Female Reproductive System Functions

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Female
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Reproductive

The Female Reproductive System
 Functions
 Produces the female egg cells
 Transports the eggs to the site of fertilization
 The fertilization of an egg by a sperm, occurs in the fallopian tubes
 After fertilization, provides a place for a baby to develop
 If fertilization does not take place, the system is designed to
menstruate
 Produces female sex hormones that maintain the reproductive cycle
 The female reproductive system consists of:
 A pair of ovaries along with
 A pair of oviducts,
 Uterus,
 Cervix,
 Vagina
 The external genitalia located in pelvic region.
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The Female Reproductive System
 These parts of the system along with a pair of the mammary
glands are integrated structurally and functionally to support the
processes of ovulation, fertilization, pregnancy, birth and
child care.

Ovaries
 Ovaries are the primary female sex organs that produce the female
gamete (ovum) and several steroid hormones (ovarian hormones).
 Oval-shaped glands that are located on either side of the uterus.
 The ovaries are located one on each side of the lower abdomen.
 Each ovary is about 2 to 4 cm in length and is connected to the
pelvic wall and uterus by ligaments.
Location of
Ovaries

 Each ovary has a hilus – blood vessels and nerves enter
 Several layers:
 Germinal epithelium – simple squalors cells
 Tunica albuginea- white capsule of C. T.
 Stroma – connective tissue, can be divided into:
 Medulla – loose connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves
 Cortex - contains ovarian follicles – consist of oocytes at various
stages of development
 Single layer – follicular cells
 Several layers – granulosa cells
 Mature or Graafian follicle is a large, fluid-filled follicle that
will rupture and release a secondary oocyte in process called
ovulation.
 Corpus luteum is the remnant of a ruptured follicle – produces
estrogen, progesterone and relaxin until degenerates into the
corpus albicans.

Ovary

Oogenesis
 During fetal development, germ cells differentiate into oogonia 
millions of germ cells.
 Many degenerate, but a few develop into primary oocytes that enter
Prophase I of meiosis before birth – stop there.
 At birth, about 1 million oogonia and primary oocytes in each ovary.
 About 400 mature over a woman’s lifetime.
 Primordial follicle – primary oocyte and single layer of follicular cells
 Layer of glycoprotein, the zona pellucida, separates oocyte from the
granulosa cells.
 Ovarian cells outside follicle form two layers:
 Inner vascular layer (theca interna) that secretes hormones
 Outer fibrous layer (theca externa) – connective tissue.
 Granulosa cells begin to secrete fluid, forms a cavity called the
antrum. After puberty, each month one secondary follicle resumes
meiosis. Meiosis I results in two unequal cells – secondary oocyte
and a polar body. Begins to divide again but stops at metaphase II.

Oogenesis z

Oogenesis
 Nuclei of ovum and
sperm unite to form a
zygote. (2n or diploid).
 So, meiosis results in
ONE OVUM and three
polar bodies (which
degenerate).
 At ovulation, secondary oocyte and polar body are released.
 If not fertilized, degenerates.
 If penetrated by sperm, meiosis resumes, forming ovum and
another polar body.

Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes
 Narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of the uterus and
serve as tunnels for the egg cell to travel from the ovaries to the
uterus.
 Fertilization of an egg by a sperm, normally occurs in the fallopian
tubes.
 The fertilized egg then moves to the uterus, where it implants into
the lining of the uterine wall .
 Fertilization can occur up to about 24 hours after ovulation.
 If oocyte is fertilized, it will reach the uterus in about 7 days.
Uterine Tube &
Ciliated cells

The Uterus
 An organ about the size and shape of an inverted pear.
 Functions in menstruation, implantation of zygote, development of
the fetus, and labor.
 Also part of the pathway for sperm to reach ovum.
 Uterus can be divided into:
 Fundus – domed upper portion
 Body – main portion
 Cervix – narrow, lower section extending into vagina (cervical orifice)

The Uterus
 Layers of uterus:
 Perimetrium
 a part of visceral
peritoneum
 Myometrium
 Bulk of uterus
 Three layers of muscle that
contract under influence of
oxytocin during labor.
 Endometrium – Highly vascular mucosa
 Stratum functionalis – Shed during menstruation
 Stratum basalis – Deeper, permanent layer, gives rise to new
stratum functionalis after each cycle.

