1. The Female Reproductive System
Ovaries
Produce ova, estrogen, and progesterone
Medulla ~ nerves and lymphatic and blood vessels
Cortex ~ ovarian follicles
Learning Outcome: Summarize the organs of the female reproductive system including the locations, structures, and functions of each.
Ovaries (2)
Primary sex organs that are oval in shape and are located in the pelvic cavity
Produce
Ova – sex cells
Produce female hormones, estrogen and progesterone
Divided into
Medulla - an inner area;
Cortex – an outer area; contains small masses of cells called ovarian follicles
Covered by epithelial tissue and dense connective tissue
Female System

2. Learning Outcome: Summarize the organs of the female reproductive system including the locations, structures, and functions of each.
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3. Ovaries and Ovum Formation
Primordial follicles
Primary oocyte
Follicular cells
Oogenesis
Primary oocyte stimulated to continue meiosis
At puberty
Polar body
Secondary oocyte
Learning Outcome: Summarize the organs of the female reproductive system including the locations, structures, and functions of each.
Primordial follicles
Develop in the ovarian cortex before a female child is born.
Each follicle contains
A large cell called a primary oocyte (immature ovum)
Smaller cells called follicular cells
A female is born with the maximum number of primary oocytes she will ever produce.
Oogenesis – process of ovum formation
The primary oocytes divides and produce a polar body (a nonfunctional cell) and a secondary oocyte.
Ovulation – the monthly release of a secondary oocyte from an ovary.
When the secondary oocyte is fertilized, it divides to form a mature, fertilized ovum.
Mature ovum contains 23 chromosomes and when combined with a sperm cell, the resulting cell contains 46 chromosomes.
The process of meiosis begins before a female is born and is completed only if a secondary oocyte is fertilized.
Ovum, if fertilized
Released during ovulation

4. Internal Accessory Organs – Female
Fallopian tube – oviduct
Infundibulum and fimbriae
Fringed, expanded end of fallopian tube near ovary
Function to “catch” an ovum
Muscular tube
Lined with mucous membrane and cilia
Propels ovum toward uterus
Learning Outcome: Summarize the organs of the female reproductive system including the locations, structures, and functions of each.
The female reproductive internal accessory organs are the fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina.
Fallopian Tubes
Opens near each ovary, and the other end connects to the uterus.
Infundibulum – ends in fimbriae, or finger-like projections
Muscular tubes – propel the ovum toward the uterus using peristalsis and the sweeping motions of cilia.
Internal Accessory Organs

5. Internal Accessory Organs – Female (cont.)
Vagina
Extends from uterus to outside body
Rugae
Wall ~ three layers
Uterus
Receives embryo and sustains its development
Divisions
Wall ~ three layers
Learning Outcome: Describe the organs of the female reproductive system and give the locations, structures, and functions of each.
Uterus – hollow, muscular organ
Fundus- upper domed portion
Body – main portion
Cervix
The narrow, lower portion that extends into the vagina
Cervical orifice – the opening of the cervix
The wall of the uterus has three layers
Endometrium – the innermost lining; vascular and secretes mucus.
Myometrium – the middle, thick, muscular layer.
Perimetrium – thin layer covering the myometrium; secretes serous fluid that coats and protects the uterus.
Vagina – tubular, muscular organ
Rugae – allow it to expand
The wall of the vagina has three layers:
An innermost mucosal layer that secretes mucus
A middle muscular layer
An outermost fibrous layer
Vaginal os, orifice, or introitus – the opening of the vagina to the outside
Internal Accessory Organs

6. Learning Outcome: Summarize the organs of the female reproductive system including the locations, structures, and functions of each.
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7. External Accessory Organs - Female
Mammary glands
Secretion of milk
Structures
Nipple
Areola
Alveolar glands
Learning Outcome: Summarize the organs of the female reproductive system including the locations, structures, and functions of each.
Mammary glands are accessory organs of both the female reproductive and integumentary systems.
Their reproductive function is the secretion of milk for newborn offspring.
Mammary glands
Located beneath the skin in the breast area
A nipple is located near the center of each breast.
Areola – the pigmented area surrounding the nipple.
Each gland has 15 to 20 lobes
Alveolar glands – make milk under the influence of the hormone prolactin.
The hormone oxytocin (OT) stimulates lactiferous ducts to deliver milk through openings in the nipples.
If a woman wants to breast-feed, she must produce adequate amounts of prolactin and oxytocin.

