Female Reproduction

Organs

ovaries

Functions

egg production, hormone production, fetal development, lactation

Gonads

organs that produce gametes, ovaries produce oocytes

Reproductive Tract

fallopian tube-uterus-cervix-vagina

External Genitalia

external reproductive structures, vulva, breasts

Ovaries

sites of egg production, attached to uterus via ovarian ligament

Suspensory Ligament

suspends ovaries and contains blood vessels and nerves

Fallopian Tubes

transports egg to uterus, infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus

Uterus

implantation of a fertilized egg, labor and delivery, attached to anterior pelvic wall via round ligament

Broad Ligament

peritoneum that envelops the uterus

Regions of uterus

body, fundus, cervix

Layers of uterus

perimetrium, myometrium, endometrium

Vagina

flow of mensus, receptable for sperm, birth canal

Vulva

external genitalia

Mons pubins

adipose tissue, superficial to pubis

Labia

majora, minora, frames vestibule

Clitoris

erectile tissue, external glans

Vestibular Bulbs

erectile tissue in labia majora

Vestibular glands

lubricate the vestibule

Breasts

contains mammary glands, lactation suspensory ligaments, nipple, areola

Oogenisis

formation of the oocyte (egg cell)

Folliculogenesis

development of a follicle

Follicle

hormone producing cells around an oocyte, follicular cells increase in number, producing estrogen and progesterone

Follicle stimulating hormone

begins development of a follicle

Estrogen

triggers release of LH, secondary sex characteristics

Progesterone

develops and maintains endometrium

Luteinizing Hormone

triggers ovulation

Uterine Cycle

endometrium changes to prepare for potential pregnancy

Mensural Phase

thickened endometrium breaks and sheds through vagina as period, hormone levels are low

Proliferative Phase

uterus rebuilds lining, rich in blood vessels, estrogen levels rise to stimulate growth

Secretory Phase

endometrium prepares for fertilization, if fertilized lining stays, if not cycle repeats, progesterone rises first then drops

Premenstrual Phase

progesterone and estrogen levels drop if no pregnancy detected

Ovarian cycle

cycles of ovaries

Follicular Phase

release of LH and FSH to stimulate follicles to grow, usually only 1 egg filled follicle fully matures

Ovulation

LH surge triggered by high estrogen, fallopian tube catches egg

Luteal Phase

empty follicle changes into corpus luteum and releases high progesterone and estrogen, if no fertilization corpus luteum breaks down and period starts

Meiosis

-1.2m oocytes have been produced by birth, halted in mid meiosis 1 until puberty (300,000 oocytes left)

Meiosis 1 resumes

resumes in a handful of oocytes at puberty, completion of meiosis 1 produces secondary oocyte and polar body, continues until menopause

Meiosis 2

not completed until fertilization