Female Reproductive System

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Mariebs Human Anatomy and Physiology Marieb w
Hoehn

• Chapter 27
• Female Reproductive System
• Lecture 19

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Lecture Overview

• Functions of the female reproductive system
• The ovaries structure and function
• Female internal reproductive organs
• Female external reproductive organs

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Functions of the Female Reproductive System

• Produce and maintain sex cells (eggs) a
  function of the ovaries, the primary sex organ
• Transport eggs to site of fertilization
• Produce female sex hormones
• Provide favorable environment for development of
  offspring
• Move offspring to outside (birth)

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Organs of the Female Reproductive System
(In anteflexion)
(Skenes glands lesser vestibular glands)
(Bartholins glands)
Figure from Martini, Anatomy Physiology,
Prentice Hall, 2001
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Female Pelvic Cavity
Figure from Holes Human AP, 12th edition, 2010
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Ovary Attachments
Figure from Holes Human AP, 12th edition, 2010
(Retracted)
(Mesentery)
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Ovaries and Their Attachments
Oophorectomy removal of one or both ovaries
Fold of peritoneum that attaches to sides and
floor of pelvic cavity (limits side-to-side
movement and rotation)
Posterior view
Figure from Martini, Anatomy Physiology,
Prentice Hall, 2001
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Overview of Female Reproductive Cycle
Figure from Holes Human AP, 12th edition, 2010
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Overview of the Ovarian Cycle
Ovarian cycle events occurring monthly in an
ovary (oocyte growth and meiosis occur) cycle is
usually about 28 days long
Figure from Holes Human AP, 12th edition, 2010
Two phases 1) Follicular phase 2) Luteal phase
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Oogenesis
Oogonia stem cells
Process stops in meiosis I (Prophase)
Stimulated by FSH/LH
About 2 million primary oocytes at birth. By
puberty, there are about 400,000. Fewer than
400-500 will be released during a females
reproductive life. Probably fewer than 10 will
be fertilized.
How does oogenesis differ from spermatogenesis?
How is it the same?
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Ovarian Cycle Preovulatory (Follicular) Phase
Figure from Martini, Anatomy Physiology,
Prentice Hall, 2001
(Graafian)
1.5 cm
Many
One
Few
Thecal and granulosa cells produce estrogens
8-10 days after beginning of cycle
10-14 days
(FSH)
(FSH)
LH
Meiosis II started
Meiosis I
Estrogen
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Ovarian Cycle Postovulatory (Luteal) Phase
(Day 14)
12 days post ovulation
Lipids used to synthesize progestins, e.g.,
progesterone (prepares uterine lining for
implantation)
LH
If fertilization has not occurred
LH
Figure from Martini, Anatomy Physiology,
Prentice Hall, 2001
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Ovulation
Figure from Holes Human AP, 12th edition, 2010
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Review of Ovarian Cycle

• Preovulatory (follicular) phase (Day 1-14)
• FSH stimulates primordial follicle to develop
• Primary follicle secretes estrogen (from
  cooperation of granulosa and thecal cells)
• Tertiary follicle is a mature (Graafian) follicle
• Postovulatory (luteal) phase (Day 15-28)
• LH stimulates rupture of tertiary follicle
  (ovulation)
• Secondary oocyte is released (still in meiosis
  II)
• Corpus luteum develops from remnants of follicle
• Corpus luteum secretes progesterone which
  prepares the uterus for implantation
• If pregnancy does not occur, corpus luteum
  involutes to become the corpus albicans (scar
  tissue) and menstruation will occur