8. External Genitalia – Female
Vulva
Labia majora
Adipose tissue and skin
Form the mons pubis
Labia minora
Vascular folds of skin
Form hood over clitoris
Vestibule
Bartholin’s glands
Clitoris
Contains female erectile tissue
Rich in sensory nerves
Perineum – between vagina and anus
Learning Outcome: Summarize the organs of the female reproductive system including the locations, structures, and functions of each.
The female external genitalia are collectively known as the vulva.
Labia Majora
Protect the other external female reproductive organs.
The labia majora and mons pubis are typically covered in pubic hair in post- pubescent females.
Labia Minora – between the labia majora
Pinkish in color – high degree of vascularity
Vestibule – the space enclosed by the labia minora
Bartholin’s glands (vestibular glands) – secrete mucus into this area during sexual arousal.
Clitoris – anterior to urethral meatus
The perineum is the area that is sometimes “clipped” during the birth process, in a procedure known as an episiotomy.
Female System

9. Erection, Lubrication, and Orgasm
Nervous stimulation
Clitoris becomes erect
Bartholin’s glands activate
Vagina elongates
Orgasm
Sufficient stimulation of clitoris
Walls of uterus and fallopian tubes contract to propel sperm
Learning Outcome: Summarize the organs of the female reproductive system including the locations, structures, and functions of each.
During orgasm, the walls of the uterus and fallopian tubes contract to help propel sperm toward the upper ends of the fallopian tubes.

10. Female Reproductive Hormones
Hypothalamus secretes GnRH
Anterior pituitary releases FSH & LH
GnRH
Stimulates
Ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone
Learning Outcome: Summarize the organs of the female reproductive system including the locations, structures, and functions of each.
The female secondary sex characteristics:
Breast development
Increased vascularization of the skin
Increased fat deposits in the breasts, thighs, and hips.
Estrogen and progesterone are responsible for development of secondary sex characteristics

11. Reproductive Cycle Menstrual cycle Menarche – first menstrual period
Regular changes in uterine lining
Shedding of lining and bleeding
Menarche – first menstrual period
Menopause – termination of cycle due to normal aging of ovaries
Learning Outcome: Summarize the organs of the female reproductive system including the locations, structures, and functions of each.
The female reproductive cycle is also called the menstrual cycle.

12. Reproductive Cycle (cont.)
Anterior pituitary releases FSH
Uterine lining thickens
Ovarian follicle matures and secretes estrogen
Lining more vascular and glandular
Then releases LH
Triggers ovulation
Follicular cells become corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone
Without fertilization
Corpus luteum degenerates
Estrogen and progesterone levels fall
Uterine lining breaks down – menses starts
Cycle begins again with release of FSH
Learning Outcome: Summarize the organs of the female reproductive system including the locations, structures, and functions of each.

13. produce estrogen and progesterone
Apply Your Knowledge
YIPPEE!
True or False:
___ The ovaries only produce estrogen.
___ Ovulation is the process of ovum formation.
___ The fallopian tube is also called the oviduct.
___ The endometrium is the outer layer of the uterine wall.
___ Alveolar glands produce milk.
___Oxytocin induces the alveolar glands to deliver milk through the nipples.
___ Menarche is the termination of the menstrual cycle.
___ Menopause occurs due to normal aging of the ovaries.
ANSWER: F
produce estrogen and progesterone F
Oogenesis T F
inner layer T
Learning Outcome: Summarize the organs of the female reproductive system including the locations, structures, and functions of each. F
lactiferous ducts F
first T