Female reproductive system

Function of female reproductive system

• produce sex hormones & gametes

• Protect & support developing embryo

• Nourish a newborn infant

Broad ligament

• extensive mesentery that encloses ovaries, uterine tubes, & uterus

Mesovarium

• thick mesentery that supports each ovary

Rectouterine pouch

• pocket formed by posterior uterus & anterior colon

Vesicouterine Pouch

• pocked formed by anterior uterus & posterior bladder

Oocytes

• production of female gametes

Estrogen & progesterone

• secretion of female hormones

Ovaries functions

1. Production of oocytes

2. Secretion of estrogen & progesterone

3. Secretion of inhibin to control FSH production

Ovarian ligament

• connects ovary to uterus

Suspensory ligament

• ovarian artery & vein

  • Connect at ovarian hilum

Tunica albuginea

• outer covering of ovary

Cortex

• superficial part of ovary

Medulla

• deeper center of ovary

Oogenesis

• ovum (egg) production

• Begins at birth, accelerates at puberty, ends at menopause

Mitosis occurs before birth, between ___ and __ month

3rd & 7th month

Primary oocytes remain suspended at prophase I until __

Puberty

What starts an ovarian cycle

• rising FSH levels

Women have about how many cycles?

500

Ovarian cycle

• 28 days

1. Follicular phase

2. Luteal phase

Ovarian follicles

• specialized structures in cortex where oocytes growth & meiosis I occur

Primary oocytes

• located in clusters called egg nests

Primary oocytes + follicle cells =___

Primordial follicle

Follicular phase

• change from primordial follicle to primary follicle

• Reacts to rise in FSH

• 8-10 days formation of secondary follicle

• 10-14 days formation of graafian follicle

• Day 14- ovulation (egg is released- secondary oocyte)

Luteal phase

• prepares uterus for pregnancy

• 26-28 day

• Corpus Luteal degenerates

• Progesterone & estrogen levels fall

Fimbriae

• finger-like projections toward ovary

Infundibulum

• expanded funnel that receives egg

Ampulla

• middle segment of uterine tube

Isthmus of uterine tubes

• short segment that connects to uterine wall

Uterus

• provides mechanical protection, nutritional support, waste removal for embryo/fetus

Body

Largest portion of the uterus

Fundas

• rounded superior portion

Isthmus of uterus

Inferior constriction

Cervix

Extends from isthmus to vagina

Cervical os

• external opening of cervix/uterus

Cervical canal

• opening thru cervix

Internal os

• internal opening of cervix/uterus

Uterine cavity

• pouch inside the uterus

Endometrium

• inner lining of uterus

Myometrium

• muscle/middle layer of uterus

Perimetrium

• outer serous membrane covering

Round ligament

• prevent posterior movement

Lateral ligament

• prevents inferior movement

Menarche

• beginning of first cycle

Menses

• Days 1-7

  • Degeneration of endometrium

Menstruation

• the sloughing off & passing of endometrial lining

Dysmenorrhea

• painful menstruation

Proliferative phase

• Days 8-14

• Restores uterine lining after menses

Secretory phase

• days 15-28

• From ovulation to about day 26

  • Build up & thickening of uterine lining

Menopause

• time when ovulation & menstruation cease

• 45-55

  • Shortage of primordial follicles causes irregular cycles, which leads to drop in estrogen

• Neural effects:

  • Hot flashes, anxiety, depression

Amenorrhea

• failure to have menses

  • Primary (uterus is gone or damage)

  • Secondary (swithed off due to physical or emotional stress—> less than 17% body fat)

Vagina

1. Passageway for the elimination of menstrual fluids

2. Receives penis & sperm during intercourse

3. Inferior portion of birth canal

Vaginal canal

• proximal end of vagina

Fornix

• shallow recess surrounding cervix inside vagina

Hymen

• epithelial fold that blocks entrance to vagina in young girls

External genitalia

AKA vulva

Vestibule of vulva

• central space in between labia minor

Labia major

• prominent folds of skin that encircle labia minor

Labia minor

• small hairless skin folds

Mons pubis

• adipose tissue superficial to pubic symphysis

Clitoris

• small rounded tissue projection (similar tissue to male erectile tissue)

Prepuce

• hood, extracellular skin that sits on top of clitoris

Vestibular gland

• mucus glands, similar to cowper’s gland in males, lubricates vestibule

Lactation

Milk production

Pectoral fat pad

• subcutaneous adipose tissue under breast, on top of pectoral muscle

Aerola

• red/ brownish skin that surrounds nipple

Nipple

• projection where milk exists breast

Lactiferous duct & sinus system

• system that carries milk from gland to nipple

Female reproductive hormones

• must coordinate the ovarian & uterine cycles to ensure proper reproductive function

GnRH

• FSH + LH

FSH

• Stims:

  1. follicle development

  2. Estrogen production

  3. Oocyte maturation

LH

Stims:

1. Ovulation

2. Formation of corpus luteum

3. Progestin secretion

Estrogen

• female secondary sex characteristics

Stims:

1. LH secretion

2. Repair endometrium

Progestin

• Stims endometrium growth

• Reduces GnRH

What reduces GnRH?

Progestin

Inhibin

• inhibits secretion of FSH

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

• 15 million new cases a year

• Most common STD= chlamydia

• Others:

  • AIDS, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhea, genital warts

Most common STD

Chlamydia (dirty bitches)