LEC: FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• The female body must nurture and protect a developing fetus during 9 months of pregnancy
• Composition of the female reproductive system:

  • ovaries
  • oviducts
  • uterus
  • vagina
  • external genitalia
  • mammary gland
• External Genitalia:

  • labia minora
  • labia majora
  • mons pubis
  • clitoris
  • vestibule
• Which hormones is highly influenced in the menstrual cycle?

  Follicle-Stimulation Hormone, Luteinizing Hormone, estrogen, progesterone
• Ovaries - primary female reproductive organs
• Ovaries - has exocrine and endocrine functions
• Ovarian Follicles - tiny saclike structures in the ovaries
• Oocyte - immature egg, surrounded by follicle cells
• Antrum - Fluid filled central region where the follicle enlarges and develops
• Vesicular Follicle -mature and the developing egg is ready to be ejected from the ovary
• Ovulation - Egg is ready to be ejected
• Corpus Luteum - A very different looking structure from ruptured follicle that will eventually degenerate
• Ovulation generally occurs every 28 days
• Ovary - paired, almond shaped structured located in the upper part of the pelvic cavity
• Ovary - suspended by the mesovarium of the broad ligament and are attached to the uterus by the ligament of the ovary
• Cortex - contains developing follicles, postovulatory structures, corpus luteum and corpora albicans
• Medulla - composed of loose connective tissue and blood vessels, nerve fibers, and lymphatic vessels
• The uterus is held in place by several ligaments:

  • suspensory ligament
  • Ovarian ligament
  • broad ligament
• Visceral Peritoneum - covers the surface of the ovaries
• Tunica Albuginea - outer capsule
• Primordal Follicles are surrounded by a single layer of flat granulosa cells
• Primary Follicles are primary oocytes surrounded by a Zona Pellucida and Cuboidal Granulosa Cells
• The primary follicles become secondary follicles as granulosa cells increase in number and fluid begins to accumulate in the vesicles
• Granulosa Cells increase in number and theca cells form around the secondary follicles
• Mature follicles have an antrum
• Uterine Tubes - is also called as Fallopian Tubes
• Uterine Tubes size: 10 cm (4 inches) long and extends medially from an ovary to empty into the superior region of the uterus
• Uterine Tubes - receives the ovulated oocyte and provides a site where fertilization cna occur
• Infundibulum - funnel shaped located at the distal end of each uterine tube
• Fimbriae - fingerlike projections that partially surround the ovary
• ends form fringed fimbriae that "wave" to direct ovulated oocyte into uterine tubes
• Uterine Tubes - conducts the oocyte or embryo to the uterus by peristalsis and ciliary action
• Oviducts - paired, muscular, open ended tubes that receive the ovum and provide an ideal environment for fertilization
• 4 regions of Oviducts:

  • Infundibulum
  • ampulla
  • isthmus
  • intramural portion
• Oviduct wall has a mucosa containing ciliated cells and secretory (peg) cells in its epithelium, a muscularis layer and a serosa outer covering
• opening of infundibulum is surrounded by fimbria
• The ovarian end of the uterine tube is expanded as infundibulum
• Ampulla - widest longest part of the uterine tube
• Uterine tubes consists of:

  • outer serosa
  • middle muscular layer
  • inner mucosa w/ simple ciliated columnar epithelium
• Muscular Contractions and Cilia - moves the oocyte through the uterine tubes