female

Secretory Phase

(or Postovulatory Phase) - days 15-28 Glands in the endometrium secrete glycogen and other substances

Proliferative Phase

(or Preovulatory Phase) - days 6-13 Cells of the uterine lining are increasing in number

Luteal Phase

(or postovulatory phase) - days 15-28 Corpus luteus is function at this time

Ampulla

- longest and widest portion of the tube ~ 2/3 of its length Where fertilization usually occurs

hymen

A thin fold of mucous membrane at the vaginal orifice called the - forms a border around the orifice, partially closing it

Vagina

A tubular, fibromuscular organ ~ 4 inches long Female organ of copulation Located between the urinary bladder and the rectum

Meiosis II (metaphase)

After completion of meiosis I, the secondary oocyte immediately begins meiosis II, but stops in metaphase. The granulosa (follicular) cells surrounding the secondary oocyte continue to proliferate. The follicle grows into a secondary follicle, containing a fluid-filled follicular cavity (antrum) and finally becomes a mature follicle just before ovulation

Female Reproductive Cycle

Aka - menstrual cycle Encompasses the ovarian cycle, the uterine cycle, and the cyclic changes in the breasts and cervix that occur each month Last ~ 28 days (varies from 24 to 35 days) May be divided into 4 phases:

Meiosis I (completion)

At birth, each ovary contains about 200,000 primary oocytes. Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a single layer of granulosa (follicular) cells, forming a structure called a primordial follicle. At puberty, ovaries become active. In response to a rising level of FSH that occurs at the start of each menstrual cycle, several primordial follicles develop into primary follicles. At this time, meiosis I continues to completion, resulting in two haploid cells The two cells are of unequal size - the smaller cell is the first polar body; the larger cell is called the secondary oocyte

Meiosis II (Completion)

At ovulation, the secondary oocyte (in metaphase of meiosis II) is discharged from the ovary into the uterine tube. If spermatozoa are present and fertilization occurs, meiosis II continues to completion Two unequal daughter cells result: the smaller cell is called the second polar body; the larger cell is called the ovum (or mature egg). The nucleus of the ovum fuses with the nucleus of the spermatozoon, forming a diploid nucleus (46 chromosomes) The cell with the diploid nucleus is called a zygote.

Secondary Follicle

At the beginning of each menstrual cycle, in response to rising levels of FSH, about 20 primary follicles begin to develop into secondary follicles. At this time, the primary oocyte completes meiosis I, forming a secondary oocyte and a small cell called the first polar body. The granulosa cells surrounding the secondary oocyte continue to proliferate and secrete a fluid, forming a fluid-filled cavity called the follicular cavity or antrum.

Areola

Circular pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple Contains modified sebaceous glands

Duct System

Connects the alveoli to the exterior

Ovulation

Day 14; the mature follicle ruptures, ejecting an oocyte into a uterine tube

Menstrual Phase

Days 1-5 First phase of the uterine cycle Period of time when uterine lining is being sloughed off

menstrual phase

Days 1-5; uterine lining is shed

Postovulatory Phase

Days 15 - 28; the corpus luteum secretes estrogen and progesterone

Preovulatory Phase

Days 6-13; a follicle emerges

Primordial Follicle

During fetal development (from 3rd to 7th month), oogonia grow and differentiate into primary oocytes. Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a single layer of granulosa (follicular) cells, forming a structure called a primordial follicle At birth, there are more than 200,000 primordial follicles in each ovary

Follicle Development

During the 2nd month of the embryonic development, oogonia (primordial germ cells) begin to appear in the endoderm of yolk sac Oogonia migrate to the developing ovaries, where they proliferate by mitosis

Primary Follicle

Each month, starting at puberty (age 10 - 14), several primordial follicles develop into primary follicles. A primary follicle consists of a primary oocyte surrounded by multiple layers of granulosa cells. A thick glycoprotein coat called the zona pellucida forms between the ooctye and the granulosa cells. The tissue surrounding the follicle differentiates into a layer of theca cells.

