1. Chapter 32 Female Reproductive System
Slide

2. Overview: Female Reproductive System
Function
to produce offspring and thereby ensure continuity of the genetic code
It produces eggs, or female gametes, which each may unite with a male gamete to form the first cell of an offspring
It also can provide nutrition and protection to the offspring for up to several years after conception
Slide

3. Overview: Female Reproductive System
Reproductive organs are classified as essential or accessory
Essential organs
gonads are the paired ovaries
Gametes are ova (eggs) produced by the ovaries
Accessory organs
Internal genitals
uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina
ducts that extend from the ovaries to the exterior
External genitals
the vulva
Mammary glands
Slide

4. Slide

5. MRI Scan
Slide

6. Overview: Female Reproductive System
Perineum
The perineum is the skin-covered region between the vaginal orifice and the rectum
This area may be torn during childbirth
extends anteriorly from symphysis pubis to coccyx posteriorly
lateral boundary is the ischial tuberosity on either side
Slide

7. Ovaries Location of the ovaries (ov = egg)
Nodular glands located on each side of the uterus, below and behind the uterine tubes
Large almonds
3 g each
Ectopic pregnancy (ectop = displaced)
development of the fetus in a place other than the uterus
Slide

8. Slide

9. Ovaries
Ovarian carcinoma
Slide

10. Ovaries Microscopic structure of the ovaries Ovarian follicles
contain the developing female sex cells = oocyte (oo = egg)
Ovum
A developed oocyte released from the ovary
Slide

11. Slide

12. Ovaries Functions Ovaries produce ova— the female gametes
Oogenesis— process that results in formation of a mature egg
Endocrine organs that secrete the female sex hormones- estrogens and progesterone
Slide

13. Uterus Structure Size and shape
Pear-shaped, has two main parts— the cervix and the body
Wall of uterus is composed of three layers
inner endometrium
middle myometrium
Outer perimetrium
Slide

14. Uterus
Endometrial carcinoma
Slide

15. Uterus
Cavities of uterus— cavities are small because of the thickness of the uterine walls
Internal os = apex of cervix
External os = opening of cervix
Slide

16. Cadaver dissection showing uterine cavity and cervical canal, exposed by removal of parts of their posterior walls
Slide

17. Uterus Location of the uterus
Located in pelvic cavity between urinary bladder and rectum
Position of uterus is altered by age, pregnancy, and distention of related pelvic viscera
Descends, between birth and puberty, from the lower abdomen to the true pelvis
Begins to decrease in size at menopause
Slide

18. Uterus 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
Slide

19. Uterus Functions of the uterus
Part of reproductive tract, permits sperm to ascend toward uterine tubes
If conception occurs, offspring develops in the uterus
Embryo is supplied with nutrients by endometrial glands until the production of the placenta
Placenta is an organ that permits exchange of materials between mother’s blood and fetal blood but keeps the two circulations separate
Myometrial contractions occur during labor and help push the offspring out of mother’s body
Slide

20. Uterus
If conception does not occur, outer layers of endometrium are shed during menstruation
Menstruation is a cyclical event that allows the endometrium to renew itself
Slide

21. Endometrial (Menstrual) Cycle
4 Phases over 28 days
Menses, menstrual period
Days 1-5
Postmenstrual phase or preovulatory phase
Estrogenic or follicular phase
Days 6-13
Ovulation
Days 14
Premenstrual or postovulatory
Luteal phase or secretory phase or progesterone phase
Corpus luteum is secreting progesterone
Days 15-28
Slide

22. Endometrial (Menstrual) Cycle
Hypothalamus stimulates ovaries to make mature follicle
FSH- Follicle Stimulating Hormone
LH- Luteinizing Hormone
Maturing follicle  releases estrogen and spikes (Day 13)
Hypothalamus responds with a burst of FSH and LH to release ovum
Ovulation (Day 14)
LH  corpus luteum
Corpus luteum produces progesterone  suppresses FSH & LH
Slide

23. Slide

24. The rupture of a mature follicle on the surface of an ovary results in the release of an ovum into the pelvic cavity. The ovum released during ovulation is surrounded by a mass of cells.
Slide

25. Slide

26. Slide

27. Uterine Tubes Uterine tubes = fallopian tubes = oviducts
Structure of uterine tubes
Consist of mucous, smooth muscle, and serous lining
Tubal mucosa is continuous with vagina and uterus  can become infected with organisms introduced into the vagina
Function of the uterine tubes
Serve as transport channels for ova and as the site of fertilization
Slide

