Female Reproductive System Components

Components of the Female Reproductive System

• The system consists of ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and external genitalia.
• The ovaries are paired organs located on each side of the uterus.
• The Fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus and provide a site for fertilization.
• The uterus is a muscle organ located in the pelvic cavity.
• The vagina is a muscular canal that connects the cervix of the uterus to the external genitalia.

Functions of the Female Reproductive System

• Production of female gametes (oocytes) by the ovaries.
• Provision of a fertilization environment in the oviducts.
• Support for the embryo and fetus throughout development until birth.
• Hormone production by the ovaries to control the reproductive system and influence other organs.

Ovaries

• The surface of the ovaries is covered by simple cuboidal epithelium called germinal epithelium.
• The epithelium is continuous with the mesothelium.
• Beneath the epithelium is a dense layer of CT called tunica albuginea.
• The ovary is divided into two parts: stroma and parenchyma.
• The stroma consists of the tunica albuginea, germinal epithelium, and a layer of dense CT.
• The parenchyma is made up of the cortex and medulla.

Structure of Ovarian Follicle

• An ovarian follicle consists of an oocyte surrounded by one or more layers of epithelial cells within a basal lamina.
• The basal lamina separates the follicle from surrounding tissue.
• Primordial follicles are formed during fetal life and consist of a primary oocyte enveloped by a single layer of flattened follicular cells.
• The oocyte in the primordial follicles has a large nucleus containing chromosomes in the first meiotic prophase.

Follicular Growth and Development

• Follicular growth begins at puberty, triggered by the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
• A small group of primordial follicles undergo growth and development each month.
• Growth involves the growth of the oocyte, proliferation and changes in the cells surrounding the oocyte, and proliferation and differentiation of the stroma fibroblasts.
• Selection of which follicles will undergo growth and which will ovulate involves complex hormonal balances and subtle differences among follicles.

Oocyte Differentiation

• Growth of the cell and nuclear enlargement.
• Increase in mitochondria.
• Rough endoplasmic reticulum becomes more extensive.
• Golgi complexes enlarge and move peripherally.
• Formation of specialized secretory granules called cortical granules.

Follicular Development

• Primordial follicle: contains an oocyte surrounded by a single layer of squamous cells.
• Unilaminar primary follicle: simple cuboidal epithelium around the oocyte, zona pellucida starts forming.
• Multilaminar primary follicle: granulosa cells around the oocyte, zona pellucida formed, and theca interna develops.
• Secondary follicle: contains an antrum, follicular theca, and granulosa cells.
• Mature follicle: contains a fully developed antrum, corona radiata, and cumulus oophorus.

Atresia

• Involves programmed cell death.
• During each menstrual cycle, one follicle becomes dominant and releases an oocyte, while other follicles undergo atresia.
• Stages of atresia include granulosa cells detaching, the oocyte undergoing self-digestion, zona pellucida collapsing, and macrophages invading the degenerating follicle to phagocytose apoptotic material and debris.

Components of the Female Reproductive System

• The system consists of ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and external genitalia.
• The ovaries are paired organs located on each side of the uterus.
• The Fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus and provide a site for fertilization.
• The uterus is a muscle organ located in the pelvic cavity.
• The vagina is a muscular canal that connects the cervix of the uterus to the external genitalia.

Functions of the Female Reproductive System

• Production of female gametes (oocytes) by the ovaries.
• Provision of a fertilization environment in the oviducts.
• Support for the embryo and fetus throughout development until birth.
• Hormone production by the ovaries to control the reproductive system and influence other organs.

Ovaries

• The surface of the ovaries is covered by simple cuboidal epithelium called germinal epithelium.
• The epithelium is continuous with the mesothelium.
• Beneath the epithelium is a dense layer of CT called tunica albuginea.
• The ovary is divided into two parts: stroma and parenchyma.
• The stroma consists of the tunica albuginea, germinal epithelium, and a layer of dense CT.
• The parenchyma is made up of the cortex and medulla.

Structure of Ovarian Follicle

• An ovarian follicle consists of an oocyte surrounded by one or more layers of epithelial cells within a basal lamina.
• The basal lamina separates the follicle from surrounding tissue.
• Primordial follicles are formed during fetal life and consist of a primary oocyte enveloped by a single layer of flattened follicular cells.
• The oocyte in the primordial follicles has a large nucleus containing chromosomes in the first meiotic prophase.

Follicular Growth and Development

• Follicular growth begins at puberty, triggered by the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
• A small group of primordial follicles undergo growth and development each month.
• Growth involves the growth of the oocyte, proliferation and changes in the cells surrounding the oocyte, and proliferation and differentiation of the stroma fibroblasts.
• Selection of which follicles will undergo growth and which will ovulate involves complex hormonal balances and subtle differences among follicles.

Oocyte Differentiation

• Growth of the cell and nuclear enlargement.
• Increase in mitochondria.
• Rough endoplasmic reticulum becomes more extensive.
• Golgi complexes enlarge and move peripherally.
• Formation of specialized secretory granules called cortical granules.

Follicular Development

• Primordial follicle: contains an oocyte surrounded by a single layer of squamous cells.
• Unilaminar primary follicle: simple cuboidal epithelium around the oocyte, zona pellucida starts forming.
• Multilaminar primary follicle: granulosa cells around the oocyte, zona pellucida formed, and theca interna develops.
• Secondary follicle: contains an antrum, follicular theca, and granulosa cells.
• Mature follicle: contains a fully developed antrum, corona radiata, and cumulus oophorus.

Atresia

• Involves programmed cell death.
• During each menstrual cycle, one follicle becomes dominant and releases an oocyte, while other follicles undergo atresia.
• Stages of atresia include granulosa cells detaching, the oocyte undergoing self-digestion, zona pellucida collapsing, and macrophages invading the degenerating follicle to phagocytose apoptotic material and debris.