T HE F EMALE R EPRODUCTIVE C YCLE Honors Anatomy & Physiology Part 1

F UNCTIONS OF THE F EMALE R EPRODUCTIVE S YSTEM 1. Ovaries produce 2° oocytes & hormones (E, P, inhin, & relaxin) 2. Uterine tubes transport 2° oocyte  uterus; sites of fertilization 3. Uterus site of implantation of fertilized ovum, development of fetus during pregnancy & labor 4. Vagina receives penis during intercourse; birth canal 5. Mammary glands synthesize, secrete, & eject milk for nourishment of newborn

A NATOMY OF THE F EMALE R EPRODUCTIVE S YSTEM Internal Genitalia: 1. Ovaries = Female Gonads 2. Fallopian tubes 3. Uterus 4. Vagina Vulva Internal Genitalia External Genitalia

O VARIES almond-shaped (2x size) flank either side of uterus: suspended medially to uterus by ovarian ligament anchored laterally by suspensory ligament mesovarium a part of the broad ligament which drapes over all 3 ligaments

D UAL B LOOD SUPPLY 1. Ovarian Artery branch of aorta 2. Ovarian branch of the Uterine Artery (branch of the internal iliac artery)

L AYERS OF THE OVARY Germinal Epithelium: cuboidal cells (visceral peritoneum) Tunica Albuginea: fibrous Outer Cortex (gametogenesis)/ Inner Medulla (vessels & nerves)

O VARIAN F OLLICLES in cortex contain 1 immature ovum called an oocyte surrounded by follicular cells (1 layer) or granulosa cells (>1 layer) Range of Stages of Maturation 1. Primordial Follicle surrounded by follicular cells 2. Tertiary Follicle (pre-ovulatory follicle) a fully mature follicle surrounded by granulosa cells bulges on ovarian surface

F OLLICULAR CHANGES WITH OVULATION after ovulation ruptured follicle  corpus luteum (yellow body)   degenerates to a corpus albicans (white body)

F ALLOPIAN TUBES aka uterine tubes: ~10 cm in length receive ovulated oocyte: *site of fertilization empty into superolateral region of uterus 5 parts: (medial  lateral) 1. Interstitium: w/in uterine wall 2. Isthmus: constricted portion 3. Ampulla: widens 4. Infundibulum: funnel-shaped 5. Frimbria (fringe) ciliated finger-like projections draped over ovary 1 or more attached to ovary

F ALLOPIAN T UBE performs a “dance” around time of ovulation fimbriae stiffen & sweep surface of ovary wall has sheets of smooth muscle peristalsis moves oocyte toward uterus lined with folds of ciliated & nonciliated mucosa externally covered by peritoneum & supported by portion of the broad ligament: mesosalpinx in-a-fallopian-tube-animation-stock-video- footage/

H OMEOSTATIC I MBALANCE Ectopic Pregnancy pregnancy outside the uterus peritoneal cavity or w/in fallopian tube hemorrhage  shock PID: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease infection spreading from other parts of reproductive tract. Gonorrhea, Chlamydia can scar tubes  infertility or ectopic pregnancy

UTERUS Latin for womb anterior to rectum in pelvic cavity& posterosuperior to bladder hollow, thick-walled muscular organ with shape of inverted pear anteverted: tipped forward retroverted: tipped back receives, retains, & nourished fertilized ovum

U TERUS : ANATOMY 1. Body major portion 2. Fundus superior to body site of entry of tube 3. Isthmus narrowed portion below body 4. Cervix narrow neck (outlet) projects into vagina

CERVIX cavity = cervical canal upper & lower boundaries = 1. internal cervical os 2. external cervical os mucosa of canal has mucous glands  mucus covers external os (opening) protects: spread of vaginal bacteria mucus thick(blocks sperm) time of ovulation

H OMEOSTATIC IMBALANCE Pap Smear: Papanicula Smear sampling of cells from endocervical canal screening test for cervical cancer cervical ca risk factors: 1. frequent cervical inflammation 2. HPV 3. starting sex early age 4. multiple pregnancies/early 1 st pregnancy 5. unprotected intercourse 6. smoking 7. multiple sex partners

C ERVICAL CANCER ~13,000 new cases/yr in USA ~4,100 women die from cervical cancer/yr in USA rate has dropped >50% in past 30 yrs (b/4 that was most common cancer death in USA) by race: Hispanic > African American> Asian & Pacific Islands > white most diagnosed age 20 – 50, 15% >65 yrs Gardisil vaccination protects against HPV induced cancer recommended for all 11 – 12 yr old girls

U TERINE LIGAMENTS 1. Broad Ligaments mesentery portion, lateral suspension 2. Cardinal Ligaments extend from cervix & superior vagina  lateral walls of the pelvis (inferior to broad ligament support) 3. Uterosacral Ligaments secure uterus to sacrum posteriorly

U TERINE WALL 3 layers: (external  internal) 1. Perimetrium serous layer 2. Myometrium muscle 3. Endometrium mucosal lining of the uterine cavity 2 strata: stratum functionalis : cyclic changes, sheds with menstruation stratum basalis : thinner, deeper layer: forms a new stratum functionalis after menstruation

U TERINE VASCULAR SUPPLY paired uterine arteries branch from internal iliacs  branches into uterine wall

VAGINA “sheath”/ aka birth canal thin-walled tube 8 – 10 cm in length lies between bladder & rectum extends from cervix to body exterior parallel to urethra Function: 1. passageway for delivery of newborn or menstrual flow 2. receives the penis during sexual intercourse

A NATOMY OF THE V AGINA

H YMEN thin fold of vascularized mucous membrane that forms a border around & partially closes the inferior end of the vaginal opening to the exterior imperforate hymen : completely or partially closes off the orifice

V ULVA external genitalia of females made up of: 1. Pubis 2. Labia Majora 3. Labia Minora 4. Clitoris 5. vestibule &Vestibular Glands

P UBIS aka mons pubis elevation of adipose tissue cushions pubic symphysis

L ABIA M AJORA 2 longitudinal folds of skin extending inferiorly & posteriorly from mons pubis covered by skin & pubic hair contain: adipose tissue, sebaceous (oil) & apocrine (sweat) glands are homologous to the scrotum

L ABIA M INORA medial to labial majora no pubic hair, few sudoriferous glands many sebaceous glands homologous to spongy urethra

C LITORIS small cylindrical mass of erectile tissue & nerves Located at anterior junction of labia minora homologous to glans penis

V ESTIBULE region between labia minora w/in it : external urethral orifice, vaginal orifice, ducts of vestibular glands

S KENE ’ S G LANDS “minor” vestibular or paraurethral glands secrete mucus homologous to prostate

B ARTHOLIN ’ S G LANDS either side of vaginal orifice “greater” vestibular glands produce small amt mucus during sexual arousal providing lubrication homologous to Cowper’s glands

M AMMARY G LANDS Nipples Areola : circular, pigmented area around each Lactiferous Ducts: closely spaced openings where milk emerges Suspensory Ligament: strands of CT between skin & deep fascia that support the breast Mammary Gland: modified sudoriferous (sweat)glands separated by adipose surrounded by myoepithelial cells (smooth muscle): contraction  milk let down