anatomy final female reproductive system + diagrams

vulva

external genitalia region of the anatomic female

what is included in the vulva?

the mons pubis, the labia majora and minora, clitoris, vestibule, and vaginal/urethral orifices

function of mammary glands

produce breastmilk

where does the breast sit?

anterior to the pectoralis major and serratus anterior muscles

mammary glands are…

exocrine and modified sudoriferous glands

what must happen for milk ejection to occur?

oxytocin causing myoepithelial cells to contract, propelling milk through duct system and through the nipple

the mucosa of the vagina is comprised of

non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

three principle functions of the vagina

menstrual exit, birth canal, sexual intercourse

posterior fornix

false cervix created when the posterior part of the vagina extends postero-superiorly

the uterus

hollow but highly muscular organ with several parts including fundus, the body, and the cervix

the fundus

the part of the uterus opposite to the distal opening

the cervix

the distal opening into the vaginal canal

what happens when the uterus engages in the menstrual cycle?

the endometrium grows, sloughs off, and regrows again

the endometrium

innermost layer of the uterus; important in facilitating the implantation and growth of a fertilized ovum and to the formation/structure of the placenta

ovarian arteries

paired arteries coming directly off of the descending aorta immediately inferior to the renal arteries; runs through the suspensory ligament; forms an anastomosis w/a branch of the uterine artery

suspensory ligament

secures the ovary to the abdominal wall

uterine arteries

arises from the internal iliac artery as a common artery w/the vaginal artery; promptly splits and continues on its own to supply myometrium and endometrium of uterus

the uterine arteries gives off the _____ and _____ arteries which supplies the deep myometrium and the endometrium

straight, spiral

the uterine arteries also gives off the _____ which will form an anastomosis with the ovarian artery

ovarian branch

the vaginal artery

splits from internal iliac artery to supply the muscle and mucosal layers of the vagina; does NOT anastomose with either of the other arteries

uterine (fallopian) tubes

bilateral tubes which extend laterally off of the fundus of the uterus; help to loosely connect the uterus to the ovaries

what are the uterine tubes lined with?

ciliated epithelial cells and smooth muscle

what facilitates the transport of a secondary oocyte/zygote to the uterus for implantation/expulsion in the uterine tubes?

peristaltic contractions of smooth muscle

what are the parts of the uterine tube?

infundibulum, fimbriae, ambulla, isthmus

broad ligament

sheet of peritoneum covering the superior aspect of the uterus and ovary

mesovarium

fascia covering the ovary and anchoring it to the uterine tube

proper ovarian ligament

anchors the ovary to the uterus

suspensory ligament

anchors the ovary to the pelvic cavity and house the ovarian artery

what do the ovaries produce?

secondary oocytes

follicles in the ovary are charged with what secreting hormones?

progesterone, estrogen, inhibin, and relaxin

the ovary has a similar histological arrangement to the

testis

ovarian cortex

a connective tissue capsule layer granting the ovary its shape

ovarian medulla

deepest layer of the ovary; contains loose connective tissue, nerves, blood and lymphatic vessels

oogenesis is the corresponding process in the ovary that ____ is in the testis

spermatogenesis

oogonia

stem cells that complete mitosis during fetal development

the primary oocytes created during oogenesis are

diploid (2n)

atresia

the process in which many primary oocytes begin to degenerate

as puberty commences, primary oocytes will continue through meiosis I as the _____ develops into the _____

follicle, secondary oocyte

after meiosis I what is the resulting product?

one daugther cell and a smaller polar body

the single secondary oocyte will be released during ovulation and will only fully undergo meiosis II if it is

fertilized

if fertilized, the secondary oocyte will give off a _______, which will become a ______

second polar body, zygote

folliculogenesis

the development of the ovarian follicle in anticipation of ovulation

at puberty, what hormone from the hypothalamus stimulates the secretion of FSH and LH

gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

initiate follicular growth and development; estrogen secretion

luteinizing hormone (LH)

stimulates further follicular development and estrogen secretion; triggers ovulation

ovulation results in

the corpus luteum secreting estrogen, progesterone, inhibin, and relaxin

inhibin

inhibits FSH and LH

relaxin

relaxes the uterus and pubic symphsis to get ready for a growing fetus

what hormones are downstream and will act on a negative feedback mechanism?

estrogen and progesterone

estrogen

stimulates the development and maintenance of female reproductive structures and secondary sex characteristics, protein anabolism, decreases blood cholesterol

progesterone

works w/estrogen to prepare the endometrium for implantation; prepares the mammary glands for milk secretion

prior to birth, where do primary oocytes develop?

primoridal follicles (one layer of follicular cells)

will primary oocytes change in the primordial follicles prior to puberty?

no

what happens to the primordial follicle once puberty begins and meiosis I starts?

it changes into a primary follicle

primoridal vs primary follicle

in primary - follicular cells have thickened into granulosa cells (more cubodial)

at the end of meiosis I, the new secondary oocyte is now house in a ______

secondary follicle

what layers surround the secondary oocyte in a secondary follicle?

clear zona pellucida (force field), 2 layers of granulosa cells, theca folliculi cells (outer layer)

corona radiata

inner ring of cells of a tertiary follicle

vesticular follicle

mature follicle, ready for ovulation

antrum

large lake of estrogen within granulosal layer of the follicle

what signifies the successful release of an egg?

outer layer of granulosa cells bleeding into antral lake

after the egg is released, what is the remnant follicle called that remains in the ovary?

corpus luteum

what does the corpus luteum do?

release progesterone to sustain oocyte, signals endometrium to begin building up endometrium

if egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum becomes _____ which is a white, fibrous scar

corpus albicans

hymen

protects vaginal orifice during emryonic development

labia minora

histological to skin of penis la

labia majora

histological to scrotom

glans clitoris

analogous to glans penis

Explain the functional importance of the environment of the vagina (pH, microbiota)

important for its self-cleansing properties

1

mon pubis

2

prepuce

3

glans clitoris

4

vestibule

5

anus

6

boundaries of the perineum

7

labia majora

8

labia minora

9

external urethral orifice

10

hymen

11

vaginal orifice

12

opening of vestibular gland

1

pubic ramus

2

bulb of vestibule

4

body of clitoris

5

glans of clitoris

6

crus of clitoris

7

external urethral orifice

8

vaginal orifice

9

vestibular gland

10

fourchette

3

pubic symphysis

1

skin (cut)

2

pertoralis major m.

3

suspensory ligaments

4

adipose tissue

5

lobe

6

areola

7

nipple

8

opening of lactiferous duct

9

lacteriferous sinus