1

Chapter 25Reproductive System – Female I

Lecture 22

Martini’s VisualAnatomy and Physiology

First Edition

Martini Ober

4

Lecture Overview

• Functions of the female reproductive system

• The ovaries – structure and function

• Female internal reproductive organs

• Female external reproductive organs

5

Functions of the Female Reproductive System

• Produce and maintain sex cells (eggs) – a function of the ovaries, the primary sex organ

• Transport eggs to site of fertilization

• Produce female sex hormones

• Provide favorable environment for development of offspring

• Move offspring to outside (birth)

6

Organs of the Female Reproductive System

Figure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001

(Bartholin’s glands)

(Skene’s glands; lesser vestibular glands)

(In anteflexion)

7

Female Pelvic CavityFigure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12th edition, 2010

8

Ovary Attachments

(Mesentery)

(Retracted)

Figure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12th edition, 2010

9

Ovaries and Their Attachments

Figure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001

Fold of peritoneum that attaches to sides and floor of pelvic cavity (limits side-to-side movement and rotation)

Posterior view

Oophorectomy – removal of one or both ovaries

10

Overview of Female Reproductive CycleFigure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12th edition, 2010

11

Overview of the Ovarian Cycle

Ovarian cycle – events occurring monthly in an ovary (oocyte growth and meiosis occur); cycle is usually about 28 days long

Two phases: 1) Follicular phase 2) Luteal phase

Figure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12th edition, 2010

12

Oogonia = stem cells

Process stops in meiosis I (Prophase)

Stimulated by FSH/LH

About 2 million primary oocytes at birth. By puberty, there are about 400,000. Fewer than 400-500 will be released during a female’s reproductive life. Probably fewer than 10 will be fertilized.

Oogenesis

How does oogenesis differ from spermatogenesis? How is it the same?

13

Ovarian Cycle – Preovulatory (Follicular) PhaseFigure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001

(FSH)Thecal and granulosa cells produce estrogens

8-10 days after beginning of cycle

10-14 days

Meiosis I

LH

Meiosis II started

Many OneFew

(Graafian)

1.5 cm

Estrogen

(FSH)

14

Ovarian Cycle – Postovulatory (Luteal) Phase

(Day 14)

LH

Lipids used to synthesize progestins, e.g., progesterone (prepares uterine lining for implantation)

12 days post ovulation

If fertilization has not occurred

Figure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001

LH

15

OvulationFigure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12th edition, 2010

16

Female Internal Accessory OrgansFigure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12th edition, 2010

17

Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes

Segments of the uterine tube:

- Infundibulum contains fimbriae (inner surfaces lined with cilia that beat toward center)

- Ampulla (middle, muscular segment)

- Isthmus (segment connected to the uterine wall)

Figure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001

Oocytes are transported by

- ciliary action

- peristalsis

(Parasympathetic NS activity a few hours before ovulation)

Takes about 4 days for an oocyte to travel from the infundibulum to the uterine cavity

Fertilization usually occurs around here

Fallopian tube = salpinx [salping(o)-]

18

Lining of Uterine Tubes

Tall ciliated columnar epithelial cells with interspersed mucin-secreting cells.

Tubes contain glycoproteins and lipids

Figure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12th edition, 2010

19

Uterus (hyster(o)-)

Figure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001

- Mechanical protection (fetus)

- Nutritional support (fetus)

- Waste removal (fetus)

- Ejection of fetus at birth

Cervical mucous prevents spread of bacteria from vagina to uterus

20

Uterine Wall

Figure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001

Smooth muscle of myometrium is arranged in longitudinal, circular, and oblique layers

Under the influence of estrogen, uterine glands, blood vessels, and epithelium in the functional zone of the endometrium change with the phases of the uterine (menstrual) cycle

21

Clinical ApplicationCervical Cancer and Pap Smears (Cytology)

Cervical cancer is more common in: - Women between the ages of 30 and 50 - Women who smoke

- Sexual activity at an early age/history of STDs or cervical inflammation (HPV)

Figures from: Saladin, Anatomy & Physiology, McGraw Hill, 2007

22

Vagina

Figure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001

Major functions:

