1. Chapter 32: Female Reproductive System
Dr. Kim Wilson
Chapter 32: Female Reproductive System

2. Female Reproductive System
Functions:
1. Production of gametes needed for continuation of the species
2. Proper functioning of anatomy and hormones required for reproduction
3. Protection and nutrition to developing offspring
Structure:
Essential organs of reproduction--ovaries (gonads)
Accessory organs of reproduction
Ducts, including uterine tubes, uterus, vagina (internal genitalia)
Vulva (external genitalia)
Sex glands

4. Perineum
Location: from symphysis pubis to coccyx; from ischial tuberosity on either side
Structure: divided into two triangles formed by drawing a line from ischial tuberosity to ischial tuberosity
Urogenital triangle
The anterior triangle with the external genitalia and urinary opening
Anal triangle
The posterior triangle with the anus

5. OVARIES Location Functions
Nodular glands located on each side of the uterus, below and behind the uterine tubes
Ectopic pregnancy: development of the fetus in a place other than the uterus
Functions
Ovaries produce ova, the female gametes
Oogenesis: process that results in formation of a mature egg
Ovaries are endocrine organs that secrete the female sex hormones (estrogens and progesterone)

6. Ovaries – Microscopic Anatomy
Surface of the ovaries is covered by the germinal epithelium
Ovarian follicles contain the developing female sex cells
Ovum: an oocyte released from the ovary

7. Stages of Oogenesis 1. primary follicle 2. Secondary follicle
3. Oocyte

8. UTERUS Structure: Size and shape of the uterus
The uterus is pear shaped and has two main parts: the cervix and the body
Wall of the uterus is composed of three layers:
1. inner endometrium (mucous membrane)
2. middle myometrium (smooth muscle)
3. perimetrium (outer incomplete layer of parietal peritoneum)
Cavities of the uterus are small because of the thickness of the uterine walls
1) Internal os--the constriction between body and cervix
2) Cervical canal
3) External os--the constriction between the cervical canal and the vagina
Uterine arteries supply blood to the uterus

9. UTERUS (cont.) Location
Located in the pelvic cavity between the urinary bladder and the rectum
Position of the uterus is altered by age, pregnancy, and distention of related pelvic viscera
The uterus descends, between birth and puberty, from the lower abdomen to the true pelvis
The uterus begins to decrease in size at menopause

10. UTERUS (cont.) Position of the uterus
Body lies flexed over the bladder
Cervix points downward and backward, joining the vagina at a right angle
Several ligaments hold the uterus in place but allow some movement

11. Functions of the Uterus
If fertilization occurs:
Allows sperm to pass through to uterine tubes
Provides place for fertilized ovum to implant
Provides “uterine milk” until the placenta forms
Provides exchange site for nutrients, wastes, and gases for placenta
Regulates rhythmic contractions that expel the offspring
If no fertilization occurs:
Menstration
Placenta - permits the exchange of materials between the mother’s blood and the fetal blood but keeps the two circulations separate
Contraction - myometrial contractions occur during labor and help push the offspring out of the mother’s body

12. UTERINE TUBES Fallopian tubes, or oviducts Location:
Uterine tubes are attached to the uterus at its upper outer angles and extend upward and outward toward the sides of the pelvis
Structure:
Wall of the uterine tubes (three layers)
1) Inner mucous layer
2) Middle smooth muscle layer
3) Outer serosa
Divisions of the uterine tubes
Isthmus
Medial third, which joins the uterus
Ampulla
Dilated middle part
Infundibulum
Funnel-shaped lateral part
Funnel partially surrounding the ovary
Has fringelike projections called fimbriae

13. Function of the Uterine Tubes
Fertilization site
Transport of ovum

14. VAGINA Location: Structure:
Between the rectum and the urethra and bladder
Extends upward and backward
Structure:
A collapsible tube 7 to 8 cm long
Lined with mucous epithelium with rugae
Anterior wall shorter than the posterior since the cervix of the uterus joins it at a right angle
The fornix is the part of the vagina that extends around the opening of the cervix
The hymen is a mucous membrane that partially to completely covers the vaginal orifice

15. Functions of the Vagina
1. Lubricates and stimulates the glans penis during intercourse
During sexual arousal, the cavernous tissue in the clitoris and the labia become erect or swollen
2. Receptacle for semen
3. Transport of tissue shed from lining of uterus during menstruation
4. Protective function (mons pubis, labia majora, and labia minora)

16. VULVA Structure: Pudendum ( the female external genitals) mons pubis
labia majora
Minora
Clitoris
urinary meatus
vaginal orifice
greater vestibular glands

17. Vulva (External Genitalia)
Mons pubis
Pad of fat anterior to symphysis pubis; hair-covered after puberty
Labia majora
Fat- and connective tissue-filled swellings at the lateral edges of the vulva
Covered with pubic hair on outer surface and not on inner surface
Inner surface containing many sweat and sebaceous glands
Homologous to penis

