HSCI 210: Female Reproductive System

female reproductive system

gives temporary/safe place for developing baby, accommodates entry of sperm cells (sexual intercourse), produces egg cells (ova), protect & nourish fertilized egg until development, give birth

mons pubis

fatty tissue & skin padding anterior pubic bone

vestibule

entire opening bordered by labia minora

urethral opening

orifice for urine to exit, terminal end of urethra

labia minora

2 innermost folds of skin covering entrance to internal body

vagina

hollow muscular tube where baby is birthed

hymen

thin membrane partially covering vagina in some females

labia majora

2 external most folds of skin for protection

anus

orifice for defacation & terminal end of rectum

clitoris

female erectile tissue equivalent to male penis

clitoral glans

deep to clitoris, visible tip (external) very sensitive (large number of nerve endings)

clitoral hood

protects clitoral glans so clitoris not stimulated at unwanted times

clitoral bulbs

left & right, swell with blood during arousal

legs of clitoris

internal, upside down V, extend to inferior/posterior portion of vaginal orifice, have corpus cavernosa/corpus cavernosum (erectile tissue)

vagina

birth canal, hollow muscular tube that leads to opening (vulva), expands to let baby pass through during birth & entry point for male’s penis

vagina layers (superficial to deep)

• circular & longitudinal smooth muscle

• connective tissue (hold structure)

• squamous epithelium

cervix

narrow opening/neck between uterus & vagina, enlarges during birth, fibrous connective tissue (collagen & elastin), remains closed during pregnancy (prevent baby from falling out

what is the cervix made of

fibrous connective tissue (collagen & elastin)

uterus

womb where unborn baby devlops

uterine cavity

hollow opening in middle of uterus

endometrium

soft/smooth inner urterine lining, simple columnar epithelium & mucous membrane (goblet cells), changes monthly in response to hormones, sheds each month if no baby (menstruation)

what is the endometrium made of

simple columnar epithelium

endometriosis

endometrial tissue not found in uterine cavity, responds to hormonal changes & builds lining at different areas (estrogen dependent & progesterone resistant), inflammation in pelvic cavity

treatment: control ovulation by taking pill

myometrium

layer of smooth muscle in uterus

fallopian tubes/uterine ducts/ovaducts/salpinges

hollow tubes that have smooth muscle to move egg/embryo from ovary to uterus

fimbriae

terminal end of fallopian tubes, finger like projections of connective tissue & smooth muscle to grab egg

infundibulum

funnel shaped opening of fallopian tube

ampulla

part of fallopian tube lined with cilia to move egg closer to sperm, primary site of fertilization

isthmus

part of fallopian tube that propels fertilized egg into uterus for implantation

luminal

innermost layer of fallopian tube, made of ciliated simple columnar epithelium, ciliated due to estrogen

what is the inner fallopian tube made of

cilliated simple columnar epithelium

estrogen

female hormone, requires right amount at right time for every structure to correctly function

ovary

sacs that produces egg cells & sex hormones (estrogen & progesterone), females have 2 overies where matured egg cells are produced during ovulation

ovarian cysts

may form if follicle doesnt ovulate or follicle doesnt shrink after ovulation, common in women of childbearing age

treatment: monitor (resolves independently), medication (prevents ovulation to keep cyst from forming), laparoscopic surgical removal

ligaments

hold all structures together, stretches with pregnancy/obesity (can change function of organ)

pelvic diaphragm

levator ani muscles, resists increase in interabdominal pressure & cradles uterus/bladder from below, spasming/body weight/pregnancy/hormones affect length, physical therapy helps bowel/urinary issues

ovulation

mature egg released from follicle in ovary, increases body temp/lutenizing hormone (LH)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)/progesterone & decreases estrogen, mature egg needs to be fertilized within 24 hrs, often unilaterally (one ovary at a time) & alternates monthly, pregnancy or menstruation follows

symptoms: cervical mucus (clear/stretchy), basal body temp increases, abdominal pain (mild cramping), increased sex drive

follicle

holds egg, grows in follucular phase (high estrogen)

oocyte

egg, females born with finite number, cant be reproduced

primary follicle

holds immature egg

secondary follicle

holds/grows mature egg

vesicular follicle

grows into mature egg

mature egg

gets released from follicle during ovulation

corpus luteum

shell/follicle that gets left behind after mature egg released, produces progesterone, grows in luteal phase

progesterone

influences production of uterine lining for egg that might be fertilized

corpus albicans

follicle remains that dissolves in ovary

proliferative phase

influenced by estrogen, thickens endometrium of uterus

secretory phase

influenced by progesterone, endometrium of uterus becomes highly vascular/swollen

menstruation

shedding of endometrial lining & tissue, egg dissolves with shedding