Lecture 36 Female reproductive system Flashcards
whats are the functions 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
whats the Female Perineum?
Region inferior to the pelvic floor and between upper region of the thighs
whats the 2 parts the Female Perineum divided into?
- Urogenital triangle: External genitalia = vulva.
* Anal triangle: anus
whats the Urogenital triangle?
urethra vulva (external genitalia)
Whats the vulva also known as?
Pudendum
Whats the different regions of the vulva?
Mons pubis
Labia (2 major and minor)
whats the Mons pubis?
- Pubic mountain
- Layer of adipose tissue that lies in front (over) the pubic symphysis
- Where pubic hair grows
what are the 2 sets of the labia?
- major (labia majora) - larger and more lateral
* minor (labia minora) - smaller and more medial
whats the major (labia majora)?
larger and more lateral
whats the minor (labia minora)?
smaller and more medial
within the labia minora theres an area of tissue called the what?
Vestibule
what does the Vestibule surround?
urethra and vagina
where are vestibular glands and what is its function?
lubricate the vaginal orifice.
where does the Labia minora spreads around?
vagina and urethral (meatus) openings
whats the 2 vestibular glands?
Lesser vestibular glands
Greater vestibular glands
whats the vestibule?
space between labia minora and is associated with vagina
wheres the vestibular glands?
Deep to the labia
where does the Labia minora spread around?
vagina and the urethral (meatus) openings
whats Lesser vestibular glands?
Open more anteriorly within vestibule
Function to lubricate the vestibule and keep it moist
whats Greater vestibular glands role?
during arousal, provide lubrication of vestibule and vagina (inferior part) during arousal
wheres Greater vestibular glands located?
under the labia minora
whats clitoris?
Complex erectile organ
Developmentally homologous to the penis
what are the clitoris erectile tissues?
Glans,
body,
2 crura (1 on each side of glans),
2 bulbs (Plura) of vestibule
Greater vestibular glands help
Lubricate vagina and vestibule during arousal
does the urethra pass through clitoris?
no
Urethra has separate opening
Whats the 2 regions the perineum is divided into?
Urogenital triangle
Anal triangle
Which triangle contains the female external genitalia?
Urogenital
What is the female external genitalia known as?
Vulva
What does the vulva incorporate?
Mons pubis Labia majora Labia minora Vestibule Vestibular glands Clitoris
What are the structures of the internal female reproductive tract?
–Ovary –Uterine tubes –Uterus –Cervix –Vagina
whats ovary?
Female gonad
Where oocytes produced
At time of ovulation an oocyte will be released into the ______ and will be gathered up by the _____ at the end of the _______ and gather into the _____ tube
pelvic cavity
fimbriae
infundibulum
uterine
whats Most lateral portion of the uterine tube?
Infundibulum (funnel shaped) with fimbriae (fingerlike projections) at end
whats Greatest length of the uterine tube?
Ampulla (usual site for fertilisation)
From ampulla into region called the
isthmus
Isthmus opens up into
Lumen of uterus
Uterus incorporates 2 main parts what are they?
Body of uterus (also includes fundas)
Cervix
whats Uterus function?
Allows transport of sperm up to the site of fertilisation (ampulla)
what actions occurs in the endometrium of the uterus?
implantation, foetus development, placenta forms - gas exchange, nutrition between foetus and mother
whats cervix?
Regulates sperm transport of menstrual cycle
Protrudes into the top of vagina
Whats the gap between the wall of the vagina and wall of cervix called?
Fornix
whats the vagina part of?
birth canal
Posterior view of female
pathway
Ovary (produce oocytes)
Uterine tube (infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus)
Uterus body with fundus (lined by endometrium)
Cervix
Fornix
Vagina
Part of the uterine tube that has fimbriae
Infundibulum
Part of the uterine tube that is the longest
Ampulla
Part of the uterine tube that leads into the uterus
Isthmus
Body of the uterus there is a domed like structure called the
Fundus of uterus lined by endometrium
Cervix protrudes into the top of the
Vagina
what happens During process of ovulation?
