Lecture 36- Female reproductive system 1 Flashcards
What is the function of the female reproductive system?
-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
What is the female perineum divided into? What do these regions contain?
- Urogenital triangle: External genitalia = vulva.
- Anal triangle: anus
What is the mons pubis?
Area of female perineum in front of the pubic
symphysis (where lots of hair grows)
Describe the labia…
2 lip like structures
- major (labia majora) - larger and more lateral
- minor (labia minora) - smaller and more medial
What is the space between the labia majora and labia minora called?
Vestibule
What is the external female genitalia known as?
Vulva
What is the external female genitalia known as?
Vulva
What lies deep to the labia and has a function in lubricating the vaginal orifice (opening)?
Vestibular glands
What does the Labia minora spread around?
The vagina and the urethral (meatus) openings
What is the complex erectile organ in the vagina?
Clitoris
What is the clitoris made up of?
- Glans
- Body
- Crura (x2)
- Bulbs (x2)
How is the clitoris similar but yet different from the penis in males?
- Developmentally homologous to the penis (both the erectile organs)
- Different as the urethra doesn’t pass through the clitoris like it does in the penis
What does the body of the clitoris contain?
Corpora Cavernosa
What structures does the female reproductive tract consist of? What occurs at each?
- Ovary= Where oogenesis takes place
- Uterine tubes(Fallopian tube)= site of fertilization
- Uterus= Where the embryo and fetus will develop
- Cervix= Inferior part, has to dilate to allow passage of fetus during birth
- Vagina= Site of insemination/ sperm goes up
What does the uterus lie over? What is the term of this?
Bladder, antiplexed
What are the three sections that the uterine tube is divided into?
-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”
What are the three layers of the uterus wall?
- Perimetrium = outer layer (connective tissue)
- Myometrium = middle layer (smooth muscle)
- Endometrium = inner layer (columnar epithelium, uterine glands and arteries)
What layer of the uterus wall is shed during menstration?
Endometrium
Describe the cervix…
- Cervical canal provides passage between uterine cavity and vagina and consist of the internal os, cervical canal and external os
- Produces cervical mucus
- Regulates sperm transport (Watery before ovulation, then becomes thicker to prevent sperm movement and help protect against infection after ovulation)
What is the function and location of the vagina?
- Fibromuscular, distensible female copulatory organ
- Also functions as part of the the birth canal
- Lies between the urinary bladder & rectum
- Extends from the perineum to the cervix
How is blood supplied to the ovaries?
By the ovarian arteries which arise from abdominal aorta and travel by the suspensory ligament
How is blood supplied to the uterus?
The uterine artery which arises from the internal lilac artery (goes to arcuate and then radial before the uterine)
Spiral arteries feed into the functional layer of the wall and are a major source of blood loss in menstruation also remodeled in placenta formation
How is blood supplied to the vagina?
Vaginal artery (complex vascular network in artery walls)
How are the ovaries positioned?
- Bilateral structures (two of them)
- Lateral and posterior to the uterus
- Lateral portion of the true pelvic cavity
What are the two ‘layers’ of the ovaries?
- Outer cortex (follicles)
- Inner medulla (connective tissue, blood/lymphatic vessels, nerves)
Where does oogenesis occur in the ovaries? What is another function of the ovaries?
- Oocytes develop within follicles
- Hormone production
What are the names of the four ligaments in the reproductive system?
- Broad ligament
- Ovarian ligament
- Suspensory ligament
- Round ligament
What other ligaments in the female reproductive system are created by the folding of the peritoneum?
- Mesometrium (“of the womb/mother”)
- Mesosalpinx (“of the tube”)
- Mesovarium (“of the ovary”)
What pouches are created in the female reproductive system? What do these pouches allow?
-Continuous fold of broad ligament (visceral
peritoneum) over posteriorly located rectum
= rectouterine pouch
-Continuous fold of broad ligament (visceral
peritoneum) over anteriorly located bladder
= vesicouterine pouch
-Pouches provide extra space for the fetus to develop in pregnancy
What is the function of the female breasts? Where are the located in relation to muscles?
- To nourish infants.
- Lie on pectoralis major muscles.
What two hormones stimulate breast development?
-Estradiol and progesterone
What is the sequence that makes up the mammalian breast? What supports the glands?
-Lobes
-Lobules
-Alveoli
-Lactiferous ducts
-Lactiferous sinuses that open at
nipple pores.
-Suspensory ligaments support the glands.
