Female Reproductive System Overview

Introduction

• The female reproductive system is more complex than the male system because it has more functions.
• These functions include producing and delivering gametes (egg cells), providing nourishment and a safe environment for fetal development, childbirth, and nourishing the infant.
• The female system is also more cyclic, and hormones are secreted in a more complex sequence.

Female Reproductive System Terminology

• Meiosis: The process by which sperm and egg cells are created.
• Gametes: Egg cells (ova) and sperm.
• Gonads: Ovaries (female) and testes (male).
• Zygote: The fertilized egg. It has a combination of both parents' genes.
• Sex cells:
  • Diploid: Cells with two sets of DNA (such as skin, hair, etc.). The diploid number of chromosomes is 46.
  • Haploid: Cells with one set of DNA (such as gametes). The haploid number of chromosomes is 23.

Female Reproductive Anatomy

• The female reproductive system includes various organs and supporting structures.
• These structures include: uterine tube, fimbriae, ovary, vesicouterine pouch, rectouterine pouch, cervix of uterus, anterior fornix, posterior fornix, rectum, anus, vaginal rugae, and vaginal orifice.

Frontal View of the Female Anatomy

• Structures supporting the ovary include the ovarian ligament, mesovarium, suspensory ligament, and broad ligament.
• The uterus, uterine tubes, and ovaries are also shown.
• A sectional view of the ovary, uterine tube, and associated tissues is included.

Ovaries

• Ovaries are female gonads that produce egg cells (ova), as well as sex hormones.
• They are almond-shaped and located in the ovarian fossa of the posterior pelvic wall.
• They have a tunica albuginea capsule like the testes, with an outer cortex (where germ cells develop) and an inner medulla (containing major arteries and veins).
• Each ovary contains fluid-filled follicles where egg development takes place.
• The follicle bursts during ovulation, releasing the egg.

Oogenesis

• Oogenesis is the process of ovum (oocyte) production.
• Oogonia, stem cells, undergo mitosis to divide into cells (before birth).
• Primary oocytes (diploid) have 46 chromosomes.
• Meiosis I begins, but stops at prophase until puberty.
• At puberty, meiosis I is completed, producing a secondary oocyte (haploid) and a polar body.
• Meiosis II begins but stops at metaphase II until fertilization.
• The secondary oocyte is released during ovulation.
• The oocyte completes meiosis II only if fertilization occurs.

Follicle Development

• Follicles are structures within the ovary where oocytes grow and mature.
• Primordial follicles contain a primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of squamous cells.
• Primary follicles have more granulosa cells surrounding the primary oocyte, which secretes estrogen.
• Secondary follicles have a fluid-filled space called an antrum.
• Tertiary follicles (Graafian follicles) are large, have an antrum, and are the site of ovulation.

Ovarian Cycle

• Follicular phase (Days 1-14): Several tertiary follicles develop, with FSH targeting one for rapid development. LH triggers the primary oocyte to complete meiosis I.
• Ovulation (Day 14): The tertiary follicle releases the secondary oocyte.
• Luteal phase (Days 15-28): The empty follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, secreting progesterone, which prepares the uterus for pregnancy. If fertilization doesn't occur, the corpus luteum degenerates and becomes the corpus albicans.

The Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes

• Hollow muscular tubes that transport the oocyte to the uterus.
• Lined with ciliated columnar epithelium.
• Three regions: infundibulum (beginning funnel shape with fimbriae), ampulla (fertilization occurs here), and isthmus (connects to the uterus).

The Uterus

• Protects, nourishes, and removes waste for the developing embryo and fetus.
• Pear-shaped organ with a fundus, body, and cervix.
• Smooth muscle contractions expel the fetus at birth.
• The uterus's supporting ligaments include the round ligament, uterosacral ligament, and broad ligament.

Uterine (Menstrual) Cycle

• Series of changes in the endometrium's structure, averaging 28 days.
• Begins at puberty (menarche) and ends with menopause.
• Divided into three phases based on hormonal responses: menstrual, proliferative, and secretory.

Hormones during Pregnancy

• Progesterone maintains the uterine lining and raises body temperature.
• Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is secreted from the implanted zygote.

External Genitalia

• Structures include the mons pubis (fatty tissue), labia majora and minora (folds of skin), clitoris (homologous to male penis), and greater vestibular glands.

Methods of Birth Control

• Methods include behavioral methods, barrier methods, hormonal methods, intrauterine devices, and surgical sterilization.

The Female Sexual Cycle

• Linked to the ovarian and uterine cycle.
• Shows the phases of the ovarian and endometrial cycles.

Differences between Male and Female Reproductive Systems

• Males have spermatogonia for life, while females have no oogonia at birth.
• Primary spermatocytes produce 4 spermatids, but primary oocytes produce only 1 functional egg.

Check Point Questions

• Questions cover various topics, including terminology, anatomy, oogenesis, follicular development, ovarian and uterine cycles, hormones, birth control, differences between male and female reproductive systems.

Explore the complexities of the female reproductive system in this quiz. Learn about key terms such as meiosis, gametes, and anatomy, as well as the hormonal cycles unique to females. Test your understanding of female reproductive functions and terminology.