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45 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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The Female Reproductive System |
The female system produces eggs (ova). •Sperm can fertilize ova, thereby beginning the reproductive process. |
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Functions of female reproductive system |
Provide for fertilization of ova by sperm –Maintain environment necessary for the growth and development of a fetus |
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Reproductive capacity |
reproductive capacity begins with the first menstrual period and ends during menopause. |
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Structures of the Female Reproductive System |
Internal organs located within the pelvis between the urinary bladder and the rectum –Uterus –Vagina –Ovaries –Oviducts •Held in place by a group of ligaments –Most conspicuous is broad ligament |
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Internal Structures of the Female Reproductive System |
Internal organs located within the pelvis between the urinary bladder and the rectum –Uterus –Vagina –Ovaries –Oviducts •Held in place by a group of ligaments –Most conspicuous is broad ligament |
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External Structures of the Female Reproductive System |
Vulva –Mammary glands (breasts) |
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Reproductive Organs |
Ovaries (oophor/o-) –Gonads (sex organs) in women –Produce female gametes or ova (singular: ovum) –Secrete female sex hormones (estrogens) Oviducts: aka fallopian, uterine, or ovarian tubes –Passageway for the ovum –Between the ovary and the uterus, one on each side of uterus –Ovum bursts from the ovary into the pelvic cavity –Oviduct catches it in structures called fimbriae Fimbriae: finger-like ends of the oviducts –Cilia help move the ovum toward the uterus. –Oviducts contract in peristaltic waves, which helps to propel the ovum. –Mucus-secreting cells assist in transporting the ovum. –Mucus-secreting cells may also provide nutrients for the ovum as it travels in the oviducts.
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Zygote |
fertilized ovum •Zygote travels to the uterus –Becomes embedded in the uterine lining –Prepares for growth |
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Uterus |
(hystero/o-) •Hollow, muscular, upside-down-pear–shaped organ in the center of the pelvic cavity above and behind the urinary bladder •Considered to be the major female sex organ, even though the gonads are the ovaries •Zygote matures into a full-term fetus in the uterus •Uterus normally is tipped forward (anteverted), but in some women it is tipped posteriorly (retroverted) •Uterus held in position by strong broad and round ligaments |
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Uterus |
(hystero/o-) •Hollow, muscular, upside-down-pear–shaped organ in the center of the pelvic cavity above and behind the urinary bladder •Considered to be the major female sex organ, even though the gonads are the ovaries •Zygote matures into a full-term fetus in the uterus •Uterus normally is tipped forward (anteverted), but in some women it is tipped posteriorly (retroverted) •Uterus held in position by strong broad and round ligaments |
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Fundus |
-Round upper surface –Oviducts enter here |
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Body |
The broad, large central portion |
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Cervix |
Narrow lower end, which opens into the vagina |
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External cervical os |
Mouth of the cervix –Opening –Can be visualized during a vaginal examination –Normal size of the cervical os is about the diameter of the graphite in a pencil –Nonpregnant cervix feels like the end of a nose |
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Layers of the Uterus |
Perimetrium: serous outer layer 2.Myometrium: muscular layer –Smooth muscle, increases in size during pregnancy –Contracts during labor and delivery 3.Endometrium: mucous layer –Forms maternal portion of the placenta –Receives fertilized ovum –Provides housing and nourishment for fetus
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Vagina |
Female sex organ •Glandular secretions from the mucous membrane lining its walls moisten the vagina. •Mucus acidic and retards microbial growth •Rugae |
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Vagina Functions |
–Receive sperm –Provide an exit for menstrual flow –Serve as the birth canal |
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Hymen |
A thin mucous membrane over the vaginal opening –It may close the vaginal orifice completely, or it may be absent from birth. –More commonly it has one or more perforations. –Can be injured in various ways, eg, |
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External Genitalia |
Collectively called the vulva, aka pudendum •Vulva includes –Vestibule and surrounding structures •Vestibule contains openings of the •Urethra •Vagina •Bartholin’s glands |
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External structures of External Genitalia |
Mons pubis –Labia majora –Labia minora –Clitoris –Prepuce |
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Mons pubis |
A fatty pad over the symphysis pubis |
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Labia majora (labium majus) |
Two rounded folds of skin –After puberty, the mons pubis and the labia majora are covered with coarse pubic hair. |
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Labia minora (labium minus) |
