Female Reproductive System

Female anatomy Internal genitals : External genitals (vulva): Ovaries 16.3 Female reproductive system Female anatomy Internal genitals : Ovaries Uterine tube Uterus Vagina External genitals (vulva): Labia major Labia minor Mons pubis Clitoris

Female anatomy: Genital tract 16.3 Female reproductive system Female anatomy: Genital tract Ovaries – produce eggs and sex hormones Uterine (Fallopian) tubes – moves eggs and normal site of fertilization Uterus – normal site of implantation and fetal development Cervix – ‘neck’ of the uterus that can dilate during childbirth Vagina – birth canal

VAGINAL OPENING Opening may be covered by a thin sheath called the hymen Using the presence of an intact hymen for determining virginity is erroneous Some women are born without hymens The hymen can be perforated by many different events

PERINEUM The muscle and tissue located between the vaginal opening and anal canal It supports and surrounds the lower parts of the urinary and digestive tracts The perineum contains an abundance of nerve endings that make it sensitive to touch An episiotomy is an incision of the perineum used during childbirth for widening the vaginal opening

INTERNAL GENITALIA The internal genitalia consists of the: Vagina Cervix Uterus Fallopian Tubes Ovaries

VAGINA The vagina connects the cervix to the external genitals It is located between the bladder and rectum It functions : As a passageway for the menstrual flow For uterine secretions to pass down through the introitus As the birth canal during labor With the help of two Bartholin’s glands becomes lubricated during SI

CERVIX The cervix connects the uterus to the vagina The cervical opening to the vagina is small This acts as a safety precaution against foreign bodies entering the uterus During childbirth, the cervix dilates to accommodate the passage of the fetus This dilation is a sign that labor has begun

UTERUS Commonly referred to as the womb A pear shaped organ about the size of a clenched fist It is made up of the endometrium, myometrium and perimetrium Consists of blood-enriched tissue that sloughs off each month during menstrual cycle The powerful muscles of the uterus expand to accommodate a growing fetus and push it through the birth canal

FALLOPIAN TUBES Serve as a pathway for the ovum to the uterus Are the site of fertilization by the male sperm Often referred to as the oviducts or uterine tubes Fertilized egg takes approximately 6 to 10 days to travel through the fallopian tube to implant in the uterine lining

OVARIES The female gonads or sex glands They develop and expel an ovum each month A woman is born with approximately 400,000 immature eggs called follicles During a lifetime a woman release @ 400 to 500 fully matured eggs for fertilization The follicles in the ovaries produce the female sex hormones, progesterone and estrogen These hormones prepare the uterus for implantation of the fertilized egg

Female anatomy: External anatomy 16.3 Female reproductive system Female anatomy: External anatomy Labia major – 2 large folds of fatty skin Labia minor – 2 small folds just inside the labia major that contain the opening to the urethra and vagina Mons pubis – fatty skin covered in coarse hair Clitoris – erectile organ

The ovarian cycle: The ovary Contains many follicles each containing an immature egg (oocyte) At birth a female has ~300,000-400,000 follicles During the lifetime of a female only ~400 follicles mature One follicle matures each cycle from puberty until menopause Ovulation is the monthly release of an oocyte from the ovary when a follicle ruptures

16.4 Female hormone level Anatomy of the ovary

The ovarian cycle This is the formation and release of an immature egg 16.4 Female hormone level The ovarian cycle This is the formation and release of an immature egg 2 phases: Follicular phase: FSH promotes the development of a follicle that secretes estrogen An estrogen spike leads to a surge in LH and ovulation around day 14 in the 28-day cycle Luteal phase: LH promotes the develop of the corpus luteum that functions to secrete progesterone If pregnancy does not occur menstruation begins

The uterine cycle A 28-day cyclic event in the uterus: 16.4 Female hormone level The uterine cycle A 28-day cyclic event in the uterus: Days 1-5: low level of estrogen and progesterone causing the inner uterine lining (endometrium) to disintegrate and menstruation occurs Days 6-13 (proliferative phase): increase in estrogen causing the endometrium to thicken Day 14: ovulation usually occurs Days 15-28 (secretory phase): increase in progesterone causes endometrium to double or triple in thickness in preparation for the developing embryo. If the egg is not fertilized then the corpus luteum regresses and the endometrium breaks down

Hormones in the ovarian and uterine phase 16.4 Female hormone level Hormones in the ovarian and uterine phase

