Female Reproductive System

All organs are internal and closely associated

Primary reproductive organs: ? Secondary reproductive organs: ?

Female repro system must produce gametes AND maintain developing embryo

Ovaries
Suspended by ovarian ligament & suspensory ligament Functions: 1. Ova production 2. Hormone production

Oogenesis (= ovum production)

takes place inside follicles in ovaries as cycle ovarian part of ovarian

Oogonia (= stem cells) complete mitotic divisions before birth

At birth: ~ 2 mio primary oocytes At puberty: ~ 400,000 primary oocytes 40 years later: 0 (even though only ~ 500 used) Atresia

Oogensis
Ovarian cycles start at puberty under influence of ___

Primordial follicle
Each month some proceed

Primary follicle
Few proceed

Secondary follicle
Few proceed

Tertiary (Graafian follicle)

Fig 27-12

Primordial Follicle or Egg Nests

Present at birth (simple squamous layer)

in cortex

Primary Follicle
Follicle cells Oocytes

Follicles enlarge in response to FSH and produce estrogens

Secondary Follicle
Few relative to number of primary follicles Produce follicular fluid Rapid enlargement

= Clear glycoprotein layer

Tertiary or Graafian Follicle

Spans entire width of cortex First meiotic division being completed: 1roocyte divides into one 2r oocyte and one polar body

Oogenesis
Suspended in prophase I

Happens in tertiary follicle Ovulation

Stops in Metaphase II

Ovulation
Oocyte and follicular cells shed into abdominal cavity
then 1. Empty follicle forms corpus luteum which produces progesterone 2. 3. Corpus luteum degenerates and becomes corpus albicans GnRH increases under low estrogen and progesterone levels

Uterine Tube
= Fallopian tube = oviduct = salpinx
Two muscular tubes
infundibulum with fimbriae Ampulla (place of fertilization) Isthmus intramural portion
Fig 27-14

Tubal ligation

Uterine Tube Histology

Ciliated and non-ciliated simple columnar epithelium Ciliary movement and periodic peristaltic contractions move ova Secretion of nutrient substances

The Uterus
Uterine wall ~ 1.5 cm
made up of 1. Endometrium, 2. Myometrium, 3. Incomplete perimetrium
Fig 27-16

Blood supply
Uterine arteries from internal iliac Ovarian arteries from abdominal aorta (inferior to renal arteries)

Histology of Endometrium


Functional zone deciduum, sheds during menses

menstruation - flow sheds functionalis layer of endometrium proliferative phase - under influence of estrogen basal cells proliferate secretory phase - progesterone maintains functionalis

Basilar zone permanent layer, deep to functionalis

Fig 27-16

Functions of Uterus
   

Protection of embryo/fetus Nutritional support Waste removal Ejection of fetus at birth

Cervix and Vagina

Cervix attaches to vagina at ~ 90 angle Fornix pocket surrounding uterine cervix (surgical access to
pelvic cavity; location of birth control device)

Vagina fibro-muscular organ serving as

receptacle for intercourse passageway for menstrual products birth canal
Fig 27-20b

The Mammary Gland

Modified sweat gland Overlaying the ____________ muscle 15-20 separate lobes separated by suspensory ligaments; each lobe contains several secretory lobules
Lactiferous ducts leaving lobules; converge into 15-20 lactiferous sinuses Milk stored in lactiferous sinus until released at tip of nipple

Fig 27-21

Lymphatic Drainage of Mammary Glands . . . . . . is of considerable clinical

importance, why ??

Hormones and the menstrual cycle

The female hormones that control the cyclic growth and shedding of the endometrium are estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen and progesterone are produced by the ovaries. Estrogen causes the growth or proliferation of the endometrium during the first 2 weeks of the menstrual cycle. After ovulation, the ovary produces progesterone.
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When does ovulation occur?

 

The timing of ovulation varies with the length of a woman's menstrual cycle. In the average 28 day menstrual cycle, the LH surge usually occurs between cycle days 11-13 and ovulation follows about 36-48 hours later, on or close to cycle day 14. Women with shorter menstrual cycle lengths tend to ovulate earlier and women with longer cycle lengths tend to ovulate later than cycle day 14. Despite the variations in menstrual cycle length, the time from ovulation to the onset of the next menstrual period is usually constant (2 weeks). This principle is the basis for the use of ovulation calendars that take into account an individual's shortest and longest cycle lengths.

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