Female Reproductive System PDF

Female reproductive system Uterus - The uterus is the inverted pear-shaped organ within the pelvis between the bladder and the rectum, - The uterus can be divided into 3 parts: the inferior is the cervix, and the bulk of the organ is called the body of the uterus (corpus uteri)....

Female reproductive system Uterus - The uterus is the inverted pear-shaped organ within the pelvis between the bladder and the rectum, - The uterus can be divided into 3 parts: the inferior is the cervix, and the bulk of the organ is called the body of the uterus (corpus uteri). The upper aspect of the body is dome-shaped and is called the fundus - The inner lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium , the muscular layer is called the myometrium , the outer cover is called the parametrium - The cavity of the uterus is flattened and triangular, connected to the two fallopian tubes on its superior end ( the cornu) and to the vagina on its inferior end Uterine tubes (fallopian tubes) - The fallopian tubes are a pair of muscular tubes , each tube is about 10 cm in length and 1 cm in diameter - The uterine tube has 3 parts. The first segment, closest to the uterus, is called the isthmus. The second segment is the ampulla, which is more dilated in diameter and is the typical place of fertilization. The final segment, furthest from the uterus, is the infundibulum. The infundibulum gives rise to fingerlike projections that are responsible for catching the egg that is released by the ovary called the fimbriae. Ovaries - The ovaries are paired organs located on either side of the uterus, They are oval- shaped, about 3-5 cm in length - they produce female sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone as well as the female the ova (commonly called “eggs”) Vagina - The vagina is a muscular tube that connects the cervix of the uterus to the exterior of the body. It is located anterior to the rectum & posterior to the urinary bladder & the urethra. Vulva - Is the external female genitalia located in the pubic region and includes the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, and clitoris. - The Skene glands are at the opening of the urethra. - The Bartholin glands are at the lower end of the vagina The breast The breasts are part of exocrine glands, medically known as the mammary glands The main bulk of the breast tissue is usually localized to its upper outer quadrant. This is the quadrant where most of breast cancer and in most benign lesions of breast occur. The supero‐ lateral part of the mammary gland extends towards the axilla, forming the axillary tail. The breast consists of: 1. The glandular tissue organized into 15 to 20 sections, called lobes. Within each lobe are smaller structures, called lobules, where milk is produced. The milk travels through a network of tiny tubes that connect and come together into larger ducts, that transfer milk to the nipple 2. Connective tissue: provide support to the breast and give it its shape. It forms bands between the lobes, radiating out from the nipple like spokes from the middle of a bicycle wheel. 3. Fat: There is lots of fat tissue within the breast. The amount of fat determines the size of the breast. The fatty tissue gives the breast its soft consistency. 4. Nerves and Blood vessels 5. Lymph vessels, and lymph nodes. lymph (a clear fluid that circulates through tissues to help clean them, and then drains away through the lymphatic system) runs from the nipple, areola and lobules into a special network, which then drains to the axillary lymph nodes, parasternal and subclavicular nodes Hormonal regulation effect on breasts During puberty, growth and development of the breast occurs due to estrogens and progesterone. they induce changes in the glandular tissue depending on the period of the menstrual cycle, with sometimes painful swelling at the end of the menstrual cycle and then regressing again. During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone stimulate development of the breast. Prolactin also play a role during pregnancy. After delivery, levels of estrogen & progesterone decrease. Milk production is stimulated by increased prolactin. Oxytocin is also produced, which stimulates excretion of milk. With absence of ovarian hormones after menopause, breast glands and onnective tissue show degenerative changes