18. Vulva (External Genitalia)
Labia minora
Narrow lips, medial to the labia majora
Merging anteriorly and forming the prepuce over the clitoris
Homologous to corpora cavernosa
Vestibule
The area between the two labia minora
Two openings into it:
1) Urethral meatus (orifice) for urinary system (anterior opening)
2) Vaginal orifice for reproductive system (posterior opening)
Clitoris
Located where the labia minora merge anteriorly
Covered with prepuce
Homologous to corpora cavernosa and glans of penis

19. Vulva (External Genitalia)
Urinary meatus
Opening of the urethra between the clitoris and the vaginal orifice
Vaginal orifice
Opening of the vagina, posterior to the urethral meatus
Greater vestibular glands (Bartholin's glands)
Two mucous glands, one on either side of the vaginal orifice
Provide lubrication
Homologous to bulbourethral gland
Lesser vestibular gland (Skene's glands)
Several mucous glands opening near the urethral meatus

21. Female Reproductive Cycles
1. Menarche
Onset on menses
2. Menopause, or climacteric
3. Ovarian cycle
4. Endometrial, or menstrual, cycle
5. Myometrial cycle
6. Gonadotropic cycle

22. Ovarian Cycle At birth, all of the primary follicles are formed
The ova are suspended in meiosis prophase I
After menarche, several primary follicle ova resume meiosis (halts in metaphase II), and the follicles form secondary follicles
One follicle grows fastest and bursts into the abdominal cavity (ovulation)
Meiosis is completed only after the ovum is fertilized
Follicular cells of ruptured follicle form the corpus luteum
Corpus luteum produces progesterone
If no fertilization occurs, corpus luteum disintegrates, starting after 7 to 8 days

23. Menstral, Myometrial, & Gonadotropic Cycles
Also known as the endometrial cycle
4 phases:
1. Menses (menstrual period)--days 1 to 5
2. Postmenstrual (preovulatory; same as estrogenic or follicular phase)--days 6 to 13 or 14
3. Ovulation--day 14 (28-day cycle)
Ovum released from follicle
4. Premenstrual (postovulatory) phase--days 15 to 28
Myometrial cycle
Muscle contractions for 2 weeks before ovulation
Gonadotropic cycle (produced by adenohypophysis)
FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone)
LH (luteinizing hormone)

24. Control of Reproductive Cycle in the Ovaries
Changes due to hormones
Gonadotropins from the adenohypophysis FSH and LH
1) FSH effects
Stimulates several primary follicles and oocytes to develop
Stimulates follicular cells to secrete estrogens
2) LH effects
Follicle and oocyte growth completion
Ovulation
Formation of the corpus luteum

26. Control of Reproductive Cycle in the Uterus
Changes due to blood concentration changes of estrogen and progesterone
1) Results of increased blood estrogen
Endometrial proliferation
Endometrial gland growth
Increase of endometrial water content
Increase in myometrial contractions
2) Results of increased blood progesterone
Endometrial gland secretion
Decrease in myometrial contractions

27. Control of Cyclical Changes in Gonadotropin Secretion
The hypothalamus senses low levels of estrogens and progesterone, so it secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
Adenohypophysis secretes FSH and LH
FSH and LH stimulate follicular development and formation of corpus luteum
Corpus luteum produces estrogen and progesterone, which inhibit the hypothalamus secretion of GnRH
Corpus luteum disintegrates in 7 to 8 days, resulting in the decrease of estrogen and progesterone levels in the blood
The hypothalamus senses low levels of estrogens and progesterone and again secretes GnRH

29. Importance of Female Reproductive Cycles
Various female cycles are all interrelated
Infertility and use of fertility drugs
Infertility: failure to conceive after 1 year of regular unprotected intercourse
Polycystic ovary disease
Menarche and menopause
Menarche occurs at around age 13
Menstrual cycle continues for about 30 years
Menopause occurs usually between 45 and 50 years of age

31. BREASTS Location and size of breasts Structure of the breasts
Posterior surface lying upon the pectoralis muscles
Size determined by the amount of adipose tissue
Structure of the breasts
15 to 20 lobes per breast
Each lobe is separated from others by connective tissue
The ducts of the mammary glands (alveoli) in each lobe connect to form a single lactiferous duct
A swelling called the lactiferous sinus is found on lactiferous duct
The lactiferous ducts each terminate with an opening on the nipple surface
Around the nipple is a pigmented area--the areola

33. Functions of the Breast - Lactation
Mechanism controlling lactation
Estrogen promotes duct development
Progesterone stimulates mammary gland alveoli development
Loss of placenta decreases estrogens present and stimulates adenohypophysis production of prolactin
Prolactin stimulates milk secretion
Sucking stimulates adenohypophysis production of oxytocin
Oxytocin stimulates ejection of milk
Importance of lactation
Milk provides the correct nutrients in the correct proportions for the infant
Human milk provides passive immunity with mother's antibodies
Nursing creates bonding between mother and child