Chapter 27 Female Reproductive System Lecture 19 Marieb’s Human Anatomy and Physiology Marieb  Hoehn

2 Lecture Overview Functions of the female reproductive system The ovaries – structure and function Female internal reproductive organs Female external reproductive organs

3 Functions of the Female Reproductive System Produce and maintain sex cells (eggs) – a function of the ovaries, the primary sex organ Transport eggs to site of fertilization Produce female sex hormones Provide favorable environment for development of offspring Move offspring to outside (birth)

4 Organs of the Female Reproductive System Figure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001 (Bartholin’s glands) (Skene’s glands; lesser vestibular glands) (In anteflexion)

5 Female Pelvic Cavity Figure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12 th edition, 2010

6 Ovary Attachments (Mesentery) (Retracted) Figure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12 th edition, 2010

7 Ovaries and Their Attachments Figure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001 Fold of peritoneum that attaches to sides and floor of pelvic cavity (limits side-to- side movement and rotation) Posterior view Oophorectomy – removal of one or both ovaries

8 Overview of Female Reproductive Cycle Figure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12 th edition, 2010

9 Overview of the Ovarian Cycle Ovarian cycle – events occurring monthly in an ovary (oocyte growth and meiosis occur); cycle is usually about 28 days long Two phases: 1) Follicular phase 2) Luteal phase Figure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12 th edition, 2010

10 Oogonia = stem cells Process stops in meiosis I (Prophase) Stimulated by FSH/LH About 2 million primary oocytes at birth. By puberty, there are about 400,000. Fewer than will be released during a female’s reproductive life. Probably fewer than 10 will be fertilized. Oogenesis How does oogenesis differ from spermatogenesis? How is it the same?

11 Ovarian Cycle – Preovulatory (Follicular) Phase Figure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001 (FSH) Thecal and granulosa cells produce estrogens 8-10 days after beginning of cycle days Meiosis I LH Meiosis II started ManyOneFew (Graafian) 1.5 cm Estrogen (FSH)

12 Ovarian Cycle – Postovulatory (Luteal) Phase (Day 14) LH Lipids used to synthesize progestins, e.g., progesterone (prepares uterine lining for implantation) 12 days post ovulation If fertilization has not occurred Figure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001 LH

13 Ovulation Figure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12 th edition, 2010

14 Review of Ovarian Cycle Preovulatory (follicular) phase (Day 1-14) FSH stimulates primordial follicle to develop Primary follicle secretes estrogen (from cooperation of granulosa and thecal cells) Tertiary follicle is a mature (Graafian) follicle Postovulatory (luteal) phase (Day 15-28) LH stimulates rupture of tertiary follicle (ovulation) Secondary oocyte is released (still in meiosis II) Corpus luteum develops from remnants of follicle Corpus luteum secretes progesterone which prepares the uterus for implantation If pregnancy does not occur, corpus luteum involutes to become the corpus albicans (scar tissue) and menstruation will occur

15 Female Internal Accessory Organs Figure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12 th edition, 2010

16 Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes Segments of the uterine tube: - Infundibulum contains fimbriae (inner surfaces lined with cilia that beat toward center) - Ampulla (middle, muscular segment) - Isthmus (segment connected to the uterine wall) Figure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001 Oocytes are transported by - ciliary action - peristalsis (Parasympathetic NS activity a few hours before ovulation) Takes about 4 days for an oocyte to travel from the infundibulum to the uterine cavity Fertilization usually occurs around here Fallopian tube = salpinx [salping(o)-]

17 Lining of Uterine Tubes Tall ciliated columnar epithelial cells with interspersed mucin-secreting cells. Tubes contain glycoproteins and lipids Figure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12 th edition, 2010

18 Uterus (hyster(o)-) Figure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, Mechanical protection (fetus) - Nutritional support (fetus) - Waste removal (fetus) - Ejection of fetus at birth Cervical mucous prevents spread of bacteria from vagina to uterus

19 Uterine Wall Figure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001 Smooth muscle of myometrium is arranged in longitudinal, circular, and oblique layers Under the influence of estrogen, uterine glands, blood vessels, and epithelium in the functional zone of the endometrium change with the phases of the uterine (menstrual) cycle

