BSC2086L E.14 Female Reproductive System

Developed for the Broward College course BSC2086/L Anatomy and Physiology II.

ovary

• The primary female sex organ.

• Internally divided into an outer cortex and inner medulla.

suspensory ligament

• One of the ligaments holding the female reproductive system.

• Attaches the superior lateral side of each ovary to the pelvic wall.

• Contains ovarian aa. and vv.

ovarian ligament

• One of the ligaments holding the female reproductive system.

• Attaches the superior medial side of each ovary to the uterus.

germinal epithelium

• Part of the ovary.

• A layer of simple cuboidal epithelium externally covering the tunica albuginea.

tunica albuginea

• Part of the ovary.

• A layer of fibrous connective tissue protecting the ovary just internal to the germinal epithelium.

cortex

• Part of the ovary.

• The outer internal area of the ovary.

medulla

• Part of the ovary.

• The inner internal area of the ovary.

primordial follicle

• A ring of supportive cells surrounding an oocyte.

• Composed of a single layer of follicular cells.

primary follicle

• A ring of supportive cells surrounding an oocyte.

• Composed of two layers of follicular (inside) and granulosa (outside) cells.

secondary follicle

• A ring of supportive cells surrounding an oocyte.

• Composed of an additional layer of granulosa cells in comparison to a primary follicle.

• An antrum may appear.

Graafian follicle

• A ring of supportive cells surrounding an oocyte.

• Composed of a larger antrum and a corona radiata surrounding the oocyte.

• Also known as a tertiary or mature follicle.

corona radiata

• Part of a Graafian follicle.

• Multiple layers of granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte and separating it from the antrum.

antrum

• Part of a secondary or Graafian follicle.

• A central cavity filled with follicular fluid.

corpus luteum

• The differentiation of a Graafian follicle.

• Produces progesterone and estrogen.

corpus albicans

The degeneration of a corpus luteum if fertilization does not occur.

labia majora

• External female genitalia.

• A fold of skin lateral to the labia minora and may be covered in hair.

labia minora

• External female genitalia.

• A fold of skin medial to the labia majora and enclosing the vestibule of the vagina.

clitoris

• External female genitalia.

• Located at the anterior end of the vestibule.

• Has many nerve endings and is analogous to the glans penis of the male.

vagina

• A tube-like organ extending from the vestibule to the external os.

• Posterior to the urethra and anterior to the rectum.

• Serves as a passageway for menstruation, sexual intercourse, and childbirth.

• The canal contains rugae allowing the organ to stretch.

fornix

One of the lateral dead ends created by the protrusion of the cervix into the vagina.

cervix

• A region of the uterus.

• The narrow, inferior end of the uterus.

external os

• A region of the cervix.

• The opening to the vagina from the cervical canal.

cervical canal

• Part of the cervix.

• The narrow passageway connecting the vagina and uterus.

internal os

• A region of the cervix.

• The opening to the uterus from the cervical canal.

uterus

• A pear-shaped organ supporting development of new life.

• Posterior to the bladder and anterior to the rectum.

• Divided into the fundus, body, and cervix.

uterine cavity

• The space within the uterus.

• Cut off at the internal os of the cervix.

fundus

• A region of the uterus.

• The superior dome of the uterus.

perimetrium

• Part of the wall of the uterus.

• The thin outer layer.

myometrium

• Part of the wall of the uterus.

• The thick layer composed of smooth muscle.

endometrium

• Part of the wall of the uterus.

• The innermost layer.

• Undergoes monthly changes in preparation of conception.

uterine tube

• A narrow tube extending from the uterus to each ovary.

• Attached to the pelvic wall by the broad ligament.

• Composed of an infundibulum, ampulla, and isthmus regions.

• Also known as an oviduct or fallopian tube.

infundibulum

• A region of the uterine tube.

• The funnel-shaped end of the uterine tube at the ovary.

• Contains fimbriae that draw an ovulated oocyte into the uterine tube.

ampulla

• A region of the uterine tube.

• The main part of the uterine tube.

• The oocyte drifts slowly within it.

• Fertilization normally occurs here.

isthmus

• A region of the uterine tube.

• The superior end of the uterine tube opening into the uterus.

round ligament

• One of the ligaments holding the female reproductive system.

• Anchors the uterus to the pelvic wall.

broad ligament

• One of the ligaments holding the female reproductive system.

• Attaches each ovary to the uterus.

• Derived from the mesometrium.

endometrium

• Slide histology of the uterus during its proliferation (follicular) phase.

• The innermost layer of the uterus.

• Contains glands.

endometrial gland

• Slide histology of the uterus during its proliferation (follicular) phase.

• Produces substances needed to support new life.

myometrium

• Slide histology of the uterus during its proliferation (follicular) phase.

• The thick layer composed of smooth muscle.

• External to the endometrium.

germinal epithelium

• Slide histology of the ovary.

• A layer of simple cuboidal epithelium externally covering the tunica albuginea.

tunica albuginea

• Slide histology of the ovary.

• A fibrous layer internal to the germinal epithelium.

primordial follicle

• Slide histology of the ovary.

• Composed of a single layer of follicular cells.

• Found in the outer cortex of the ovary.

primary follicle

• Slide histology of the ovary.

• Appears slightly larger than a primordial follice with a distinguished boundary.

secondary follicle

• Slide histology of the ovary.

• Appears significantly larger than a primary follicle.

• Multiple layers of cells surround the oocyte.

Graafian follicle

• Slide histology of the ovary.

• Appears significantly larger than a secondary follicle.

• Contains a large antrum and a corona radiata surrounding the oocyte.

• Also known as a tertiary or mature follicle.

antrum

• Slide histology of the ovary.

• The large fluid-filled central cavity of a Graafian follicle.

corona radiata

• Slide histology of the ovary.

• The layers of cells surrounding the oocyte and separating it from the antrum.