1. The Female Reproductive System

2. 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

3. 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

4. Female Organs

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Menstrual Cycle

9. Mammary Glands Accessory organs for milk production
In subcutaneous layer of anterior thorax
Inside breasts
Nipple is surrounded by the areola
Composed of 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

10. Mammary Glands

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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