Mitosis of Oogoni

Early in embryonic development, some of the endoderm cells lining the yolk sac differentiate into primordial germ cells During early fetal development, they proliferate by mitotic cell division They migrate to the developing ovaries and become oogonia

Uterine Tubes

Extend laterally on each side of the uterus Each is ~ 4 inches long Each opens at its proximal end into the uterus and at its distal end into the peritonial cavity near the ovary

Vulva (or pudendum)

External genitalia of the female Consists of 5 parts Mons pubis Labia majora Labia minora Clitoris Vestibule

Uterus

Hollow organ with shape of inverted pear Located between the urinary bladder and the rectum ~ 3 inches long before the first pregnancy

Clitoris

Homologous to the male penis Small cylindrical mass of erectile tissue ~ 3 cm in length Capable of enlargement upon tactile stimulation Highly sensitive and important in the sexual arousal of the female Prepuce covers the root and body of the clitoris Glans is the exposed portion of the clitoris

Meiosis I (prophase)

In the fetus, all of the primary oocytes begin to divide by meiosis, but stop in the first stage of the process (prophase) These germ cells are said to be in a state of meiotic arrest until puberty.

Meiosis of Oocytes

In the fetus, the oogonia (2n) grow & differentiate into primary oocytes (2n)

Alveoli (Alveolar Glands

Milk-secreting glands Arranged in grapelike clusters

Lubrication

Parasympathetic impulses travel to the vagina, resulting in the secretion of mucus from the epithelium of the cervical mucosa and the greater vestibular glands

Ovaries

Primary female reproductive organs Produce gametes and sex hormones (like testes) Paired organs on each side of the uterus in the pelvic cavity Size and shape of unshelled almonds Same embryonic origin as testes

functions of female reproductive sys

Produces female sex cells (oocytes) and hormones Progesterone Estrogens Inhibin Relaxin Supports developing embryo from conception to delivery Provides milk to nourish newborn infant

Secretion

Prolactin levels increase during pregnancy, but... Presence estrogen and progesterone inhibit prolactin from being effective After delivery, estrogen ↓ & and progesterone ↓ so inhibition of prolactin function is removed Mammary glands secrete milk

Menstrual Cycle

Puberty Begins with menarche (first episode of menstrual bleeding) Begins when GnRH levels increase Menstrual Cycle About 28 days long Phases Menses Proliferative or follicular phase (functional layer proliferates; follicle matures) Secretory or luteal phase (maturation and secretion of uterine glands; presence of corpus luteum) Menses Amenorrhea: absence of a menstrual cycle Menopause: cessation of menstrual cycles

Mons Pubis

Rounded elevation anterior to the pubic symphisis Consists of a pad of fatty connective tissue Cushions the pubic bone during sexual intercourse

Ovarian Cycle

Series of events associated with the maturation of the ovum Follicle development - development of a primordial follicle into a mature follicle A primary oocyte completes meiosis I and becomes a secondary oocyte Just before ovulation, the secondary oocyte reaches metaphase of meiosis II Takes ~ 20 days (last 6 days of previous cycle and first 14 days of current cycle)

Erection

Sexual stimulation triggers a reflex Parasympathetic impulses from the sacral spinal cord travel to the external genitalia, especially the clitoris The clitoris becomes engorged with blood and erect

Ejection

Sucking action of infant initiates nerve impulses to the hypothalamus, stimulating secretion of oxytocin by posterior pituitary Oxytocin induces myoepithelial cells surrounding walls of alveoli to contract Milk is ejected into the ducts, where it can be suckled

Suspensory ligaments

Support the breasts strands of connective tissue that run between the skin and deep fascia of the pectoralis major

Vestibule

The cleft (space) between the labia minora The urethra, vagina, and ducts of the greater vestibular glands open into it

straight arterioles spiral arterioles

The radial arteries branch, forming - that end in the stratum basalis and - that penetrate

uterine arteries (branches of the internal iliac artery).

The uterus is supplied by the with blood

Labia Minora

Thin, delicate folds of hairless skin located between the labia majora, enclosing the vestibule of the vagina Contain sebaceous and sweat glands, but no fat Just superior to the clitoris, the labia minora meet to form a fold of skin called the prepuce (foreskin) which covers the body of the clitoris

Vesicular Ovarian Follicle (Graafian or Mature Follicle)

Usually only one secondary oocyte completely matures, forming a Graafian follicle. The other secondary follicles disintegrate in a process called atresia. The Graafian follicle has a structure called the cumulus oophorus - composed of granulosa cells that protrude into the antrum During ovulation, a Graafian follicle ruptures, ejecting a secondary oocyte into the open funnel-shaped end of the adjacent uterine tube The granulosa cells of the ruptured follicle form a new structure called the corpus luteum.

