1. Female
Reproductive
System

2. Female anatomy Internal genitals : External genitals (vulva): Ovaries
16.3 Female reproductive system
Female anatomy
Internal genitals :
Ovaries
Uterine tube
Uterus
Vagina
External genitals (vulva):
Labia major
Labia minor
Mons pubis
Clitoris

3. Female anatomy: Genital tract
16.3 Female reproductive system
Female anatomy: Genital tract
Ovaries – produce eggs and sex hormones
Uterine (Fallopian) tubes –
moves eggs and normal site of fertilization
Uterus – normal site of implantation and fetal development
Cervix – ‘neck’ of the uterus that can dilate during childbirth
Vagina – birth canal

10. VAGINAL OPENING
Opening may be covered by a thin sheath called the hymen
Using the presence of an intact hymen for determining virginity is erroneous
Some women are born without hymens
The hymen can be perforated by many different events

11. PERINEUM
The muscle and tissue located between the vaginal opening and anal canal
It supports and surrounds the lower parts of the urinary and digestive tracts
The perineum contains an abundance of nerve endings that make it sensitive to touch
An episiotomy is an incision of the perineum used during childbirth for widening the vaginal opening

12. INTERNAL GENITALIA The internal genitalia consists of the: Vagina
Cervix
Uterus
Fallopian Tubes
Ovaries

13. VAGINA The vagina connects the cervix to the external genitals
It is located between the bladder and rectum
It functions :
As a passageway for the menstrual flow
For uterine secretions to pass down through the introitus
As the birth canal during labor
With the help of two Bartholin’s glands becomes lubricated during SI

14. CERVIX The cervix connects the uterus to the vagina
The cervical opening to the vagina is small
This acts as a safety precaution against foreign bodies entering the uterus
During childbirth, the cervix dilates to accommodate the passage of the fetus
This dilation is a sign that labor has begun

15. UTERUS Commonly referred to as the womb
A pear shaped organ about the size of a clenched fist
It is made up of the endometrium, myometrium and perimetrium
Consists of blood-enriched tissue that sloughs off each month during menstrual cycle
The powerful muscles of the uterus expand to accommodate a growing fetus and push it through the birth canal

16. FALLOPIAN TUBES Serve as a pathway for the ovum to the uterus
Are the site of fertilization by the male sperm
Often referred to as the oviducts or uterine tubes
Fertilized egg takes approximately 6 to 10 days to travel through the fallopian tube to implant in the uterine lining

17. OVARIES The female gonads or sex glands
They develop and expel an ovum each month
A woman is born with approximately 400,000 immature eggs called follicles
During a lifetime a woman 400 to 500 fully matured eggs for fertilization
The follicles in the ovaries produce the female sex hormones, progesterone and estrogen
These hormones prepare the uterus for implantation of the fertilized egg

18. Female anatomy: External anatomy
16.3 Female reproductive system
Female anatomy: External anatomy
Labia major – 2 large folds of fatty skin
Labia minor – 2 small folds just inside the labia major that contain the opening to the urethra and vagina
Mons pubis – fatty skin covered in coarse hair
Clitoris – erectile organ

19. The ovarian cycle: The ovary
Contains many follicles each containing an immature egg (oocyte)
At birth a female has ~300, ,000 follicles
During the lifetime of a female only ~400 follicles mature
One follicle matures each cycle from puberty until menopause
Ovulation is the monthly release of an oocyte from the ovary when a follicle ruptures

20. 16.4 Female hormone level
Anatomy of the ovary

21. The ovarian cycle This is the formation and release of an immature egg
16.4 Female hormone level
The ovarian cycle
This is the formation and release of an immature egg
2 phases:
Follicular phase:
FSH promotes the development of a follicle that secretes estrogen
An estrogen spike leads to a surge in LH and ovulation around day 14 in the 28-day cycle
Luteal phase:
LH promotes the develop of the corpus luteum that functions to secrete progesterone
If pregnancy does not occur menstruation begins

22. The uterine cycle A 28-day cyclic event in the uterus:
16.4 Female hormone level
The uterine cycle
A 28-day cyclic event in the uterus:
Days 1-5: low level of estrogen and progesterone causing the inner uterine lining (endometrium) to disintegrate and menstruation occurs
Days 6-13 (proliferative phase): increase in estrogen causing the endometrium to thicken
Day 14: ovulation usually occurs
Days (secretory phase): increase in progesterone causes endometrium to double or triple in thickness in preparation for the developing embryo. If the egg is not fertilized then the corpus luteum regresses and the endometrium breaks down

