Download The Female Reproductive Cycle

THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE
Honors Anatomy & Physiology
Part 1
FUNCTIONS OF THE FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Ovaries produce 2° oocytes & hormones (E,
P, inhin, & relaxin)
Uterine tubes transport 2° oocyte  uterus;
sites of fertilization
Uterus site of implantation of fertilized
ovum, development of fetus during
pregnancy & labor
Vagina receives penis during intercourse;
birth canal
Mammary glands synthesize, secrete, & eject
milk for nourishment of newborn
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
Internal
Genitalia

1.
2.
3.
4.
Internal Genitalia:
Ovaries = Female
Gonads
Fallopian tubes
Uterus
Vagina
External
Genitalia

Vulva
OVARIES
almond-shaped (2x size)
 flank either side of uterus:
 suspended medially to uterus by ovarian
ligament
 anchored laterally by suspensory ligament
 mesovarium a part of the broad ligament
which drapes over all 3 ligaments

DUAL BLOOD SUPPLY
1.
Ovarian Artery

2.
branch of aorta
Ovarian branch of the Uterine Artery (branch of
the internal iliac artery)
LAYERS OF THE OVARY
Germinal Epithelium: cuboidal cells (visceral
peritoneum)
 Tunica Albuginea: fibrous
 Outer Cortex (gametogenesis)/ Inner Medulla (vessels
& nerves)

OVARIAN FOLLICLES
in cortex
 contain 1 immature ovum called an oocyte
surrounded by follicular cells (1 layer) or
granulosa cells (>1 layer)
 Range of Stages of Maturation
1. Primordial Follicle surrounded by follicular
cells
2. Tertiary Follicle (pre-ovulatory follicle) a fully
mature follicle surrounded by granulosa cells
 bulges on ovarian surface

FOLLICULAR CHANGES WITH OVULATION

after ovulation ruptured follicle  corpus luteum
(yellow body)   degenerates to a corpus
albicans (white body)
FALLOPIAN TUBES
aka uterine tubes: ~10 cm in length
 receive ovulated oocyte: *site of fertilization
 empty into superolateral region of uterus
 5 parts: (medial  lateral)
1. Interstitium: w/in uterine wall
2. Isthmus: constricted portion
3. Ampulla: widens
4. Infundibulum: funnel-shaped
5. Frimbria (fringe) ciliated finger-like projections
draped over ovary
 1 or more attached to ovary

FALLOPIAN TUBE
performs a “dance” around time of ovulation
 fimbriae stiffen & sweep surface of ovary
 wall has sheets of smooth muscle
 peristalsis moves oocyte toward uterus
 lined with folds of ciliated & nonciliated mucosa
 externally covered by peritoneum & supported by
portion of the broad ligament: mesosalpinx


http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/video/egg-cellin-a-fallopian-tube-animation-stock-videofootage/618590467
HOMEOSTATIC IMBALANCE
Ectopic Pregnancy
 pregnancy outside the uterus
 peritoneal cavity or w/in fallopian tube
 hemorrhage  shock
 PID: Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
 infection spreading from other parts of
reproductive tract.
 Gonorrhea, Chlamydia
 can scar tubes  infertility or ectopic
pregnancy

UTERUS
Latin for womb
 anterior to rectum in pelvic cavity&
posterosuperior to bladder
 hollow, thick-walled muscular organ with shape
of inverted pear
 anteverted: tipped forward
 retroverted: tipped back
 receives, retains, & nourished fertilized ovum

UTERUS: ANATOMY
1. Body
 major portion
2. Fundus
 superior to body
 site of entry of tube
3. Isthmus
 narrowed portion
below body
4. Cervix
 narrow neck (outlet)
projects into vagina
CERVIX


1.
2.

cavity = cervical canal
upper & lower
boundaries =
internal cervical os
external cervical os
mucosa of canal has
mucous glands 
mucus covers external
os (opening)
 protects: spread of
vaginal bacteria
 mucus thick(blocks
sperm) except @
time of ovulation
HOMEOSTATIC IMBALANCE