Orgasm (Climax)

When tactile stimulation of the genitalia reaches maximum intensity, reflexes are initiated that cause the female orgasm Sympathetic impulses cause: perineal muscles to contract rhythmically Muscle tension throughout body increases Engorgement of clitoris and breasts Increase in heart rate and breathing Rhythmic contractions of the uterus Intense pleasurable sensations are followed by general relaxation

Fimbriae

a fringe of fingerlike projections One fimbria is attached to the lateral end of the ovary

Stroma

a general term for the tissue that forms the ovaries

Germinal epithelium

a layer of simple squamous or cuboidal epithelium that covers the surface of the ovary

Lactiferous Sinus

an expanded portion of a mammary duct near the nipple where milk may be temporarily stored

arcuate arteries

are arranged in a circular fashion and give off radial arteries that penetrate the myometrium

Ligaments

are either extensions of the parietal peritoneum or fibromuscular cords maintain the position of the uterus

hilus

area of each ovary where blood vessels enter and leave

ovarian ligament

attaches the inferior border of the ovary to the uterus

suspensory ligament

attaches the superior border of the ovary to the lateral wall of the pelvis

Lactiferous Duct

carries milk from a lactiferous sinus to the exterior

Mammary Duct

carries milk from secondary tubules to a lactiferous sinus

Secondary Tubule

carry milk from the alveoli to mammary ducts

Bulb of the Vestibule

consists of 2 elongated masses of erectile tissue on either side of the vaginal orifice During sexual arousal, becomes engorged with blood placing pressure on the penis during intercourse

Isthmus

constricted portion ~0.5 inch long that marks the junction between the body and the cervix

Follicular Phase

days 1-13 follicles are growing and developing at this time

Mesovarium

double-layered fold of peritoneum attached to the hilus

Uterine Wall

endometrium myometrium perometrium

Body

expanded superior 2/3 of uterus

Estrogen and progesterone

have many functions; secreted by the ovaries and corpus luteum

Labia Majora

homologous to male scrotum Two symmetrical folds of skin filled with subcutaneous fat and covered by pubic hair Contain an abundance of sebaceous and sweat glands Protect the urethral and vaginal orifices

Mammary Glands

ied sudoriferous glands specialized to produce milk Lie over the pectoralis major & serratus anterior & are attached to them by a layer of connective tissue Internally, each mammary gland consists of 15 to 20 compartments called lobes, separated by adipose tissue Each lobe contains smaller compartments called lobules Lobules are composed of connective tissue in which milk-secreting glands are embedded

cervix

inferior cylindrical portion

Endometrium

inner layer, divided into Stratum functionalis - shed during menstruation Stratum basalis - gives rise to a new stratum functionalis after each menstruation

Tunica albuginea

layer of dense connective tissue, responsible for the whitish color of the ovaries

Broad ligaments Cardinal ligaments (lateral cervical ligaments) Uterosacral ligaments, and Round ligaments

ligaments of uterus

Medulla

loose connective tissue in the central region of the ovary

Myometrium -

middle layer containing 3 layers of smooth muscle fibers

Anteflexion

normal position of the uterus, with a bend between the body and the cervix, so the body projects over the urinary bladder

Broad ligament

of the uterus attaches to the anterior border of the ovary

Infundibulum

open, distal end of each tube

External urethral orifice

opening to the urethra posterior to the clitoris & anterior to the vaginal orifice

Vaginal Orifice

opening to the vagina posterior to the external urethral orifice

Perimetrium (serosa)

outer layer; part of the visceral peritoneum

Nipple

pigmented projection of the mammary gland Lactiferous ducts carry milk through the nipples to the exterior

Cortex

region beneath the tunica albuginea where ovarian follicles are embedded

Paraurethral Glands

secrete mucus their ducts open on each side of the external urethral orifice Homologous to the male prostate gland

Greater Vestibular Glands

secrete mucus that supplements lubrication during sexual intercourse Homologous to the male bulbourethral glands

Inhibin

secreted by the corpus luteum; inhibits secretion of GnRH and FSH by its negative impact effect on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary

Isthmus

short, narrow, thick-walled portion that joins the uterus

cervical canal

space inside cervix

uterine cavity

space inside the body

LH

stimulates further development of the ovarian follicles, ovulation and estretion of estrogen and progesterone by the corpus luteum

FSH

stimulates initial development of ovarian follicles and secretion of estrogen by the follicles

GnRH

stimulates secretion of FSH & LH

Fundus

superior, dome-shaped portion of the body located above the entrance of the uterine tubes

fornix

surrounds the vaginal attachment to the cervix.

External Os

the narrow passageway between the cervix and the vagina

Internal Os

the narrow passageway between the uterine cavity and the cervical cavity