1. Female Reproductive System

2. Our Goals This Section...
Identify and give functions for each of the following:
ovaries (follicles and corpus luteum)
oviducts (fallopian tubes)
uterus
endometrium
cervix
vagina
clitoris
Describe the functions of estrogen
Describe the sequence of events in the ovarian cycle, with reference the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase
Describe the sequence of events in the uterine cycle, with reference to menstruation, the proliferative phase, and the secretory phase
Describe the control of the ovarian and uterine cycles by hormones including gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, and progesterone

3. Structures Ovaries – location of egg production Ova (ovum) - eggs
Oviducts
Uterus
Vagina
Eggs and urine
follow separate
tracts in the
female body

4. Oogenesis Ova development
Several hundred thousand ova exist at birth in the ovaries
Cortical region of follicles of ovaries
After puberty these ova mature at the rate of once a month
Just a few hundred develop over a lifetime

5. Oogenesis
Follicles matures and goes through changes so that the ovum is now contained in the fluid-filled space
Continues until the follicle bulges out from the ovary structure – GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE
Ovulation – when the Graafian follicle bursts releasing the ovum
Fimbriae direct the ovum to the oviduct
Oviduct is lined with cilia that direct the ovum towards the uterus
Follicular structure that is left behind develops into glandular tissue called the CORPUS LUTEUM

7. Thick-walled, muscular, pear-shaped organ Endometrium
Uterus
Thick-walled, muscular, pear-shaped organ
Endometrium
Inner lining of uterus with two layers
Basal layer (adjacent to muscle & elastic fibers)
Functional inner lining (thickness depends on reproductive cylcle)
AKA Womb

8. Tube that extends from the cervix to the outside
Vagina
Tube that extends from the cervix to the outside
Lined with mucosal cells
Birth Canal
Organ of copulation
Clitoris is the female equivalent to the penis
Labia – folds of skin that surround the vaginal opening

9. Hormonal Control
FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) stimulates ovum maturation
LH (luteinizing hormone) stimulates PROGESTERONE and ESTROGEN from the cells of the follicle
Progesterone initiates the maturation of the endometrium lining

10. Estrogen Necessary for egg maturation
Development of secondary sex characteristics
Uterine cycle
Fat and hair distribution
Growth of the uterus and vagina
Pelvic growth
Breast growth (along with progesterone)
Estrogen appears to have a negative feedback relationship with the anterior pituitary because the levels of LH and FSH decrease

11. Estrogen
Then again when the follicle is mature and estrogen is at its highest there is a sharp increase in LH and an increase in FSH
It is thought that estrogen has a positive feedback relationship with the hypothalamus – as the increase in LH causes ovulation

12. Corpus Luteum
Follicular tissue that remains in the ovary after ovulation
Secretes progesterone and estrogen
Estrogen stimulates the thickening of the endometrium
Progesterone stimulates the endometrium to become secretory
This prepares the body for fertilization and pregnancy

13. Menstruation
If fertilization doesn’t occur then the corpus luteum degenerates after approximately 10 days
Estrogen and progesterone levels drop
Endometrium that has built up is shed
Menstruation
Mainly blood
AKA menses
5 days on average
During menses the anterior pituitary begins to release LH and FSH and the cycle begins again