Female

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Chapter 19
Reproductive System
Lecture Outline
Seeley’s ESSENTIALS OF
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
Eleventh Edition
Cinnamon VanPutte
Jennifer Regan
Andrew Russo
Copyright 2022 © McGraw Hill LLC. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw Hill LLC.
The Reproductive System
• The human species could not survive without functional

male and female reproductive systems.
• The reproductive systems play essential roles in the
development of the structural and functional differences
between males and females, influence human behavior,
and produce offspring.
• However, a reproductive system, unlike other organ
systems, is not necessary for the survival of an individual
human.
Copyright 2022 © McGraw Hill LLC. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw Hill LLC. 2
Reproductive System Functions
1. Production of gametes
2. Fertilization
3. Development and nourishment of a new individual
4. Production of reproductive hormones
Major Reproductive Organs
Figure 19.1
Access the text alternative for slide images.
Female Reproductive System 1
• The female reproductive organs consist of the ovaries, the

uterine tubes, the uterus, the vagina, the external
genitalia, and the mammary glands.
• The internal reproductive organs of the female are located
within the pelvis, between the urinary bladder and the
rectum.
Female Reproductive System 2
• The internal reproductive organs are held in place within

the pelvis by ligaments.
• The broad ligament spreads out on both sides of the
uterus and attaches to the ovaries and uterine tubes.
Female Pelvis
Figure 19.8
Female Reproductive Organs 1
Figure 19.9
Ovaries 1
• Primary female reproductive organ

• Produces oocytes and sex hormones
• One on either side of uterus
• Ovarian ligaments: anchor ovaries to uterus
• Suspensory ligaments: anchor ovaries to pelvic cavity
• Mesovarium: attaches the ovaries to the broad ligament
• Ovarian follicle: groups of cells in ovaries that contain

oocytes
• Each of the ovarian follicles contains an oocyte, the
female reproductive cell.
Structure of Ovary and Ovarian Follicles
Figure 19.10
Oogenesis and Fertilization 1
• Oogenesis is the process of gamete production in females.

• Oogenesis begins before a female is born. By the fourth
month of development, the ovaries contain 5 million
oogonia which are the cells from which oocytes develop.
• Females are born with all of their oogonia (2 million), unlike
males that only begin to produce sperm during puberty.
• At puberty about 300,000 to 400,000 oogonia are left.

• Puberty to menopause, FSH stimulates several follicles to
begin developing during each menstrual cycle but only 1
follicle should be ovulated.
• Oocytes are swept into one of uterine tubes by fimbriae

during ovulation.
• If sperm is present in uterine tube during ovulation oocyte
could be fertilized.
• If fertilization occurs then zygote implants in uterus.
• Oocytes only live for 24 hours, so if no sperm is present at
ovulation no zygote develops, and oocyte dies.
Maturation of the Oocyte and Follicle
Figure 19.11
Uterine (Fallopian) tubes:

• part of uterus which extends toward ovaries and receive
oocytes
• fimbriae are fringe-like structures around opening of
uterine tubes that help sweep oocyte into uterine tubes
• Fertilization usually occurs in the part of the uterine tube
near the ovary, called the ampulla
• tubal ligation (sterilization of female)
Uterus:
• pear sized structure located in pelvic cavity
• functions: receive, retain, and provide nourishment for
fertilized oocyte, where embryo resides and develops
• body: main part
• fundus: the part of the uterus superior to the entrance of
the uterine tubes
• cervix: narrow region that leads to vagina
Uterine wall layers:

• perimetrium (serous): outermost layer
• myometrium (muscular): middle layer, composed of
smooth muscle
• endometrium: innermost layer that is sloughed off during
menstruation
Vagina:
• extends from uterus to outside of body
• female copulation organ that receives penis during
intercourse
• allows menstrual flow
• involved in childbirth
• contains very muscular walls and a mucous membrane
• very acidic to keep bacteria out
External Female Genitalia 1
Vulva:
• external female sex organs
• Includes mons pubis, labia majora and minora, clitoris,
prepuce and vestibule
Mons pubis:
• fatty layer of skin covering pubic symphysis
Labia majora:
• larger, outer folds of skin surrounding the entrance to the
vagina
• equivalent to male scrotum
Labia minora:
• thin, inner folds of skin surrounding entrance to the vagina
Clitoris:
• small erectile structure located in vestibule
• equivalent to male penis
Prepuce:
• where 2 labia minora unite over clitoris
Vestibule:
• space in which vagina and urethra are located
Female External Genitalia
Figure 19.12
Mammary Glands
• Organs of milk production in breasts

