Female Reproductive System

What is anteflexion?

The natural forward bend of the uterus over the bladder that is clinically important

What are the female gonads?

They are the ovaries which are responsible for producing gametes

What are the female gametes?

Oocytes and key hormones like estrogen and progesterone

How does the female reproductive system support pregnancy?

It supports pregnancy by providing an environment for fertilization, implantation, and fetal development

Where are oocytes and hormones produced?

Oocytes and hormones are produced in the ovaries

What to the uterine tubes do?

The uterine tubes transport oocytes and are typically where fertilization occurs

What is the uterus the sight of?

The uterus is the sight of implantation and development

What is the vaginal canal for?

The vaginal canal is for intercourse and child birth

What is the vulva?

The vulva is the external genitalia and includes the labia major and minor

What are the mammary glands?

The mammary glands are modified sweat glands

What are the 4 main functions of the female reproductive system?

1. Oocytes/Ova

2. Two possible pathways… menstrual flow or fetal development

3. Hormone secretion

4. Nourishing a new born

What matures into the ova/ovum?

The ovaries produce oocytes which then mature into the ova/ovum

How do the ova/ovum travel?

They are transported through the uterine tubes and if fertilization is successful the embryo travels to the uterus for implantation

What has to happen for menstruation to occur?

If fertilization does not happen, then the menstrual flow occurs

What has to happen for fetal development to occur?

If fertilization happens, the uterus supports fetal development, pregnancy, and delivery

What type of gland do the ovaries act as and why?

The ovaries act as endocrine glands because they release hormones like estrogen, progesterone, inhibin, and relaxin which help regulate the menstrual cycle, support pregnancy, and influence many other body systems

What do the mammary glands do?

The mammary glands step in after birth to synthesize, secrete, and eject milk to provide nourishment

What are the shapes of the ovaries?

The ovaries are paired structures about the size and shape of an almond

What are the ovaries developmentally similar to?

The ovaries are developmentally similar to the testes

What are the ovaries held in place by?

The ovaries are held in place by ligaments

What does the ovarian ligament do?

The ovarian ligament anchors the ovary directly to the uterus

What does the suspensory ligament do?

The suspensory ligament attaches the ovary to the lateral pelvic wall

What is the broad ligament and what does it do?

The broad ligament is a large fold of peritoneum helps organize everything

What regions does the broad ligament have?

The broad ligaments have a few specialized regions, like the mesometrium, the mesosalpinx, and the mesovarium

What is the mesometrium?

It is the largest part of the broad ligament and it is associated with the uterus

What does the mesosalpinx do?

It surrounds the uterine tubes

What does the mesovarium do?

It connects the hilum of the ovary allowing vessels and nerves to exit and enter

What are the ovaries suspended through?

The ovaries are suspended through peritoneal folds

What are the types of epithelium of the ovary from the outside to the inside?

We have the surface epithelium which can be cuboidal to squamous

The we have the tunica albuginia which is DICT

Next, we have the ovarian cortex which is where oocytes develops

Then, we have the ovarian medulla which contains loose connective tissue as well as blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves at the hilum

What happens at the ovarian cortex?

Functionally, it is where the action happens… this is where oogenesis occurs

What is oogenesis?

Oogenesis is the process of forming female gametes

What are oocytes?

Oocytes are immature egg cells

What is an ovum?

An ovum is a fully mature egg that is only formed if fertilization occurs

How many primary and secondary oocytes are there?

Females are born with primary oocytes already present, but over a lifetime, only about 400 primary oocytes will mature into secondary oocytes and ovulate during reproductive years

What hormone stimulates follicles in the cortex to develop?

Each month, hormones, especially FSH stimulate follicles in the cortex to develop

How do surrounding cells in the ovaries develop?

As follicles mature, the surrounding cells, called granulosis cells, go from simple squamous to cuboidal

What happens to primary oocytes right before ovulation?

Right before ovulation, the primary oocyte completes myosis 1 and becomes a secondary oocyte and then ovulation occurs and the follicle ruptures to release the secondary oocyte

What do the uterine tubes transport?

The uterine tubes transport the secondary octet from the ovary to the uterus

What is the most common site for fertilization?

The uterine tubes are the most common site of fertilization which typically happens in the ampulla of the uterine tube

How many regions do the uterine tubes have structurally?

3:

1. The isthmus

2. The infundibulum

3. The ampulla

What is the region of the isthmus like?

The isthmus is the most medially, narrow, and thick walled portion of the uterine tube

What region of the uterine tube is closest to the uterus?

The isthmus

What is the infundibulum?

The infundibulum of the uterine tube is funnel shaped and opens to the peritoneal cavity

What does the infundibulum contain?

It contains the fimbriae that sweeps the oocyte into the tube

What is the ampulla?

The ampulla of the uterine tube is the widest and longest portion and is the most common site of fertilization

What is another region of the uterine tube that isn’t part of the 3?

There is also the the intramural or uterine part that passes through the wall of the uterus and opens into the uterine cavity

How many layers does the wall of the uterus have?

The wall of the uterus has 3 main layers

1. The mucosa is the inner layer

2. The muscular is the smooth muscle

3. The serosa is the outer peritoneal covering

What is the mucosa of the uterine wall lined by?

The mucosa is lined by ciliated simple epithelium

What do the cilia of the uterine wall help with?

They move the oocyte as well as smooth muscle

What does the muscular layer of the wall of the uterus do?