Female anatomy: Genital tract 16.3 Female reproductive system Female anatomy: Genital tract

Fertilization and Pregnancy 16.4 Female hormone level Fertilization and Pregnancy Fertilization – union of a sperm and egg nucleus normally in the oviduct to form a zygote Pregnancy – begins with implantation usually ~6 days after fertilization

Some common birth control methods 16.5 Control of reproduction Some common birth control methods Abstinence – not engaging in sexual intercourse Hormonal control: Birth control pills: blocks FSH and LH release to stop follicular development and ovulation Contraceptive injections: injection of hormones (progesterone and/or estrogen) to stop ovulation Contraceptive implants: synthetic progesterone to prevent ovulation Barrier methods: IUD: small plastic piece inserted into the uterus to prevent implantation Condom (male and female): blocks fertilization Diaphragm: soft latex cup that covers the cervix so sperm cannot enter the uterus Sterilization: Vasectomy: cutting and sealing the vas deferens Tubal ligation: cutting and sealing the oviducts

VAGINA CERVIX Vagina = “birth canal” Elastic tube-like pathway 4-5” long At rest, walls of vagina touch During arousal, they expand to allow penis to enter If not ready/aroused, walls of vagina will tear Capable of stretching to allow birth VAGINA Leads to CERVIX - “neck of the uterus” - Opening is small, dilates (“opens”) to allow passage of baby. CERVIX

UTERUS UTERUS Strong elastic muscle; about the size of a fist Primary fxn – hold & nourish developing embryo & fetus Endometrium Inner lining of uterus Rich supply of blood vessels Builds up w/blood tissue to prepare for a possible pregnancy UTERUS

The parts on the inside are: Uterus Sometimes called the womb. Muscular organ about the size of a pear. Where developing baby, called a fetus, grows and is fed. Where the period comes from. Cervix The lower part of the uterus. Makes mucus to keep sperm alive. Has opening where sperm enter uterus and where the baby comes out of the uterus. Vagina Warm, soft, moist passageway joining outside and uterus.

Fallopian Tubes FALLOPIAN TUBES FIMBRIAE Tubes on each side of the uterus Leads to ovaries Extremely narrow; lined with cilia (similar…?) FALLOPIAN TUBES Fimbriae Finger-like projections at the end of the fallopian tubes Surrounds the top part of each ovary Gathers ovum into tube Fertilization usually occurs in the widest part of the fallopian tube (upper 1/3) near the ovaries FIMBRIAE

Female sex glands/organs OVARIES Female sex glands/organs Situated on both sides of the uterus; end of fallopian tubes 2 main functions House ova Produce female sex hormones Estrogen & Progesterone OVARY

The parts on the inside are: Fallopian tubes Narrow tubes between the uterus and the ovary. Ovaries Glands that make egg cells and female sex hormones.

Ovulation Process of releasing one mature ovum each month into that ovary’s fallopian tube 2-300,000 immature ova in ovaries at birth Hormones from pituitary cause ovaries to begin producing female sex hormones Ova begin to mature Ovum can live about 2 days in fallopian tube One sperm will enter ovum = fertilization/conception

MENSTRUATION

Each month, uterus prepares for possible pregnancy Hormones cause thickening of endometrium If ovum is fertilized, it moves into the uterus and may burrow into this lining Will divide millions of times over 9-10 months

Menstrual Period If the ovum is not fertilized – it doesn’t attach to the uterine lining/endometrium Muscles of the uterus contract  lining breaks down (“cramps”) Lining passes through the cervix into the vagina and out of the vaginal opening

Menstruation Process of shedding the lining of the uterus Usually lasts 4-7 days (may be shorter or longer depending on the female’s individual cycle) Regulated by hormones 2-3 tablespoons of blood Rest of flow is other tissue that makes up the endometrium Blood and tissue are not needed, person should not be weak or ill from loss After period (“menses”), cycle begins again.

Menstruation cont… Most females begin menstruation between 10-15 As with males, many hormonal changes are occurring, so the body may take a couple of years to adjust Cycle may be irregular Menopause Ceasing of menstruation Between 45-50 Hormones control the cycle Nutrition, stress & diet can influence cycle

Menstrual Health Care Should not be an odor from vagina at any time Menstrual flow should not have an odor until it mixes with air Products Absorb menstrual flow Sanitary napkin/panty shield Worn outside the body Should be changed every 3-4 hours, depending on the heaviness of flow Tampons Worn inside the body/vagina Must be changed frequently to avoid risk of infection