• Modified sweat glands
• Female breasts begin to enlarge during puberty
• Consists of lobes covered by adipose tissue
• Lobes, ducts, lobules are altered during lactation to
expel milk
Anatomy of the Breast
Figure 19.13
Female Puberty
• Begins between 11 to 13 years of age and is usually

completed by age 16
• Menarche first episode of menstrual bleeding
• Vagina, uterus, uterine tubes, and external genitalia
enlarge and fat is deposited in breasts and hips
• Elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone are secreted
by ovaries
Female Sex Hormones 1
• Gonadotropin-releasing (GnRH) hormone is produced in

the hypothalamus and stimulates secretion of LH and FSH.
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is produced in the anterior
pituitary and causes ovulation.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced in the
anterior pituitary and prompts follicles in the ovaries to
begin development.
Estrogen:
• proliferation of endometrial cells
• development of mammary glands (especially duct system)
• control of LH and FSH secretion
• development and maintenance of secondary sex
characteristics
Progesterone:
• enlargement of endometrial cells and secretion of fluid
from uterine glands
• maintenance of pregnancy state
• development of mammary glands (especially alveoli)
• control of estrogen, FSH, and LH secretion
• development of secondary sex characteristics
Menstrual Cycle 1
Menstrual cycle:
• series of changes that occur in sexually mature,
nonpregnant females
Menses:
• time when endometrium is shed from uterus
Average is 28 days and results from cyclical changes that
occur in endometrium
Stages of Menstrual Cycle 1
Days 1 to 5 Menses (shedding of endometrium)

• menstrual bleeding (menses)
• estrogen and progesterone levels are low
• follicle begins to mature
Days 6 to 13 Proliferative (between end of menses and

ovulation)
• endometrium rebuilds
• estrogen levels begin to increase
• progesterone levels remain low
• follicle matures
Day 14 Ovulation
• oocyte is released due to LH
• estrogen levels high
• progesterone levels are increasing
• cervical mucus thins
Corpus luteum - mature follicle after ovulation
• degenerates if egg is not fertilized
Days 15 to 28 Secretory (between ovulation and next

menses)
• endometrium is preparing for implantation
• estrogen levels decrease (low)
• progesterone levels high
• cervical mucus thickens
Menstrual Cycle 2
Figure 19.14
Menopause
Menopause
• time when ovaries secrete less hormones and number of
follicles in ovaries is low
• menstrual cycle and ovulation are less regular
• hot flashes, fatigue, irritability may occur
• estrogen replacement therapy may be used to decreases
side effects
Female Sexual Behavior 1
• Sexual drive in females, like sexual drive in males, is

dependent on hormones.
• Testosterone-like hormones, and possibly estrogen, affect
brain cells (especially in the area of the hypothalamus)
influence sexual behavior.
• Testosterone-like hormones are produced primarily in the
adrenal cortex.
Female Sexual Behavior 2
• Psychological factors also play a role in sexual behavior.

• The sensory and motor neural pathways involved in
controlling female sexual responses are similar to those
found in the male.
Female Sex Act 1
• During sexual excitement, erectile tissue within the clitoris

and around the vaginal opening becomes engorged with
blood.
• The mucous glands within the vestibule secrete small
amounts of mucus, with larger amounts extruded into the
vagina through its wall.
• Stimulation of the female’s genitals during sexual
intercourse and psychological stimuli normally trigger an
orgasm, or climax.
Female Sex Act 2
• The vaginal and uterine smooth muscle, as well as the

surrounding skeletal muscles, contract rhythmically, and
muscle tension increases throughout much of the body.
• After the sex act, there is a period of resolution, which is
characterized by an overall sense of satisfaction and
relaxation.
Contraception
• Many methods are used to prevent pregnancy, either by

preventing fertilization (contraception) or by preventing
implantation of the developing embryo.
• There are six main types of birth control. From the most to
least effective they include: (1) long-acting reversible
contraception, (2) sterilization, (3) hormonal methods, (4)
barrier methods, (5) fertility awareness, and (6)
emergency contraception.

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Because learning changes everything.

• The human species could not survive without functional

• The female reproductive organs consist of the ovaries, the

• The internal reproductive organs are held in place within

• Primary female reproductive organ

• Ovarian follicle: groups of cells in ovaries that contain

• Oogenesis is the process of gamete production in females.

• At puberty about 300,000 to 400,000 oogonia are left.

• Oocytes are swept into one of uterine tubes by fimbriae

Uterine (Fallopian) tubes:

Uterine wall layers:

• small erectile structure located in vestibule

• equivalent to male penis

• where 2 labia minora unite over clitoris

• space in which vagina and urethra are located

• Organs of milk production in breasts

• Begins between 11 to 13 years of age and is usually

• Gonadotropin-releasing (GnRH) hormone is produced in

Days 1 to 5 Menses (shedding of endometrium)

Days 6 to 13 Proliferative (between end of menses and

Days 15 to 28 Secretory (between ovulation and next

• Sexual drive in females, like sexual drive in males, is

• Psychological factors also play a role in sexual behavior.

• During sexual excitement, erectile tissue within the clitoris

• The vaginal and uterine smooth muscle, as well as the

• Many methods are used to prevent pregnancy, either by

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