chapter 16 part b

Chapter 16: Reproductive System

Part B: Female System

1.     Overview

a.    Ovaries (2)—produce eggs and female sex hormones

b.    Duct system: (transportation)

                                          i.    Fallopian tubes (2)—egg transport

                                        ii.    Uterus (1)—embryo/fetal development

                                       iii.    Vagina (1)—copulation, birth canal

c.    External genitalia—copulation

2.    Ovaries

a.    Composed of ovarian follicles (sac-like structures):

                                          i.    Oocyte (immature egg)

                                        ii.    Follicular cells—surround the oocyte

                                       iii.    Follicular stages

1.     Primary follicle—contains an immature oocyte

2.    Graafian (vesicular) follicle—growing follicle with a maturing oocyte

3.    Ovulation—when the egg is mature, the follicle ruptures (about every 28 days).

4.    The ruptured follilcle is transformed into a Corpus luteum

b.    Support

                                          i.    Suspensory ligaments—secure ovary to lateral walls of the pelvis

                                        ii.    Ovarian ligaments—attach to uterus

                                       iii.    Broad ligament—a fold of the peritoneum, encloses suspensory ligament

3.    Duct system

a.    Fallopian tubes(uterine tubes)

                                          i.    Receive the ovulated oocyte

                                        ii.    Provide a site for fertilization

                                       iii.    Attach  to the uterus

                                       iv.    Little or no contact between the ovaries and uterine tubes

                                         v.    Supported and enclosed by the broad ligament

                                       vi.    Anatomy & physiology

1.     Fimbriae

a.    Finger-like projections at the distal end of the uterine tube

b.    Receive  the oocyte from the ovary

2.    Cilia

a.    Located inside the uterine tube

b.    Slowly move the oocyte towards the uterus (takes 3-4 days)

3.    Fertilization occurs inside the uterine tube since oocyte lives about 24 hours

b.    Uterus

                                          i.    Located between the urinary bladder and rectum

                                        ii.    Hollow organ- pear shaped

                                       iii.    Functions

1.     Receives fertilized eggs

2.    Retains the fertilized egg

3.    Nourishes  the fertilized egg

                                       iv.    Support

1.     Broad

2.    Round

3.    Uterosacral

                                         v.    Regions of

1.     Body –main portion

2.    Fundus- superior rounded region above where uterine tube enters

3.    Cervix- narrow outlet that protrudes into the vagina

                                       vi.    Walls of

1.     Endometrium

a.    Inner layer

b.    Allows for implantation of fertilized egg

c.    Sloughs off if no pregnancy occurs ( menses)

2.    Myometrium- middle layer of smooth muscle

3.    Perimetrium (visceral peritoneum)- outermost serous layer of the uterus

c.    Vagina

                                          i.    Extends from

                                        ii.    Located between

                                       iii.    Serves as

                                       iv.    Receives

                                         v.    Hymen

4.    External genitalia = vulva

a.    Mons pubis

                                          i.    Fatty area

                                        ii.    Covered with

b.    Labia =

                                          i.    Majora

                                        ii.    Minora

                                       iii.    Corresponds to

                                       iv.    Majora encloses vestibule

1.     Contains external openings of

c.    Clitoris

                                          i.    Contains

                                        ii.    Corresponds to

1.     Hooded

2.    Composed of

3.    Becomes swollen

d.    Greater vestibular glands

                                          i.    One found on

                                        ii.    Secretes

e.    Perineum

                                          i.    Diamond-shaped defined by:

1.     Anterior:

2.    Posterior:

3.    Lateral:

                                        ii.    Urethral orifice

                                       iii.    Vaginal orifice

5.    Oogenesis and ovarian cycle

a.    Total supply of eggs are present at birth

b.    Ability to release eggs begins at puberty

c.    Reproductive ability ends at menopause

d.    Oocytes are matured in developing ovarian follicles

e.    The process and steps of oogenesis

                                          i.    Oogonia—female stem cells found in a developing fetus

                                        ii.    Oogonia undergo mitosis to produce primary oocytes

                                       iii.    Cells surrounding primary oocytes that form primary follicles in the ovary

                                       iv.    Oogonia no longer exist by the time of birth

                                         v.    Primary oocytes are inactive until puberty

                                       vi.    Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) causes some primary follicles to mature each month

                                      vii.    Cyclic monthly changes constitute the ovarian cycle

f.    Meiosis

                                          i.    Starts inside maturing follicle

                                        ii.    Produces a secondary oocyte and the first polar body

                                       iii.    Development to mature stage takes about 14 days

                                       iv.    Secondary oocyte ovulates with the release of luteinizing hormone (LH).

1.     Surrounded by a corona radiate (nurturing cells)

                                         v.    Is completed

1.     Ovum = egg

2.    Two additional

                                       vi.    Zygote (fertilized egg) =

                                      vii.    If no fertilization

                                     viii.    Comparison

1.     Males

2.    Females

                                       ix.    Sperm and egg comparison

1.     Sperm

2.    Egg