1. The Reproductive System

2. Female Reproductive Anatomy
Ovaries are the primary female reproductive organs
Make female gametes (ova)
Secrete female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone)
Accessory ducts include uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina
Internal genitalia – ovaries and the internal ducts

3. The Ovaries
Paired organs on each side of the uterus held in place by several ligaments (ovarian ligaments)
Ovarian – anchors the ovary medially to the uterus
Suspensory – anchors the ovary laterally to the pelvic wall
Mesovarium – suspends the ovary in between

4. Uterine Tubes (Fallopian Tubes) and Oviducts
Receive the ovulated oocyte and provide a site for fertilization
the isthmus
the ampulla
fingerlike projections called fimbriae

5. Histology of the uterine (fallopian) tube

6. Uterus
Hollow, thick-walled organ located in the pelvis, posterosuperior to the bladder
Body – major portion of the uterus
Fundus – rounded region superior to the entrance of the uterine tubes
Isthmus – narrowed region between the body and cervix
Cervix – narrow neck which projects into the vagina inferiorly
Cervical canal – cavity of the cervix that communicates with:
The vagina via the external os
Cervical glands secrete mucus that covers the external os and blocks sperm entry

7. The Uterus Infundibulum Ampulla Isthmus Fundus Mesosalpinx Body
Ovarian
ligament
Uterine
tube
Ovarian artery
Ovarian vein
Suspensory
ligament
Fimbriae
Ovary
Myometrium
Mesometrium
Endometrium
Internal os
Round
ligament
Cervical canal
Cardinal
ligament
Lateral fornix
Uterosacral
ligament
Cervix
External os
Vagina

8. The Uterus Perimetrium—external serosa layer
Myometrium—middle muscular layer
Constitutes most of the uterine wall
Composed mainly of smooth muscle
Sweep downward from fundus; spiral around body
Produces labor contractions, expels fetus
Endometrium—inner mucosa
Simple columnar epithelium, compound tubular glands, and a stroma populated with leukocytes, macrophages, and other cells
Stratum functionalis—superficial half, shed each menstrual period
Stratum basalis—deep layer, stays behind and regenerates a new stratum functionalis with each menstrual cycle
During pregnancy, the endometrium is the site of attachment of the embryo and forms the maternal part of the placenta from which the fetus is nourished

9. Histology of the uterus

10. Uterine Wall
Uterine blood supply is important to the menstrual cycle and pregnancy
Uterine artery arises from each internal iliac artery
Travels and gives off several branches that penetrate myometrium
The uterine artery leads to arcuate arteries, travels in a circle around the uterus
Spiral arteries penetrate through the myometrium into the endometrium

11. The Uterine Wall

12. Uterine Vascular Supply
Uterine arteries
Arcuate arteries – branches of the uterine arteries in the myometrium that give rise to radial branches
Radial branches – descend into the endometrium and give off:
Spiral arteries to the stratum functionalis
Straight arteries to the stratum basalis

13. Childhood: simple cuboidal
Vagina
Thin-walled tube lying between the bladder and the rectum, extending from the cervix to the exterior of the body
Histology:
Childhood: simple cuboidal
Puberty: estrogens transform to stratified squamous
Bacteria ferment glycogen-rich cells producing acidic pH in vagina
The urethra is embedded in the anterior wall
Provides a passageway for birth, menstrual flow, and is the organ of copulation

14. The External Genitalia
External genitalia are collectively called the vulva or pudendum
Mons pubis: mound of fat over pubic symphysis bearing most of the pubic hair
Labia majora: pair of thick folds of skin and adipose tissue inferior to the mons
Labia minora: medial to labia majora are thin hairless folds
Space between forms vestibule which contains urethral and vaginal openings
Anterior margins of labia minora join to form hoodlike prepuce over clitoris
Clitoris: erectile, sensory organ with no urinary role
Primary center for erotic stimulation
Glans, body, and crura
Vestibular bulbs: erectile tissue deep to the labia majora
Cause the vagina to tighten around the penis, enhancing sexual stimulation
Greater and lesser vestibular and paraurethral glands open into vestibule for lubrication

15. The Female Perineum Vaginal orifice Anus Vestibule Prepuce Clitoris
Mons pubis
Perineal raphe
Hymen
Labium majus
Labium minus
Urethral
orifice
(a)

16. The Female Perineum Pubic symphysis Glans Clitoris Crus Ramus of pubis
Urethral
orifice
Vestibular
bulb
Paraurethral
gland
Vaginal
orifice
Greater
vestibular
gland
Ischial
tuberosity
Anus ()

17. The Breasts and Mammary Glands
System of ducts branching through fibrous stroma and converging on the nipple
Mammary gland develops during pregnancy
15 to 20 lobes around the nipple
Lactiferous duct drains each lobe
Dilates to form lactiferous sinus which opens into the nipple