Fimbriae of infundibulum will cover ovary and try get the ovulated oocyte into the uterine tube
Oocyte travel up to the
Ampulla
Ampulla
Common site of fertilisation
Down from ampulla in region will go into the uterine lumen known as
Isthmus
Isthmus
Narrow passage
Allows sperm to travel up or fertilized oocyte (known as blastocyst) down into the uterine lumen
the Uterus is lined by endometrium which allows
Remodelling
Implantation
Developing embryo
Formation of placenta (gas exchange, nutrients)
Has muscular tube that has to push and contract to allow birth to occur
The gap between walls of cervix and vagina
Fornix
What are the layers that make up the wall of the uterus?
from outer to inner
Perimetrium
Myometrium
Endometrium
whats Perimetrium?
Outer layer wall of uterus
Connective tissue
whats Myometrium?
Middle layer wall of uterus
Thick smooth muscle
whats Endometrium?
Inner layer / mucosa wall of uterus
columnar epithelium,
uterine glands
arteries
what layer of the uterus wall grows and sheds during menstrual cycle?
Endometrium breaks down and bleeds.
whats the 2 regions of the endometrium?
Functional layer (functionalis) Basal layer (stratum basalis) - Next to myometrium
what does Functionalis endothelium do?
Remodelling
Growth
Maturation
Breaks down and bleeds during female menstruation
Cervix is part of the
uterus
Lumen of uterus is separated from the vagina via
Cervical canal
Whats at the interior part of the cervical canal?
Opening is known as internal os
The opening into the vagina of the cervical canal is known as
External os
what provides passage between uterine cavity and vagina?
Cervical canal
what does the cervix consist of?
- External os
- Cervical canal
- Internal os
what does the cervix do?
- Produces cervical mucus
* Regulates sperm transport
what does the cervical mucus do?
protect uterus against infection and regulates sperm transport into uterus
what is the consistency of the cervical mucous during ovulation?
thin and watery to allow movement of the sperm through the cervix
what is the consistency of the cervical mucous after ovulation?
Thicker and more viscous
More inhibitory for movement of sperm
Better at protection for any infection travelling up the uterus
At top of vagina is the
Cervix with the external os
And the gap known as the fornix
Vagina extends from
Top of the cervix down to perineum where it opens out into the vestibule of the vulva
what are the 2 functions of the vagina?
Copulatory organ
Part of the birth canal
what is the vagina?
• Fibromuscular, distensible female copulatory organ
where does the vagina lie and extend from?
- Lies between the urinary bladder & rectum
* Extends from the perineum to the cervix
where does the blood supply for the female reproductive tract comes from?
direct branches off the abdominal aorta and internal iliac arteries (often anastomose/connect)
what supplies blood to ovary?
Ovarian artery that arise from the abdominal aorta
what supplies blood to uterus?
Uterine artery (spiral arteries) that arise from the common internal iliac arteries
what supplies blood to vagina?
Vagina artery that arise from the common internal iliac arteries and uterine artery
straight arteries feed into what layer of the endometrium?
basal layer of the endometrium
Spiral arterioles feed into what layer of the endometrium?
functional layer
main source of bleeding during menstruation
What are the three regions that make up the uterine tubes?
Infundibulum
Ampulla
isthmus
Where does fertilization occurs?
Ampulla of uterine tube
What are the three layers in the uterus?
Perimetrium
Myometrium
Endometrium
What does the The uterus consists of?
Body (with fundus)
Cervix.
What is a fibromuscular copulatory organ that also functions as part of the birth canal?
Vagina
whats Ovary (female gonad) 2 functions?
Produce female gametes oocytes (site of oogenesis)
Produce hormones - estradiol, progesterone, inhibin
whats the structure of ovary?
Outer cortex (follicles) where you find oocytes Inner medulla where you find CT, blood /lymphatics and nerves
whats follicles?
outer cortex in ovary
where oocytes develop
what are the stages of Ovary follicles?
Primordial follicles Primary ovarian follicle Secondary ovarian follicle Tertiary ovarian follicle Ruptured follicle
what does ruptured follicle do?
