PathophysiologyBMS 243

The Female Reproductive SystemPhysiology & Manifestations

Dr. Aya M. Serry2015/2016

Female Reproductive System

1. Produce ova2. Receive sperm3. Site of fertilization4. Hold & nourish

embryo/fetus 5. Bear infant6. Nurse infant

Functions of the Female Reproductive System

Ovaries Fallopian tubes Uterus Vagina Accessory glands External genitalia Breasts

Organs of the Female Reproductive System

Each ovary is about the size and shape of an almond. After menopause they tend to shrink.

They produce eggs (also called ova) every female is born with a lifetime supply of eggs.

They also produce hormones: Estrogen & Progesterone.

Ovaries

Stretch from the uterus to the ovaries and measure about 8 to 13 cm in length.

The ends of the fallopian tubes lying next to the ovaries feather into ends called fimbria

Millions of tiny hair-like cilia line the fimbria and interior of the fallopian tubes. The cilia moves in waves hundreds of times per second catching the egg at ovulation and moving it through the tube to the uterine cavity.

Fertilization typically occurs in the fallopian tube

Fallopian Tubes

Fallopian Tubes

Pear-shaped muscular organ in the upper female reproductive tract.

The fundus is the upper portion of the uterus where pregnancy occurs.

The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus that connects with the vagina and serves as a sphincter to keep the uterus closed during pregnancy until it is time to deliver a baby.

The uterus expands considerably during the reproductive process. the organ grows to from 10 to 20 times its normal size during pregnancy.

The Uterus

The Uterus

The main body consists of a firm outer coat of muscle (myometrium) and an inner lining of vascular, glandular material (endometrium).

The endometrium thickens during the menstrual cycle to allow implantation of a fertilized egg.

Pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants successfully into the endometrial lining. If fertilization does not occur, the endometrium sheds off and is expelled as menstrual flow.

The Uterus

At birth, female’s ovaries contain more than 400,000

immature ova, or eggs.

During ovulation the right ovary will release a mature ovum

one month, and the left ovary will release one the next

month.

When a mature ovum is released from the ovary, it moves to

one of the fallopian tubes.

Female Reproductive System

Tiny hair like structures called cilia work, along with

muscular contractions in the fallopian tubes, to move the

ovum along.

Sperm from the male enter the female reproductive system

through the vagina.

Female Reproductive System

Cyclic uterine bleeding starts by age 13 and continues until age 45-50.

Menstrual cycle length may vary between 21-35 days.

Duration of the menstrual period lasts from 3-7 days.

Menarche: a woman's first menstruation, typically occurs around age 12

Menopause: end of a woman's reproductive phase, commonly occurs between ages 45 and 55

The Menstrual Cycle

Regulation of menstruation depends on the interaction of hormones:

From the hypothalamus: gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH).

From the pituitary: follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH).

From the ovary: Estradiol and Progesterone.

The Menstrual Cycle

The Menstrual Cycle

Phases of Menstrual Cycle

Menstrual cycle can be divided into 3 phases: Follicular (estrogen) phase

Luteal phase (progesterone) phase

Menstrual phase

• Follicles develop until one succeeds to become mature into an ovum (ovary will release this ovum at ovulation)

• The follicle that reaches maturity is called a Graafian follicle

• As they mature, the follicles secrete increasing amounts of estrogen, which thickens the new functional layer of endometrium in the uterus

• At the end of this phase ovulation occurs

Follicular Phase

• Corpus luteum (Follicle after ovulation): a solid body formed in an ovary after the ovum has been released into the fallopian tube

• This Corpus Luteum Produces significant amounts of progesterone, which enriches the uterine wall (endometrium) with blood supply and capillaries, so it can sustain the growing fetus (if any)

• Then we have two probabilities:

Luteal Phase

• A) If fertilization occurs, the embryo will produce Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Hormone (HCG), which maintain the corpus luteum and causes it to continue produce progesterone, untill the placenta is formed and takes over the progesterone production

Fertilization

• B) If no fertilization, the Corpus Luteum degenerates to form Corpus albicans, this causes progesterone levels to fall

• The fall in progesterone will cause the uterine lining to shed and break down through the Vagina, this is called Menstruation

Menstrual Phase

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