Thin pair of skin folds medial to the labia majora –Unite just above the clitoris to form the prepuce. –Skin folds can be spread apart or “opened” to expose the vestibule floor |
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Clitoris |
Small structure of erectile tissue in the female –At the anterior junction of the labia –Stimulated by sexual excitement
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Bartholin’s glands (vestibular glands) |
Glands in the vagina, provide lubrication –Bartholin cysts develop if the openings of the Bartholin’s glands become obstructed. |
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perineum |
is the space between the vaginal orifice and the anus –Made up of strong muscles that act as sling-like supports for pelvic organs |
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Breasts |
Not direct reproductive organs •Hormonally influenced and directly linked to the reproductive process •Provide nutrition for babies following childbirth •Before puberty, breast structure in boys and girls is similar. •Both have rudimentary glandular systems. |
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Mammary glands |
modified sweat glands. –Hormones (prolactin and oxytocin) stimulate glands to produce and to release milk after childbirth. –Each breast is divided into 15 to 20 lobes of glandular tissue, covered by adipose (fat) tissue, which gives the breast its shape. |
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Structures of the breast |
Nipple –Areola –Areolar glands |
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Hormonal Influences |
Glands that contribute to the hormonal regulation of the female reproductive system –Hypothalamus –Pituitary gland –Gonads |
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Hormonal Influences |
Glands that contribute to the hormonal regulation of the female reproductive system –Hypothalamus –Pituitary gland –Gonads |
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Hypothalamus |
secretion of gonadotropic hormones –Luteinizing hormone (LH) –Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) •Main effects of LH and FSH include –Stimulating the formation of ova –Stimulating the secretion of hormones from the sex organs |
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Progesterone |
Produced after puberty by the corpus luteum of the ovary –Functions primarily during pregnancy
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oocytes |
All the ova (egg cells) that an individual woman will produce in her lifetime |
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Egg Cells and Oogenesis |
Each oocyte develops in different stages throughout a woman’s life. •About 5 to 7 million of them begin as oogonia in the female fetus’ fourth to fifth gestational month. •Before birth, most oogonia (singular: oogonium) either degenerate or begin meiosis. At the start of meiosis, the oogonium is called a primary oocyte. •A newborn girl has about 2 million primary oocytes. •Between birth and puberty, the number of these primary oocytes decreases to 300,000 to 400,000—of these, only 300 to 400 eventually develop into mature egg cells. •At puberty, hormones stimulate the primary follicle to continue its development and to become a secondary follicle. Secondary follicle enlarges and forms a bump on the ovary •When the secondary follicle matures, it is called the graafian follicle. •From the time of puberty until menstruation ceases during menopause, at approximately monthly intervals, a mature graafian follicle ruptures the surface of the ovary. |
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The Menstrual Cycle |
The menstrual cycle is actually two interrelated continuous cycles: –The ovarian cycle –The uterine cycle |
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Menstruation |
The flow of blood and other materials from the uterus through the vagina |
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Menarche |
First menstrual period –Marks the onset of puberty –Occurs about every 28 days –Called menstrual period, menses, or period |
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Menopause |
the inability to become pregnant cessation of menstruation –Normal process, but sometimes occurs abruptly –Menopausal women may experience unpleasant symptoms •Headaches • Irritability • Insomnia •Depression • Anxiety • Hot flashes –External indicators of menopause include •Tendency to gain weight •Thinning of hair •Growth of hair on the upper lip •Dry, itchy skin |
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Ovarian Cycle |
During the ovarian cycle, the ovum matures and is expelled from the ovary into the oviduct. •While this is happening, the maturation of another ovum is withheld until the next cycle. |
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Three phases of the ovarian cycle |
Follicular phase –Ovulation –Luteal phase |
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Ovulation |
Process by which an ovum (egg cell) ruptures the ovary’s surface –Is expelled into the pelvic cavity |
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mittelschmerz (meaning “middle pain” in German). |
women experience sharp pains or cramps when ovulation occurs. |
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Uterine Cycle |
The endometrium of the uterus has a cycle similar to the ovarian cycle. •It is called the uterine cycle or endometrial cycle. •This process prepares the uterus for implantation of an ovum (egg). •The uterine cycle is controlled by the ovarian cycle and will vary depending upon whether or not fertilization of the ovum occurs. |
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Three phases of the uterine cycle |
Proliferative phase –Secretory phase –Menstrual (menstruation) phase |
