Lecture 36: Female reproduction 1

Question 1

What is the functions of the female reproductive system?

Answer 1

• To produce oocytes (female gamete)
• Transport ova and spermatozoa to the appropriate
  site for fertilization
• Provides a site for the developing embryo and fetus
  to grow – protection, nourishment
• Delivery of fetus

Question 2

What is the perineum?

Answer 2

Region inferior to the pelvic floor and between upper region of the thighs

Question 3

What is the female external genitalia called?

Answer 3

vulva

Question 4

What is the mons pubis?

Answer 4

Layer of fat tissue in front of the pubic symphysis for protection. Also where pubic hair grows

Question 5

What are the two labia types of the vulva and where are they?

Answer 5

Labia (meaning lips)

major (labia majora) - larger and more lateral

minor (labia minora) - smaller and more medial

Question 6

The space between the labia minora including the vagina is known as?

Answer 6

the vestibule

(Labia minora spreads around the vagina and the
urethral (meatus) openings)

Question 7

Where are vestibular glands and what are their role?

Answer 7

Deep to the labia are vestibular glands which
lubricate the vaginal orifice especially when aroused (comparable to the bulbourethral glands in males)

Question 8

What is the clitoris, what does it contain and is it similar to the penis?

Answer 8

• Complex erectile organ
• Has Glans, body, crura (x2), bulbs (x2)
• Developmentally homologous to the penis

BUT…

• Urethra has separate opening, urethra does not pass
  through the clitoris

Question 9

What does the vulva incorporate? ie what does it contain?

Answer 9

• The vulva incorporates the mons pubis, labia
  majora and minora, vestibule, vestibular
  glands and the clitoris.

Question 10

What are the 5 main structures of the female reproductive tract?

Answer 10

–Ovary
–Uterine tubes
–Uterus
–Cervix
–Vagina

Question 11

What arteries are remodeled that supply the uterus during pregnancy?

Answer 11

The Spiral (coiled) arteries - modified to supply nutrients to the developing fetus

The spiral arteries are also thought to be the main source of blood loss during menstruation

Question 12

What are the three part of the uterine tube?

Answer 12

Most lateral portion:
= infundibulum
* funnel shaped with finger like projections called fimbriae

Mid-portion:
= ampulla
* dilated area where fertilisation occurs (normally)

Most medial portion:
= isthmus
* means “narrow passage”

Question 13

Does the uterus lie perfectly straight up?

Answer 13

No the uterus lies at an anti-flex angle (looks bent over)

Question 14

What are the three regions of the uterus?

Answer 14

The fundus - the top part of the uterus important in childbirth

The body or main section of the uterus

The cervix which is the lower narrow portion of the uterus

Question 15

What is the three layers of the uterus?

Answer 15

Perimetrium
* outer layer (connective tissue)

Myometrium:
* middle layer of smooth muscle
* the thickest layer of the uterus wall

Endometrium - inner layer
* columnar epithelium
* has uterine glands and arteries
* Layer that grows and sheds during menstrual cycle

REMEMBER, metrium means ‘of the womb’

Question 16

What is the three regions of the cervix and what functions does it have?

Answer 16

Has:
* External os
* Cervical canal
* Internal os

• Cervical canal provides passage between uterine
  cavity and vagina
• Produces cervical mucus (more fluid when fertile for better sperm transport) more thick during unfertile periods
• Regulates sperm transport

Question 17

What is the vagina? Where is it? What important structural features does it have?

Answer 17

• Fibromuscular, distensible female copulatory organ

Where:
* Lies between the urinary bladder & rectum
* Extends from the perineum to the cervix

Functions:
* Also functions as part of the the birth canal
* Vagina has rugae to provide stretch capacity

Question 18

Where do the arteries that supply the ovaries, uterus and vagina respectively branch from?

Answer 18

Ovarian arteries that supply the ovaries directly branches of the abdominal aorta

The uterine and vaginal arteries both branch from the internal iliac artery

Question 19

Describe the uterine blood supply:

Answer 19

The uterine artery branches from the internal iliac,

it then branches into the Arcuate arteries within the myometirum, that wrap around the uterus,

finally the Arcuate arteries differentiate into radial arteries which extend into the endometrium

Note: 2 types of radial arteries - straight arteries (supply the basal layer of the endometrium) and spiral arteries (supply the functional layer of the endometrium)

Question 20

Where does fertilisation normally occur?

Answer 20

In the ampulla of uterine tubes

Question 21

What are the female gonads?

Answer 21

The ovaries

Question 22

Where do oocytes develop?

Answer 22

Oocytes develop within follicles (like nests) in the ovaries

Question 23

Describe the ovaries position, what features it has and what their role is:

Answer 23

• Bilateral structures
• Lateral and posterior to the uterus
• Lateral portion of the true pelvic cavity
• Outer cortex (follicles) and inner medulla (connective
  tissue, blood/lymphatic vessels, nerves)
• Site of oogenesis and hormone production (e.g. oestradiol)

Question 24

Where can follicles be found?

Answer 24

Outer cortex of the ovary, where the oocyte develops will be where it leaves the ovary

Question 25

What are the four main important ligaments of the female reproductive system?

Answer 25

• Broad ligament - like a bed sheet over the uterus (two layers)
• Ovarian ligament - attaches the ovaries to the body of the uterus
• Suspensory ligament - attach each ovary to the pelvic sidewall
• Round ligament - Anterior surface of uterus around inguinal canal and down and out to the labia

Question 26

What is the broad ligament and what are the three regions of this?

Answer 26

• Peritoneum folds and presses over structures to create
  other ligaments
• Mesometrium (“of the womb/mother”)
• Mesosalpinx (“of the tube”)
• Mesovarium (“of the ovary”)

MAKE SURE YOU CAN LABEL THESE IT IS NOT SO OBVIOUS (slide 26)

Question 27

What is the tunica albuginea in females?

Answer 27

The tunica albuginea is a dense connective tissue capsule that sits beneath the germinal epithelium of the ovary (outerlayer)

Question 28

Where are oocytes released from the ovaries?

Answer 28

Oocytes released into pelvic cavity then taken up by fimbriae and uterine tube

Question 29

What are the two important pouches that the broad ligament creates in the female reproductive system?

Answer 29

vesicouterine pouch: Front
Continuous fold of broad ligament (visceral
peritoneum) over anteriorly located bladder

rectouterine pouch: back
Continuous fold of broad ligament (visceral peritoneum) over posteriorly located rectum

Question 30

What is the location and function of breasts?

Answer 30

• Lie on pectoralis major muscles.
• Function to nourish infants.

Question 31

What two hormones can stimulate breast development?

Answer 31

• Estradiol and progesterone stimulate development of breast tissue

Question 32

What supports the glands inside breast tissue?

Answer 32

• Suspensory ligaments support the glands

Question 33

What are the structures of the breast in terms of milk pathway?

Answer 33

• Lobes –> lobules –> alveoli –> lactiferous ducts –> lactiferous sinuses that open at nipple pores.

Question 34

Which cells produce breast milk and where?

Answer 34

Epithelial cells produce milk in the alveoli of the breasts (grape like structure)

Question 35

Which artery associated with the female reproductive tract branches directly off the abdominal aorta? Which ligament does this artery run through?

Answer 35

The Ovarian arteries branch directly off the abdominal aorta and run through the suspensory ligament

Question 36

Name the fingerlike projections on the infundibulum. What is their purpose?

Answer 36

The fimbriae, their role is to catch the oocyte when it is released from the ovaries and transport this up the uterine tubes (essential for fertilisation)