Female Reproductive System

Is made up of female gonads, external genitalia, and the gamete or mature female germ cell. Ovum is an egg or mature female germ cell Plural of ovum is ova

Fertilization Union of the male gamete and female gamete to form a zygote. From the zygote, an embryo develops Usually takes place in a fallopian tube The zygote is then implanted in the uterus

Key Terms Zygote is the cell formed by the union of the two gametes Embryo is the fertilized ovum about 2 weeks after fertilization until the end of the seventh or eighth week Fetus is the unborn offspring after it has attained the particular form of the species.

Functions of the female reproductive system Perpetuation of the human species Development of the fetus Sexual gratification Secretion of hormones Secondary sex characteristics: 1. development of breasts 2. broadening of the hips 3. growth of hair on the pubis and axilla 4. onset of menstruation

Labeling of the female Label Figure 4 under Obj. 7 Label Figure 6 under Obj. 14 Label Figure 5 under Obj. 13

Major divisions Internal – ovaries and the organs that lead to the exterior External – external female genitalia Breasts – also called the mammary glands that are capable of secreting milk

Major organs Ovary a. one of a pair of internal organs that produce ova and female sex hormones b. resembles an almond in size and shape c. secrete the female hormones estrogen and progesterone 1. estrogen helps in secondary sex characteristics 2. progesterone contributes to the growth of the endometrium

Major organs, cont’d. Fallopian tube a. Each tube is about 4 inches long b. Is muscular and lined with mucosa c. Provide the place for fertilization and acts as a passageway for spermatozoa

Major organs, cont’d. Uterus a. Also called the womb b. Hollow, pear-shaped organ in which the fertilized ovum is implanted and fetus develops c. Approximately 3 inches long and 2 inches wide at the upper end d. Three major sections: fundus, body and cervix

Uterus, cont’d. Uterus serves three main functions: a. Contain and nourish the embryo b. Contract to expel the fetus at the end of pregnancy c. To slough off the endometrium if an egg is not implanted After memopause, the uterus becomes smaller and atrophies.

Uterus, cont’d. A full bladder tilts the uterus backward Anteversion is an abnormal forward tilt of the uterus Anteflexion is an abnormal forward bending of the fundus Retroversion is an abnormal backward bending of the fundus and body at the cervix

Major organs, cont’d. Vagina a. Canal in a female that leads to the external vaginal orifice of the genital canal. b. Principal function: to receive the penis during copulation c. Has folds of rugae and is collapsible d. Is a muscular canal lined with mucous membranes situated in front of the rectum and behind the urethra and urinary bladder

Major organs, cont’d. Breasts a. Lie over the pectoralis muscles b. Called the lactiferous glands c. Each has a nipple which is small, round, pigmented structure that projects just below the center of each breast d. Tip of each nipple has 20 tiny openings e. Pigmented skin surrounding nipple is areola

Breasts, cont’d. Lactiferous glands become functional after delivery of an infant when they are stimulated by prolactin Takes 3-4 days for the prolactin to stimulate the production of milk. During this time, breasts produce a thin, yellowish secretion called colostrum. a. Colostrum consists of antibodies to boost the infant’s immune system.

Stages of development For the fist two months, no sexual differentiation is evident. At birth, the ovaries contain thousands of oocytes (immature germ cells)

Phases of menstrual cycle First phase – menstrual – lasts 4-5 days with a period of uterine bleeding Second phase – follicular – lasts 9-10 days in which endometrium is repaired and thickens Third phase – ovulation – occurs on 14 day in which follicle ruptures and liberates an ovum Fourth phase – luteal – lasts days in which endometrium continues to thicken Fifth phase – ischemic – lasts 1-2 days, arteries constrict and endometrium becomes anemic

Definitions to Know Menses – menstrual flow Amenorrhea – absence of menstruation Oligomenorrhea – abnormally light or infrequent menstruation Dysmenorrhea – pain associated with menstruation Menorrhagia – abnormally heavy or long periods Metrorrhagia – uterine bleeding other than caused by menstruation

Definitions to Know Surgical menopause – removal of an organ to interrupt the hormones that regulate menstruation Pregnancy – also called gestation Premature birth – delivery of the infant after less than 40 weeks Breech birth – presentation of the infant at birth in any position other than head downward

Definitions to know Cesarean section – delivery of an infant by surgically opening the abdomen and uterus Still birth – delivery of a lifeless infant Multiple births – delivery of more than one infant from a pregnancy Ectopic pregnancy – an abnormal pregnancy in which the embryo implants outside of the uterine cavity

Definitions to know Abruptio placentae – separation of the placenta from the uterine wall after 20 weeks of pregnancy Preeclampsia – toxic condition of pregnancy characterized by hypertension, proteinuria, edema, hemorrhaging and even stroke Spontaneous abortion – loss of an embryo before the 20 th week of pregnancy PID – any inflammation of the female pelvic organs

Definitions to know Mastitis – inflammation of the breasts