UNIT 1- THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM The Ovarian Cycle
 Consists of organs primarily involved in
producing offspring;
 Connected to the network of blood vessels,
blood, nerves, hormones and tissues that
nourish it, provide it with oxygen, regulate
its responses, eliminate its wastes, and
strengthen and protect it;
 Discusses the nature, structure, and
function of the organs in the reproductive
system;
 Presents the various processes that occur in
the system and its neighboring organs.
CHAPTER 1-THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
1.Internal reproductive organs – include
ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina
Ovaries
 two almond-shaped organs approximately 3
cm long, 2 cm wide, and 1 cm thick located
in the lower abdomen and attached to the
margins of the uterus and to the pelvic wall
by ligaments;
 reproductive glands that produce eggs and
female sex hormones;
 contain 300,000 to 500,000 primary oocytes
(immature eggs in different stages of
development contained within primordial
follicles (immature follicles). These oocytes
are protected by the ovaries until such time
that they are ready for release. One egg,
sometimes more, is released
during ovulation
 produce hormones estrogen and
progesterone which regulate reproductive
functions secondary sex characteristics, play
a role in bone metabolism and cancer
management
 Series of events that occur in the ovaries
during and after the maturation of the
oocytes for fertilization.
 Likewise in this cycle, the uterus is prepared
for a possible pregnancy.
 During a woman’s reproductive period
from menarche or the onset of
menstruation (approximately 9-14 years
old) to menopause or the caesation of
menstruation (approximately 48-52 years
old), she regularly undergoes the ovarian
cycle.
 Controlled by the hypothalamus through
gonadotropin releasing hormones to the
pituitary gland, which in turn sends
gonadotropin-releasing hormones to the
pituitary gland which in turn sends
gonadotropic hormones (FSH and LH) to the
ovaries.
 FSH – follicle-stimulating hormone-
stimulates the primary oocyte to resume its
meiotic division and mature; it also
stimulates the primordial follicle to increase
its lining cells and form an outer covering
that produces estrogen;
 These changes transform the immature egg
within the immature follicle into a mature
egg within a Graafian follicle.
 LH- luteinizing hormone—causes a Graafian
follicle to burst (ovulation), releasing the
mature egg (secondary oocyte); it also
transforms the remnants of Graafian follicle
into a yellow body called corpus luteum
 Corpus luteum- secretes progesterone
which prepares the lining of the uterus,
primed with estrogen , for the implantation
of fertilized egg. If no implantation occurs
within 7 to 10 days, the corpus luteum
regresses, degenerates, and its hormonal
secretion diminishes. The cycle repeats with
another ovulation.  However, if the egg is
fertilized, the corpus luteum persists
becoming the corpus luteum of pregnancy. 
 With its own hormones, the corpus luteum
maintains the early pregnancy until
the placenta can take over.
 During ovulation, some women may feel a
slight pain in one side of the lower
abdomen (mittelschmerz) or a rise in basal
body temperature. These symptoms may be
monitored by couples trying to conceive or
wanting to prevent pregnancy.
Fallopian tubes
 Otherwise known as oviducts;
 Pair of tubes about 10-12 cm long that
connects the ovaries to the uterus;
 have fringe-like projections with motile cilia
that help direct the egg into its lumen;
 propels the ovum from the ovary towards
the uterus;
 receives the sperm coming from the uterus;
 provides the site for fertilization (in which
sperm meets and penetrates the egg);
 propels the fertilized egg by ciliary current
and contractions to the uterus
C.Uterus
 Otherwise known as the womb
 Hollow, pear-shaped muscular organ about
7-8 cm long;
 Consists of three layers: endometrium,
myometrium and perimetrium;
 Located in the middle of the pelvis between
the urinary bladder in front and rectum at
the back;
 Has inner lining which thickens in
preparation for the implantation of the
fertilized egg;
 Its lining along with unfertilized egg is shed
during menstruation;
 Houses the developing offspring and
enlarges to accommodate it throughout the
pregnancy;
 Its powerful muscles contract to expel the
baby during childbirth
The Menstrual Cycle
 28-day cycle also known as endometrial
cycle;
 As the primary follicle matures, it secretes
estrogen which acts on the inner lining of
the uterus, enabling it to proliferate after
menstruation;
 At approximately day 14 of the cycle,
ovulation occurs;
 The corpus luteum produces predominantly
progesterone which, primed with estrogen,
prepares the lining of the uterus, for the
implantation of the fertilized egg;
 If no implantation occurs within 7 to 10
days, the corpus luteum degenerates, its
hormonal support decreases and the
uterine lining is shed as menstruation.
