9.1 Female Reproductive System

Female Reproductive Organs

• Overview of Organs:

  • Gonads:

  • Ovaries

    • Produce ovum (egg cell)

    • Secrete female sex hormones

  • Ducts:

  • Uterine tubes, uterus, vagina

    • Collect, store and transport ovum and sperm

  • Accessory Glands:

  • Serous and mucous glands

    • Secrete lubricating and transporting fluid

Ovarie

Structure: cortex - ovarian follicle and its derivatives and medulla inner layer

Hormones: production of ovum, secretion of progesterone & oestrogen

Development of Ovarian Follicles

• Stages of Follicle Development:

  • Primordial Follicles:

  • The earliest stage present at birth

  • Primary Follicles:

  • Begin to grow and mature

  • Preantral Follicles:

  • Developing stage before antrum formation

  • Antral Follicles:

  • Formation of antrum filled with follicular fluid

  • Mature Follicle:

  • Ready for ovulation

Ovulation and Fertilization

• Ovulation Process:

  • Release of a mature ovum from the ovary

  • Typically occurs around day 14 of menstrual cycle

• Fertilization:

  • Occurs when sperm meets ovum

  • Leads to the formation of a zygote

Role of the Corpus Luteum

• Corpus Luteum Formation:

  • Forms after ovulation from the remnants of the mature follicle

• Functions:

  • Secretion of progesterone and estrogen

  • Important for maintaining the uterine lining for potential implantation

• Corpus Albicans:

  • Degenerated form of the corpus luteum if no fertilization occurs

Blood Supply

• Ovarian Blood Supply: dual

  • Gonadal Artery:

  • Branches from the abdominal aorta

  • Uterine Artery:

  • Arises from internal iliac artery

• Arterial supply
  • ovarian arteries from aorta
  • branches of internal iliac (uterine, vaginal & pudendal arteries)

• Venous Drainage:

  • Ovarian Veins:

  • Right ovarian vein drains into IVC (Inferior Vena Cava)

  • Left ovarian vein drains into the left renal vein

Nervous System Innervation

• Somatic (S2-S4): pudendal nerve to lower vagina – sensory /
  motor

• A. Parasympathetic (S2-S4): vasodilation of erectile tissue, motor to
  vagina & uterus.

• B. Sympathetic (T12-L2): secretory, orgasm

• Hormones: oxytocin for uterine contractions

Summary

• Understanding of ovarian structure and function is crucial, as well as the process of ovulation and hormonal regulation during the menstrual cycle, blood supply, and nervous system innervation.