12 - Female Reproductive System

Ovaries structure and function

Two located on each side of the uterus within the pelvic cavity. Production of estrogen and progesterone, which affects puberty, menstruation, and pregnancy.

Fallopian tubes structure and function

Extend laterally at superior angle from uterus. Pathway of ovum into uterus. Fimbria—finger-like projections that propel the ovum
into the oviduct. Pass genetic material from generation to generation.

Uterus structure and function

Muscular, hollow, pear-shaped structure suspended by ligaments in the pelvic cavity. Responsible for housing and nourishing the embryo from implantation of the fertilized egg until birth.

Vagina structure and function

Muscular tube extending from the cervix to the exterior of the body. Organ of sexual intercourse. Passageway for delivery of the fetus.

Clitoris structure and function

Located anterior to the vaginal orifice. Organ of sexual response in the female. Composed of erectile tissue with sensory nerve endings.

Vulva structure and function

Structures of the external genitalia.

• Labia majora—thicker, outermost structures.

• Labia minora—smooth, thin, inner structures.

Responsible for protecting the inner genitals.

Mammary glands structure and function

Glandular lobes located in the breast of females that contain milk ducts, which lead to an opening in the nipple of the breast. Production of milk to nourish neonate after birth.

Where are the ovaries located?

Pelvic cavity, one on each side of the uterus

What is the biological role of mammary glands?

Secrete milk for nourishment of the newborn

What do the terms gestation and parturition mean?

Gestation is the period from fertilization of the ovum until birth; parturition refers to the process of giving birth.

What structure is known as the birth canal?

Vagina

oophor/o, ovari/o

ovary

colp/o, vagin/o

vagina

hyster/o, uter/o

uterus

metr/o

uterus (womb); measure

cervic/o

cervix; cervix uteri

salping/o

tube (fallopian)

mamm/o, mast/o

breast

vulv/o, episi/o

vulva

nat/o

birth

galact/o, lact/o

milk

gynec/o

woman, female

men/o

menses; menstruation

-arche

beginning

-cyesis

pregnancy

-gravida

pregnant woman

-para

to bear (offspring)

-salpinx

tube (usually fallopian or eustachian tubes)

-tocia

childbirth, labor

prenatal

pertaining to (the period) before birth

primigravida

pregnant woman (for the) first time

pseudocyesis

pregnancy (that is) false

salpingocele

hernia(tion) or swelling of a fallopian tube

dystocia

bad, painful, or difficult labor or childbirth

multipara

to bear (offspring) many times

cervicitis

inflammation of the cervix uteri (neck of the uterus)

amniocentesis

surgical puncture of the amnion (amniotic sac)

gynecologist

specialist in the study of female (disorders)

oophoroma

tumor of an ovary

hysteroscopy or uteroscopy

visual examination of the uterus

mastectomy

excision or removal of the breast

vaginoplasty or colpoplasty

surgical repair of the vagina

hysterocele

herniation of the uterus

perineorrhaphy

suture of the perineum

Ectopic pregnancy signs and symptoms

Fertilized ovum implants and grows in places other than the uterine cavity. Common site is interior of the fallopian tube and other sites include ovary, wall of the uterus, or anywhere in the pelvic cavity. Signs of early pregnancy may be present. Abdominal pain and tenderness and slight vaginal bleeding. Rupture of a fallopian tube is life-threatening and may cause severe abdominal pain and intra-abdominal bleeding.

Ectopic pregnancy treatment

Laparotomy with attempts to save the ovary. Ruptured fallopian tube may require removal. All attempts are made to save the ovary. Blood transfusion may be necessary in severe intra-abdominal bleeding or hypovolemic shock.

Surgical procedure to incise the abdomen to gain access to the peritoneal cavity

laparotomy

Breast cancer signs and symptoms

Early symptoms include swelling, lump, dimpling, retraction of nipple, discharge from nipple, and tenderness. Advanced symptoms include nodularity, redness, edema, ulceration of skin, and enlargement or shrinkage of breast. Most common malignancy of women in the U.S. Appears to be associated with ovarian hormonal structure and function. High-fat diet appears to increase incidence as well as family history and possibly use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), especially for prolonged periods.

