M12S2: Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Female reproductive system
-differs largely from male but both rerouted in creation of fetus
-involves a variety of structures working in synchrony to produce the female gamete cell, an ovum, to carry a fetus to full term
Ovaries
Uterine tubes
Uterus
Vagina
External genitalia
The ovaries
-paired organs located near lateral walls of pelvis
-measure 2 cm in length, 1-1.5 cm in thickness
-where eggs, or ova, are produced and stored prior to ovulation
*refer to goodnotes
Ligaments of ovaries
-various ligaments protect and anchor ovaries
-ovaries also protected by outer covering of dense connective tissue
Ovarian ligament
-anchor the ovaries to uterus
Suspensory ligament
-anchor the ovaries to the pelvic wall
*refer to goodnotes
Internal anatomy of ovaries
-like testes, ovaries surrounded by connective tissue capsule, known as tunica albuginea
-deep to tunica albuginea, the ovaries are each divided into a cortex and medulla
*refer to goodnotes
Cortex of the ovaries
-contains many ovarian follicles, each at different stage in development towards becoming mature follicle
-one mature follicle is ovulated during a menstrual cycle
Different stages of ovarian cycle coronal sections of the ovary:
- Primordial follicle
-most immature of the follicles
-single later of squamous cells surrounding oocyte - Primary follicle
-develops from primordial follicle
-2 or more layers of cells surrounding egg - Secondary follicle
-surrounded by many layers of cells
-contains antrum or fluid-filled space
-secondary follicle known as antral follicle - Graafian follicle
-aka tertiary follicle
-mature follicle that ovulated
-ovulation is rupture of Graafian follicle, where ejected from ovary
-surrounded by multiple layers of cells
-contains antrum, although has grown larger relative to secondary follicle - Corpus luteum
-after ovulation, this develops from the remnants of mature follicle
-mainly produces progesterone and to a lesser extent, estrogen to support fertilization
-if fertilization does not occur, corpus luteum degenerates
*refer to goodnotes
Medulla of ovaries
-inner region of ovary
-contains blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics that supply tissue to ovary
*refer to goodnotes
Uterine tubes
-ducts of the female reproductive system
-aka fallopian tubes, or oviducts
-measure 10-12 cm in length
- Infundibulum
-funnel-shaped, distal end that opens into the peritoneal cavity
-has finger like extensions called fimbriae
-function of infundibulum is to capture egg after is released from ovary - Ampulla longest and widest portion
-where fertilization normally occurs - Isthmus
-proximal portion (closest to uterus)
-passes through the uterine wall, opening into lumen of uterus
Fimbriae
*refer to goodnotes
Uterus
-(womb)
-pear-shaped muscular organ located in pelvic cavity between urinary bladder and rectum
-organ that carries and supports the developing fetus during pregnancy and contracts to eject the fetus during childbirth
- Fundus
-most superior portion of uterus
-dome shaped and extends between uterine tubes - Body
Main part of uterus and composed of smooth muscle - Cervix
-most inferior portion of uterus that projects into vagina
-within cervix, is the cervical canal which connects to vagina
-2 openings to cervical canal:
-internal os: connects uterus and cervix
-external os: connects cervix and vagina
*refer to goodnotes
Histology of uterine wall
-3 layers
Endometrium
-the glandular inner lining
-undergoes changes throughout the menstrual cycle
-makes up 10% of total mass of uterus
Myometrium
-middle layer of smooth muscle
-makes up 90% of total mass of uterus
Perimetrium
-thin outer layer
-composed of serosa
*refer to goodnotes
Broad ligament of uterus
-drapes over uterus to support it
*refer to goodnotes
Vagina
-located inferior to cervix
-approximately 10 cm in length
-connects the uterus to outside the body and acts as birth canal
*refer to goodnotes
Histology of vagina
-organized into layers of cells
-mucosa of vagina stratified squamous which produces glycogen, that is metabolized by bacteria into lactic acid
-serves to protect the vagina by creating acidic environment
-the muscularis is elastic and loose connective tissue, with inner circular and very thick outer longitudinal layer of smooth muscle
-vagina covered by adventitia
*refer to goodnotes
Female external genitalia
-lies external to vagina
-aka vulva or pudendum
Components:
- Mins pubis
-adipose tissue overlying the pubic bone - Clitoris
-highly sensitive area composed of erectile tissue that homologous to the corpora cavernosa in male - Labia Majora
-“large lip”
-two elongated, fatty folds of skin that bear homologous to the male scrotum and bear public hair - Labia Minora
-“small lip”
-two thin, fat free folds of skin close to the vestibule, or opening of vagina
-labia minora are devoid of public hair - Vestibule
-vestibule of vulva is space bounded by labia minora
-bears the external urethral and vaginal openings
*Refer to goodnotes
Mammary glands
-aka breast
-modified sweet glands in female that produce and secrete milk
-consist of 15-20 lobes that contain glands
-connective tissue separate the lobes and function as suspensory ligaments that attach the breast to underlying muscle and overlying skin (natural support of breast)
-include the lactiferous ducts, which drain into the nipple
-pigmented area around nipple known as Areola (colour can change with pregnancy)
*refer to goodnotes
Ectopic pregnancy
Aka tubal pregnancy
-fertilization occurs outside typical meddle region of ampulla, resulting in implication in abnormal location other than uterus lining (usually fallopian tube) as walls narrow, egg grow and burst at egg size, causes bleeding
Risk factors:
History of pelvic inflammatory disease
-STD
-previous ectopic pregnancy
-previous tubal surgery
Both may experince death, baby from no nourishment
