Female Reproductive System

Female Reproductive System

Is made up of female gonads, external genitalia, and the gamete or mature female germ cell.

Ovum is an egg or mature female germ cell Plural of ovum is ova

Fertilization

Union of the male gamete and female gamete to form a zygote.

From the zygote, an embryo develops Usually takes place in a fallopian tube The zygote is then implanted in the uterus

Key Terms

Zygote is the cell formed by the union of the two gametes

Embryo is the fertilized ovum about 2 weeks after fertilization until the end of the seventh or eighth week

Fetus is the unborn offspring after it has attained the particular form of the species.

Functions of the female reproductive system Perpetuation of the human species Development of the fetus Sexual gratification Secretion of hormones Secondary sex characteristics: 1. development of breasts 2. broadening of the hips 3. growth of hair on the pubis and axilla 4. onset of menstruation

Labeling of the female

Label Figure 4 under Obj. 7

Label Figure 6 under Obj. 14

Label Figure 5 under Obj. 13

Major divisions

Internal – ovaries and the organs that lead to the exterior

External – external female genitalia Breasts – also called the mammary glands

that are capable of secreting milk

Major organs

Ovary a. one of a pair of internal organs that

produce ova and female sex hormones b. resembles an almond in size and shape c. secrete the female hormones estrogen

and progesterone 1. estrogen helps in secondary sex

characteristics 2. progesterone contributes to the growth

of the endometrium

Major organs, cont’d.

Fallopian tube

a. Each tube is about 4 inches long

b. Is muscular and lined with mucosa

c. Provide the place for fertilization and acts

as a passageway for spermatozoa

Major organs, cont’d.

Uterus

a. Also called the womb

b. Hollow, pear-shaped organ in which the fertilized ovum is implanted and fetus develops

c. Approximately 3 inches long and 2 inches wide at the upper end

d. Three major sections: fundus, body and cervix

Uterus, cont’d.

Uterus serves three main functions:

a. Contain and nourish the embryo

b. Contract to expel the fetus at the end of pregnancy

c. To slough off the endometrium if an egg is not implanted

After memopause, the uterus becomes smaller and atrophies.

Uterus, cont’d.

A full bladder tilts the uterus backward Anteversion is an abnormal forward tilt of the

uterus Anteflexion is an abnormal forward bending of

the fundus Retroversion is an abnormal backward

bending of the fundus and body at the cervix

Major organs, cont’d.

Vagina

a. Canal in a female that leads to the external vaginal orifice of the genital canal.

b. Principal function: to receive the penis during copulation

c. Has folds of rugae and is collapsible

d. Is a muscular canal lined with mucous membranes situated in front of the rectum and behind the urethra and urinary bladder

Major organs, cont’d.

Breasts

a. Lie over the pectoralis muscles

b. Called the lactiferous glands

c. Each has a nipple which is small, round, pigmented structure that projects just below the center of each breast

d. Tip of each nipple has 20 tiny openings

e. Pigmented skin surrounding nipple is areola

Breasts, cont’d.

Lactiferous glands become functional after delivery of an infant when they are stimulated by prolactin

Takes 3-4 days for the prolactin to stimulate the production of milk. During this time, breasts produce a thin, yellowish secretion called colostrum.

a. Colostrum consists of antibodies to boost the infant’s immune system.

Stages of development

For the fist two months, no sexual differentiation is evident.

At birth, the ovaries contain thousands of oocytes (immature germ cells)

Phases of menstrual cycle

First phase – menstrual – lasts 4-5 days with a period of uterine bleeding

Second phase – follicular – lasts 9-10 days in which endometrium is repaired and thickens

Third phase – ovulation – occurs on 14 day in which follicle ruptures and liberates an ovum

Fourth phase – luteal – lasts 10-12 days in which endometrium continues to thicken

Fifth phase – ischemic – lasts 1-2 days, arteries constrict and endometrium becomes anemic

Definitions to Know

Menses – menstrual flow Amenorrhea – absence of menstruation Oligomenorrhea – abnormally light or

infrequent menstruation Dysmenorrhea – pain associated with

menstruation Menorrhagia – abnormally heavy or long

periods Metrorrhagia – uterine bleeding other than

caused by menstruation

Definitions to Know

Surgical menopause – removal of an organ to interrupt the hormones that regulate menstruation

Pregnancy – also called gestation Premature birth – delivery of the infant after

less than 40 weeks Breech birth – presentation of the infant at

birth in any position other than head downward

Definitions to know

Cesarean section – delivery of an infant by surgically opening the abdomen and uterus

Still birth – delivery of a lifeless infant Multiple births – delivery of more than one

infant from a pregnancy Ectopic pregnancy – an abnormal pregnancy

in which the embryo implants outside of the uterine cavity

Definitions to know

Abruptio placentae – separation of the placenta from the uterine wall after 20 weeks of pregnancy

Preeclampsia – toxic condition of pregnancy characterized by hypertension, proteinuria, edema, hemorrhaging and even stroke

Spontaneous abortion – loss of an embryo before the 20th week of pregnancy

PID – any inflammation of the female pelvic organs

Definitions to know

Mastitis – inflammation of the breasts