female reproductive system

• female primary sex organs

  gonads (ovaries)
• ovaries


  produce female gametes (ova) and secrete progesterone and estrogen

  
• female accessory ducts


  1. uterine tubes

  2. uterus

  3. vagina

  
• vagina


  receives the penis and acts as the birth canal, located between bladder and rectum and extends from cervix to exterior body
• hymen


  mucous membrane partially or completely covering the opening to the vagina

  
• uterus function


  Receives, retains, nourishes the fertilized egg

  
• three regions of the uterus

  1. cervix

  2. body

  3. fundus

  
• cervix


  protrudes into the vagina

  
• uterus body


  major portion of uterus

  
• fundus


  superior rounded region above where uterine tube enters

  
• semen prostaglandins


  decrease viscosity of mucus & trigger peristalsis
• three walls of the uterus

  1. perimetrium

  2. myometrium

  3. endometrium

  
• perimetrium


  visceral peritoneum

  outermost serous layer of the uterus

  
• myometrium


  middle layer of smooth muscle

  
• endometrium


  inner layer that allows implantation of a fertilized egg and sloughs off if no pregnancy occurs (menses)

  
• menses


  monthly uterine bleeding, menstruation

  
• uterine tubes, fallopian tubes, oviducts

  Site of fertilization

  Receives ovulated oocyte

  Attached to the uterus
• Are the fallopian tubes attached to the ovaries?


  There is little to no contact between ovaries and uterine tubes

  
• Fimbriae


  finger or fringe like projections at the end of the fallopian tubes

  
• How does the birth control pill work?

  pill contains progesterone and estrogen

  high hormone levels inhibit ovulation by preventing GnRH release and thus ovulation

  
• What is the path of sperm?

  1. testes

  2. epididymis

  3. Ductus deferens

  4. ejaculatory duct

  5. urethra (prostatic > membranous > spongy)

  6. out of male body

  7. vagina

  8. uterus (cervix > body)

  9. oviduct
• estrogen


  Produced by follicle cells

  Cause secondary sex characteristics

  
• female secondary sex characteristics

  Enlargement of accessory organs

  Development of breasts

  Appearance of axillary and pubic hair

  Increase in fat beneath the skin (hips and breasts)

  Widening and lightening of the pelvis

  Onset of menses
• progesterone


  Produced by the corpus luteum

  Production continues until LH diminishes in the blood

  
• effects of progesterone


  1. Regulates uterine and ovarian cycle

  2. Helps maintain pregnancy

  3. Prepares breasts for milk production

  
• How many viable gametes are produced by oogenesis?

  1 viable gamete
• What are the products of oogenesis?

  1 egg and 3 polar bodies
• Why does oogenesis produce polar bodies?

  Unequal divisions ensure the oocyte has ample nutrients for 6-7 day journey to uterus
• error rate of oogenesis


  20%
• ovarian cycle


  monthly series of events associated with egg maturation

  28 days

  occurs in the ovary

  follicular, ovulation, luteal

  
• menstrual/uterine cycle


  how the uterus prepares for implantation of a fertilized egg (embryo)

  occurs in the uterus

  28 days

  cyclic changes of the endometrium
• follicular phase


  period of follicle growth (days 1-14)

  
• ovulation


  release of the ovum from the ovary

  occurs midcycle

  1-2% of the time 1+ secondary oocyte released

  
• luteal phase


  period of corpus luteum activity (days 14-28)

  Progesterone and estrogen release

  
• primary follicle


  contains an immature oocyte

  
• secondary oocyte


  mature egg that is ovulated

  first meiotic division is completed

  second meiotic division stops short of completion unless fertilization occurs

  
• corpus luteum


  ruptured follicle that produces hormones, estrogen, and progesterone

  
• How many oocytes are present before birth?

  7 million
• How many oocytes are present at puberty?

  300,000
• What stage of meiosis is the (primary) oocyte stuck in at until ovulation?

  prophase I