female reproductive system

• female reproductive system purposes

  -produces and delivers gametes

  -provides nutrition and safe harbor for fetal development

  -gives birth

  -nourishes infant
• female system is more ___

  cyclic, and hormones are secreted in a more complex sequence
• internal genitalia

  ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina
• external genitalia

  clitoris, labia minora, and labia majora
• genitalia

  occupy perineum
• primary sex organs

  ovaries
• secondary sex organs

  other internal and external genitalia
• ovaries


  female gonads that produce egg cells (ova) and sex hormones

  -almond-shaped and nestled in ovarian fossa of posterior pelvic wall

  -tunic albuginea capsule, like on testes

  -outer cortex where germ cells develop

  -inner medulla occupied by major arteries and veins

  -each egg develops in its own fluid-filled follicle

  -ovulation
• ovulation


  bursting of mature follicle and releasing of egg and attendant cells

  -typically around day 14
• uterine tube (oviduct or fallopian tube)


  canal about 10 cm long from ovary to uterus

  -muscular tube lined with ciliated cells

  -highly folded into longitudinal ridges
• infundibulum of uterine tubes


  flared, trumpet-shaped distal (ovarian) end
• fimbriae of uterine tubes


  feathery projections on infundibulum
• ampulla of uterine tubes


  middle and longest part
• isthmus of uterine tubes


  narrower end toward uterus
• uterus


  thick muscular chamber that opens into roof of vagina

  -usually tilts forward over urinary bladder

  -harbors fetus, provides a source of nutrition, and expels fetus at end of its development

  -pear shaped organ
• fundus of uterus


  broad superior curvature
• body (corpus) of uterus


  middle portion
• cervix of uterus


  cylindrical inferior end
• lumen of uterus


  roughly triangular

  -upper two corners are openings to uterine tubes

  -lower apex is internal os
• cervical canal connects lumen of uterus to vagina


  -internal os: superior opening of canal into body of uterus

  -external os: inferior opening of canal into vagina
• cervical glands

  secrete mucus that prevents spread of microorganisms from vagina to uterus
• uterine wall

  perimetrium, myometrium, endometrium
• perimetrium

  external serosa layer
• myometrium


  middle muscular layer

  -constitutes most of uterine wall

  -composed mainly of smooth muscle

  -produces labor contractions, expels fetus
• endometrium

  inner mucosa

  -simple columnar epithelium, compound tubular glands, and a stroma populated with leukocytes, macrophages, and other cells

  -during pregnancy, site of attachment of embryo and forms maternal part of placenta from which fetus is nourished
• functional layer of endometrium

  superficial half, shed each menstrual period
• basal layer (stratum basalis) of endometrium


  deep layer, stays behind and regenerates a new functional layer with each menstrual cycle
• vagina (birth canal)


  8 to 10 cm distensible muscular tube

  -allow for discharge of menstrual fluid, intercourse, and birth

  -outer adventitia, middle muscularis, and inner mucosa

  -tilted posteriorly between rectum and urethra

  -has no glands: transudation lubricates it
• transudation lubricates vagina


  serous fluid leaks through its walls and by mucus form cervical gland above it
• fornices


  blind-ended spaces at top of vagina that extend slightly beyond cervix
• vaginal rugae

  at lower end of vagina
• mucosal folds form

  hymen across vaginal opening
• vaginal epithelium

  undergoes metaplasia: transformation from one tissue type to another

  -childhood: simple cuboidal

  -puberty: estrogens transform it to stratified squamous

  -bacteria ferment glycogen producing acidic pH in vagina to inhibit growth of pathogens
• external genitalia are collectively called ___

  vulva
• mons pubis

  mound of fat over pubic symphysis bearing most of pubic hair
• labia majora

  pair of thick folds of skin and adipose tissue inferior to mons
• labia minora


  thin, hairless folds medial to labia majora

  -space between forms vestibule which contains urethral and vaginal openings

  -anterior margins of labia minora join to form hood-like prepuce over clitoris
• clitoris


  erectile, sensory organ

  -primary center for sexual stimulation

  -glans, body, and crura
• vestibular bulbs


  erectile tissue deep to labia majora

  -bracket vagina
• greater and lesser vestibular and paraurethral glands open into

  vestibule for lubrication