The Female Reproductive System

The Organs Produce and maintain the ova Transport ova to the big sperm meeting Provide a safe place for the development of offspring Move the offspring outside Produce sex hormones

The Organs Ovaries: medulla and cortex: follicles here Accessory Organs Include: Uterine Tubes (oviducts, fallopian tubes): conveys egg and embryo toward uterus Uterus: Endometrium, myometrium, perimetrium: it protects and nurtures Vagina: Mucosal layer, muscular layer, fibrous layer: conveys secretions of uterus to outside, receives penis, birthing canal

Female Organs

External Reproductive Organs Vulva, consisting of: Labia Majora: enclose/protect other repro. organs Labia Minora: protect openings of vagina and urethra Clitoris: erectile tissue, sexual stimulation Vestibule: vestibular glands, vestibular bulb: secrete fluid which moistens, lubricates

Hormonal Control Hypothalamus: GnRH Anterior pituitary gland: FSH, LH Ovaries (along with adrenal cortices and the placenta): Estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen production increases at puberty and develops repro. organs and secondary female sex characteristics like: Breast development Increased fat deposition in subcutaneous layer, and in breasts, thighs, buttocks Increased vascularization of skin

Menstrual Cycle GnRH from hypothalamus causes pituitary to release FSH and LH FSH stimulates the development of a follicle, which then secrete estrogen and progesterone Endometrium thickens, vascularizes Follicle secretion of estrogen inhibited pituitary’s secretion of LH, but LH was stored in gland. Pituitary became more sensitive to GnRH. Finally pituitary releases stored LH causes ovulation Follicle forms Corpus Luteum: secretes progesterone and estrogen: uterus becomes more vascularized, secretes glycogen and lipids If no fertilization, corpus luteum stops secreting estrogen/progesterone, uterine blood vessels constrict, lining sheds

Menstrual Cycle

Mammary Glands Accessory organs for milk production In subcutaneous layer of anterior thorax Inside breasts Nipple is surrounded by the areola Composed of 15-20 lobes containing alveolar glands and ducts which lead to nipple Dense connective tissue and adipose tissue separate lobes. Suspensory ligaments support weight of breast Males have breast tissue too

Mammary Glands

Birth Control Mechanical barriers: Condoms, diaphragm, cervical cap Chemical barriers: spermicidal creams, foams, jellies: not effective alone Oral contraceptives: the Pill: disrupts gonadotropin secretion, ovulation Injectable contraception: similar to Pill effects:3 mo. Contraceptive Implants: Like Pill, only placed under skin: good for up to 5 years Intrauterine devices (IUD): Interferes with implantation Surgery: Vasectomy or tubal ligation

Sexually Transmitted Diseases Really infections Harder to detect in female: organs are internal. If not treated, uterine, tubal scarring can have fertility consequences Gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease AIDS

Fertilization Egg meets sperm in oviduct Sperm binds to zona pellucida, enzymes in acrosome allow penetration, zona pelucida hardens to keep out other sperm Egg undergoes last meiotic division, nuclei unite, chromosomes mingle A zygote is formed