching the sides of the uterus to the pelvic sidewalls.: portion of

broad ligament

Cardinal (lateral cervical ) ligaments

from cervix and superior vagina to lateral

walls of pelvis

Uterosacral ligaments

secure uterus to

sacrum

Round ligaments

bind to anterior wall

Perimetrium (uterine wall)

serous layer (visceral

peritoneum)

Myometrium (uterine wall)

interlacing layers of smooth

muscle

Endometrium-(uterine wall)

- mucosal lining

Stratum functionalis (of endometrium)

Changes in response to ovarian hormone

cycles

– Shed during menstruation

Stratum basalis (of endometrium)

Forms new functionalis after menstruation

– Unresponsive to ovarian hormones

vagina

• Thin-walled tube 8-10 cm in length

• Birth canal and organ of copulation 

• Extends between bladder and rectum from cervix to exterior 

Vagina layers of wall

• Fibroelastic adventitia

• Smooth muscle muscularis

• Stratified squamous mucosa with rugae

What is the hymen?

An incomplete partition of mucosa near the vaginal orifice.

Where is the hymen located?

Near the vaginal opening (vaginal orifice).

What can cause the hymen to rupture?

Intercourse or other physical activities that stretch or tear it

What is the vaginal fornix?

The upper end of the vagina that surrounds the cervix.

Where is the vaginal fornix located in relation to the cervix?

It forms a recess around the cervix at the upper end of the vagina.

• Mons pubis -

• fatty area overlying pubic symphysis

• Labia majora

• hair-covered, fatty skin folds 

  • Counterpart of male scrotum

• Labia minora -

skin folds lying within labia majora

External Genitalia

• Greater vestibular glands

  • Flank vaginal opening

  • Homologous to bulbourethral glands

  • Release mucus into vestibule for lubrication

• Clitoris

anterior to vestibule

glans of clitoris is exposed prepuce is counterpart of penis

Mammary Glands

• Modified sweat glands consisting of 15–25 lobes and Function in milk production 

• Areola

• pigmented skin surrounding nipple

suspensory ligaments –

• – attach breast to underlying muscle 

• Lobules contain what and are in

• lobes contain glandular alveoli that produce milk

• Follicular phase of ovarian cycle

• period of follicle growth (days 1–14)

ovulation

• occurs midcycle and the phase of the menstrual cycle when a mature egg is released from the ovary into the fallopian tube

• Luteal phase (ovarian cycle)

• period of corpus luteum activity (days 14–28)

• ovarian cycle

• Monthly series of events associated with maturation of egg is known as

• Primordial follicle of follicular phase

• becomes primary follicle

  • Squamous like cells become cuboidal; oocyte enlarges

• Primary follicle becomes

• secondary follicle and

  • Stratified epithelium (granulosa cells) forms around oocyte

Follicular Phase

• Late secondary follicle becomes vesicular follicle and antum forms

Luteal Phase of the Ovarian Cycle

• Ruptured follicle collapses; 

• Granulosa cells and internal thecal cells form corpus luteum

• Corpus luteum secretes

• progesterone and some estrogen

Luteal Phase If no pregnancy

• corpus luteum degenerates and turns corpus albicans (scar tissue) in 10 days

• If pregnancy occurs during luteal phase

• corpus luteum produces hormones that sustain pregnancy until placenta takes over at about 3 months