 Afterwards, a new cycle starts
 A few days before menstruation, as an
effect of a change in hormones, a woman
may experience headache, bloated feelings,
mood swings, breast swelling and
tenderness, weight gain, lower back muscle
pain, insomnia, food cravings, pimples, mild
fatigue and irritability, and increased
perspiration (premenstrual tension). These
symptoms characterize what is commonly
called premenstrual syndrome (PMS). 
During menstruation, a woman may feel
lower abdominal
discomfort (dysmenorrhea)
 Normal menstruation starts before the age
of 16 years old and ends after the age of 45
years. It lasts from 3 to 8 days and entails a
blood loss of less than 80 mL.  A regular
cycle ranges from 21-35 days with an
average of 28 days.  Menstrual blood does
not clot.  A prolonged abnormal bleeding or
a frequently heavy or very painful bleeding
should be consulted with the doctor.
Cervix
 Connects the uterus to the vagina
 The opening to the vagina is small which
acts as a safety precaution against foreign
bodies entering the uterus;
 Dilates to accommodate the passage of
fetus during normal delivery;
 Its dilation is a sign that labor has begun
Vagina
 Otherwise known as birth canal;
 7-12 cm long muscular cavity that connects
the uterus to the outside (vestibule);
 Contains mucus secreted by cervical glands.
This mucus becomes sticky then changes to
an egg white consistency, indicating a fertile
period. Recognizing fertile mucus is a basis
for  couples to abstain from sex to prevent
pregnancy.  During pregnancy, the mucus
thickens to a plug to protect the fetus.
 Passageway connecting the uterus to the
external genitalia;
 Female organ of copulation which expands
to take in the erect penis and the ejected
semen during intercourse;
 Stretches more to allow the baby to pass
during childbirth;
 Provides passage to the menstrual fluid to
escape from the uterus;
 Has an acidic pH and is richly colonized by
bacterial flora, predominantly lactobacilli.
Both provide defense against infection.
However, they are usually lacking in
prepubescent and menopausal women.
 External reproductive organs- composed of
perineum, mons pubis, labia majora, labia
minora, hymen, vestibule, clitoris as well as
Bartholin’s and other accessory glands
Perineum
 Diamond-shaped area at the lowest end of
the trunk between the vulva and the anus;
 Divided into the anterior urogenital triangle
occupied by the vulva with the orifices of
the vagina and urethra and the posterior
triangle containing the opening of the anal
canal;
 The area between the opening of the vagina
and the anus, below the labia majora;
 Varies in length from almost 1 to more than
2 inches (2 to 5 centimeters).
Mons pubis
 a rounded mound of fatty tissue that covers
the pubic bone.
 During puberty, it becomes covered with
hair.
 contains oil-secreting (sebaceous) glands
that release substances that are involved in
sexual attraction
Labia majora
 (literally, large lips) are two relatively large,
fleshy folds of tissue that enclose and
protect the other external genital organs.
 They are comparable to the scrotum in
males
 contain sweat and sebaceous glands, which
produce lubricating secretions.
 hair appears during puberty
Labia minora
 (literally, small lips) hairless, can be very
small or up to 2 inches wide;
 lie just inside the labia majora and surround
the openings to the vagina and urethra.
 A rich supply of blood vessels gives the labia
minora a pink color. During sexual
stimulation, these blood vessels become
engorged with blood, causing the labia
minora to swell and become more sensitive
to stimulation.
Clitoris
 located between the labia minora at their
upper end, is a small protrusion that
corresponds to the penis in the male.
 like the penis, is very sensitive to sexual
stimulation and can become erect.
 stimulating the clitoris can result in an
orgasm.

Vestibule

 Area enclosed by the labia minora where

the openings of the urethra and vagina are
located.
 When stimulated, Bartholin glands (located
beside the vaginal opening) secrete a thick
fluid that supplies lubrication for
intercourse.
 The opening to the urethra, which carries
urine from the bladder to the outside, is
located above and in front of the vaginal
opening.
 The vaginal opening is partially covered by a
thin membrane called the hymen. This
membrane is usually present in girls who
have not had intercourse.  An intact hymen,
as well as bleeding from its rupture at
intercourse, was formerly considered  a sign
of virginity. The hymen however is pliable,
may be absent or torn with previous non-
sexual activity, and may not bleed with first
intercourse.

Breasts

 Contain mammary glands and fat which

connect to ducts that drain into the nipples
with their surrounding areola;
 Each breast contain 15-25 clusters called
lobes;
 Nipples are made of erectile tissue;
 Size is determined by heredity;
 Size also depends on the existing fat and
glandular tissue;
 Exhibit cyclical changes including increased
swelling and tenderness prior to
menstruation