TH

Female Reproduction

Sexual Reproduction

  • Union of nuclei of ovum and sperm cell

  • Ovum & sperm cells = gametes

    • produced in the gonads

      • female gonads = ovaries

      • male gonads = testes

  • Gametes contain half the # of chromosomes of a normal body cell

Fertilization

  • Ovum leaves ovaries, travels through the fallopian tube

  • Fertilization takes place if sperm cells are present & unite with ovum

  • Fertilized egg implants then divides to form a ball of cells, called a zygote (later embryo, then fetus)

Female Reproductive System Organs (Lateral View)

  • Ovaries

  • Fallopian tubes

  • Uterus

  • Cul-de-sac

  • Vagina

  • Bartholin glands

  • Clitoris

  • Perineum

Female Reproductive System Organs (Anterior View)

  • Ovary

  • Utero-ovarian ligament

  • Ovarian follicles

  • Ovum

  • Corpus luteum

  • Fallopian tube

  • Fimbriae

  • Uterus

  • Endometrium

  • Myometrium

  • Uterine serosa

  • Cervix

  • Vagina

Anatomic Structs of the Breasts (Sagittal View)

  • Glandular tissue

  • Fatty tissue

  • Ducts

  • Sinuses

Menstrual Cycle

  • Day 1-5: blood cells, endometrial cells, and glandular secretions discharge from the body

  • Day 6-12: estrogen aids repair of endometrium, ovum grows in the follicle

  • Day 13-14: egg leaves the ovary and passes through the fallopian tube

  • Day 15-28: corpus luteum secretes progesterone; the uterus lining builds up

Pregnancy

  • Fertilization occurs = egg implants in the uterine endometrium

  • Placenta forms, attaches to the uterine wall

  • Amnion holds the fetus in an amniotic cavity

  • Nutrients, oxygen, and wastes exchange between the fetus and mother

  • Placenta produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

  • Implantation in the uterus

  • Chorion membrane = outer, amnion - inner

  • Progesterone maintains placenta development

  • Uterus expands as fetus grows

  • Normal delivery fetal position is cephalic presentation (head first)

3 Phases of Labor

  1. Dilation and thinning of the cervix

  2. Birth of infant

  3. Delivery of placenta

Hormonal Interactions

Pituitary Secretes

  • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

  • Luteinizing hormone (LH)

The pituitary stops producing FSH & LH…

  • during pregnancy

  • with oral contraceptives

Menopause

  • Gradual ending of the menstrual cycle

  • Normally begins between ages 45 and 55

  • Falling estrogen levels

  • Option for estrogen replacement therapy (careful consideration of risks required)