Vagina
 Canal that joins the cervix (the lower part of uterus) to the outside of
the body
 Also is known as the birth canal
 Passageway for sperm and menstrual flow
 Capable of considerable distention (stretching)
 Contains large stores of glycogen which decomposes to organic acids
– lower pH = less susceptible to infection & less hospitable to sperm.
External Genitalia
 Collectively known as the vulva
 Labia majora
 Rounded folds of adipose tissue and skin
 Protect other external reproductive organs

External Genitalia
 Labia minora
 Fold of skin between labia majora
 Very vascular
 Merge to form hood over clitoris
 Vestibule – space enclosed by labia minora
 Bartholin’s glands secrete mucus during sexual arousal
 Clitoris
 Anterior to urethral meatus
 Contains female erectile tissue
 Rich in sensory nerves
 Perineum
 Between vagina and anus
 Area for episiotomy, if needed, during birth process

Reproductive Cycle
 Menstrual cycle
 Regular changes in uterine lining, resulting in monthly bleeding
 Menarche
 First menstrual period
 Menopause
 Termination of cycle due to normal aging of ovaries
Phases of the Female Reproductive Cycle
 Type cycle runs 24 -35 days, 28 days ave.
 Three phases:
 Menstrual phase
 Preovulatory phase
 Postovulatory phase

Menstrual phase
 Days 1 – 5
 FSH release stimulates the
maturation of follicles. 20 or so
follicles, some in each ovary
begin to enlarge.
 In the uterus, the stratum
functionalis is shed, discharging
50 -150 ml of blood, tissue
fluid, mucus and epithelial
cells.
 Declines of estrogen and progesterone cause the spiral arteries
to constrict, cells become ischemic and die, and are sloughed off.

Preovulatory phase
 Most variable in length, us. Day 6 – 13
 Follicles continue to grow, granulosa cells produce increasing
amounts of estrogen and some progesterone. This causes
LH to be secreted, but stored in the pituitary.
 Dominant follicle secretes inhibin, inhibiting growth of other
follicles, and continues to develop into a mature follicle.
 Called follicular phase in ovary.
 In the uterus, the estrogens produced by the developing
follicles cause the cells of the stratum basalis to produce a
new stratum functionalis, and thickness of endometrial
doubles.
 Proliferative phase in uterus.

Postovulatory phase
 Postovulatory phase most constant in duration at 14 days,
days 15 – 28.
 In ovaries called the luteal phase.
 If fertilization does not occur, at end of two weeks the
secretions of corpus luteum decline, and it degenerates into
corpus albicans (white body)
 In the uterus, progesterone promotes :
 growth of endometrial glands which secrete glycogen
 Vacularization of stratum functionalis
 Increase in amount of tissue fluid
 These changes reach a peak about one week after
ovulation, about the time the fertilized ovum would arrive.
 Called secretory phase in uterus

Mammary glands
 Accessory organs of the female reproductive system
 Modified sweat glands
 Function is to synthesize, secrete and eject milk (lactation)
 Lie over the pectoralis major muscles
 Are attached to fascia by the suspensory ligaments (of Cooper)
 Breast size is determined more by fat than by glandular tissue.
 Each breast has 15 – 20 lobes made up of several lobules.
 Lobules are made of milk-secreting cells arranged in alveoli.
 Alveoli are surrounded by myoepithelial cells which contract to
move milk out of alveoli.
 Milk passes from alveoli to secondary tubules into mammary
ducts.

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Female Reproductive System Functions

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Female Reproductive System Functions