- Passageway for elimination of menstrual fluids

- Receives penis and holds sperm prior to passage into uterus

- Inferior portion of birth canal for fetal delivery

Acidity of vagina protects adults from bacterial infections

23

Female External Reproductive Organs

Figure from: Martini, Anatomy & Physiology, Prentice Hall, 2001

Includes the structures external to the vagina:

- mons pubis - labia majora and minora - clitoris - vestibular structures

Opening of ducts of greater vestibular glands (Bartholin’s) – mucous secretions

Perineum

Female external genitalia = pudendum or vulva

Know the terms on this slide

anterior

posterior

24

The Deep Female Perineum

Figure from: Saladin, Anatomy & Physiology, McGraw Hill, 2007

25

Development of External Reproductive OrgansFigure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12th edition, 2010

26

Erection, Lubrication, and OrgasmFigure from: Hole’s Human A&P, 12th edition, 2010

27

Review

• Function of the female reproductive system– Produce and maintain sex cells (eggs) – a

function of the ovaries, the primary sex organ– Transport eggs to site of fertilization– Provide favorable environment for

development of offspring– Move offspring to outside (birth)– Produce female sex hormones

28

Review

• Several ligaments hold female reproductive structures in place– Broad ligament– Suspensory ligament– Ovarian ligament– Uterosacral ligament

• Peritoneum-lined recesses in female– Rectouterine pouch – separates uterus from colon– Vesciouterine pouch – separates uterus from

urinary bladder

29

Review

• During oogenesis– Oogonia stop development in meiosis I (before

birth)– Secondary oocytes, rather than mature gametes,

are released monthly at ovulation

• Ovarian cycle– Cycle is about 28 days long– Two main phases

• Preovulatory (follicular) – 14 days

• Postovulatory (luteal) – 14 days

30

Review

• Ovarian cycle (continued)– Preovulatory (follicular) phase

• FSH stimulates primordial follicle to develop• Primary follicle secretes estrogen (granulosa and

thecal cells) • Tertiary follicle is a mature (Graafian) follicle

– Postovulatory (luteal)• LH stimulates rupture of tertiary follicle (ovulation)• Corpus luteum develops from remnants of follicle

(granulosa cells)• Corpus luteum secretes progesterone which prepares

the uterus for implantation• If pregnancy does not occur, corpus luteum

involutes to become the corpus albicans (scar tissue)

31

Review

• Female internal accessory organs– Uterus

• Anteflexed muscular organ that will hold developing fetus

• Body– Fundus is furthest away from vagina

– Perimetrium

– Myometrium (thick smooth muscle layer)

– Endometrium (Functional zone, basilar zone)

– Uterine (fallopian) tubes• Infundibulum (contains fimbriae)

• Ampulla (thick muscular wall)

• Isthmus (connection with uterus)

• Fertilization usually occurs in the ampulla/isthmus boundary

• Lined with cilia; smooth muscle to capture released oocyte

• Nutrient-rich environment (lipids and glycogen)

32

Review

• Female internal accessory organs (continued)– Vagina

• Elastic, muscular tube between cervix and vestibule

• Passageway for elimination of menstrual fluids

• Receives penis and holds sperm prior to passage into uterus

• Inferior portion of birth canal for fetal delivery

• Maintains an acidic environment (in adults) to prevent infections

• Parasympathetic stimulation – expansion and elongation during sexual stimulation

• Vestibular glands along sides of vagina secrete mucus to lubricate the vaginal lumen

33

Review

• Female External Genitalia– Entire area is the vulva or pudendum– Mons pubis, labia majora– Labia minora, vestibule– Anterior to posterior: clitoris, urethra, vaginal

entrance– Bartholin’s glands (greater vestibular); ducts

open just posterior to vaginal entrance – Skene’s glands (paraurethral, lesser vestibular);

ducts open posterior to urethral meatus

34

Review

• Perineum– Diamond-shaped area of the trunk between the

thighs and buttocks extending from the pubis to the coccyx (between ischial tuberosities)

– Shallow compartment lying between this diamond shaped area and the pelvic floor (formed by pelvic diaphragm)

– Male perineum contains: penis, scrotum, anus– Female perineum contains: vulva, anus