18. The Breast in Lactating State
Adipose tissue
Suspensory ligaments
Lobe
Lobules
Areolar glands
Areola
Nipple
Lactiferous sinus
Lactiferous ducts
(a) Anterior view

19. Ovaries Each follicle consists of an immature egg called an oocyte
Cells around the oocyte are called:
Follicle cells (one cell layer thick)
Granulosa cells (when more than one layer is present)

20. Ovaries
Primordial follicle – one layer of squamouslike follicle cells surrounds the oocyte
Primary follicle – two or more layers of cuboidal granulosa cells enclose the oocyte
Secondary follicle – has a fluid-filled space between granulosa cells that coalesces to form a central antrum
Graafian follicle – secondary follicle at its most mature stage that bulges from the surface of the ovary
Ovulation – ejection of the oocyte from the ripening follicle
Corpus luteum – ruptured follicle after ovulation

21. Oogenesis
Production of female sex cells by meiosis
In the fetal period, oogonia (2n ovarian stem cells) multiply by mitosis and store nutrients
Primordial follicles appear as oogonia are transformed into primary oocytes
Primary oocytes begin meiosis but stall in prophase I
At puberty, one activated primary oocyte produces two haploid cells
The first polar body
The secondary oocyte
The secondary oocyte arrests in metaphase II and is ovulated
If penetrated by sperm the second oocyte completes meiosis II, yielding:
One large ovum (the functional gamete)
A tiny second polar body

22. Events of Oogenesis

23. Ovarian Cycle
Monthly series of events associated with the maturation of an egg
Follicular phase – period of follicle growth (days 1–14)
Luteal phase – period of corpus luteum activity (days 14–28)
Ovulation occurs midcycle

24. Follicular Phase
The primordial follicle, directed by the oocyte, becomes a primary follicle
Primary follicle becomes a secondary follicle
The theca folliculi and granulosa cells produce estrogens
The zona pellucida forms around the oocyte
The antrum is formed
The secondary follicle becomes a vesicular follicle
The antrum expands and isolates the oocyte and the corona radiata
The primary oocyte completes meiosis I, and the stage is set for ovulation

25. Ovulation
Ovulation occurs when the ovary wall ruptures and expels the secondary oocyte
Luteal Phase
After ovulation, the ruptured follicle collapses and forms the corpus luteum
The corpus luteum secretes progesterone and estrogen
If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates
If pregnancy does occur, the corpus luteum produces hormones until the placenta takes over that role (at about 3 months)

26. Feedback Mechanisms in Ovarian Function

28. 4 Phases Typical duration 24-35 days Assume a duration of 28 days
Menstrual phase
Preovulatory phase
Ovulation
Postovulatory phase

29. Menstrual phase or menstruation
Roughly first 5 days of cycle
First day of menstruation is day 1 of new cycle
Events in ovaries
Under FSH influence, several primordial follicles develop into primary follicles ad then into secondary follicles
Takes several months
Follicle that begins to develop in one cycle may not mature for several cycles later
Events in uterus
Menstrual discharge occurs because declining levels of estrogens and progesterone stimulate release of prostaglandins causing uterine spiral arterioles to constrict
Cells deprived of oxygen begin to die
Only stratum basilis remains

30. Ovulation
Rupture of mature (graffian) follicle and release of secondary oocyte
Day 14 of 28 day cycle
High levels of estrogens exert a positive feedback effect on cells secreting LH and GnRH
Ovulation.

31. High levels of
estrogens from
almost mature
follicle stimulate
release of more
GnRH and LH
LH surge
brings about
ovulation
Ovulated
secondary
oocyte
Hypothalamus
Anterior pituitary
GnRH promotes
release of FSH
and more LH
Ovary
Corpus hemorrhagicum
(ruptured follicle)
Almost mature
(graafian) follicle LH
GnRH 1 2 3
High levels of
estrogens from
almost mature
follicle stimulate
release of more
GnRH and LH
Hypothalamus
Anterior pituitary
GnRH promotes
release of FSH
and more LH
Ovary
Corpus hemorrhagicum
(ruptured follicle)
Almost mature
(graafian) follicle LH
GnRH 1 2
High levels of
estrogens from
almost mature
follicle stimulate
release of more
GnRH and LH
Hypothalamus
Anterior pituitary
Ovary
Corpus hemorrhagicum
(ruptured follicle)
Almost mature
(graafian) follicle LH
GnRH 1

32. Menopause
Ovulation and menses cease entirely
Without sufficient estrogen, reproductive organs and breasts atrophy
Irritability and depression result
Skin blood vessels undergo intense vasodilation (hot flashes occur)
Gradual thinning of the skin and bone loss
Males have no equivalent to menopause