Lecture 36 - Female reproductive system Flashcards
How many sperm are produced from one primary spermatocyte?
1 primary spermatocyte produces 4 spermatozoa
Which accessory gland contributes the most to seminal fluid in terms of volume?
Seminal vesicles supply about 60%
What is the specific name of the process by which spermatids become spermatozoa?
Spermiogenesis
Function of the female reproductive system
To produce oocytes (female gamete)
Transport ova and spermatozoa to the appropriate site for fertilisation
Provides a site for the developing embryo and fetes to grow - protection, nourishment
Delivery of fetus
Female perineum
Region inferior to the pelvic floor and between the upper region of the thighs
Urogenitial triangle - urethrea and the external genitalia (vulva) and the opening to the vagina
Anal triangle contains the anus which is surrounded by fat tissue
Urogenital triangle for females
Urogenitial triangle - urethrea and the external genitalia (vulva) and the opening to the vagina
Anal triangle for females
Anal triangle contains the anus which is surrounded by fat tissue
Vulva
External genitalia
Also known as the pudendum
Mons pubis - in front of the pubic symphysis, this is adipose tissue that is sitting over the pubic symphysis and the skin on the mons pubis groups thick pubic hair from puberty onwards, it is the most anterior
Labia (means lips) - 2 lip like structures
Major (labia majora ) - larger and more lateral (pubic hair also grows on the more lateral surface of the labia majora
Minor (labia minora) - smaller and more medial, the innermost lips
Space between (associated with the vagina) is the vestibule -they surround a region around the opening of the urethra and the opening of the vagina which is known as the vestibule - so the labia are there to close over and protect the vestibule with its urethral and vaginal openings
Deep to the labia are the vestibular glands which lubricate the vaginal orifice
Labia minora spreads around the vagina and the urethral openings
Clitoris - complex erectile organ
Mons pubis
Mons pubis - in front of the pubic symphysis, this is adipose tissue that is sitting over the pubic symphysis and the skin on the mons pubis groups thick pubic hair from puberty onwards, it is the most anterior
Labia
Labia (means lips) - 2 lip like structures
Major (labia majora ) - larger and more lateral (pubic hair also grows on the more lateral surface of the labia majora
Minor (labia minora) - smaller and more medial, the innermost lips
Space between (associated with the vagina) is the vestibule -they surround a region around the opening of the urethra and the opening of the vagina which is known as the vestibule - so the labia are there to close over and protect the vestibule with its urethral and vaginal openings
Labia majora
Major (labia majora ) - larger and more lateral (pubic hair also grows on the more lateral surface of the labia majora
Labia minora
Minor (labia minora) - smaller and more medial, the innermost lips
Vestibule
Space between (associated with the vagina) is the vestibule -they surround a region around the opening of the urethra and the opening of the vagina which is known as the vestibule - so the labia are there to close over and protect the vestibule with its urethral and vaginal openings
Singular of labia
Labium
Vestibular glands
Deep to the labia are the vestibular glands which lubricate the vaginal orifice
There are both lesser and greater vestibular glands, the lesser vestibular glands open into the vestibule and their secretions help lubricate the vestibule and keep it moist on a day to day basis, the greater vestibular glands are deep to the labia and they secrete their secretions when a female is aroused and this is important in not only lubricating the vestibule but also the lower part of the vagina
The vestibular glands or the greater vestibular glands as they are known more specifically are developmentally homologous to the bulbourethral glands in the male
Openings are just at the surface near the opening of the vagina
Clitoris
Complex erectile organ
Glans (can be seen externally), body, crura (x2) (wishbone like structures which sit close and adjacent to the pelvic bone), bulbs (x2) - the crura and bulbs sit deep to the labia minora
Only part of the clitoris that you can see externally is the glans ciltoris which is covered by a fold of skin known as the prepuce (hood of skin surrounding the clitoris)
Developmentally homologous to the penis (to the corpa cavernosa in the penis). But, the urethra does not pass through the clitoris. The urethra has a separate opening to the vagina itself
The perineum is divided into 2 regions known as the …
Urogenital and anal triangle
Which triangle contains the female external genitalia? What is it collectively known as?
Urogenital triangle contains the female external genitialia which is collectively known as the vulva
What does the vulva incorporate?
Incorporates the mons pubis, labia majora and labia minora, vestibule, vestibular glands and the clitoris
Structures that are a part of the female reproductive tract
Ovary Uterine tubes Uterus Cervix Vagina
Ovary
Bilateral structures
Lateral and posterior to the uterus
Lateral portion of the true pelvic cavity
Outer cortex (follicles, is where you find the oocytes) and inner medulla (connective tissue, blood/lymphatic vessels, nerves (these supply the ovary))
Site of oogenesis and hormone production (e.g. estradiol)
Oocytes develop within follicles - Each single oocyte is in a follicle, the oocytes and follicles are developing as a part of an ovarian cycle, follicular cells that surrounded the oocyte produce the hormones (estradiol, inhibin but there is a third one in the female that is produce by corpus luteum which is called progesterone)
Primary ovarian follicle to secondary ovarian follicle to tertiary ovarian follicle
Female gonad
This is where oogenesis takes place
If an oocyte is ovulated, it is released from the surface of the ovary and hopefully it is collected up into the uterine tube (more commonly known as the fallopian tube)
Uterus
The uterus is a hollow muscular organ located in the female pelvis between the bladder and rectum. The ovaries produce the eggs that travel through the fallopian tubes. Once the egg has left the ovary it can be fertilized and implant itself in the lining of the uterus.
This is the tissue where the blastocyst (an oocyte that has been fertilised) has to implant
It is the uterus that has to interact with the fetal membranes to allow the placenta to develop which is going to provide the nourishment and support for a developing embryo and then foetus
Uterus has the capability to stretch and to grow to allow for the developing foetus and subsequently it has the musculature in order to help with contractions to push the baby out
Fundus contains some very thick muscular tissue that is where the main contractions come from that birth a foetus