Female Reproductive System

UWEC BIOL 314 A&P II

Ovary

female gonads that produce egg cells (ova) and sex horomones (estrogen, progesterone)

Layers of the ovaries

tunica albuginea, outer cortex, inner medulla, fluid-filled follicle

Ovulation

bursting of the follicle and releasing of the egg

Path of an egg in the female reproductive system

fimbriae, fallopian tube, uterus, cervix, vaginal canal

what are the fallopian tube structures

fimbriae, infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus

Fimbriae

feathery projections on infundibulum (fingers)

Infundibulum

flared, trumpet-shaped distal (ovarian) end

Ampulla

middle and longest part of the fallopian tube

Isthmus

narrower end towards uterus

Uterus

thick muscular chamber that opens into roof of the vagina (fundus, body, cervix)

Uterine wall layers

perimetrium, myometrium, endometrium

Perimetrium

external serosa layer

Myometrium

middle muscular layer (mostly smooth muscle; causes contractions such as period cramps)

Endometrium

inner mucosa; simple columnar epithelium (functional and basal layer)

Functional uterine layer

superficial half, shed each menstrual period

Basal urterine layer

deep layer, stays behind and regenerates a new functional layer with each menstrual cycle

Cervix

connects lumen of uterus to vagina (internal os, cervical canal, external os)

Vagina

muscular tube allowing discharge of menstrual fluid, receives penis and semen, births baby (has no glands)

Layers of the vaginal wall

outer adventitia, middle muscularis, inner mucosa

Features of the vagina

fornices, transcerse friction ridges, hymen

difference in vaginal epithelium before and after puberty

children have simple cuboidal while adults have stratified sqaumous

Vulva (pudendum)

area containing female external genitalia

Mons pubis

a mound of fatty tissue covering the pubic area in women (cushion for thrusting during sex)

Labia minora

thin, hairless folds medial to labia majora

Labia majora

pair of thick folds of skin and adipose tissue inferior to the mons

Prepuce

foreskin for women; above the clitoris

Clitoris

female erectile tissue between the labia; sensitive

Vestibular bulbs

erectile tissue deep to labia majora; bracket the vagina

Breast

mound of tissue overlying the pectoralis major; enlarges at puberty

Lactating breast

lots more mammary glands present; full of active ducts and sinuses

Nonlactating breast

consists mostly of adipose and collagenous tissue; mammary glands atrophy when not in use

GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone)

a hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that stimulates the release of FSH and LH from anterior pituitary

FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)

stimulates secretion of ovarian sex hormones, development of ovarian follicles, and sperm production

LH (luteinizing hormone)

a hormone that causes the secretion of sex hormones by the testes and ovaries; causes ovulation

Estrogen

female sex hormone secreted by ovarian follicles (estradiol, estriol, estrone)

Estradiol

most abundant estrogen horomone; causes many changes which occur during puberty

Estriol

estrogen of pregnancy

Estrone

estrogen of postmenopausal woman

Progesterone

acts on the uterus preparing it for possible pregnancy in the second half of the menstrual cycle

Inhibin

inhibits secretion of FSH

Androgen

hormone that promotes masculine characteristics

Estrogens and Progesterones

supress FSH and LH secretion through negative feedback

More estrogen

inhibit secretion of FSH and LH

Less estrogen

promote secretion of FSH and LH

Puberty timeline

begins at age 8-10

Signs of puberty

first mentration occurs, voice slightly deepens, hair grows on body more frequently

Process of egg production

transform into primary oocyte (early meiosis I w/ FSH) which then turn into secondary oocytes giving off a polar body as waste

what happens if a egg is fertilized or not

if egg is not fertilzed it dies; if fertilized the egg turns into a zygote which becomes an embryo

Phases of sexual cycle

follicular phase, secretory phase, mensural phase

stages of a follicle

primary follicle, secondary follicle, tertiary follicle, ovulation

Luteum phase

when not fertilized the follicle will become a corpus luteum, then into a corpus albicans, then primordial follicles

Ovarian cycle hormones

FSH (stimulates follicle growth/secrete estradiol), LH (stimulated by estradiol), progesterone and estrogen (inhibit ovulation)

Menstrual cycle uterine phases

proliferative, secretory, premenstrual, menstrual

what happens during the proliferative phase?

new follicles lead to more estrogen; estrogen stimulates mitosis in basal layer; regrow the functional layer shed during menstrual phase

what happens during the Secretory phase

thickening due to secretion and fluid accumulation; endometrial glands secrete glycogen; soft, wet, nutritious bed for embryo's; lots of progesterone

What happens during the Premenstrual phase

progesterone falls and corpus albicans form; tissue necrosis and menstrual cramps; preperation for menstration

What happens during the menstrual phase

discharge of menstrual fluid; bleeding/shedding of functional layer; contains fibrinolysin to prevent clotting/sepsis

Menopause

cessation of menstrual cycles (imblances of adipose tissue cause variations)

Menopause vs Climacteric

menopause happens later in life than climacteric (can occur close together)

Hormone changes of climacteric

fluctuations of estrogen and progesterone (usually leads to less of these hormones)

Effects of hormonal change during climacteric

sex organ atrophy, dilations of blood vessels cause hot flashes, constrict/dialtion of blood vessels, bone mass declines, skin becomes thinner, follicles become less reponsive to hromones

Female sexual response phases

excitement, plateau, orgasm, resolution

Excitement (sexual)

stimulation leads to engorgment of labia minora and vaginal trasudate (lubrication)

Platuae (sexual)

erctile tissue engorges (clitoris and nipples) becoming more sesitive to stimulation

Orgasm (sexual)

Occurs during platuae; intense sensation spreading from clitoris through the pelvis (spasms of the body)

Resolution (sexual)

orgasmic platform relaxes, flushed apperance dissapates, engorged body parts relax, uterus drops forward

Female vs Male sexual response

Female sexual response has no refactory period and is mainly stimulated phsycologically