Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Reproductive System- Female

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Female Reproductive System A. Ovaries B. Duct System 1. Uterine tubes (fallopian tubes) 2. Uterus 3. Vagina C. External genitalia

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings A. Ovaries  Composed of ovarian follicles (liquid-filled sac- like structures)  Each follicle consists of -Oocyte (immature egg)

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Support for Ovaries  Ligaments  secure ovary to lateral walls of the pelvis  attach ovary to uterus

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings B. Duct System 1. Uterine tubes (fallopian tubes) 2. Uterus 3. Vagina

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings 1. Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes  Receive the ovulated oocyte  Provide a site for fertilization (egg + sperm)  Attach to the uterus, supported by ligaments

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings  Little or no contact between ovaries and uterine tubes *Fimbriae  Finger-like projections at the distal end of the uterine tube  “Wave” the oocyte in from the ovary

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings In the Fallopian Tubes *Peristalsis *Cilia  Slowly move the oocyte towards the uterus (takes 3–4 days)  Sperm must swim against the cilia Fertilization occurs inside the uterine tube Oocytes lives about 24 hours

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings 2. Uterus  Located between the urinary bladder and rectum  Hollow organ  Functions of the uterus  Prepares for possible pregnancy  Receives a fertilized egg  Retains the fertilized egg  Nourishes the fertilized egg (oxygen and nutrients)

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Support for the Uterus Ligaments  attached to the pelvis  anchored anteriorly  anchored posteriorly  Uterine Prolapse- when pelvic floor muscles and ligaments stretch and weaken, providing inadequate support for the uterus. The uterus then slips down into or protrudes out of the vagina.

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Walls of the Uterus  Endometrium  Inner layer  Allows for implantation of a fertilized egg  Sloughs off if no pregnancy occurs (menses or menstruation)  Myometrium—middle layer of smooth muscle  Perimetrium (visceral peritoneum)—outermost serous layer of the uterus (text diagram p555)

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings Cervix  —narrow outlet of uterus that protrudes into the vagina  distal end of the uterus  Opening for sperm into the uterus  Dilates for childbirth

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings 3. Vagina  Tube from cervix to exterior of body  Located between bladder and rectum  Serves as the birth canal  Passage for menses (menstruation)  Receives the penis during sexual intercourse  Hymen— vascular mucosa, partially closes the vagina until it is ruptured

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings 4. External Genitalia (Vulva) A. Mons pubis B. Labia C. Greater vestibular glands D. Clitoris E. Orfices

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings A. Mons Pubis  Fatty area overlying the pubic symphysis  Covered with pubic hair after puberty B. Labia  Labia majora—hair-covered skin folds  Labia minora—delicate, hair-free folds of skin

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings C. Vestibule and Greater Vestibular Glands  Vestibule  Enclosed by labia majora  Contains external openings of the urethra, vagina  Greater vestibular glands  One is found on each side of the vagina  Secretes lubricant during intercourse

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings D. Clitoris  Contains erectile tissue  The clitoris is homologous to the penis:  Hooded by a prepuce  Composed of sensitive erectile tissue  Becomes swollen with blood during sexual excitement

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings E. Orfices  Vaginal orfice  Urethral orfice