1. Female Reproductive Anatomy
Fallopian tube

2. Internal Genitals
Fallopian tube
Ovum

3. Ducts or duct structures that extend from ovaries to exterior
Internal Genitals
Ducts or duct structures that extend from ovaries to exterior
Essential Organs
Ovaries (2) – female gonads; house ovum (eggs)
Accessory Organs
Fallopian tubes – serve as transport channels for ova and as site of fertilization
Salpingitis – inflammation of fallopian tubes
Uterus
composed of cervix and the body
located between rectum and bladder
position is altered by age, pregnancy
decreases in size at menopause
Three layers
Peritoneum – thin layer surrounding uterus
Myometrium – middle, main muscle layer of uterus
Endometrium – internal tissue layer where embryo attaches, or what sloughs off during menstruation
endometriosis – endometrium grows outside of the uterus
Vagina
lining lubricates and stimulates penis; receptacle for semen
transports tissue and blood shed during menstruation
Hymen – mucous membrane bordering vagina in young girls

4. External Genitals

5. External Genitals Vulva Mons pubis
superior portion of genital area closest to abdomen
Labia (majora and minora)
protect clitoris
Clitoris
Erectile tissue homologous to male corpus cavernosum
Sensory receptors
Sex Glands
Greater Vestibular glands
Homologous to male bulbourethral glands
Lesser Vestibular glands
Mucous glands
Mammary glands
Milk secretion to nourish newborn
15-20 lactiferous ducts in each breast
Perineum
skin-covered region between vaginal orifice and rectum; may be torn during childbirth
Episiotomy : when perineum is cut during labor

6. Breasts

7. Breasts Mammary glands – composed of alveloar sacs that produce milk
Lactiferous duct – transports milk to the nipple and out the breast
Nipple – pore for milk secretion
Areola – pigmented area surrounding nipple that contain sebaceous glands to dryness while nursing
Change color from pink to brown when pregnant

8. Reproductive Cycle Ovarian Cycle Menstrual Cycle
Oocytes at birth; meiosis halts
menstruation causes meiosis to resume in several oocytes
meiosis halts until fertilization; if not fertilized, cell ruptures and is expelled during ovulation
Oophoritis: inflammation of ovaries
Menstrual Cycle
Menses (1-5)
Postmenstrual phase / Follicular phase (6-13)
Ovulation (14)
Premenstrual phase / Luteal phase (15-28)

9. Menses days 1-5 of a new cycle endometrial lining sloughs off
Menarche – first menstrual flow
Amenorrhea – lack of menstrual flow
Endometriosis – lining of uterus grows outside of uterus

10. Postmenstrual / Follicular phase
time between menses and ovulation (days 6-13)
FSH and LH are released from the brain and travel in the blood to the ovaries.
The hormones stimulate the growth of about eggs in the ovaries each in its own "shell," called a follicle and production of estrogen which changes in appearance, amount and consistency of cervical mucus
High estrogen levels turn off the production of FSH
One follicle in one ovary becomes dominant and continues to mature. Others stop growing and die.
The dominant follicle continues to produce estrogen.

11. Ovulation
day 14; mature follicle ruptures and expels ovum into pelvic cavity
The rise in estrogen from the dominant follicle increases the amount of LH (responsible for ovulation)
Dominant follicle releases its egg from the ovary (ovulation)
Egg is captured by finger-like projections on the end of the fallopian tubes (fimbriae) which sweep the egg into the tube.

12. Premenstrual / Luteal phase
time between ovulation and menses (days 15-28)
The empty follicle develops into a new structure called the corpus luteum.
The corpus luteum secretes progesterone.
Progesterone prepares the uterus for a fertilized egg to implant.
If intercourse has taken place and a man's sperm has fertilized the egg, the fertilized egg (embryo) will travel through the fallopian tube to implant in the uterus.
If the egg is not fertilized, it passes through the uterus. Not needed to support a pregnancy, the lining of the uterus breaks down and sheds, and the next menstrual period begins

13. Ovarian Follicle Development

14. Hormones GnRH – tells pituitary to release FSH/LH
FSH – stimulate follicle growth
LH – stimulates growth of corpus luteum (promotes estrogen secretion)
Estrogen
secondary sex characteristics
thickens the endometrium
regulates menstrual cycle
Produce lactiferous ducts
Progesterone
Promotes mammary gland production
No fertilization:
corpus luteum breaks down
levels decrease
endometrium sloughs off during menstruation
If fertilized:
secreted by corpus luteum
levels increase
further thickens endometrium
Prolactin and Oxytocin – stimulates lactation
Advantages of nursing
Provides infant with necessary nutrients
Provides passive immunity to infant
Enhance emotional bond between mother and infant

15. Female Reproductive Hormones

16. Fertility Birth - approximately 1 million eggs
Puberty - only about 300,000 remain.
300 to 400 will be ovulated during a woman's reproductive lifetime. The eggs continue to degenerate during pregnancy, with the use of birth control pills, and in the presence or absence of regular menstrual cycles.
Causes:
problems with ovulation - Some signs that a woman is not ovulating normally include irregular or absent menstrual periods.
blocked fallopian tubes due to pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, or surgery from ectopic pregnancy
physical problems with the uterus
uterine fibroids
Risk Factors
age - about one third of couples in which the woman is over 35 have fertility problems
stress
poor diet
athletic training
being overweight or underweight
tobacco smoking
alcohol
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
health problems that cause hormonal changes

17. Menopause
most women experience this stage after age 40 and spend a third of their life in this phase.
Average age is 45-50
Stages
Perimenopause
starts years before your period stops
ovaries gradually produce less estrogen
Symptoms during this time include mood swings, hot flashes, and loss of sex drive.
Menopause
occurs when the ovaries no longer produce an egg every month and menstruation stops
estrogen levels low
Postmenopause
lasts years after menopause
continued decrease in estrogen – causes health risks