Pap Smear:
 Papanicula Smear
 sampling of cells
from endocervical
canal
 screening test for
cervical cancer

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
cervical ca risk factors:
frequent cervical
inflammation
HPV
starting sex activity @
early age
multiple
pregnancies/early 1st
pregnancy
unprotected intercourse
smoking
multiple sex partners
CERVICAL CANCER
~13,000 new cases/yr in USA
 ~4,100 women die from cervical cancer/yr in USA
 rate has dropped >50% in past 30 yrs (b/4 that
was most common cancer death in USA)
 by race: Hispanic > African American> Asian &
Pacific Islands > white
 most diagnosed age 20 – 50, 15% >65 yrs
 Gardisil vaccination protects against HPV
induced cancer
 recommended for all 11 – 12 yr old girls

UTERINE LIGAMENTS
1.
2.
3.
Broad Ligaments
 mesentery portion, lateral suspension
Cardinal Ligaments
 extend from cervix & superior vagina
lateral walls of the pelvis (inferior to broad
ligament support)
Uterosacral Ligaments
 secure uterus to sacrum posteriorly
UTERINE WALL

1.
2.
3.
3 layers: (external  internal)
Perimetrium
 serous layer
Myometrium
 muscle
Endometrium
 mucosal lining of the uterine cavity
 2 strata:
 stratum functionalis: cyclic changes, sheds
with menstruation
 stratum basalis: thinner, deeper layer: forms
a new stratum functionalis after
menstruation
UTERINE VASCULAR SUPPLY

paired uterine arteries
branch from internal
iliacs  branches into
uterine wall
VAGINA
“sheath”/ aka birth canal
 thin-walled tube 8 – 10 cm in length
 lies between bladder & rectum
 extends from cervix to body exterior parallel to
urethra
 Function:
1. passageway for delivery of newborn or
menstrual flow
2. receives the penis during sexual intercourse

ANATOMY OF THE VAGINA
HYMEN
thin fold of vascularized mucous membrane that forms
a border around & partially closes the inferior end of
the vaginal opening to the exterior
 imperforate hymen: completely or partially closes off
the orifice

VULVA
external genitalia of females
 made up of:
1.
Pubis
2.
Labia Majora
3.
Labia Minora
4.
Clitoris
5.
vestibule &Vestibular Glands

PUBIS
 aka
mons pubis
 elevation of
adipose tissue
 cushions pubic
symphysis
LABIA MAJORA
2 longitudinal folds of skin extending inferiorly &
posteriorly from mons pubis
 covered by skin & pubic hair
 contain: adipose tissue, sebaceous (oil) & apocrine
(sweat) glands
 are homologous to the scrotum

LABIA MINORA
medial to labial majora
 no pubic hair, few sudoriferous glands
 many sebaceous glands
 homologous to spongy urethra

CLITORIS
small cylindrical mass of erectile tissue & nerves
 Located at anterior junction of labia minora
 homologous to glans penis

VESTIBULE
 region
between
labia minora
 w/in it : external
urethral orifice,
vaginal orifice,
ducts of vestibular
glands
SKENE’S GLANDS
“minor” vestibular or paraurethral glands
 secrete mucus
 homologous to prostate

BARTHOLIN’S GLANDS
either side of vaginal orifice
 “greater” vestibular glands
 produce small amt mucus during sexual arousal
providing lubrication
 homologous to Cowper’s glands

MAMMARY GLANDS

Nipples


Areola : circular, pigmented area around each
Lactiferous Ducts: closely spaced openings where milk emerges
Suspensory Ligament: strands of CT between skin & deep
fascia that support the breast
 Mammary Gland: modified sudoriferous (sweat)glands
separated by adipose


surrounded by myoepithelial cells (smooth muscle): contraction
 milk let down