Anatomy and Physiology of the Female Reproductive System

what are the female reproductive cells?

eggs or ova

what is the organ for development of the fetus in females?

uterus

what are the reproductive cells in males?

sperm

what is the organ for deposit of the sperm?

penis

what is the function of the vulva?

external female reproductive organs; protects urethra and vaginal openings; highly sensitive to touch to increase female’s pleasure during sexual arousal

what is labia majora?

contains sweat and sebaceous glands; protects the vaginal opening

labia minora

highly vascular and abundant in nerve supply; lubricates the vulva and swells with stimulation

clitoris

small cylindrical mass of erectile tissue and nerves; function is sexual stimulation

prepuce

hood-like covering over the clitoris; also site of female circumcision practiced in some cultures

mons pubis

the elevated, rounded, fleshy prominence made up of fatty tissue that overlays the symphysis pubisv

vestibular

oval area enclosed by the labia minora laterally located inside the labia minora and outside the hymen

perineum

located between the vulva and the anus

structure and function of vestibule

urethra, vagina; Bartholin and Skene glands secrete mucus to keep opening moist, fourchette, introitus

fourchette

half-moon area behind the opening

introitus

opening into the vagina

what are the internal female reproductive organs

vagina, uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries

endometrium

innermost layer of uterus; lines the uterine cavity in nonpregnant women

myometrium

muscular middle layer of uterus; makes up the major portion of the uterus; composed of smooth muscle linked by connective tissue

perimetrium

outer serosal layer of uterus; covers the body of the uterus

cervix

the lower part of the uterus

parts of breasts

accessory organs specialized for milk secretion after pregnancy; nipple, areola, lobes, alveolar and laciferous glands

GnRH

gonadotropin releasing hormone; targets anterior pituitary to release FSH and LH; indirectly stimulates progesterone/estrogen production

follicle simulating hormone (FSH)

produced by anterior pituitary; responsible for egg maturation in the ovary

lutenizing hormone (LH)

produced by anterior pituitary; responsible for release of egg from ovary

estrogen (estradiol)

responsible for maintaining uterine lining; produced by ovaries

progesterone

responsible for maintaining uterine lining; low levels in follicular phase rises in luteal phase; produced in ovary (corpus luteum) and adrenals

Describe hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis

• hypothalamus releases GnRH which stimulates the anterior pituitary

• anterior pituitary releases FSH first which simulates graafian primordial follicles to mature

• anterior pituitary then releases LH which releases the ovum from one follicle

• release of FSH and LH causes ovaries to release estradiol and progesterone

• empty follicle then becomes corpus luteum

follicular phase

pre-ovulatory first two weeks of ovarian cycle

ovulatory phase

ovulation occurs Day 14 in ovarian cycle

luteal phase

post-ovulatory day 15-28

menstrual phase

first phase of endometrial/uterine cycle; 1-5 days, endometrial cells shed

proliferative phase

second phase of endometrial/uterine cycle; endometrial growth 6-8x, glands enlarge and estrogen is released; cervical mucus which is thin, watery, alkaline, elastic is released

secretory phase

third phase of endometrial/uterine cycle; begins with ovulation; continued endometrial growth; increase in progesterone = endometrial growth + gland growth; increased vascularity; if pregnancy occurs here, process starts

ischemic phase

fourth phase of endometrial/uterine cycle; corpus luteum degenerates and becomes corpus albicans; decrease in estrogen, progesterone; necrosis under epithelial lining, small blood vessels rupture, arteries constrict; return to menstrual phase