Female Reproductive System

Adolescence  Puberty  Burst of hormones activate maturation of the gonads: ovaries  Begins: 8-13 yrs of age  Abnormally early = precocious puberty  Delayed =Primary Amenorrhea

Function of Female Reproductive System  Produce sex hormones  Produce functioning gamates [ova]  Support & protect developing embryo

General Physical Changes  Axillary & pubic hair growth  Changes in body conformation [widening of hips, development of breasts]  Onset of first menstrual period [menarche]  Mental changes

Major Organs  Ovaries [ gonads]  Uterine tubes [ fallopian tubes]  Uterus  Vagina  Accessory glands  External genitalia  Breasts

ovaries  Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond. In young women the ovaries are about 1½ - 2 inches long, 1 inch wide & 1/3 inch thick. After menopause they tend to shrink.  they produce eggs (also called ova) every female is born with a lifetime supply of eggs  they also produce hormones: Estrogen & Progesterone Male Homolog = testes month in fertile women..

fallopian tubes [uterine tubes]  stretch from the uterus to the ovaries and measure about 8 to 13 cm in length.  range in width from about one inch at the end next to the ovary, to the diameter of a strand of thin spaghetti.  The ends of the fallopian tubes lying next to the ovaries feather into ends called fimbria  Millions of tiny hair-like cilia line the fimbria and interior of the fallopian tubes. The cilia beat in waves hundreds of times a second catching the egg at ovulation and moving it through the tube to the uterine cavity.  Fertilization typically occurs in the fallopian tube

uterus  pear-shaped muscular organ in the upper female reproductive tract.  The fundus is the upper portion of the uterus where pregnancy occurs.  The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus that connects with the vagina and serves as a sphincter to keep the uterus closed during pregnancy until it is time to deliver a baby.  the uterus expands considerably during the reproductive process. the organ grows to from 10 to 20 times its normal size during pregnancy.

uterus  The main body consists of a firm outer coat of muscle (myometrium) and an inner lining of vascular, glandular material (endometrium).  The endometrium thickens during the menstrual cycle to allow implantation of a fertilized egg.  Pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants successfully into the endometrial lining. If fertilization does not occur, the endometrium sloughs off and is expelled as menstrual flow.

endometrium  Uterine Lining  Functional zone – layer closest to the cavity – contains majority of glands. Thicker portion – undergoes changes with monthly cycle  Basal zone – layer just under myometrium, attaches functional layer to myometrial tissue, has terminal ends of glands. Remains constant

Uterine arteries  Arcuate arteries - encircle endometrium  Radial arteries – connect arcuate to straight  Straight arteries – deliver blood to basilar zone  Spiral arteries – deliver blood to functional zone

The Cervix  the lower portion or neck of the uterus.  The cervix is lined with mucus, the quality and quantity of which is governed by monthly fluctuations in the levels of the estrogen and progesterone.  When estrogen levels are low, the mucus tends to be thick and sparse, hindering sperm from reaching the fallopian tubes. But when an egg is ready for fertilization, estrogen levels are high, the mucus then becomes thin and slippery, offering a “friendly environment” to sperm  at the end of pregnancy, the cervix acts as the passage through which the baby exits the uterus into the vagina. The cervical canal expands to roughly 50 times its normal width in order to accommodate the passage of the baby during birth

The Vagina  vagin = sheath  a muscular, ridged sheath connecting the external genitals to the uterus.  functions as a two-way street, accepting the penis and sperm during intercourse and roughly nine months later, serving as the avenue of birth through which the new baby enters the world

External genetalia  vulva—which runs from the pubic area downward to the rectum.  Mons pubis or "mound of Venus" is the V-shaped area covered with hair  Labia majora or "greater lips" are the part around the vagina containing two glands (Bartholin’s glands)which helps lubrication during intercourse. Male Homolog = scrotum  Labia minora or "lesser lips" are the thin hairless ridges at the entrance of the vagina, which joins behind and in front. In front they split to enclose the clitoris  The clitoris is a small pea-shaped structure (equivalent to penis in males ) It plays an important part in sexual excitement in females. Male Homolog = penis

External genetalia  The urethral orifice or external urinary opening is below the clitoris on the upper wall of the vagina and is the passage for urine  The opening of the vagina is separate from the urinary opening (unlike males) and located below it.  The hymen is a thin fold of tissue which partially covers the opening of the vagina. Paper thin membrane that covers the vaginal opening. Medically it is no longer considered to be a 100% proof of female virginity.

 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. Hormones and the menstrual cycle

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 and ovulation follows about 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.

Placenta: An organ that grows inside the uterus during pregnancy to carry food and oxygen from the mother and waste from the embryo or fetus. Umbilical Cord: The tube leading from the navel of the embryo or fetus to the placenta. It carries food and oxygen to the developing baby, and waste from the developing baby.