28. Tubal ligation
Slide

29. Vagina
Vagina is a tubular organ located between the rectum, the urethra, and the bladder
Structure of the vagina
Collapsible tube capable of distention
7 or 8 cm long (3 inches)
composed of smooth muscle
lined with mucous membrane arranged in rugae
Hymen— a mucous membrane that typically forms a border around the vagina in young premenstrual girls
Slide

30. Vagina Functions of the vagina
Lining of the vagina lubricates and stimulates the penis during sexual intercourse and acts as a receptacle for semen
Lower portion of the birth canal
Transports tissue and blood shed during menstruation to the exterior
Slide

31. Vulva The vulva consists of the female external genitals:
mons pubis (pad of fat over symphysis pubis)
labia majora and minora
Clitoris
urinary meatus (urethral orifice)
vaginal orifice
greater vestibular gland
Slide

32. Vulva Functions of the vulva
The mons pubis and labia protect the clitoris and vestibule
The clitoris contains sensory receptors that send information to the sexual response area of the brain
The vaginal orifice is the boundary between the internal and external genitals
Slide

33. Breasts Location and size The breasts lie over the pectoral muscles
Estrogens and progesterone control breast development
15-20 lobes
Breast size is determined by the amount of fat around glandular tissue  not related to functional ability
Areola- becomes darker during pregnancy
Slide

34. Breasts Function of the breasts Lactation Mechanism of lactation
Ovarian hormones make breasts structurally ready to produce milk
Estrogen promotes duct development
Progesterone promotes development of alveoli, the secreting cells
Shedding of placenta  decrease of estrogens  stimulates prolactin  stimulates lactation
Suckling also stimulates lactation
Secretion starts about 3-4 days after delivery
Oxytocin is released to facilitate bonding between mother and child
Slide

35. Slide

36. Breasts
Lactation can provide nutrient-rich milk to offspring for up to several years from birth
Some advantages are the following:
Nutrients
Passive immunity from antibodies present in colostrum and milk
Emotional bonding between mother and child
Slide

37. Female Reproductive Cycles
The female reproductive system has many cyclical changes that start with the beginning of menses
Ovarian cycle— ovaries from birth contain oocytes in primary follicles
at the beginning of menstruation each month, several of the oocytes resume meiosis
meiosis will stop again just before the cell is released during ovulation
Menstrual cycle (endometrial cycle) is divided into four phases:
Menses
Postmenstrual phase
Ovulation
Premenstrual phase
Slide

38. Female Reproductive Cycles
Control of female reproductive cycles
Hormones control cyclical changes
Cyclical changes in ovaries result from changes in gonadotropins (FSH and LH) secreted by pituitary gland
Cyclical changes in uterus are caused by changes in estrogens and progesterone
Low levels of FSH and LH cause regression of the corpus luteum if pregnancy does not occur
this causes a decrease in estrogen and progesterone, which triggers endometrial sloughing of the menstrual phase
Control of cyclical changes in gonadotropin secretion is caused by positive and negative feedback mechanisms and involves estrogens, progesterone, and the hypothalamus’s secretion of releasing hormones
Slide

39. Female Reproductive Cycles
Importance of the female reproductive cycles
Ovarian cycle’s primary function is to produce an ovum at regular intervals
Secondary function is to regulate endometrial cycle through estrogen and progesterone
Function of endometrial cycle is to make uterus suitable for implantation of a new offspring
Cyclical nature of the reproductive system and the fact that fertilization will occur within 24 hours after ovulation mean that a woman is only fertile a few days of each month
Menstrual flow begins at puberty, and menstrual cycle continues for about three decades
Slide

40. The Big Picture: The Female Reproductive System and the Whole Body
The female reproductive system shares a special relationship with the following:
The urinary system because of their close proximity and because they share the vulva
The skeletal muscles in the perineum
The integumentary system because breasts are actually modifications of the skin
Slide

41. Pictures of gynecological system pathology
Slide

42. Hydrops fetalis- abnormal accumulation of fluid in fetal compartments
Slide

43. Placenta percreta
Placenta attaches itself too firmly to the uterus, going through the myometrium and serosa (ruptures the uterus)
1: 2500 pregnancies
Slide