FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Oogenesis

takes place in the ovaries;

is the process of meiosis for egg cell formation;

it begins in the ovaries and is also regulated by hormones.

ova

the female gametes are called

functions of the female reproductive system

o formation of ova

o reception of spermatozoa

o provision of suitable environments for fertilization and fetal development parturition (childbirth)

o lactation

lactation

the production of breast milk, which provides complete nourishment for the baby in its early life

FSH

initiates the growth of ovarian follicles, each of which contains an oogonium,

stimulates the follicle cells to secrete estrogen, which promotes the maturation of the ovum.

oogonium

a stem cell for egg cell production

one, polar bodies

for each primary oocyte that undergoes meiosis, only ______ functional egg cell is produced.

The other three cells produced are called

mature ovarian follicle

actually contains the secondary oocyte; the second meiotic division will take place if and when the egg is fertilized.

puberty (10 to 14 years of age)

The production of ova begins at ______________ and continues until menopause (45 to 55 years of age), when the ovaries atrophy and no longer respond to pituitary hormones.

zygote

fertilized egg

has 46 chromosomes

paired ovaries and fallopian tubes, the single uterus and vagina, and the external genital structures

female reproductive system consists of the

Oogonia - oocytes - Primary oocytes - Primordial follicle - Primary follicle - mature or graafian follicle

Follicle and Oocyte Development

Primary oocyte

completes first meiotic division to produce secondary oocyte and a polar body

Secondary oocyte

begins second meiotic division, which stops in metaphase II

Egg cells (ova)

are produced in the ovaries and travel through the fallopian tubes to the uterus.

uterus

is the site for the growth of the embryo-fetus.

ovaries

paired)—located on either side of the uterus. Egg cells are produced in ovarian follicles; each ovum contains 23 chromosomes. Ovulation of a graafian follicle is stimulated by LH.

Ovulation

Follicle swells and ruptures, secondary oocyte is released from ovary

Second meiotic division completed when secondary oocyte unites with sperm cell to form zygote

ovarian ligament

extends from the medial side of an ovary to the uterine wall

broad ligament

is a fold of the peritoneum that covers the ovaries.

also covers the uterus

ovarian ligament, broad ligament

These ligaments help keep the ovaries in place.

oocyte

Each primary ovarian follicle contains an ___________, a potential ovum or egg cell.

follicle cells

Surrounding the oocyte are the __________, which secrete estrogen.

graafian follicle

mature follicle

luteinizing hormone

causes ovulation, that is, rupture of the mature follicle with release of the ovum.

atretic follicles

follicles that begin to deteriorate;

two

there are ______ fallopian tubes

fallopian tube

(paired); also called as uterine tubes or oviducts

each is about 4 inches (10 cm) long.

ensures that the ovum will be kept moving toward the uterus through its structure

Interstitial

Isthmus

Ampulla

Infundibulum & Fimbriae

Fallopian Tube Segments:

Interstitial

: Lies within uterine wall.

Isthmus

: Narrow site for tubal ligation

Ampulla

: Middle expanded section; most common site of fertilization and ectopic pregnancy

Infundibulum & Fimbriae

: Finger-like projections that capture oocyte.

lateral end of a fallopian tube

encloses an ovary,

has fimbriae

medial end

opens into the uterus.

fimbriae

fringe- like projections that create currents in the fluid sur- rounding the ovary to pull the ovum into the fallopian tube.

in-vitro fertilization (IVF)

is fertilization outside the body, usually in a glass dish.

Fertilization

usually takes place in the fallopian tube.

corpus albicans

If not fertilized, an ovum dies and becomes _________ within 24 to 48 hours and disintegrates, either in the tube or the uterus.

corpus luteum

If fertilized, the ovum becomes a zygote and is swept into the uterus and becomes __________ ; this takes about 4 to 5 days

ectopic pregnancy

Sometimes the zygote will not reach the uterus but will still continue to develop. This is called an ________

usually does not progress very long, because these other sites are not specialized to provide a placenta or to expand to accommodate the growth of a fetus, as the uterus is.

ectopic

means “in an abnormal site.”

uterus

(single)

is shaped like an upside-down pear, about 3 inches long by 2 inches wide by 1 inch deep (7.5 cm by 5 cm by 2.5 cm),

superior to the urinary bladder and between the two ovaries in the pelvic cavity

After a pregnancy, the uterus never returns to its nonpregnant size but remains approximately 9 cm long, 6 cm wide, 3 cm thick, and 80 g in weight.

fundus, body, cervix

parts of uterus

fundus

is the upper portion above the entry of the fallopian tubes,

body

is the large central portion.

cervix

narrow, lower end of the uterus is the ___________ which opens into the vagina.

serosa or perimetrium

outermost layer of the uterus, serous membrane

is a fold of the peritoneum.

myometrium

is the smooth muscle layer that contracts for delivery

endometrium

mucous membrane; lining of the uterus which may become the placenta

Anteversion

, a condition in which the entire uterus is tipped far forward

Retroversion

a condition in which the entire uterus is tipped backward

Anteflexion

, a condition in which the body of the uterus is bent sharply forward at the junction with the cervix

Retroflexion

, a condition in which the body is bent sharply back just above the cervix

basilar layer, functional layer

two layers of endometrium

basilar layer

adjacent to the myometrium, is vascular but very thin and is a permanent layer.

functional layer

is regenerated and lost during each menstrual cycle.

vagina

(single)

is a muscular tube about 4 inches (10 cm) long that extends from the cervix to the vaginal orifice in the perineum (pelvic floor).

