Female Reproductive System Overview

Study Notes

Composed of primary and secondary sex organs, responsible for hormone production and gamete formation.
Primary sex organs: Two ovaries perform endocrine (hormone secretion) and exocrine (gamete secretion) functions.
Secondary sex organs: Include the uterine (Fallopian) tubes, vagina, uterus, mammary glands, and external genitalia.

Paired ovoid organs functioning as mixed glands, responsible for hormone secretion and ovum formation.
Structure:
- Stroma (C.T.):
  - Germinal Epithelium: Single layer of cuboidal epithelium transitioning to flat cells with age.
  - Tunica Albuginea: Dense white fibrous connective tissue layer under the germinal epithelium.
- Parenchyma:
  - Outer Cortex: Contains ovarian follicles, situated beneath the tunica albuginea.
  - Inner Medulla: Central portion with highly vascularized loose connective tissue.

Distributed in the ovarian cortex, providing a microenvironment for developing oocytes.
Types:
- Primordial Follicles: Arrive during the 2nd trimester, contain primary oocytes (2N), and are present from birth until puberty.
- Growing Follicles: Formed from primary follicles under FSH influence, characterized by multiple granulosa cell layers and small cavities.
- Mature (Tertiary) Graafian Follicle: Largest follicle, bulges on the ovary's surface, with the oocyte connected by cumulus oophorous.

Located beneath tunica albuginea, occupied by simple squamous follicular cells.
Transition to primary follicles at puberty due to FSH, forming multiple layers of granulosa cells.

Develop more layers of granulosa cells, surrounded by zona pellucida and corona radiata.
Theca layers:
- Theca Externa: Fibrous connective tissue, less vascular, aids in follicle contraction during ovulation.
- Theca Interna: Vascular, secretes androgens, converted to estrogens by granulosa cells.

Largest follicle, filled with a secondary oocyte, undergoes asymmetric division during meiosis I.
Meiosis I: Completes before ovulation, produces a secondary oocyte and a first polar body.
The secondary oocyte initiates meiosis II but halts at metaphase II until fertilization.
Under LH influence, the follicle ruptures to release the secondary oocyte into the fallopian tube, potentially causing a corpus hemorrhagicum.

Occurs post-ovulation, involving the transformation of remaining follicle cells, including theca interna and granulosa cells, supporting reproductive function.