Female Reproductive System

Anatomy Primary function of the female reproductive system is the creation and support of new life. External Genitalia Labia are divided into two parts: labia majora and labia minora. The clitoris is the sensitive, erectile tissue anterior to the vaginal opening. Bartholin’s glands are two small rounded glands on either side of the vaginal opening that produce a mucus secretion to lubricate the vagina. Perineum - area between the vaginal opening and anus.

Anatomy Cont’d. Mammary Glands Mammary glands – also known as breasts The areola is the dark pigmented area that surrounds the nipple. Mammary glands produce milk shortly after childbirth.

Anatomy Cont’d. Internal Genitalia Includes two ovaries, two fallopian tubes, one uterus, and the vagina. Ovaries – almond shaped organ in the lower abdomen located on either side of the uterus. Contain follicles (fluid filled sacs) and ova (female egg). Fallopian tubes – carry ova from ovary to uterus and sperm upward from the vagina and uterus.

Anatomy Cont’d. Internal Genitalia Cont’d. Uterus is the pear-shaped organ with muscular walls and a mucous membrane lining. The uterus has three portions: the fundus, corpus, and cervix. The uterus also three layers of tissue: the perimetrium, the myometrium, and the endometrium. Vagina (colp/o = vagina and vagin/o = vagina) – muscular tube extending from cervix to outside the body. Menstruation – normal discharge of bloody fluid from the non-pregnant uterus.

Medical Specialties Gynecologist – MD that specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases/disorders of the female reproductive system. Obstetrician - MD that specializes in providing medical care to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and immediately after birth. Neonatologist (neo = new + nat/i = birth + ologist = specialist) – diagnoses and treats disorders of the newborn infant. Pediatrician – MD that diagnoses and treats disorders in children.

Pathology Ovarian Cancer – third most common cancer of the female reproductive system, however, more women die of it than other forms of cancer. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) – inflammation of female reproductive organs not associated with surgery or pregnancy; can be a complication of STD’s and lead to infertility and tubal pregnancies.

Pathology Cont’d Endometriosis (endo- = within + metri- = uterus + -osis = abnormal condition) – endometrial uterine tissue grows outside the uterus on other structures in pelvic cavity Cervical cancer – second most common cancer in women, usual onset 35-55 years of age, detect through pap smear.

Pathology Cont’d. Mastitis (mast/o = breast + -itis = inflammation) = inflammation of breast usually associated with lactation Dysmenorrhea (dys- = difficult, painful + men/o = menstruation, + -rrhea = abnormal flow) – pain caused by uterine cramps during menstrual period Menorrhagia (men/o = menstruation + -rrhagia = abnormal bleeding) – excessive amount of menstrual flow, longer duration than a normal period

Diagnostic/Treatment Procedures Breast Self Examination (BSE) – important in early detection of breast cancer. Mammography – radiographic examination of breasts. Tubal ligation – surgical procedure performed for female sterilization, fallopian tubes are cut and tied (ligated) and a section removed to prevent ovum from reaching uterus

Diagnostic/Treatment Procedures Dilation & curettage (D & C) – dilation of the cervix and scraping of the uterus. Hysterectomy (hyster/o = uterus + -ectomy = surgical removal) – surgical removal of the uterus that may/may not include cervix. Bilateral (both sides) salgingo-oophorectomy – surgical removal of the cervix, uterus, both fallopian tubes, and both ovaries. Mastectomy – surgical removal of breast, one treatment for breast cancer

Pregnancy Ovulation - release of the mature egg from the ovary. Fertilization – when sperm penetrates descending ovum (egg) Embryo – name for developing child from implantation of the egg through the eighth week of pregnancy. Fetus – name for developing child from 9th week of pregnancy until birth.

Pregnancy Cont’d. Fraternal twins = two eggs/two sperm; Identical twins = one egg/one sperm that separates into two. Placenta - temporary organ that forms within the uterus to allow exchange of nutrients, oxygen and waste products between the developing infant and mother. Amniotic sac - innermost membrane that surrounds the embryo in the uterus and filled with fluid (amniotic fluid) to protect the fetus.

Pregnancy Cont’d. Gestation – period of time the fetus is developing in the uterus. Appx. 40 weeks. Nulligravida (nulli- = none + -gravida =pregnant) – female who has never been pregnant. Nullipara - female who has never borne a viable child. Primigravida (primi- = first + -gravida = pregnant) – first pregnancy

Childbirth Labor and delivery occurs in three stages: contraction of uterus & dilation of cervix, delivery of the infant, and delivery of the placenta (afterbirth). Postpartum (post- = after + -partum =childbirth) – after childbirth.