The muscular layer creates peristalsis to move the oocyte

What does the mucosa of the uterine tube have in terms of folding patterns?

The mucosa of the uterine tube has a longitudinal to circular to longitudinal folding patterns

What does the mucosa of the uterine tubes form?

The mucosa forms the highly folded projections which branch and orient into multiple directions giving a layered appearance

What is tubal ligation?

Tubal ligation is a form of permanent female sterilization where the uterine tubes are cut, tied, clamped, or cauterized

What is the key idea of tubal ligation?

The key idea of tubal ligation is that is blocks the pathway between the ovaries and uterus to the secondary oocyte so it cannot travel through the tube and sperm cannot reach the oocyte

What is a common site for tubal ligation?

The isthmus of the uterine tube because it is narrow and accessible

What is the size and shape of the uterus?

The uterus is about the size and shape of a pear

What is the top of the uterus?

The wide top of the uterus is the body and fundus

What is the narrow stem of the uterus?

The narrow stem of the uterus is the cevix

How many layers does the uterine wall have?

The uterine wall has 3 layers:

1. The endometrium

2. The myometrium

3. The perimetric

What is the endometrium?

The endometrium is the inner lining and it is considered the mucosa of the uterus

What are the components of the endometrium

It has simple columnar with ciliated and secretory cells

It has the lamina proprietary with CT

It has the endometrial storm and the gland associated with it like uterine and endometrial glands

How many sublayers does the endometrium have?

It has 3 layers:

1. The compact layer

2. The functional layer

3. The basal layer

What is the most superficial layer of the endometrium?

The compact layer is the most superficial

What layer of the endometrium is in the middle?

The functional layer is in the middle

What layer of the endometrium is the deep layer?

The basal layer is the deep layer

What layers of the endometrium are shed during menstruation?

The compact and functional layers are shed during menstruation

What does the basal layer of the endometrium do during each cycle?

The basal layer stays behind to regenerate the lining of the endometrium

What do the uterine/endometrial glands produce?

The uterine/endomertial glands produce glycogen rich secretions which help prepare for implantation

What does the cervix produce?

The cervix produces cervical mucous which changes consistency to either block or support sperm

What is the cervical mucous produced by?

The cervical mucous is produced by secretory cells in the endometrium

How must sperm pass from vagina to uterus?

It passes through the external os, cervical canal, internal os, and uterine cavity

What is the external os?

The external os is the opening between the cervix and the vagina

What is the internal os?

The internal os is the opening between the cervix and the uterine cavity

What does the uterine canal connect?

The uterine canal connects the external os the the internal os

What is the uterine cavity?

The uterine cavity is the space within the uterus which receives the fertilized egg and nourishes it during pregnancy

What is the myometrium?

The myometrium is the middle layer of the uterine wall and it is composed of smooth muscle that has circular muscle fibers

Why is the myometrium thick?

The myometrium is thick to support powerful contractions during child birth

What is the perimetrium?

The perimetrium is the outermost layer of the uterine wall and it serves as a protective covering for the uterus

What layer of the uterine wall is considered part of the visceral peritoneum?

The perimetrium is considered part of the visceral peritoneum

What is the vagina?

The vagina is a muscular canal with transverse folds of mucosa known as vaginal rugae and they allow for expansion

What does NKSSQ stand for?

NKSSQ stands for non-caritenized stratified squamous epithelium

What does NKSSQ do?

it allows the vagina to resist friction and remain moist

How does the cervix point?

The cervix points inferiorly and posteriorly

How is the position of the cervix maintained?

It is maintained by several ligaments, peritoneal folds, and fibromuscular supports

What are the broad ligaments?

The broad ligaments are double folds of peritoneum that extend from the uterus to the lateral pelvic walls

What do the ureteral sacral ligaments form?

The ureteral sacral ligaments form from the uterus back to the sacrum on either side of the rectum and they help anchor the uterus posteriorly and they help with pelvic organ stability

How to the cardinal/lateral cervical ligaments extend and what do they do?

The cardinal/lateral cervical ligaments extend from the pelvic wall to the cervix and vagina and help keep the cervix in place

What are the round ligaments?

The round ligaments are rope-like bands of dense connective tissue that run form the uterus to just below the uterine tubes, through the pelvic region, and end in the labia majora

What are the external female genetalia?

The vulva/pudendum are the external female genetalia

What is the mons pubis?

The mons pubis is a cushion of adipose tissue covered with pubic hair

What is extending down from the mons pubis?

Extending down from the mons pubis are the labia majora and they are also fat containing, hair covered folds

What are the labia majora developmentally similar to?

The labia majora are developmentally similar to the scrotum in males

What is medial to the labia majora?

Medial to the labia majora are the labia minora which are thinner, have no hair, and not fat, but are rich in glands

What are the labia minora?

The labia minora are typically mucous secreting structures that aid lubrication and protect the genital opening

What are the labia minora homologous with?

The labia minora are homologous with the spongy urethra of the male reproductive system

Where is the clitoris located?

The clitoris is located between the mons obis and the external urethral orifice… it is found at the anterior junction of the labia minora

What is the exposed tip of the clitoris known as?

The exposed tip is known as the glans clitoris

What is the body of the clitoris made of?

The body of the clitoris is made of erectile tissue (ET) to corpora caverns which makes it a cylindrical erectile tissue

What is the body of the clitoris covered by?

The body is covered by a fold of skin called the prepuce

What is the central space between the labia minora called?

The central space between the labia minora is called the vestibule which contains the external urethral orifice