finals- female repro

• Functions of the Female Reproductive System

  • Ovaries produce secondary oocytes and hormones
  • Uterine tubes transport secondary oocytes to the uterus
  • Uterus is the site of implantation, fetal development, and childbirth
  • Vagina receives the penis during sexual intercourse and is a passageway for childbirth
  • Breasts secrete and eject milk for the nourishment of a newborn (lactation)
• A woman is born with all the oocytes she will ever have. This number decreases naturally with age and age reduces the quality and genetic stability of the oocyte
• Secondary Oocytes


  Transported by the uterine tubes to the uterus, where fertilization occurs
• Uterus


  Site of implantation of a fertilized ovum, development of the fetus during pregnancy and labor
• Vagina


  Receives the penis during sexual intercourse and is a passageway for childbirth
• Lactation


  Secretion and ejection of milk for the nourishment of a newborn
• Hormones that trigger lactation during pregnancy are estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, and oxytocin
• Ovaries


  Female gonads, paired glands that resemble unshelled almonds in size and shape
• Ovaries


  • Situated on either side of the uterus
  • Located in the Pelvic Cavity (Ovarian Fossa)
  • Right ovary typically lies slightly lower than the left
• Ovaries


  • Production of oocytes (eggs)
  • Secretion of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone
• Uterus


  • Situated centrally in the pelvic cavity
  • Posterior to the bladder
  • Anterior to the rectum
  • About the size of a pear
  • Positioned between the two ovaries
• Uterus


  • Divided into several parts: Fundus, Body, Isthmus, Cervix
• Uterus


  • Serves as part of the pathway for sperm deposited in the vagina to reach the uterine tubes
  • Site of implantation of a fertilized ovum
  • Development of the fetus during pregnancy, and labor
  • Source of menstrual flow
• Ovarian ligaments


  • Ovarian ligament connects the ovary to the lateral aspect of the uterus
  • Suspensory Ligament of the Ovary (Infundibulopelvic Ligament) extends from the ovary to the lateral pelvic wall and contains the ovarian blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves
• Uterine ligaments


  • Broad ligament is a wide fold of peritoneum that drapes over the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, attaching them to the pelvic walls
  • Suspensory Ligament of the Ovary (Infundibulopelvic Ligament) extends from the uterine horns through the inguinal canal to the labia majora and helps maintain the anteverted position of the uterus
  • Cardinal (Lateral Cervical) Ligament extends from the side of the cervix and the lateral fornix of the vagina to the lateral pelvic wall and provides primary support to the cervix and upper vagina
  • Uterosacral Ligament extends from the cervix to the sacrum and helps support the uterus and keep it in place
• Ovarian Mesothelium


  A layer of simple epithelium that covers the surface of the ovary and provides a protective covering
• Tunica Albuginea


  A whitish capsule of dense irregular connective tissue located immediately deep to the ovarian mesothelium that helps protect the internal structures of the ovary from damage
• Ovarian Cortex


  Region just deep to the tunica albuginea, consisting of ovarian follicles surrounded by dense irregular connective tissue that contains collagen fibers and fibroblast-like cells called stromal cells
• Ovarian Medulla


  Deep to the ovarian cortex, consisting of more loosely arranged connective tissue and containing blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves to supply the ovarian cortex
• Ovarian Cycle


  1. Follicular Stage (1st - 13th day)

  2. Ovulation (14th day)

  3. Luteal Stage (15th - 28th day)
• Ovarian Follicles


  Consist of oocytes in various stages of development, plus the cells surrounding them. Follicular cells are a single layer surrounding the cell, while granulosa cells are several layers surrounding the cell
• Mature (Graafian) Follicle


  A large, fluid-filled follicle that is ready to rupture and expel its secondary oocyte, a process known as ovulation
• Ovulation


  The mature egg is released from the ovary
• Corpus Luteum


  The yellow body that contains the remnants of a mature follicle after ovulation. Its future depends on the event of fertilization - if pregnancy occurs, it persists and grows, but if not, it decreases in size and becomes corpus albicans
• Corpus Albicans


  The whitish scar that forms in the ovary after a corpus luteum regresses
• Folliculogenesis


  The maturation of ovarian follicles, including the stages of primordial follicle, late primary follicle, secondary follicle, and mature (Graafian) follicle
• Uterine Tubes/Fallopian Tubes


  The site of fertilization, with structures including fimbriae, infundibulum, ampulla, and isthmus
• Uterus/Womb


  Composed of three layers: perineum (outermost fibrous connective tissue), myometrium (middle smooth muscle layer), and endometrium (innermost layer)
• Anatomical Subdivisions of the Uterus

  • Fundus, Cervix, Isthmus, Uterine Cavity, Cervical Canal
• Oogenesis


  The production of eggs in the female reproductive system, involving oogonia, primary oocytes, and secondary oocytes
• Oocyte


  A cell that develops into an egg or ovum, a female gametocyte
• Histology of the Uterus

  Perimetrium (serosa), Myometrium (muscularis), Endometrium (mucosa) with Stratum Functionalis and Stratum Basalis
• Blood Supply to the Uterus


  Branches of the internal iliac artery called uterine arteries, including arcuate arteries, radial arteries, straight arterioles, and spiral arterioles. Uterine veins drain the blood leaving the uterus
• Cervical Mucus


  Fluid or gel-like discharge from the cervix that provides lubrication and sperm transport, with increased secretion during ovulation
• Capacitation


  The series of functional changes that sperm undergo in the female reproductive tract before they can fertilize a secondary oocyte, preparing the sperm cell's plasma membrane to fuse with the oocyte's plasma membrane
• Hysterectomy


  The surgical removal of the uterus, including partial (subtotal), complete (total), and radical hysterectomy
• Cervical mucus


  Provides lubrication & sperm transport during sexual intercourse. During ovulation, secretion increases in response to estrogen.
• Capacitation


  1. Series of functional changes that sperm undergo in the female reproductive tract before they can fertilize a secondary oocyte

  2. Sperm becomes more active and capable of stronger, more directed swimming movements

  3. Prepares the sperm cell's plasma membrane to fuse with the oocyte's plasma membrane
• Capacitation helps prepare the sperm to more easily fertilize an egg
• Hysterectomy


  Surgical removal of the uterus, the most common gynecological operation