Reproductive System - III Flashcards
what are the functions 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 foetus to grow - protection, nourishment
- delivery of fetus
describe the female perineum
- region inferior to the pelvic floor and between upper region of the thighs
- urogenital tirangle: external genetalia is the vulva
- anal triangle: anus
describe the vulva (external genetalia)
- mons pubus - in front of the pubic symphysis. a layer of adipose fatty tissue.
- labia - two lip like structures:
- major (labia majora): larger and more lateral, site of pubic hair growth
- minor (labia minora): smaller and more medial
- space between (associated with vagina) is the vestibule - deep to the labia are vestibular glands which lubricate the vaginal orifice
- greater vestibular glands secrete secretions when a female is aroused for lubrication and to keep vestibule moist
- lesser vestibular gland is near the opening of the urethra and keeps it moist - labia minora spreads around the vagina an the urethral openings
- clitoris - complex erectile organ
describe the clitoris
- complex erectile organ
- has erectile tissue that becomes filled with blood when female is aroused
- glans, body, cura (x2), bulbs (x2)
- developmentally homologous to the penis
BUT - the urethra does not pass through the clitoris
- urethra has separate opening
describe the structures of the female reproductive tract
- ovary: gonad of the female, paired structures, oocytes there
- uterine tubes: three parts (from closes to ovary) - infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus
- uterus: antiflex (flexed anterior over baldder), has fundus and body.
- cervix: has mucus that facilitates movement of spermatozoa into uterus at the right time in menstruation and also prevents infection
- vagina: part of the birth canal, has to be able to dilate
describe the three parts 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’, opens into uterine cavity
describe the uterus
Functions: spermatozoa transport, site a foetus can develop, lined by endometrium (sheds during menstruation)
- perimetrium: outer layer (connective tissue)
- myometrium: middle layer (smooth muscle), thickest layer of the uterus, important to provide contractions during birth.
- endometrium: inner layer (columnar epithelium, uterine glands and arteries - incredibly vascular layer)
- layer that grows and sheds during the menstrual cycle
- has basal layer which doesn’t shed but regrows the next layer for the next cycle
- functional layer is what actually sheds and undergoes all the changes and stuff
describe the cervix
- cervical canal provides passage between uterine cavity and vagina
- external os
- cervical canal
- internal os - produces cervical mucus (epithelial cells that line the canal make he mucus, provides protection from infection and can be more viscous or watery depending on time in the cycle and watery makes it easier for spermatozoa to get in to the uterus)
- regulates sperm transport
- cervix protrudes into the top of the vagina, making gaps (were vaginal wall goes up a bit more outside the cervix) known as the posterior and anterior fornix
describe the vagina
- fibromuscular, distensible female copulatory organ
- rugae along inner wall that allow for distensibility
- also functions as part of the birth canal
- lies between the urinary bladder and rectum
- extends from the perineum to the cervix
describe the blood supply of the vagina
Blood supply: direct ranches off the abdominal aorta and internal iliac arteries (often anastomose/connect)
- ovaries: ovarian arteries (comes off of aorta)
- uterus: uterine artery (comes off of internal iliac)
- vagina: vaginal artery (comes off of internal iliac)
Uterine artery (in the perimetrium), then branches to form the arcuate arteries, which then branch off to form radial arteries (within the myometrium), and then brand off as straight or spiral (coiled) arteries/arterioles (in the endometrium)
- spiral (coiled) ones are functionally important because they are remodelled during pregnancy to supply to foetus, they are also thought to be the main source of blood loss during menstruation
describe the ovary (female gonad)
- bilateral structures
- lateral and posterior to the uterus
- lateral portion of the true pelvic cavity - outer cortex (follicles) and inner medulla (connective tissue, blood/lymphatic vessels, nerves)
- site of oogenesis and hormone production
- oocytes develop within follicles
- corpus lutem - the follicle undergoes changes after oocyte is released to become an endocrine organ that produced progesterone
- corpus albicans - scar tissue remnant of ovulation. what the litem becomes if no pregnancy ?
Process of oocyte formation:
- primordial ovarian follicles -> primary ovarian follicle -> secondary ovarian follicle -> tertiary ovarian follicle -> released secondary oocyte through the ruptured follicle
describe the ligaments of the female reproductive system
- broad ligament: where the two pieces of the ‘sheet’ come together
- peritoneum folds and presses over structures to create other ligaments
- mesometrium: where the sheet comes together adjacent to the uterus
- mesosalpinx: where the sheet comes together under the tube
- mesovarium: where the sheet comes together up and over the ovary - ovarian ligament: between uterus and ovary
- suspensory ligament: runs from lateral surface of ovary through to the lateral abdominal wall (transports the ovarian artery)
- round ligament: starts on the anterior surface of the uterus and crosses the pelvis though the inguinal canal where it enters the labia majora
Note: ligament can refer to cord of connective tissue or could be delicate folds of tissue
what are the two pouches formed by the ligaments of the female reproductive system
vesicouterine pouch: continuous fold of broad ligament (visceral peritoneum) over anteriorly located bladder
rectouterine pouch: continuous fold of broad ligament (visceral peritoneum) over posteriorly located rectum
describe the mammary glands
- function to nourish infants
- lie on pectoralis major
- estradiol and progesterone stimulate development of breast tissue
- adipose tissue mostly forms the size and shape of the breast
Mammary gland:
- lobes -> lobules -> alveoli -> lactiferous ducts -> lactiferous sinuses that open at nipple pores
- suspensory ligaments support the glands
- the epithelium within the alveoli is what produces milk (and alveoli stores it)
