A & P 2 - Female Reproductive System

Front 1

What are the Primary sex organs function and the Duct system?

Back 1

Primary sex organs - Ovaries:
functions:
-oogenesis
-hormonogenesis - secretion of steroids and proteins

Duct system:
-uterine (fallopian) tubes which transport ovum to the site of fertilization
-uterus - provides site of implantation of fertilized egg, expels fetus, functional layer of endometrium sheds during menstruation and then renews itself
-vagina - lubricates penis, vaginal orifice forms boundary between internal and external genitalia

external genitalis - vulva
-secretion of vestibular glands lubricates vaginal mucosa
-most pubis and labia protect clitoris and vestibule
-clitoris contains receptors involved in sexual arousal

Front 2

What are the parts of the ovaries?

Back 2

Produce:
Gametes - secondary oocytes that mature into ova (eggs) after fertilization
Hormones - progesterone, estrogen, inhibins, and relaxin

Ligaments holding ovaries in place:
Broad - part of parietal peritoneum, attaches to ovary by double folded peritoneum called mesovarium
Ovarian - connects ovaries to uterus
Suspensory - ovaries to pelvic wall
Hilium - where vessels enter and leave along which mesovarium is attached

Front 3

What are the histological parts of the ovary?

Back 3

Germinal epithelium - simple cuboidal covers surface of ovary

Tunica albuninea - layer of dense irregular CT

Ovarian cortex - ovarian follicles and stromal cells

Ovarian medulla - contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves

Ovarian follicles - in cortex and consists of oocytes in various stages of development (nourished by estrogen)

Mature (graafian) follicle - fluid filled follicle ready to expel secondary oocyte during ovulation

Corpus luteum - remnants of mature follicle after ovulation; produces progesterone, estrogens, relaxin, and inhibin until it degenerates into corpus albicans

Front 4

What is Oogenesis?

Back 4

Basic processes:
-Proliferation by mitosis
-meiosis
-packing of haploid chromosomes during oocyte maturation

Follicular development:
-during early fetal development, primitive germ cells migrate from yolk sac to ovaries
-germ cells --> oogonia (2n) stem cells
-before birth most degenerate --> atresia
-some develop into primary oocytes that enter meiosis I
-covered by primordial follicle
-400 mature during lifetime

Front 5

What are the Ovarian Follicles?

Back 5

Primordial follicle - consists of primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of follicular cells and stromal cells

Primary follicle - primary oocyte surrounded by zona pellucida (glycoprotein layer) and several layers of granulosa cells with stromal cells that form theca folliculi

Primary follicles develop into secondary:
-theca --> theca interna secreting estrogens and theca externa
-granulosa cells secrete follicular fluid in antrum
-innermost granulosa cells attaches to zona pellucida forming corona radiata

Secondar follicle becomes mature (graafian) follicle:
-before ovulation, diploid primary oocyte completes meiosis I
-at ovulation secondary oocyte expelled with first polar body and corona radiata (equal distribution of chromosomes but unequal distribution of cytoplasm)
-if sperm penetrates secondary oocyte, meiosis II resumes
-sperm and ovum unite to form diploid zygote

Front 6

What is the anatomy of the Uterine (fallopian) tubes?

Back 6

Parts:
1. Infundibulum - ends in finger-like fimbriae, produce current to sweep secondary oocyte in
2. Ampulla - widest longest portion
3. Isthmus - joins uterus

3 layers:
Mucosa - consists of epithelium (cililated simple columnar) and lamnia propria, peg cells have microvilli and provide nutrition for ovum
Muscularis - peristaltic contractions
Serosa - outer layer

Front 7

What is Ectopic Pregnancy?

Back 7

fertilized egg is implanted outside of uterus in the fallopian tube 95 % of the time.

commonly called "tubal pregnancies" because they settle in the fallopian tube

blockage in tube at birth is caused by hormonal factors and smoking

Front 8

What is the anatomy and histology of the Uterus?

Back 8

Anatomy:
-fundus, body, ishmus, and cervix
-normal position is anterflexion

Histology - 3 Layers:
Perimetrium:
-outer layer, part of visceral peritonium
-composed of simple squamous and CT
-laterally = broad ligament, anteriorly = vesicouterine pouch, posteriorly = covers rectum and forms rectouterine pouch (most inferior part of pelvic cavity)
Myometrium:
-3 layers of smooth mm, middle = circular; outer and inner = longitudinal or oblique
-thickest in fundus and thinnest in cervix
-contraction in response to OXYTOCIN from posterior pituitary
Endometrium:
-highly vascularized
-stratum functionalis - lines cavity and sloughs off during menstruation
-stratum basalis - permanent, give rise to new stratum functionalis after each menstruation

Front 9

What is the blood supply to the Uterus?

Back 9

Uterine arteries - branch of internal iliac arteriy

arcuate arteries - circular arteries in myometrium

radial arteries - deep in myometrium

straight arteriorles supply stratum basalis

spiral arteries supply stratum functionalis and change a lot during menstrual cycle

Front 10

What are the positions that the Uterus is usually in?

Back 10

Anteversion:
-cervix angled forward on vagina
-inferior end of cervix projects into upper anterior aspect of vagina

Anteflexion:
-body projects anteriorly and superiorly over superior surface of emptied bladder

Retroversion:
-posterior tilting of uterus

Front 11

What is the cervical mucus?

Back 11

composition depends on phase of menstrual cycle:
-less viscous and alkaline around ovulation - facilitates sperm transport and capacitation
-more viscous (cervical plug) and more acidic during menstrual cycle - impedes sperm penetration

sperm capacitation:
-activation of sperm for process of fertilization of an ovum
-removes surface coats of cholesterol vesicles and glyoproteins
-removal of inhibitory substances
-increase permeability of spermatozoal membrane from Ca2+ --> increase motility, changes in plasma membrane that covers leading edge of acrosome

Front 12

What are the parts of the vagina?

Back 12

located between urinary bladder and rectum. directly superiorly and posteriorly

mucosa is continuous with uterine mucosa:
-decomposition of glycogen makes acidic environment hostile to microbes of sperm
-alkaline components of sperm raise pH

Fornices:
-recess that surround the vaginal attachment to cervix
-posterior and anterior fornix

Walls:
Mucosa:
-nonkeratinized stratified squamous
-transverse folds called rugae (CT)
-dendritic cells - AG presenting cells (HIV transmission)
-large stores of glycoproteins - decomposition produces organic acids
Muscularis:
-outer circular layer and inner longitudinal layer
Adventitia

Front 13

What are the parts of the external female genitalia?

Back 13

called Vulva or pudendum

Parts:
Mons pubis
-labia majora
-labia minora
-clitoris
-vestibule
-bulb of vestibule
-hymen - border around inferior opening of vagina

Perineum:
-diamond shaped area medial to thigh and buttocks of males and females
-contains external genitalia and anus

Front 14

What is the pathway of the Mammary ducts?

Back 14

Alveoli --> secondary tubules --> mammary ducts --> lactiferous ducts and sinuses

Front 15

What are characteristics of the female breast?

Back 15

ducts linking lobes, lobules, and sinuses lead to nipple in center of areola

modified sweat glands

epithelium consists of ducts and acini which together form lobules, basic structural unit of mammary glands

epithelial and mesenchymal elements intermingled and capable of responding to hormonal stimulation