Receives sperm during intercourse; serves as exit for menstrual blood and as the birth canal during delivery. Normal flora provide an acidic pH that inhibits the growth of pathogens.

hymen

vaginal opening is usually partially covered by a thin membrane called the _________

is ruptured by the first sexual intercourse or by the use of tampons during the menstrual period.

Perineum

Divided into two triangles

Urogenital, Anal triangle

two triangles of perineum

stratified squamous epithelium

The vaginal mucosa after puberty is ____________, which is relatively resistant to pathogens.

vulva

female external genital structures may also be called the

clitoris, labia majora, labia minora, Bartholin’s glands

external genitals

clitoris

is a small mass of erectile tissue anterior to the urethral orifice.

it responds to sexual stimulation, and its vascular sinuses become filled with blood.

mons pubis

is a pad of fat over the pubic symphysis, covered with skin and pubic hair.

labia majora

Extending posteriorly from the mons

or "greater lips"

are the part around the vagina containing two glands (Bartholin's glands) which helps lubrication during intercourse.

labia minora

or "lesser lips"

are the thin hairless ridges at the entrance of the vagina, which joins behind and in front. In front they split to enclose the clitoris

numerous sebaceous and eccrine sweat glands

These are two smaller folds of skin between the labia majora, containing

vestibule

area between the labia minora

contains the openings of the urethra and vagina.

labia majora and labia minora

cover these openings and prevent drying of their mucous membranes.

two large folds forming the boundary of the vulva.

are composed of skin, fibrous tissue and fat and contain large numbers of sebaceous and eccrine sweat glands

The fourchette

is the ridge of tissue formed by the posterior joining of the two labia minora and the labia majora.

This is the structure that is sometimes cut (episiotomy) during childbirth to enlarge the vaginal opening.

Bartholin’s glands

also called vestibular glands,

are within the floor of the vestibule; their ducts open onto the mucosa at the vaginal orifice. The secretion of these glands keeps the mucosa moist and lubricates the vagina during sexual intercourse.

mammary glands

are structurally related to the skin but functionally related to the reproductive system because they produce milk for the nourishment of offspring.

enclosed within the breasts

are anterior to the pectoralis major muscles;

glandular tissue

is surrounded by adipose tissue.

alveolar glands

produce milk after pregnancy; the milk enters lactiferous ducts that converge at the nipple.

areola

skin around the nipple is a pigmented area

estrogen and progesterone

During pregnancy, high levels of _____________— prepare the glands for milk production.

Prolactin

from the anterior pituitary gland causes the actual synthesis of milk after pregnancy.

oxytocin

secreted by posterior pituitary (hypothalamus)

Promotes release of milk

menstrual cycle

includes the activity of the hormones of the ovaries and anterior pituitary gland and the resultant changes in the ovaries (ovarian cycle) and uterus (uterine cycle).

Estrogen

secreted by ovary (follicle), placenta

Promotes growth of duct system

• Promotes maturation of ovarian follicles

• Promotes growth of blood vessels in the endometrium

• Initiates development of the secondary sex characteristics:

—growth of the uterus and other reproductive organs

—growth of the mammary ducts and fat deposition in the breasts

—broadening of the pelvic bone

—subcutaneous fat deposition in hips and thighs

Progesterone

secreted by ovary (corpus luteum), placenta

Promotes growth of secretory cells

• Promotes further growth of blood vessels in the endometrium and storage of nutrients

• Inhibits contractions of the myometrium

MENARCHE

first menstruation experienced

menstrual cycle

—average is 28 days; includes the hormones FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone, and changes in the ovaries and endometrium

menstrual phase, follicular phase, ovulation and luteal phase.

menstrual cycle

Menstrual phase

—The loss of the functional layer of the endometrium is called menstruation or the menses.

Although this is actually the end of a menstrual cycle, the onset of menstruation is easily pinpointed and is, therefore, a useful starting point.

may last 2 to 8 days, with an average of 3 to 6 days.

secretion of FSH is increasing, and several ovarian follicles begin to develop.

Follicular phase

—FSH stimulates growth of ovarian follicles and secretion of estrogen by the follicle cells. The secretion of LH is also increasing, but more slowly.

This phase ends with ovulation, when a sharp increase in LH causes rupture of a mature ovarian follicle.

Luteal phase

—Under the influence of LH, the ruptured follicle becomes the corpus luteum and begins to secrete progesterone as well as estrogen.

Progesterone stimulates further growth of blood vessels in the functional layer of the endometrium and promotes the storage of nutrients such as glycogen.

As progesterone secretion increases, LH secretion decreases,

Amenorrhea

Absence of a menstrual cycle

Menopause

Cessation of menstrual cycles

Inhibin

inhibits the secretion of FSH, and perhaps LH as well, from the anterior pituitary gland.

Relaxin

is believed to inhibit contractions of the myometrium (as does progesterone), which would help make implantation of the early embryo successful.