Pregnancy Pathology Spontaneous abortion – also called a miscarriage, is interruption of the pregnancy before the fetus is viable. Ectopic pregnancy – fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus Abruptio Placenta - separation of the placenta from the uterine wall. Premature infant – infant born before 37th week of gestation 16

Pregnancy Diagnostic or Treatment Procedures Amniocentesis (amni/o = amnion, fetal membrane + -centesis = surgical puncture to remove fluid) – performed to obtain specimen of amniotic fluid to evaluate fetal health and diagnose congenital disorders. Fetal ultrasound – radiology test to evaluate fetal development 17

Pregnancy Diagnostic or Treatment Procedures Cont’d. Cesarean delivery (C-section) – delivery of the child through an incision in the mother’s abdominal wall. Episiotomy (episi/o = vulva + -otomy = surgical incision) – incision of perineum and vagina to assist in delivery of the infant 18

Male Reproductive System

Anatomy Testes – male gonads located in the scrotum that produce sperm Also produce male hormones, mainly testosterone Maturation of sperm, body hair, facial hair, larger muscles, deep voice Scrotum – a sac suspended between the thighs Temperature of the scrotum is lower than inside the body so that sperm can be produced

Anatomy Con’t. Epididymis – a tightly coiled tube approximately 20 feet in length and located in the scrotum near the testes After sperm develop in the seminiferous tubules in the testes, they enter the epididymis Stores the sperm while they mature and become motile and produces a fluid that becomes part of semen Then connects with the next tube, the vas deferens

Anatomy Con’t. Vas deferens – receives the sperm and fluid from the epididymis Joins with the epididymis and extends up behind the urinary bladder and joins with a seminal vesicle Acts as both a pathway and storage area for sperm This is cut during a vasectomy to produce sterility in the male

Anatomy Con’t. Seminal vesicles – two small pouch-like tubes located behind the bladder The glandular lining produces a thick, yellow fluid that is rich in sugar and other substances to provide nourishment for the sperm This composes a large part of the semen

Anatomy Con’t. Ejaculatory ducts – two short tubes formed by the union of the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles Carry the sperm and fluids (collectively known as semen) through the prostate gland and into the urethra

Anatomy Con’t. Prostate gland – doughnut-shaped gland located below the urinary bladder on either side of the urethra Produces an alkaline secretion that both increases sperm motility and neutralizes the acidity in the vagina, providing a better environment for the sperm Prostate contracts during ejaculation to aid in the expulsion of the semen When it contracts, it also closes off the urethra, preventing urination

Anatomy Con’t. Cowper’s gland – two small glands located below the prostate and connected by small tubes to the urethra Secrete mucus and an alkaline fluid which decrease the acidity of urine residue in the urethra

Anatomy Con’t. Urethra – tube that extends from the urinary bladder, through the penis, and to the outside of the body Carries urine from the bladder and semen from the reproductive tubes

Anatomy Con’t. Penis – the external male reproductive organ that is located in front of the scrotum Glans penis – enlarged structure at the distal end Glans penis is covered with foreskin which is commonly removed during circumcision Functions include elimination of urine from the bladder as well as intercourse (penis fills with blood to become erect)

Male Reproduction - Diseases and Abnormal Conditions Epididymitis – inflammation of the epididymis caused by a pathogenic organisim Occurs with urinary tract or prostate infections, mumps, or STDs If not treated, it can cause scaring and sterility Signs and Symptoms – pain in the testes, swelling, and fever Treatment – antibiotics, cold applications, scrotal support, and pain medication (draining of pus or epididymectomy for severe cases)

Male Reproduction - Diseases and Abnormal Conditions Orchitis – inflammation of the testes Usually caused by the virus that causes mumps, bacterial infections from STDs, or injury Can lead to atrophy of testes and sterility Signs and Symptoms – swelling of the scrotum, pain, and fever Treatment – antibiotics, antipyretics, scrotal support, and pain medication Prevention – vaccinations and preventing STDs

Male Reproduction - Diseases and Abnormal Conditions Prostatic hypertrophy – enlargement of the prostate gland Common in men over 50 Can be benign or malignant Signs and Symptoms – difficulty starting to urinate, frequent urination, nocturia, urinary infections Treatment – antibiotics, medications to shrink the prostate size, medications to relax the urethra, removal of part of the prostate, or radiation and chemotherapy for prostate cancer

Male Reproduction - Diseases and Abnormal Conditions Testicular cancer – cancer of the testes, occurs most frequently in men between 20-35 Highly malignant form of cancer that can spread rapidly Signs and Symptoms – painless swelling of the testes, a heavy feeling, and an accumulation of fluid Treatment – orchiectomy, chemotherapy and/or radiation One of the most curable cancers with a 95% survival rate if it is detected early (monthly testicular self-examinations)

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