Breast cancer treatments

Lumpectomy, modified radical mastectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy may be indicated after surgery if malignant cells are found in the lymph nodes. Any combination of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy. Most women who have mastectomies today have modified radical mastectomies.

Lumpectomy

Excision of a small primary breast tumor and some of the normal tissue that surrounds it.

Modified radical mastectomy

Excision of entire breast, including lymph nodes in the underarm (axillary dissection).

Purpose of adjuvant chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is used to enhance or extend the effects of surgery and to eliminate any possible metastasis

lymphadenectomy

surgical removal of the lymph node

Endometriosis signs and symptoms

Growth of endometrial tissue in areas outside the uterus, most commonly within the pelvic area. Dysmenorrhea with pain in lower back and vagina. Severity of pain is not indicative of extent of the disease. Dyspareunia, dysuria, and sometimes painful defecation.

dysuria

painful urination

dyspareunia

pain during sexual intercourse

dysmenorrhea

severe pain with menstruation

cerclage

obstetric procedure in which a nonabsorbable suture is used for holding the cervix closed to prevent spontaneous abortion in a woman who has an incompetent cervix

fistula

abnormal connection or passageway between two organs or vessels that do not normally connect

gametes

reproductive cells of the male and female that fuse during fertilization; in the female, it is the ovum, and in the male, the sperm

gestation

length of time from conception to birth; normally 36 weeks in humans

retroversion

state of being turned back or a tipping, especially an organ, such as the uterus

sterility

inability of the female to become pregnant or the male to impregnate the female

Laparoscopy

Visual examination of the abdominal cavity with a laparoscope through one or more small incisions in the abdominal wall, usually at the umbilicus.

Colposcopy

Examination of the cervix, vagina, and vulva with a colposcope. Used to detect signs of disease.

Hysterosalpingography

Radiography and usually fluoroscopy of the uterus and uterine tubes. Radiography is performed after injection of a contrast medium.

Mammography

Radiography of the breast to detect tumors, cysts, and microcalcifications and to locate a malignant lesion.

Pap test

Detects abnormal cells in the cervix and vagina.

colposcopy

visual examination of the vagina

hysterosalpingography

process of recording (radiography) the uterus and fallopian tubes

laparoscope

instrument to examine the abdomen

episiotomy

incision of the vulva

mammoplasty or mastoplasty

surgical repair of the breast

laparoscopy

visual examination of the abdomen

mastectomy

excision or removal of the breast

Dilation and curettage (D&C)

Widening of cervical canal with a dilator. Scraping the uterine endometrium with a curet.

Curettage

(scraping) of the uterine endometrium with a serrated uterine curet

Cerclage

Sutures are used to close the cervix. Helps prevent premature birth. Decreases chance of spontaneous abortion. Sutures are removed before delivery.

Amniocentesis

Transabdominal puncture of the amniotic sac under ultrasound guidance to remove amniotic fluid.

Hysterectomy

• Subtotal hysterectomy (cervix not removed)

• Total hysterectomy (cervix removed)

• Total hysterectomy plus bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

Reconstructive breast surgery

Tissue (skin) expansion Breast reconstruction in which a balloon expander is inserted beneath the skin and chest muscle. Saline solution is gradually injected to increase size, and expander is replaced with a permanent implant.

Transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap

Surgical creation of a skin flap (using skin and fat from lower half of abdomen), which is passed under the skin to the breast area, shaped into a natural-looking breast, and sutured in place.

hysterosalpingo-oophorectomy

removal of the uterus, a fallopian tube, and an ovary

Topical antifungals

Used to treat vaginal yeast infections. Alter cell wall of fungi or disrupt enzyme activity. Results in cellular death.

Estrogens

Estrogen replacement therapy to correct estrogen deficiency. Chemotherapy for some types of cancer.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Used to correct deficiency of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone. Relieves symptoms of menopause. Prevents osteoporosis in women.

Oral contraceptives (OCPs)

Synthetic hormones used to prevent pregnancy. Used to treat menstrual disorders. Also known as birth control pills.