Ovulates out a mature oocyte
Oocyte released into pelvic cavity
Fimbriae close by to take up oocyte into the uterine tube and head for fertilisation
When the follicle ruptures the follicle begins to
Differentiate and change and forms corpus luteum
what does the Corpus luteum do?
Main source of progesterone during menstrual cycle
what happens At the end of menstrual cycle and there is no pregnancy?
corpus luteum will involute and breakdown and form a small tissue known as corpus albicans
Ligaments function of the Female Reproductive System
Hold uterus in appropriate place within pelvic cavity
what creates other ligaments of the Female Reproductive System?
Peritoneum folds and presses over structures
what are the ligaments of the Female Reproductive System?
- Broad ligament
- Ovarian ligament
- Suspensory ligament
- Round ligament
where does ovarian ligament attach?
lateral surface of the ovary and lateral surface of the uterus more posteriorly
where does Suspensory ligament attach?
Lateral surface of ovary (one closest to the body wall), tucks in under uterine tube and then out towards the pelvic side wall
ovarian artery/veins supply to the ovary from via
The suspensory ligament
Ovarian artery branch from the abdominal aorta travels in via
The suspensory ligament into and around the ovary and reproductive tissues
where does the round ligament extend?
adjacent to uterine tube and heads down via the inguinal canal down to the labia majora
anterior
whats broad ligament?
2 folds/sheets adjacent to each other of the peritoneum where joins together
goes over part of the ovary as it goes up over the the uterine tubes and the uterus
what are the 3 regions of the broad ligament?
Mesometrium (of the womb/uterus)
Mesosalpinx (uterine tube)
Mesovarium
does the broad ligament cover the ovary completely? and why?
No
when ovulation occurs the oocytes are ovulated out into the pelvic cavity
means the infundibulum opens out into the pelvic cavity, not covered with peritoneum
what does the Sheet of peritoneum cover?
Fundus and body of uterus
Uterine tube
Ovary
wheres the peritoneum of Mesometrium?
Adjacent to uterus
wheres the peritoneum of Mesovarium?
folded over the ovary
wheres the peritoneum of Mesosalpinx ?
over the uterine tube, 2 folds together
whats the vesicouterine pouch?
Continuous fold of broad ligament (visceral peritoneum) over anteriorly located bladder
whats the rectouterine pouch?
Continuous fold of broad ligament (visceral
peritoneum) over posteriorly located rectum
what do pouches (rectouterine and vesicouterine) provide?
Space for developing embryo/foetus to grow and then take place in the abdominal cavity
whats the function of Breasts (mammary glands)?
nourish infants.
where do mammary glands lie?
on pectoralis major muscles.
what hormones stimulate the growth of breast tissue?
Estradiol and progesterone
Breasts (mammary glands)
adipose
estradiol and progesterone
pectoralis major muscle
mammary glands made up of
lobes
- > lobules
- > alveoli
- > lactiferous ducts
- > lactiferous sinuses (that open at nipple pores)
what ligaments support the mammary gland?
Suspensory ligaments thats then attached to pectoralis muscle
whats Alveoli responsible for?
Production and secretion of the milk
wheres Milk transported through?
Lactiferous ducts then into lactiferous sinuses
what do lactiferous sinuses serve as?
a reservoir for milk
What is the female gonad and is the source of female gametes (oocytes) and hormones?
Ovary
Oocytes are found within follicles, which are found where in the ovary?
Cortex
Female reproductive structures are held in place by a complicated network of ligaments that:
Anchor and support
Have vasculature and nerves running through them
Form anatomical boundaries (i.e. pouches)
Ovaries posterior and lateral
To the uterus
To the uterus
Bladder
Name the layers of the uterine wall from outermost to innermost. Which layer is shed during menstruation?
Perimetrium, myometrium, endometrium
The endometrium is shed during menstruation
Which artery associated with the female reproductive tract branches directly off the abdominal aorta? Which ligament does this artery run through?
Ovarian artery
Runs through the suspensory ligament
Name the fingerlike projections on the infundibulum. What is their purpose?
Fimbriae
Help guide the oocyte to the opening of the uterine tube