23. Hormones in the ovarian and uterine phase
16.4 Female hormone level
Hormones in the ovarian and uterine phase

25. Female anatomy: Genital tract
16.3 Female reproductive system
Female anatomy: Genital tract

26. Fertilization and Pregnancy
16.4 Female hormone level
Fertilization and Pregnancy
Fertilization – union of a sperm and egg nucleus normally in the oviduct to form a zygote
Pregnancy – begins with implantation usually ~6 days after fertilization

27. Some common birth control methods
16.5 Control of reproduction
Some common birth control methods
Abstinence – not engaging in sexual intercourse
Hormonal control:
Birth control pills: blocks FSH and LH release to stop follicular development and ovulation
Contraceptive injections: injection of hormones (progesterone and/or estrogen) to stop ovulation
Contraceptive implants: synthetic progesterone to prevent ovulation
Barrier methods:
IUD: small plastic piece inserted into the uterus to prevent implantation
Condom (male and female): blocks fertilization
Diaphragm: soft latex cup that covers the cervix so sperm cannot enter the uterus
Sterilization:
Vasectomy: cutting and sealing the vas deferens
Tubal ligation: cutting and sealing the oviducts

28. VAGINA CERVIX Vagina = “birth canal” Elastic tube-like pathway
4-5” long
At rest, walls of vagina touch
During arousal, they expand to allow penis to enter
If not ready/aroused, walls of vagina will tear
Capable of stretching to allow birth
VAGINA
Leads to CERVIX
- “neck of the uterus”
- Opening is small, dilates (“opens”) to allow passage of baby.
CERVIX

29. UTERUS UTERUS Strong elastic muscle; about the size of a fist
Primary fxn – hold & nourish developing embryo & fetus
Endometrium
Inner lining of uterus
Rich supply of blood vessels
Builds up w/blood tissue to prepare for a possible pregnancy
UTERUS

30. The parts on the inside are:
Uterus
Sometimes called the womb.
Muscular organ about the size of a pear.
Where developing baby, called a fetus, grows and is fed.
Where the period comes from.
Cervix
The lower part of the uterus.
Makes mucus to keep sperm alive.
Has opening where sperm enter uterus and where the baby comes out of the uterus.
Vagina
Warm, soft, moist passageway joining outside and uterus.

31. Fallopian Tubes FALLOPIAN TUBES FIMBRIAE
Tubes on each side of the uterus
Leads to ovaries
Extremely narrow; lined with cilia (similar…?)
FALLOPIAN TUBES
Fimbriae
Finger-like projections at the end of the fallopian tubes
Surrounds the top part of each ovary
Gathers ovum into tube
Fertilization usually occurs in the widest part of the fallopian tube (upper 1/3) near the ovaries
FIMBRIAE

32. Female sex glands/organs
OVARIES
Female sex glands/organs
Situated on both sides of the uterus; end of fallopian tubes
2 main functions
House ova
Produce female sex hormones
Estrogen & Progesterone
OVARY

33. The parts on the inside are:
Fallopian tubes
Narrow tubes between the uterus and the ovary.
Ovaries
Glands that make egg cells and female sex hormones.

34. Ovulation
Process of releasing one mature ovum each month into that ovary’s fallopian tube
2-300,000 immature ova in ovaries at birth
Hormones from pituitary cause ovaries to begin producing female sex hormones
Ova begin to mature
Ovum can live about 2 days in fallopian tube
One sperm will enter ovum = fertilization/conception

35. MENSTRUATION

36. Each month, uterus prepares for possible pregnancy
Hormones cause thickening of endometrium
If ovum is fertilized, it moves into the uterus and may burrow into this lining
Will divide millions of times over 9-10 months

37. Menstrual Period
If the ovum is not fertilized – it doesn’t attach to the uterine lining/endometrium
Muscles of the uterus contract  lining breaks down (“cramps”)
Lining passes through the cervix into the vagina and out of the vaginal opening

38. Menstruation Process of shedding the lining of the uterus
Usually lasts 4-7 days (may be shorter or longer depending on the female’s individual cycle)
Regulated by hormones
2-3 tablespoons of blood
Rest of flow is other tissue that makes up the endometrium
Blood and tissue are not needed, person should not be weak or ill from loss
After period (“menses”), cycle begins again.

39. Menstruation cont… Most females begin menstruation between 10-15
As with males, many hormonal changes are occurring, so the body may take a couple of years to adjust
Cycle may be irregular
Menopause
Ceasing of menstruation
Between 45-50
Hormones control the cycle
Nutrition, stress & diet can influence cycle

40. Menstrual Health Care Should not be an odor from vagina at any time
Menstrual flow should not have an odor until it mixes with air
Products
Absorb menstrual flow
Sanitary napkin/panty shield
Worn outside the body
Should be changed every 3-4 hours, depending on the heaviness of flow
Tampons
Worn inside the body/vagina
Must be changed frequently to avoid risk of infection