Ch 27, L7

• Lecture 7 focuses on the female reproductive system, specifically the female reproductive anatomy.

Ovaries

• Paired structures known as female gonads.
• Ovaries are almond-shaped and approximately twice the size of an almond.
• Several ligaments hold each ovary in place.
• Ovaries produce female gametes, also known as ova or eggs.
• Ovaries secrete female sex hormones, including estrogen and progesterone.

Ova Development

• Female gametes develop in the ovaries specifically in the ovarian follicles.
• Ovarian follicles are sac-like structures embedded inside the ovaries.
• Each follicle consists of an immature egg, called an oocyte.
• One mature follicle releases one egg during ovulation each month.

Ovarian Follicles

• Follicles go through several stages of development.
• In a fully mature follicle a fluid-filled antrum forms, and the follicle bulges from the surface of the ovary.
• Ovulation is the ejection of an oocyte from the mature follicle.
• The corpus luteum develops from ruptured follicles after ovulation.

Female Duct System

• The uterine tube system does not have direct contact with the ovaries.
• The ovulated oocyte gets released into the peritoneal cavity, where some oocytes never make it to the tube system.
• The tube system includes the uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina.

Uterine Tubes

• Uterine tubes are also called fallopian tubes.
• The infundibulum is an expansion near the ovary.
• Fimbriae within the infundibulum create a current which moves the oocyte into the uterine tube.
• Once the oocyte is in the tube, it is carried to the uterus.
• Peristalsis and ciliary action help carry the oocyte to the uterus.

Ectopic Pregnancy

• An ectopic pregnancy occurs when an oocyte is fertilized in the peritoneal cavity or distal uterine tube and begins developing there.
• Ectopic pregnancies normally abort naturally with substantial bleeding.