20 Clinical Application Cervical Cancer and Pap Smears (Cytology) Cervical cancer is more common in: - Women between the ages of 30 and 50 - Women who smoke - Sexual activity at an early age/history of STDs or cervical inflammation (HPV) Figures from: Saladin, Anatomy & Physiology, McGraw Hill, 2007

21 Vagina Figure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001 Major functions: - Passageway for elimination of menstrual fluids - Receives penis and holds sperm prior to passage into uterus - Inferior portion of birth canal for fetal delivery Acidity of vagina protects adults from bacterial infections

22 Female External Reproductive Organs Figure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001 Includes the structures external to the vagina: - mons pubis - labia majora and minora - clitoris - vestibular structures Opening of ducts of greater vestibular glands (Bartholin’s) – mucous secretions Perineum Female external genitalia = pudendum or vulva Know the terms on this slide anterior posterior

23 The Deep Female Perineum Figure from: Saladin, Anatomy & Physiology, McGraw Hill, 2007

24 Development of External Reproductive Organs Figure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12 th edition, 2010

25 Erection, Lubrication, and Orgasm Figure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12 th edition, 2010

26 Review Function of the female reproductive system –Produce and maintain sex cells (eggs) – a function of the ovaries, the primary sex organ –Transport eggs to site of fertilization –Provide favorable environment for development of offspring –Move offspring to outside (birth) –Produce female sex hormones

27 Review Several ligaments hold female reproductive structures in place –Broad ligament –Suspensory ligament –Ovarian ligament –Uterosacral ligament Peritoneum-lined recesses in female –Rectouterine pouch – separates uterus from colon –Vesciouterine pouch – separates uterus from urinary bladder

28 Review During oogenesis –Oogonia stop development in meiosis I (before birth) –Secondary oocytes, rather than mature gametes, are released monthly at ovulation Ovarian cycle –Cycle is about 28 days long –Two main phases Preovulatory (follicular) – 14 days Postovulatory (luteal) – 14 days

29 Review Ovarian cycle (28 days) –Preovulatory (follicular) phase (Day 1-14) FSH stimulates primordial follicle to develop Primary follicle secretes estrogen (granulosa and thecal cells) Tertiary follicle is a mature (Graafian) follicle –Postovulatory (luteal) phase (Day 15-28) LH stimulates rupture of tertiary follicle (ovulation) Corpus luteum develops from remnants of follicle (granulosa cells) Corpus luteum secretes progesterone which prepares the uterus for implantation If pregnancy does not occur, corpus luteum involutes to become the corpus albicans (scar tissue)

30 Review Female internal accessory organs –Uterus Anteflexed muscular organ that will hold developing fetus Body –Fundus is furthest away from vagina –Perimetrium –Myometrium (thick smooth muscle layer) –Endometrium (Functional zone, basilar zone) –Uterine (fallopian) tubes Infundibulum (contains fimbriae) Ampulla (thick muscular wall) Isthmus (connection with uterus) Fertilization usually occurs in the ampulla/isthmus boundary Lined with cilia; smooth muscle to capture released oocyte Nutrient-rich environment (lipids and glycogen)

31 Review Female internal accessory organs (continued) –Vagina Elastic, muscular tube between cervix and vestibule Passageway for elimination of menstrual fluids Receives penis and holds sperm prior to passage into uterus Inferior portion of birth canal for fetal delivery Maintains an acidic environment (in adults) to prevent infections Parasympathetic stimulation – expansion and elongation during sexual stimulation Vestibular glands along sides of vagina secrete mucus to lubricate the vaginal lumen

32 Review Female External Genitalia –Entire area is the vulva or pudendum –Mons pubis, labia majora –Labia minora, vestibule –Anterior to posterior: clitoris, urethra, vaginal entrance –Bartholin’s glands (greater vestibular); ducts open just posterior to vaginal entrance –Skene’s glands (paraurethral, lesser vestibular); ducts open posterior to urethral meatus

33 Review Perineum –Diamond-shaped area of the trunk between the thighs and buttocks extending from the pubis to the coccyx (between ischial tuberosities) –Shallow compartment lying between this diamond shaped area and the pelvic floor (formed by pelvic diaphragm) –Male perineum contains: penis, scrotum, anus –Female perineum contains: vulva, anus