Female Reproductive

Female Reproductive System

I. Overview

• Gonads = Ovaries:

  • Produce gametes (eggs) and hormones.

• Accessory Organs:

  1. Fallopian Tubes (Uterine tubes/Oviducts): Transport eggs from ovaries.

  2. Uterus (including cervix): Site for implantation and fetal development.

  3. Greater Vestibular Glands: Secrete mucus.

  4. External Genitalia: Labia majora, labia minora, clitoris.

• Copulatory Organ = Vagina: Receives semen from male.

• Support for Reproductive Organs: Broad ligament.

II. Ovary

• Location and Structure:

  1. Located in the upper pelvic cavity.

  2. Tunica Albuginea:

  • White capsule covering the ovary.

  • Red marks indicate previous ovulations.

  3. Follicles:

  • Contain oocytes, follicle cells, and connective tissue cells.

  • Stages of Follicles:i. Primordial Follicles: Stem cells (oogonium) that develop before birth.ii. Primary & Secondary Follicles: 6 to 12 mature every 28 days.iii. Graafian Follicle: Outgrows others and releases the egg.iv. Corpus Luteum: Develops after ovulation, produces hormones.v. Corpus Albicans: Degenerated corpus luteum if no fertilization occurs.

Page 2: Egg and Oogenesis

• Egg or Ovum:

  • Located in follicles.

  • Mitotic process occurs before birth and stores eggs for up to 50 years.

• Oogenesis:

  1. Primary Oocyte:

  • Born at this stage; diploid (2n).

  2. Secondary Oocyte:

  • Released at ovulation; undergoes meiosis.

  3. Hormones:

  • FSH: Stimulates follicle growth and estrogen production.

  • LH: Triggers ovulation and produces estrogen and progesterone.

Page 3: Fallopian Tubes and Uterus

• Fallopian Tubes:

  • Functions:

    1. Receive ovulated egg.

    2. Site of fertilization.

    3. Transport egg via ciliary action and peristalsis.

  • Anatomy:

    1. Infundibulum:

    • Expanded proximal end with fimbriae to catch the egg.

    2. Ampulla:

    • Site of fertilization.

    3. Isthmus:

    • Distal narrow portion attached to the uterus.

  • Layers of Wall:

    1. Serosa: External covering.

    2. Muscularis: Thick smooth muscle layer.

    3. Mucosa: Ciliated simple columnar epithelium producing mucus.

Page 4: Uterus and Vagina

• Uterus:

  • Functions:

    1. Receives egg (fertilized/unfertilized).

    2. Implantation site.

    3. Fetal ejection during birth.

    4. Site of menstruation if no embryo present.

  • Anatomy:

    1. Fundus: Upper, domed section.

    2. Body: Where the fetus develops.

    3. Isthmus: Narrowing portion.

    4. Cervix: Extends into vagina; site for pap smears.

  • Walls of Uterus:

    1. Perimetrium: Outermost layer (serosa).

    2. Myometrium: Thick muscle layer; increases in mass during pregnancy.

    3. Endometrium: Inner mucosal layer.

    • Layers:i. Stratum Functionalis: Shed during menstruation.ii. Stratum Basalis: Retained for healing.

• Vagina:

  • Functions:

    1. Birth canal.

    2. Passage for menstrual flow.

    3. Female copulatory organ.

    4. Produces mucus for intercourse.

  • Anatomy:

    1. Muscular tube, ~4 inches in length, from cervix to vestibule.

    2. Orifice located between urethra and rectum.

  • Histology:

    1. Adventitia: Outer layer.

    2. Muscularis: Muscle layer.

    3. Epithelium: Stratified squamous with rugae.

    4. External Genitalia:

    • Vestibule: General area around the urethra and vagina.

    • Greater Vestibular Glands: Secrete mucus.

    • Labia Majora, Labia Minora & Clitoris: Contain erectile tissue.

Page 5: Female Reproductive Years

• Lifecycle: Limited reproductive years compared to males.

• Menarche:

  • Onset of puberty (11-15 years old).

  • Influenced by heredity, nutrition, and body fat.

• Reproductive Years:

  • Approximately 35 years of ovulation, pregnancy, or menstruation.

  • Cycle:

    1. Day 1: Bleeding starts (around 4 days).

    2. Day 14: Ovulation occurs.

    3. Day 28: Last dry day before the next period.

• Menopause:

  • Cessation of bleeding around 50 years old.

  • Degeneration of ovarian follicles.

Page 6: Ovarian and Menstrual Cycles

• Ovarian Cycle:

  • Follicular Phase (Days 1-10):

    1. FSH stimulates follicle growth and estrogen production.

    2. FSH stimulates completion of meiosis I in the egg.

  • Ovulation (Days 10-14):

    1. LH triggers release of secondary oocyte on about Day 14.

  • Luteal Phase (Days 14-28):

    1. Corpus luteum produces progesterone to maintain uterine lining.

    2. If fertilized, progesterone levels stay elevated; if not, corpus luteum degenerates, and menstrual cycle restarts.

• Menstrual Cycle:

  • Menstrual Phase (Days 1-5): Shedding of uterine lining due to lack of hormones.

  • Proliferative Phase (Days 6-14): Healing and rebuilding of the endometrium.

  • Secretory Phase (Days 15-26): Endometrium prepares for potential implantation.

  • Premenstrual Phase (Days 27-28):

    1. Hormonal changes signal the start of menstruation.

Page 8: Contraception

• Natural Methods:

  1. Abstinence: 100% effective.

  2. Natural Family Planning: 70-80% effective; involves timing intercourse.

  3. Withdrawal: 80% effective if done correctly.

• Mechanical Methods and Barriers:

  1. Condoms: 90% effective; higher when combined with spermicide.

  2. Diaphragm (with spermicide): 81-87% effective, requires fitting by a doctor.

  3. IUD: 95-98% effective; can cause complications like hemorrhage.

• Chemical Methods:

  1. Spermicides: Alone 75-82% effective.

  2. Hormonal Birth Control: 98% effective; maintains high levels of progesterone and low estrogen.

  3. Morning After Pill (MAP): 75% effective if taken within 72 hours post-intercourse.

  4. RU486 (Abortion Pill): Induces miscarriage within the first 7 weeks.

• Surgical Methods: 99.6% effective.

  1. Vasectomy: Cuts the vas deferens but semen is still produced.

  2. Tubal Ligation: Cuts uterine tubes while allowing ovulation and menstruation to continue.