FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMChapter 32

PURPOSE OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:

Produce gamete

Production of offspring

Continuation of the genetic code

Provide protection and nutrition to developing offspring

FEMALE ANATOMY

Essential organs: gonads, ova

Accessory organs: ducts (fallopian, uterus, vagina), vulva (external organs), mammary glands

PERINEUM:

Muscular region between base of vaginal opening and the anus

Diamond-shaped

Structures: labia, vaginal orifice, clitoris, urethral orifice

Episiotomy performed during vaginal childirth

OVARIES

Two - one on each side of uterus Almond-shaped Anchored to uterus by ovarian ligament Fimbriae lie over top of ovary

Ectopic (greek – ektopos – displaced) pregnancy occurs outside uterine cavity

OVARIAN FUNCTION

Produce ova (oogenesis)

Release of the ova called ovulation (result of ovarian follicle rupture)

Production and release of estrogen (estradiol and estrone, progesterone)

UTERUS

Pear-shaped and dense (3”X2”) 1” THICK OF MUSCULAR TISSUE

Two main parts: body, cervix

Fundus is the top portion of the body

Three layers: endometrium, myometrium, and parietal peritoneum

ENDOMETRIUM:

During menstruation and after delivery of baby, the spongy layers rich in blood capillaries and exocrine glands that secrete mucus slough off

Mucosal tissue also found in cervix changes consistency depending on hormonal fluctuations. Most of the time it is very thick. At ovulation, it becomes more liquefied which assists in movement of sperm

MYOMETRIUM

Smooth muscles arranged in three layers laying in varied directional lines: longitudinally, transversely, and obliquely.

Thickest at fundus and thinnest at the cervix – why?

Think of purpose

PARIETAL PERITONEUM

Does not cover cervix nor entire body of uterus

Serous membrane present to reduce infection

CAVITIES OF THE UTERUS

Internal cavity – very small

Internal os – top of cervix

Cervical canal

External os – opens to vagina

UTERINE LOCATION AND POSITION

Pelvic cavity Top of bladder Presses against colon

Lies over bladder pointing forward and slightly upward

Joins vagina at a right angle Retroflexion – tilting backward can cause

untoward effects

Ligaments hold uterus in place (6) – broad, round uterosacral, anterior, posterior

FUNCTIONS OF UTERUS

Permits sperm to pass to fallopian tubes Fertilized ova implants into the endometrial

lining Allows for 10 lunar month gestational period

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

On what day of the month does ovulation occur? If a patient has a 44 day menstrual cycle, on

what day will ovulation occur? Give two benefits of breast feeding. The majority of the breast is composed of ____

tissue. Define menarche. Define menopause. Where are rugae found in the female anatomy? What patient would require an episiotomy? What is the medical term for female sterilization?

OVARIAN CYCLE

Difference between meiotic and mitotic cell division?

Meiotic – reduces number of chromosomes by half in daughter cells

Estrogen/progesterone secreted during the first portion of the month which helps produce a mature oocyte

Oocyte is released during ovulation This always occurs 14 d prior to menstrual

period

ENDOMETRIAL CYCLE

CONT.

2-3 mm buildup occurs prior to ovulation – max. 4-6mm prior to menses

30-100ml loss of tissue/blood Most loss occurs during the first few days of

the menses

PHASES OF MENSTRUAL CYCLE

Menses – day 1-5 Postmenstrual – d 5-ovulation (usually d 6-14

in a 28 d cycle) great amounts of estrogen produced – mucosal changes (spinnbarkeit)

Ovulation Premenstrual – (luteal/secretory – corpus

luteum only sectretes progesterone during this time causing the slough to occur )

ARTICLE