1. Female Reproductive System

2. Anatomy: Ovaries Ovaries Shape and size of almonds
Many saclike ovarian follicles w/ oocyte (immature egg) surrounded by follicle cells
As egg matures, develops a fluid filled region… now mature its called a Graafian follicle
Graafian follicles are ready to be ejected from ovary (ovulation)…occurs every 28 days
Corpus luteum – ruptured follicle which degenrates

3. Anatomy: Duct System Uterine (fallopian) tubes Uterus (womb)
4” long
Receive mature oocyte
Distal end has funnel shaped infundibulum w/finger-like fimbriae w/fluid currents to carry oocyte into uterine tube
uses cilia and peristalsis to carry oocyte (3-4 day journey)
Site for fertilization
Uterus (womb)
Size and shape of pear in never-pregnant woman
Fundus (entrance), body, cervix (outlet)
Receives, retains, and nourishes a fertilized egg
Wall composed of 3 layers
Endometrium – implantation of fertilized egg…if not pregnant lining sloughed off every 28 days (menstruation)
Myometrium – smooth muscles
Perimetrium – outermost layer
Vagina (birth canal & copulation organ)
Thin walled tube (3-4”long)
Distal end covered by hymen (ruptures during the first sexual intercourse, or sports)

4. Vulva: External Genitalia
Mons pubis
fatty round area covering pubic symphysis
Labia majoria
hair covered skin folds, protect labia minora
Labia minora
hair free skin folds protects urethral and vaginal orifices
Greater vestibular glands
secrete mucosal lubricant during intercourse
Clitoris
Hooded by prepuce, composed of erectile tissue

5. Oogenesis Females have total supply of eggs at birth (2 million)
Ability to release eggs begins at puberty, declines, and ends ~50 yrs old (menopause)
Oogenesis – production of gametes (eggs)
Oogenia (female stem cells) undergo rapid mitotic divisions producing primary oocytes during fetal development and surrounded by cells to form primary follicles
Primary oocytes must wait years to mature, at puberty FSH stimulates primary follicles to grow, mature, and ovulation begins to occur monthly

6. Ovarian Cycle
At puberty 400,000 oocytes remain…fewer than 500 will actually be released during a women’s lifetime
FSH stimulates primary oocyte to undergo meiosis I  Two uneven sized daughter cells (14 days)
Polar Body (very tiny cell), deteriorates
Secondary oocyte (the larger cell)
arrested in metaphase II
Surrounded by corona radiata
LH stimulates ovulation (rupture and release of oocyte)
If not fertilized, deteriorates
If ovulated secondary oocyte is fertilized, it undergoes meiosis II
Polar body (very tiny cell) deteriorates
ovum

7. Uterine (Menstrual) Cycle
Cyclic changes to endometrial lining in response to ovarian hormones
21-40 days depending on individual
Uterus receptive for implantation for only a short period each month…7 days after ovulation
Days 1-5 Menstrual phase
Functional endometrial layer sloughs off
cup of blood loss
Days 6-14 Proliferative phase
Rising estrogen produced by growing follicles
Endometrial layer regenerates
Increase LH, ovulation occurs
Days Secretory phase
Increase progesterone
Ednometrial glands secrete nutrients to sustain developing embryo until implanted
If fertilization doesn’t occur, corpus luteum degenerates as LH decreases
Endometrial bv spasm and kink, cells begin to die

8. Ovaries: Hormone Production
Become active at puberty
Estrogens: secondary sex characteristics
Enlargement of female reproductive organs
Breast development
Increase hair growth
Increase fat deposits (hips and breasts)
Widening and lightening of pelvis
Onset of menstrual cycle
Progesterone: produced by corpus luteum
Works w/estrogen to establish menstrual cycle
Maintains pregnancy
Prepares breasts for milk production

9. Mammary Glands Mammary glands normally only function in females
Produce milk to nourish a newborn baby
Areolar – pigmented areas surrounding the protruding nipple
Ea/gland consists of lobes which radiate around nipple
Lobes are padded and separated by fat
Lobules small chambers containing clusters of alveolar glands that produce milk during lactation
Milk passes into the lactiferous ducts which open to the outside at the nipple