Anatomy and Physiology of Female Reproductive Tract PDF

Anatomy and physiology of female repro tract Major structures of females tract: 1.​ Ovaries 2.​ Oviducts 3.​ Uterus 4.​ Cervix 5.​ Vagina 6.​ External genitalia -​ Female tract is a series of interconnected tubes Ovary (2x) Gonads Primary functions: 1.​ Produce gametes (egg...

Anatomy and physiology of female repro tract Major structures of females tract: 1.​ Ovaries 2.​ Oviducts 3.​ Uterus 4.​ Cervix 5.​ Vagina 6.​ External genitalia -​ Female tract is a series of interconnected tubes Ovary (2x) Gonads Primary functions: 1.​ Produce gametes (eggs, ova, oocytes) 2.​ Produce hormones Cortex contains -​ Ocytes (found inside follicles) -​ Corpus hemorrhagicum (bloody body) -​ Corpus luteum (singular) -​ Corpora lutea (plural) (yellow body) -​ Corpus albicans (white body) Follicles in the cortex - follicles also called Antral Follicles Primordial Follicles -​ Most immature and smallest -​ Contain an oocyte, and 1 layer of cells surrounding oocyte 1.​ Follicle (primary) -​ Slightly more advanced than a primordial follicle -​ Contains oocyte with a single layer of cells surrounding Females are born with a finite number of oocytes 2.​ Follicle (2 layer of cells) -​ Contain an oocyte -​ 2 layers of cells surrounding oocyte -​ Zona pellucida (thin transparent layer that surrounds oocyte) 3.​ Follicle (antral, graafian follicle)  -​ Contains oocyte -​ There's three distinct cell layers surrounding the oocyte 1.​ Theca Externa 2.​ Theca internal 3.​ Granulosa -​ Antrum (fluid filled cavity (follicular fluid) Theca cells (LH receptors (have)) -​ Produce androgens Granulosa cells (have receptors for FSH follicle stimulating hormone) -​ Produce estrogen Medulla (middle of ovary) -​ Contains vasculature, lymphatics, neves Except for the: -​ Mare since the medulla and cortex are reversed) -​ Only ovulating from one area on ovary called (Ovulation Fossa) Follicle fate -​ Atresia (follicular cell death) which means meaning that while thousands of follicles begin to grow, only one or two will actually ovulate, resulting in a large number of follicular cell deaths per cycle -​ Oviducts (composed of all three infundibulum which a the thicker portion, Ampulla, and isthmus Function of the Oviducts 1.​ Transport (Sperm, ova, embryo) 2.​ Site of fertilization (in ampulla) 3.​ Provide suitable environment for ova, sperm, embryo Uterus functions: 1.​ Provides suitable environment for the embryo and sperm 2.​ Plays a role in female cyenerty -​ Makes prustagladiv F2-Alpha (PGT2a) -​ PGF2D causes luteolysis -Lysins/ killing the CL 3.​ Transport sperm 4.​ Provides the maternal contribution to the placenta 5.​ Houses, nurtures, and gestates the developing offspring Components of the uterus  1.​ Myometrium -​ Metrium=uterus -​ Myo= Muscle 2.​ Endometrium -​ Mucosal and submucosal layers -​ Endometrium secretes a plethora of helpful substances -​ Histotroph: term for all the secretions form the endometrium -Luminal epithelial cells -Uterine glands Ruminants have caruncles in uterus -​ caruncles= small raised region of the endometrium -Serve as site for embryo attachment -Gives rise to materna; part of the placenta -No glands in caruncle -All glands are in intercaruncle region Mares and sows have endometrial folds Cervix Functions: 1.​ Makes and secretes mucus -​ LUbricates the vagina during copulation -​ Flushes out foreign material -​ During pregnancy mucus becomes very thick -Pregnancy seal -Cervical plug 2.​ Passageway for sperm 3.​ Reservoir for sperm 4.​ Passageway for the fetus 5.​ Prevents bacterial infections Vagina Functions: 1.​ Copulatory organ 2.​ Site for urine expulsion 3.​ Passive birth canal 4.​ Mucosal epithelial cells change in thickness and function depending on endocrine profile Vulva (External part of females tract) Functions: 1.​ Passageway for fetus and urine 2.​ Receives penis during copulation 3.​ Helps prevent entry of microorganisms into the females tract