Human Biology: Female Reproductive System

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the ovaries in the female reproductive system?

Production of hormones only

Formation of sperm

Support of embryo during pregnancy

Production of ova and secretion of hormones (correct)

Which of the following statements about oogenesis is true?

The ability to release eggs begins at menopause.

Oogenesis results in the formation of a mature egg. (correct)

All eggs present at birth will mature and be released during the reproductive years.

Oocytes are stored in the uterus until puberty.

What occurs during ovulation in the female reproductive cycle?

Multiple eggs are released at once.

The uterine lining thickens.

The follicle ruptures to release a mature egg. (correct)

The corpus luteum begins to degenerate.

Which structure transforms into the corpus luteum after ovulation?

Graafian follicle Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a secondary or accessory organ of the female reproductive system?

Ovaries Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the endometrium within the uterus?

Allows for implantation of a fertilized egg Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the uterus is primarily responsible for the contractions that occur during childbirth?

Myometrium Signup and view all the answers

Which function is associated with the vagina?

Acts as a passage for menstrual fluid Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the labia in the female external genitalia?

To enclose the vestibule Signup and view all the answers

Endometriosis is characterized by the growth of which type of tissue outside the uterus?

Endometrial tissue Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the fimbriae in the uterine tubes?

To receive the ovulated oocyte Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes where fertilization typically occurs?

In the fallopian tube Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a part of the uterus?

Fimbriae Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the cilia inside the uterine tube?

To help move the oocyte towards the uterus Signup and view all the answers

What happens in the case of an ectopic pregnancy?

The egg implants in the fallopian tube Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Female Reproductive System

The female reproductive system includes primary sex organs (ovaries) and secondary/accessory organs (uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, vulva, mammary glands).
Ovaries produce ova (eggs), the female gametes, and secrete hormones.
Ovaries are located on either side of the uterus, below and behind the uterine tubes. They consist of thousands of ovarian follicles within the cortex.
Each follicle contains an immature sex cell called an oocyte.
Oogenesis, the process of egg formation, begins at birth.
The ability to release eggs starts at puberty and ends at menopause.
Oocytes mature in developing ovarian follicles.
Ovaries are composed of ovarian follicles, which are sac-like structures.
Ovaries contain primary, secondary, and primordial follicles as well as a mature vesicular (Graafian) follicle, each containing an immature or maturing oocyte.
Ovulation occurs about every 28 days, when the egg is mature and the follicle ruptures.
The ruptured follicle is transformed into a corpus luteum (a temporary endocrine gland).

Uterine Tubes (Fallopian Tubes)

Receive the ovulated oocyte from the ovary.
Provide a site for fertilization.
Attached to the uterus but not physically connected to the ovary.
Supported by the broad ligament.
Fimbriae are finger-like projections at the distal end of the uterine tube that receive the oocyte.
Cilia inside the uterine tube move the oocyte toward the uterus (takes 3-4 days).
Fertilization occurs inside the uterine tube.

Uterus

Located between the urinary bladder and rectum.
Hollow organ shaped like a pear.
Receives a fertilized egg, retains the fertilized egg, and nourishes the fertilized egg.
Regions include the body (wide upper portion), fundus (area where uterine tubes enter), and cervix (inferior portion of the uterus).
The cervix is the narrow outlet that protrudes into the vagina.
Supported by the broad ligament, round ligament, and uterosacral ligaments.

Walls of the Uterus

Endometrium: inner layer; ciliated mucous membrane allowing for fertilization. Sloughs off if pregnancy does not occur (menses).
Myometrium: thick middle layer (3 layers) containing smooth muscle fibers.
Perimetrium: outer layer – visceral peritoneum (but the entire uterus is not covered by peritoneum).

Vagina

Extends from the cervix to the exterior of the body.
Posterior to the urinary bladder and urethra, and anterior to the rectum.
Smooth muscle lined with mucosa membrane arranged in rugae (folds), allowing stretching during birth.
Receives the penis during sexual intercourse.