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Female Internal Accessory Organs
Figure from Holes Human AP, 12th edition, 2010
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Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes
Takes about 4 days for an oocyte to travel from
the infundibulum to the uterine cavity
Segments of the uterine tube - Infundibulum
contains fimbriae (inner surfaces lined with
cilia that beat toward center) - Ampulla
(middle, muscular segment) - Isthmus (segment
connected to the uterine wall)
Fertilization usually occurs around here
Oocytes are transported by - ciliary action -
peristalsis (Parasympathetic NS activity a few
hours before ovulation)
Fallopian tube salpinx salping(o)-
Figure from Martini, Anatomy Physiology,
Prentice Hall, 2001
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Lining of Uterine Tubes
Figure from Holes Human AP, 12th edition, 2010
Tall ciliated columnar epithelial cells with
interspersed mucin-secreting cells. Tubes contain
glycoproteins and lipids
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Uterus (hyster(o)-)
- Mechanical protection (fetus) - Nutritional
support (fetus) - Waste removal (fetus) -
Ejection of fetus at birth Cervical mucous
prevents spread of bacteria from vagina to uterus
Figure from Martini, Anatomy Physiology,
Prentice Hall, 2001
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Uterine Wall
Smooth muscle of myometrium is arranged in
longitudinal, circular, and oblique layers Under
the influence of estrogen, uterine glands, blood
vessels, and epithelium in the functional zone of
the endometrium change with the phases of the
uterine (menstrual) cycle
Figure from Martini, Anatomy Physiology,
Prentice Hall, 2001
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Clinical Application
Cervical Cancer and Pap Smears (Cytology)
Figures from Saladin, Anatomy Physiology,
McGraw Hill, 2007
Cervical cancer is more common in - Women
between the ages of 30 and 50 - Women who
smoke - Sexual activity at an early age/history
of STDs or cervical inflammation (HPV)
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Vagina
Acidity of vagina protects adults from bacterial
infections
Major functions - Passageway for elimination of
menstrual fluids - Receives penis and holds
sperm prior to passage into uterus - Inferior
portion of birth canal for fetal delivery
Figure from Martini, Anatomy Physiology,
Prentice Hall, 2001
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Female External Reproductive Organs
Female external genitalia pudendum or vulva
anterior
Includes the structures external to the vagina
- mons pubis - labia majora and minora -
clitoris - vestibular structures
Opening of ducts of greater vestibular glands
(Bartholins) mucous secretions
Perineum
Know the terms on this slide
posterior
Figure from Martini, Anatomy Physiology,
Prentice Hall, 2001
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The Deep Female Perineum
Figure from Saladin, Anatomy Physiology,
McGraw Hill, 2007
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Development of External Reproductive Organs
Figure from Holes Human AP, 12th edition, 2010
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Erection, Lubrication, and Orgasm
Figure from Holes Human AP, 12th edition, 2010
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Review

• Function of the female reproductive system
• Produce and maintain sex cells (eggs) a
  function of the ovaries, the primary sex organ
• Transport eggs to site of fertilization
• Provide favorable environment for development of
  offspring
• Move offspring to outside (birth)
• Produce female sex hormones

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Review

• Several ligaments hold female reproductive
  structures in place
• Broad ligament
• Suspensory ligament
• Ovarian ligament
• Uterosacral ligament
• Peritoneum-lined recesses in female
• Rectouterine pouch separates uterus from colon
• Vesciouterine pouch separates uterus from
  urinary bladder

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Review

• During oogenesis
• Oogonia stop development in meiosis I (before
  birth)
• Secondary oocytes, rather than mature gametes,
  are released monthly at ovulation
• Ovarian cycle
• Cycle is about 28 days long
• Two main phases
• Preovulatory (follicular) 14 days
• Postovulatory (luteal) 14 days

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Review

• Ovarian cycle (28 days)
• Preovulatory (follicular) phase (Day 1-14)
• FSH stimulates primordial follicle to develop
• Primary follicle secretes estrogen (granulosa and
  thecal cells)
• Tertiary follicle is a mature (Graafian) follicle
• Postovulatory (luteal) phase (Day 15-28)
• LH stimulates rupture of tertiary follicle
  (ovulation)
• Corpus luteum develops from remnants of follicle
  (granulosa cells)
• Corpus luteum secretes progesterone which
  prepares the uterus for implantation
• If pregnancy does not occur, corpus luteum
  involutes to become the corpus albicans (scar
  tissue)

30
Review

• Female internal accessory organs
• Uterus
• Anteflexed muscular organ that will hold
  developing fetus
• Body
• Fundus is furthest away from vagina
• Perimetrium
• Myometrium (thick smooth muscle layer)
• Endometrium (Functional zone, basilar zone)
• Uterine (fallopian) tubes
• Infundibulum (contains fimbriae)
• Ampulla (thick muscular wall)
• Isthmus (connection with uterus)
• Fertilization usually occurs in the
  ampulla/isthmus boundary
• Lined with cilia smooth muscle to capture
  released oocyte
• Nutrient-rich environment (lipids and glycogen)

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Review

• Female internal accessory organs (continued)
• Vagina
• Elastic, muscular tube between cervix and
  vestibule
• Passageway for elimination of menstrual fluids
• Receives penis and holds sperm prior to passage
  into uterus
• Inferior portion of birth canal for fetal
  delivery
• Maintains an acidic environment (in adults) to
  prevent infections
• Parasympathetic stimulation expansion and
  elongation during sexual stimulation
• Vestibular glands along sides of vagina secrete
  mucus to lubricate the vaginal lumen

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Review

• Female External Genitalia
• Entire area is the vulva or pudendum
• Mons pubis, labia majora
• Labia minora, vestibule
• Anterior to posterior clitoris, urethra, vaginal
  entrance
• Bartholins glands (greater vestibular) ducts
  open just posterior to vaginal entrance
• Skenes glands (paraurethral, lesser vestibular)
  ducts open posterior to urethral meatus

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Review

• Perineum
• Diamond-shaped area of the trunk between the
  thighs and buttocks extending from the pubis to
  the coccyx (between ischial tuberosities)
• Shallow compartment lying between this diamond
  shaped area and the pelvic floor (formed by
  pelvic diaphragm)
• Male perineum contains penis, scrotum, anus
• Female perineum contains vulva, anus