Reproductive System (Notes Version)

• Ovaries


  Primary reproductive organs in female responsible for producing ova (eggs) as well as the hormones estrogen and progesterone
• Tunica Albuginea


  Tough, fibrous outer covering that surrounds each ovary providing support and protection
• Two Layers of the Ovary

  • Cortex (outer)
  • Medulla (inner)
• Cortex


  Contains the follicles where the ova develops
• Medulla


  Contains the blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and the nerves
• Ligaments that suspend the ovaries

  • Broad ligament
  • Ovarian ligaments
  • Suspensory ligament
  • Round ligament
• Broad Ligament


  Wide fold of peritoneum that attaches to sides of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries to the pelvic side walls
• Ovarian Ligament


  Fibrous cord that attach the ovaries to the uterus
• Suspensory Ligament


  Aka infundibulo pelvic ligament, Attaches the ovaries to the lateral pelvic walls
• Round Ligament


  Commonly associated with the uterus, Indirectly helps support the ovaries by attaching to the ovarian ligament and extending to the inguinal canal into the labia majora
• Secondary Female Reproductive Organs and Structures

  • Ovaries
  • Uterus
  • Vagina
  • Vulva
  • Breasts
• Uterus


  Held in place by the broad and round ligaments which help hold it in place in the pelvic cavity
• Layers of the Uterine Wall

  • Perimetrium
  • Myometrium
  • Endometrium
• Perimetrium


  Consisting of visceral peritoneum which covers the uterus; outermost layer
• Myometrium


  Made up of thick layer of smooth muscle; middle layer; responsible for the powerful contractions that occur during childbirth
• Endometrium


  Mucous membrane lining the uterine cavity; innermost layer
• Layers of the Endometrium

  • Stratum basalis
  • Stratum functionalis
• Stratum basalis


  Deep layer remains relatively constant and serves as the source of new endometrial tissue after menstruation
• Stratum functionalis


  Superficial layer which undergoes cyclic changes in response to hormonal fluctuations throught the menstrual cycle and it is shed during menstruation
• Common Positions of the Uterus

  • Anteverted Uterus
  • Retroverted Uterus
  • Anteflexed Uterus
  • Retroflexed Uterus
  • Lateral Uterus
• Anteverted Uterus


  The uterus is tilted forward towards the bladder, considered as the normal position, most common position
• Retroverted Uterus


  The uterus is tilted backward towards the spine, less common than the anteverted, still considered as a normal variation and does not cause problems
• Anteflexed Uterus


  Both titled forward so it is anteverted and it is bent forward on itself, common variation and typically does not cause any issues
• Retroflexed Uterus


  Uterus is tilted backward and it is bent backward on itself, like retroversion this position is usually benign but it can occasionally cause discomfort or difficulty with certain activities
• Lateral Uterus


  Shifted to one side of the pelvic cavity rather than being centrally located, this can sometimes occur due to congenital abnormalities or pelvic adhesion
• 3 Regions of the Uterus

  • Fundus
  • Body
  • Cervix
• Fundus


  Broad rounded upper part of the uterus; situated above the entrance of the fallopian tube
• Body


  Wide midportion; central main portion; where fertilized eggs implant and where the fetus grow durin pregnancy
• Cervix


  Inferior (neck) region; lower narrow portion of the uterus; connects the uterus to the vagina; during childbirth the cervix dilates to allow the baby to passthrough the birth canal
• Uterine tubes


  Transport eggs from the ovaries to the uterus, aka fallopian tube or oviduct
• Infundibulum


  Widened end of each uterine tube near the ovary, surrounded by fimbriae
• Fimbriae


  Finger like projection which help capture the released egg from the ovary
• Vagina


  Allows for the flow of the menses, is a receptacle for sperm, and serves as the birth canal
• Hymen


  External opening of the vagina may be partially covered, can vary significantly in appearance and it may not always completely cover the opening
• Vulva


  Includes the mons pubis, labia, clitoris, vestibular bulbs, and vestibular glands
• Mons pubis


  Rounded mound of fatty tissue that covers the pubic bone, typically covered with pubic hair in most pubescent individuals, provides cushioning over the pubic symphyses
• Labia


  • Labia majora
  • Labia minora
• Labia Majora


  Outer lip which are larger and covered with hair they provide protection to the vaginal opening and other structures of the vulva
• Labia Minora


  Inner lip which are thinner and more delicate they can vary in size and may or may not be visible externally they help protect the vaginal and urethral openings
• Clitoris


  Erectile tissue, external portion is glans, highly sensitive organ located at the top of the vulva where the labia minora meet, important for sexual arousal and pleasure