External Genitalia (Vulva)

Mons Pubis: fatty area overlying the pubic symphysis that is covered with pubic hair after puberty.
Labia: folds of skin; includes labia majora and labia minora.
Vestibule: enclosed by labia majora, containing the openings of the urethra and the greater vestibular glands (which produce mucus).
Clitoris: contains erectile tissue.

Mammary Glands

Areola: central pigmented area.
Nipple: protruding central area of the areola.
Alveolar glands: clusters of milk-producing glands within lobules.
Lactiferous ducts: connect alveolar glands to the nipple; milk exits breasts through these ducts.

Breasts Function—Lactation

Secretion of milk to nourish newborns.
Ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone make breasts ready to produce milk.
Shedding of the placenta stimulates the pituitary gland to secrete prolactin.
Prolactin stimulates alveoli of mammary glands to secrete milk.
Oxytocin stimulates cells of alveoli to eject milk into the ducts.

Male Reproductive System

Primary organ: Testes
Secondary organs: seminal tubules, seminal vesicle, prostate gland, penis.

Testicles (Testes):

Located outside the abdominal cavity.
Descend several months before birth, typically by a few weeks after.
Testosterone stimulates testes descent.
Each lobule contains seminiferous tubules (tightly coiled structures) that function as sperm-forming factories and empty sperm into the testis.

Epididymis

Highly coiled tube capping the superior portion of the testis.
Lies along the top of the testis, then runs down the posterolateral side (behind the testes).
First part of the male duct system.
Sperm travels from the testis to the epididymis.

Ductus Deferens (Vas Deferens)

Carries sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.
Moves sperm by peristalsis.

Ejaculatory Duct

Formed by the union of the vas deferens and the duct of the seminal vesicle.
Pass through the prostate and open into the urethra.

Seminal Vesicles

Located at the posterior surface of the bladder.
Produce a thick, creamy, yellow secretion (60% of semen) that contains: fructose (sugar), vitamin C, prostaglandins, other substances that nourish and activate sperm.

Prostate Gland

Encircles the upper part of the urethra.
Secretes a milky fluid that helps activate sperm.
Enters the urethra through several small ducts.

Urethra

Extends from the base of the urinary bladder to the tip of the penis.
Carries both urine and sperm.
The urinary sphincter prevents urine from being expelled with semen during ejaculation. Sperm enters from the ejaculatory duct.

Bulbourethral Glands

Pea-sized gland inferior to the prostate.
Produces a thick, clear mucus that cleanses the urethra of acidic urine, serving as a lubricant during sexual intercourse.
Secreted into the penile urethra.

Spermatogenesis

Process that forms mature sperm with only 23 single chromosomes.
Begins at puberty and continues throughout life.
Occurs in the seminiferous tubules.

Semen

Mixture of sperm and accessory gland secretions.
Advantages of accessory gland secretions:
- Fructose provides energy for sperm cells.
- Alkalinity of semen helps neutralize the acidic environment of the vagina.
- Semen inhibits bacterial multiplication.
- Motility—elements of semen enhance sperm movement.
Typical volume with each ejaculation is 2-5 mL, with 50-150 million sperm per milliliter.
Below 25 million/mL of semen may be considered functional sterility.

Testosterone Production

Primary male sex hormone, primarily secreted by the testicles.
Functions: stimulates reproductive organ development, underlies sex drive, and causes secondary sex characteristics (deepening of voice, increased hair growth, enlargement of skeletal muscles, enlargement of testes, and thickening of bones).

Hormonal Regulation

Anterior pituitary controls the testes by the gonadotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus.
Two hormones involved: FSH (stimulates seminiferous tubules to produce sperm more rapidly) and LH (in males stimulates interstitial cells to increase their secretion of testosterone).

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on the female reproductive system, including the functions of the ovaries, uterus, and associated organs. This quiz covers key concepts such as oogenesis, ovulation, and the anatomy involved in reproduction.