Lecture 30 - Female Reproductive Organs

What are female gonads?

a pair of ovaries

What do ovaries produce?

Ova (eggs)

Where do ova pass through?

Pass through uterine tubes and implant in uterus

Where does the uterus end?

Ends at cervix, which is then attached to vagina

What does the vulva include?

Mons pubis, clitoris and vestibule, labia majora and minora, vaginal opening, and urethral opening

What is the mons pubis?

Pad of fat anterior, over the pubic bone

What is the labia majora?

Folds of hair covered skin that begin just posterior to mons pubis

What is the labia minora?

Thinner and more pigmented labia, that’s medial to labia majora

What does the labia minora do?

Protects clitoris, urethra, and entrance to vagina

What is the clitoris?

Erectile tissue, that originates from same cells as glans penis, and has abundant nervous tissue making it important in sexual sensation and orgasm

What is the clitoral hood?

Superior and anterior portion of labia minora come together to encircle the clitoris. Is homologous to penile foreskin

What is the vaginal opening?

Located between openings of urethra and anus

Is the vaginal opening considered the vagina?

No

What is the hymen?

A thin membrane that sometimes partially covers entrance to vagina

An intact hymen IS NOT an indication to _______

Virginity

At birth there is only a partial membrane of hymen, why?

Menstrual fluid and other secretions must be able to exit the body

Where is the bartholins glands located?

deep to posterior aspect of labia majora. Openings located at either side of vaginal opening

What does the bartholins glands do?

Secrete mucus to lubricate vagina

What is the vagina?

Female copulatory organ that extends through pelvis floor

What allows the vagina to expand?

Rugae

What are the ovaries

Female gonads located within the pelvic cavity

Around how big is each female pair of gonads?

Each ~2 to 3 cm in length

What are uterine (fallopian) tubes?

Passageway between ovaries and uterus. Are NOT attached to ovaries

What is the uterus?

Thick muscular structure located between bladder and rectum, and the site of fetal implantation and fetal growth after fertilization

How many layers is the wall of uterus made up of?

3; perimetrium, myometrium, and endometrium

What is the most superficial layer of the uterus wall?

Perimetrium

What is the perimetrium?

Epithelial tissue that covers exterior of uterus

What is the myometrium?

Second layer of uterus wall, thick layer of smooth muscle; horizontal, vertical, and diagonal muscle fibres

What is the myometrium responsible for?

Uterine contractions

What type of contactions do we receive in labor?

Powerful

What do less powerful contactions help with?

Help expel menstrual blood

Why do contactions also appear near time of ovulation?

To facilitate transport of sperm through female reproductive tract

What is the most superficial layer of uterus wall?

Endometrium

What are the 2 types of cells that are in the endometrium?

Stratum basalis, and stratum functionalis

What does the stratum basalis do?

Does not shred during menstration

What does the stratum functionalis do?

Thickens in response to increase of estrogen and progesterone, and provides site of implantation for fertilized egg. If no fertilization, only stratum functionalis sheds during menstration

What is the cervix?

Inferior portion of uterus, around 2-3 cm, and has an internal and external opening

What are accessory organs of female reproductive system?

Breasts

What is the process called that supplies milk to an infant?

Lactation

What are mammary glands?

Modified sweat glands where breast milk is produced

What are alveoli in the breast?

Glandular lobe within the breast containing groups of milk-secreting cells in clusters

How can milk-secreting cells in clusters change size?

Depends on amount of tof milk in alveolar lumen

Once milk is produced what do myoepithelial cells do?

They contract to push milk to lactiferous ducts and sinuses

Which way does milk flow?

From lactiferous ducts to lactiferous sinuses

Where does milk exit the breast?

The nipple

What are external features of the breasts?

Nipple, areola, and areolar glands

What is the areola?

Pigmented and surrounds the nipple, usually circular

What are areolar glands?

Raised glands on areola that secrete lubricating fluid during lubrication to protect nipple from chafing

When a baby draws milk from breast, what is taken into the mouth?

The entire areolar region

What is fat tissue on breasts?

What is surrounded by glandular lobes and determines the size of breasts however does not effect the amount of milk produced