Lecture 36: Female reproductive system I Flashcards
What does the female reproductive system have to produce?
Oocytes
What does the female reproductive system have to transport, and where to?
Has to transport ova and spermatozoa to the appropriate site for fertilization
What does the female reproductive system have to provide a site for?
Developing embryo and fetus to grow
What is the female perineum?
The region inferior to the pelvic floor and between the upper region of the thighs
What is contained in the female urogenital triangle?
External genitalia (vulva)
What is contained in the female anal triangle?
Anus
Where is the Mons pubis?
In front of the pubic symphysis
What are the labia?
2 lip like structures
What are the 2 parts of the labia?
- Major (labia major)
- Minor (labia minora)
What are 2 features of the Labia majora?
- Larger
- More lateral
What are 2 features of the labia minora?
- Smaller
- More medial
What is the space between the labia?
The vestibule
Deep to the labia are what?
Vestibular glands
What is the function of the vestibular glands?
Lubricate the vaginal orifice
Labia minora spread around what?
Around the vagina and the urethral (meatus) opening
What is the clitoris?
Complex erectile organ
What are the sections of the clitoris?
4
- Glans
- Body
- 2 Cura
- 2 bulbs
The clitoris is developmentally homologous to what?
The penis
The urethra does not what?
Pass through the clitoris
What are the parts of the female reproductive tract?
5
- Ovary
- Uterine tubes
- Uterus
- Cervix
- Vagina
What are the 3 portions of the uterine tube?
- Infundibulum
- Ampulla
- Isthmus
What is the most lateral portion of the uterine tube?
The infundibulum
What is the shape of the infundibulum?
Funnel shaped with finger like projections called fimbriae
What is the mid-portion of the uterine tube?
Ampulla
What is the ampulla?
The dilated area where fertilisation occurs (normally)
What is the most medial portion of the uterine tube?
Isthmus
What does isthmus mean?
Narrow passage
What are the 3 layers of the uterus?
- Perimetrium
- Myometrium
- Endometrium
What is the perimetium?
Outer layer of the uterus (connective tissue)
What is the myometrium?
Middle layer of the uterus (smooth muscle)
What is the endometrium?
Inner layer (columnar epithelium, uterine glands and arteries) the layer that grows and sheds during the menstrual cycle
What does the cervival canal provide?
A passage between the uterine cavity and vagina
What are the 3 parts of the cervical canal?
- External os
- Cervival canal
- Internal os
What does the cervix produce?
Mucus
What does the cervical mucus regulate?
Sperm transport
What is the vagina?
A fibromuscular, distensible female copulatory organ
What does the vagina also function as part of?
The birth canal
Where does the vagina lie?
Between the urinary bladder and rectum
Where does the vagina extend?
From the perineum to the cervix
What does the blood supply to the vagina branch directly off?
The abdominal aorta and internal iliac arteries
What does the uterine Artery branch into?
Arcuate artery
What does the arcuate artery branch into?
Radial artery
What does the radial artery branch into?
Spiral artery
What does the spiral artery branch into?
Straight artery
What kind of structure is the ovary?
Bilateral
Where are the ovaries?
2
- Lateral and posterior to the uterus
- Lateral portion of the true pelvic cavity
What is the ovary made from?
2
- Outer cortex (follicles)
- Inner medulla (connective tissue, blood/lymphatic vessels, nerves)
What is the ovary the site of?
Oogenesis and hormone production (e.g. oestradiol)
Where do oocytes develop?
Within follicles
What is the function of the breasts?
To nourish infants
Where do the breasts lie?
On the pectorals major muscles
What do estradiol and progesterone stimulate?
The development of breast tissue
What do lobes of the breast lead to?
Lobules
What do lobules of the breast lead to?
Alveoli
What do Alveoli of the breast lead to?
Lactiferous ducts
What do lactiferous ducts of the breast lead to?
Lactiferous sinuses
Where do lactiferous sinuses open at?
Nipple pores
What do suspensory ligaments support?
The breast
