Female Reproductive Anatomy

1. Female Reproductive Anatomy Fallopian tube

2. Internal Genitals Fallopian tube Ovum

3. Internal Genitals • Ducts or duct structures that extend from ovaries to exterior • Essential Organs • Ovaries (2) – female gonads; house ovum (eggs) • Accessory Organs • Fallopian tubes – serve as transport channels for ova and as site of fertilization • Salpingitis – inflammation of fallopian tubes • Uterus • composed of cervix and the body • located between rectum and bladder • position is altered by age, pregnancy • decreases in size at menopause • Three layers • Peritoneum – thin layer surrounding uterus • Myometrium – middle, main muscle layer of uterus • Endometrium– internal tissue layer where embryo attaches, or what sloughs off during menstruation • endometriosis – endometrium grows outside of the uterus • Vagina • lining lubricates and stimulates penis; receptacle for semen • transports tissue and blood shed during menstruation • Hymen – mucous membrane bordering vagina in young girls

4. External Genitals

5. External Genitals • Vulva • Mons pubis • superior portion of genital area closest to abdomen • Labia (majora and minora) • protect clitoris • Clitoris • Erectile tissue homologous to male corpus cavernosum • Sensory receptors • Sex Glands • Greater Vestibular glands • Homologous to male bulbourethral glands • Lesser Vestibular glands • Mucous glands • Mammary glands • Milk secretion to nourish newborn • 15-20 lactiferous ducts in each breast • Perineum • skin-covered region between vaginal orifice and rectum; may be torn during childbirth • Episiotomy : when perineum is cut during labor

6. Breasts

7. Breasts • Mammary glands – composed of alveloar sacs that produce milk • Lactiferous duct – transports milk to the nipple and out the breast • Nipple – pore for milk secretion • Areola – pigmented area surrounding nipple that contain sebaceous glands to dryness while nursing • Change color from pink to brown when pregnant

8. Reproductive Cycle • Ovarian Cycle • Oocytes at birth; meiosis halts • menstruation causes meiosis to resume in several oocytes • meiosis halts until fertilization; if not fertilized, cell ruptures and is expelled during ovulation • Oophoritis: inflammation of ovaries • Menstrual Cycle • Menses (1-5) • Postmenstrual phase / Follicular phase (6-13) • Ovulation (14) • Premenstrual phase / Luteal phase (15-28)

9. Menses • days 1-5 of a new cycle • endometrial lining sloughs off • Menarche – first menstrual flow • Amenorrhea – lack of menstrual flow • Endometriosis – lining of uterus grows outside of uterus

10. Postmenstrual / Follicular phase • time between menses and ovulation (days 6-13) • FSH and LH are released from the brain and travel in the blood to the ovaries. • The hormones stimulate the growth of about 15-20 eggs in the ovaries each in its own "shell," called a follicle and production of estrogen which changes in appearance, amount and consistency of cervical mucus • High estrogen levels turn off the production of FSH • One follicle in one ovary becomes dominant and continues to mature. Others stop growing and die. • The dominant follicle continues to produce estrogen.

11. Ovulation • day 14; mature follicle ruptures and expels ovum into pelvic cavity • The rise in estrogen from the dominant follicle increases the amount of LH (responsible for ovulation) • Dominant follicle releases its egg from the ovary (ovulation) • Egg is captured by finger-like projections on the end of the fallopian tubes (fimbriae) which sweep the egg into the tube.

12. Premenstrual / Luteal phase • time between ovulation and menses (days 15-28) • The empty follicle develops into a new structure called the corpus luteum. • The corpus luteum secretes progesterone. • Progesterone prepares the uterus for a fertilized egg to implant. • If intercourse has taken place and a man's sperm has fertilized the egg, the fertilized egg (embryo) will travel through the fallopian tube to implant in the uterus. • If the egg is not fertilized, it passes through the uterus. Not needed to support a pregnancy, the lining of the uterus breaks down and sheds, and the next menstrual period begins

13. Ovarian Follicle Development

14. Hormones • GnRH– tells pituitary to release FSH/LH • FSH – stimulate follicle growth • LH – stimulates growth of corpus luteum (promotes estrogen secretion) • Estrogen • secondary sex characteristics • thickens the endometrium • regulates menstrual cycle • Produce lactiferous ducts • Progesterone • Promotes mammary gland production • No fertilization: • corpus luteum breaks down • levels decrease • endometrium sloughs off during menstruation • If fertilized: • secreted by corpus luteum • levels increase • further thickens endometrium • Prolactin and Oxytocin– stimulates lactation • Advantages of nursing • Provides infant with necessary nutrients • Provides passive immunity to infant • Enhance emotional bond between mother and infant

15. Female Reproductive Hormones

16. Fertility • Birth - approximately 1 million eggs • Puberty - only about 300,000 remain. • 300 to 400 will be ovulated during a woman's reproductive lifetime. The eggs continue to degenerate during pregnancy, with the use of birth control pills, and in the presence or absence of regular menstrual cycles. • Causes: • problems with ovulation - Some signs that a woman is not ovulating normally include irregular or absent menstrual periods. • blocked fallopian tubes due to pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, or surgery from ectopic pregnancy • physical problems with the uterus • uterine fibroids • Risk Factors • age - about one third of couples in which the woman is over 35 have fertility problems • stress • poor diet • athletic training • being overweight or underweight • tobacco smoking • alcohol • sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) • health problems that cause hormonal changes

17. Menopause • most women experience this stage after age 40 and spend a third of their life in this phase. • Average age is 45-50 • Stages • Perimenopause • starts years before your period stops • ovaries gradually produce less estrogen • Symptoms during this time include mood swings, hot flashes, and loss of sex drive. • Menopause • occurs when the ovaries no longer produce an egg every month and menstruation stops • estrogen levels low • Postmenopause • lasts years after menopause • continued decrease in estrogen – causes health risks