female reproductive system

what is the function of female reproductive system?

produce sex hormones and gametes, protect and support a developing embryo, and to nourish a newborn infant

broad ligament

extensive mesentery that encloses ovaries, uterine tubes and uterus

mesovarium

thick mesentery that supports each ovary

rectouterine pouch

pocket formed by posterior uterus and anterior colon

vesicouterine pouch

pocket formed by anterior uterus and posterior bladder

ovaries function

1. production of female gametes- oocytes

2. secretion of female hormones- estrogen and progestins

3. secretion of inhibin to control FSH production

ovarian ligament

ovaries

connects ovary to uterus

suspensory ligament(ovarian artery and vein)

ovaries

connect at ovarian hilum

tunica albuginea

ovaries

outer covering of ovary

cortex

ovaries

superficial part of ovary

medulla

ovaries

deeper center of artery

oogenesis

ovum(egg) production

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

• mitosis occurs before birth, between 3rd and 7th month→ primary oocytes

• primary oocytes remain suspended at prophase I until puberty

• rising FSH levels starts ovarian cycle

• not all oocytes survive to puberty from 2 million at birth down to 400,000(women have 500 cycles)

• primary oocyte(diploid)→ secondary oocyte(haploid)→ ovum(haploid) + polar bodies

ovarian cycle

monthly cycle from puberty to menopause

28 days

• ovarian follicles are specialized structures in cortex where oocytes growth and meiosis 1 occur

• primary oocytes are 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 tertiary follicle or Graafian follicle(still primary oocyte)

• LH rises after tertiary follicle→ oocyte complete meiosis 1→ secondary oocyte + polar body

• day 14- ovulation(egg release-secondary oocyte)

luteal phase

empty tertian follicle with FH→ corpus luteum→ progesterone→ prepares uterus for pregnancy→ 26-28 day, corpus luteum degenerates, progesterone and estrogen levels fall→ cycle begins again, day 1

fimbriae

uterine tubes

finger-like projections toward ovary

infundibulum

uterine tubes

expanded funnel that receives egg

ampulla

uterine tubes

middle segment of uterine tube

isthmus

uterine tubes

short segment that connects to uterine wall

uterus

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

body

uterus

largest portion of the uterus

fundus

uterus

rounded superior portion

isthmus

uterus

inferior constriction

cervix

uterus

extends from isthmus to vagina

cervical os

uterus

external opening of cervix/uterus

cervical canal

uterus

opening thru cervix

internal os

uterus

internal opening of cervix/uterus

uterine cavity

uterus

pouch inside uterus

endometrium

uterus

inner lining of uterus

myometrium

uterus

muscle/middle layer of uterus

perimetrium

uterus

outer serous membrane covering

round ligament

uterus

prevent posterior movement

lateral ligament

uterus

prevents inferior movement

uterine cycle

28 days as well

menarche

beginning of first cycle

menses

days 1-7

the degeneration of endometrium

menstruation

the sloughing off and passing of endometrial lining

dysmenorrhea

painful menstruation

proliferative phase

days 8-14

after menses, restores uterine lining

secretory phase

days 15-28

from ovulation to about day 26- build up and thickening of uterine lining

menopause

time when ovulation and menstruation cease

amenorrhea

failure to have menses(primary-uterus gone or damaged, secondary-switched off due to physical or emotional stress→ less than 17% body fat)

vagina functions

1. passageway for the elimination of menstrual fluids

2. receives penis and sperm during intercourse

3. inferior portion of birth control

vaginal canal

proximal end of vagina

fornix

vagina

shallow recess surrounding cervix inside vagina

hymen

vagina

epithelial fold that blocks entrance to vagina in young girls

vestibule

external genitalia(vulva)

central space in between labia minor

labia major

vulva

prominent folds of skin that encircles labia minor

labia minor

vulva

small hairlee skin folds

mons pubis

vulva

adipose tissue superficial to pubic symphysis

clitoris

vulva

small rounded tissue projection, similar tissue to male erectile tissue

prepuce

vulva

hood, extra skin that sits on top of clitoris

vestibular glands

vulva

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

lactation

mammary glands

milk production

pectoral fat pad

mammary glands

subcutaneous adipose tissue under breast, on top of pectoral muscle

areola

mammary glands

red/brownish skin that surrounds nipple

nipple

mammary glands

projection where milk exits breast

lactiferous duct and sinus

mammary glands

system that carries milk from gland to nipple

GnRH

FSH + LH

FSH

stims follicle development, estrogen production, oocyte maturation

LH

stims ovulation, formation of corpus luteum, progestin secretion

estrogen

female secondary sex characteristics, stims LH secretion, repair endometrium

progestins

stim endometrium growth, reduces GnRH

inhibin

inhibits secretion of FSH

menopause

• time when ovulation and menstruation cease

• between ages 45-55

• shortage of primordial follicles causes irregular cycles

• which leads to drop in estrogen

• neural effects include “hot flashes”, anxiety, and depression

sexually transmitted disease(STDs)

• 15 million causes a year

• most common STD is chlamydia

  • 4 million new cases a year

  • can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease

• other STDs

  • AIDS

  • herpes

  • syphilis

  • gonorrhea

  • genital warts