Biology 2404 A&P Basics                  Female Reproductive System              Dr. Weis

Objectives Background Medical Terms Activities Applications Careers WWW Review Questions

 

Objectives:

            Students should be able to:

                        * Name, identify, and give the function for the organs related to the female reproductive system:

                                                Primary Sex organ

                                                Duct or Tubular system

                                                External Genitalia

                                                Accessory  Organs

                        * Name the source and feedback control for the female hormones

                        * Describe the three ovarian phases

                        * Describe the three uterine phases

                        * Define oogenesis

                        * Define related terms

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 A&P Background

            Read related information in the textbook

The female reproductive tract consists of:

            Primary Sex Organ                  ovary

            Duct or Tubular system           Fallopian tube, uterus, vagina

            External Genitalia                   Vulva

            Accessory Organs                   Mammary Glands, lesser & greater vestibular glands

Female repro Model

Female repro wall Mount

Female repro poster

Female repro / Development wall mount

Specimen: cat


Ovaries

The ovaries are paired oval structures inferior to the kidneys in the mid abdominal region and are suspended by suspensory, ovarian, and broad ligaments.  The ovaries are covered by a connective tissue called the tunica albuginea that forms an outer capsule.  The ovarian cortex contains ovarian follicles consists of developing immature eggs (oocytes) and surrounding cuboidal cells, thecal cells.  In each follicle, the immature eggs undergo oogenesis triggered by the hormones secreted by the thecal cells.

            Primordial follicles                 oogonia                                   precursor cell

            Primary follicles                     primary oocytes                       haploid cells, meiosis I

            Secondary follicles                 secondary oocytes                   haploid cells, meiosis II

            Tertiary, Graafian follicles     secondary oocytes                   haploid cells, meiosis II

            Atretic follicles                       deteriorating oocytes               no function

Ovarian Model

Meiosis Wall Mount

Ovarian Histology Drawing

Ovarian Histology: primordial, follicles [primary, secondary, tertiary], CL


Ovarian Hormones and Cycle

The hormones from the thecal cells that line the follicles are:

DHEA is a hormone precursor to other reproductive hormones that control the ovarian and uterine cycles.

                                    Estrogens                     estradial, estrone

                                    Progestins                    progesterone

                                    Androgens                   testosterone

Estrogens also function in creating secondary sex characteristics:  Fat deposition, breast development, hair distribution, skin changes, and bone development

Hormonal control of the ovaries begins in the Hypothalamus with GnRH release triggering response of the AP to release either FSH or LH.

            GnRH for FSH ovarian thecal cells reproductive hormones, primarily estrogens

            GnRH for LH  affects tertiary follicles to causeovulation of secondary oocyte

                                                                           while the remaining thecal cells form the corpus luteum

In summary, the function of the ovaries is to produce gametes in a process called oogeneis and to produce reproductive hormones in response to homeostatic feedback signals.  Hormones control oogenesis and uterine lining changes.

The ovarian cycle is named for the events triggered by hormone response.

            Follicular Phase          ovarian follicles develop from primordial to Graafian

                                                triggered by estrogen production

            Ovulation                    Graafian follicle ruptures to release secondary oocyte

                                                triggered by AP – LH

            Luteal                          formation of corpus luteum (CL) from leftover thecal cells

                                                function to secrete progestins and estrogens

                                                triggered by LH

 

Female reproductive Model

Female reproductive wall mount

Ovarian Model

Ovarian Drawing

Hormone graph

Specimen: cat


Duct System

The Fallopian tubes (Salphinx, Uterine Tubes, Oviducts) develop separately from the ovaries.  At the lateral end of the tube, there are finger like extensions called fimbria that function to create vacuum like currents to retrieve the ovulated secondary oocytes. 

The fimbria is supported by an enlarged trumpet shaped base called the infundibulum. 

The infundibulum continues as the expanded portion of the tube called the ampulla and it is where fertilization takes place.  As the tube continues, its medial end is attached to the uterus at the isthmus.  In summary, the function of the Fallopian tube is in oocyte transport and fertilization.

            The uterus is a pear shaped structure in the pelvic region of the abdominal cavity suspended by the broad ligament. The external anatomy consists of the fundus, body, and neck or cervix.  The internal anatomy of the uterus is composed of three layers.  The internal epithelial lining is the endometrium and is a modified simple columnar epithelium in two layers, the basilar layer and the functional layer.  The muscle wall is the myometrium and is composed of smooth muscle.  The outer layer is a connective tissue layer called the perimetrium formed by the visceral peritoneum. 

The uterus can change size and shape during pregnancy.  The lining of the uterus will undergo several cycles known as the uterine cycle and relates to the hormones produced during the ovarian cycle.  The function of the uterus is to provide protection, support, and nutrition to the developing fetus and aid in delivery during labor.

            Proliferation (pre ovulatory)   basilar layer of endometrium replaces functional layer

                                                             triggered by estrogens from the ovary

            Secretory (post ovulatory)      functional layer secretes nutrients for fertilized egg

                                                            triggered by progestins and estrogens from the ovary

            Menstrual (post luteal)            functional layer of endometrium lost

                                                            triggered by a dramatic drop in ovarian hormones

The vagina is a muscular tube that connects the cervix of the uterus at the fornix.  The vagina functions as the female organ of copulation, serve as pathway for menstrual flow, and the birth canal.  The vaginal lining is stratified squamous and has an acidic pH to prevent overgrowth of bacteria.  A thin fold of tissue called the hymen partially closes the distal end of the vagina.  The vaginal orifice is the opening of the vagina in the vestibule enclosed by the labia.

Female reproductive models

            Large

            Small

Superior View

Inferior View

Female reproductive wall mount

Ovarian and Fallopian tube histology

Uterus histology: Proliferative, Premenstrual

Vaginal histology


External Genitalia

External Genitalia of the female is collectively termed the vulva or pudendum.

The vulva is comprised of the:           

            clitoris                         erectile tissue composed of corpora spongiosum

            labia majora                analogous to the male scrotum, contains sweat glands

            labia minora                smaller skin fold that contains sebaceous glands

                        both labia cover the vagina and urethra to help prevent drying

            mons pubis                  fat over the pelvic symphysis, covered by skin and pubic hair

           

Female Models : Large, Small

Female Wall Mount

Vulva Model


Accessory Glands

Accessory Organs of the female consist of the:

            Lesser vestibular glands, Skene’s glands on either side of the urethral oriface. They are analogous to the male prostate gland and secrete mucus for vaginal lubrication.

            Greater vestibular glands, Bartholin’s glands on either side of the vaginal orifice. They are analogous to the male Cowper’s glands and secrete mucus for vaginal lubrication.

            Mammary glands  modified sweat glands of the skin that is functional in females

                                                produce milk in response to AP – Prolactin (PRL) hormone

                                    Lactiferous glands are surrounded by fat and supported by 

                                    ligaments that anchor the breast tissue to the pectoral muscles

                                                of the chest.

Milk glandular alveoli develop in response to estrogens.

Milk release is under the control of the PP – Oxytocin (OT)

 and will travel through lactiferous ducts to the lactiferous sinus and exit at the nipple surrounded by pigmented skin, theareola.

Female body torso

Female Lower pelvis with Urinary System

Mammary Histology: Active, Inactive, Nipple

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Problems: Female Reproductive system


Medical Terminology

-ac                               pertaining to                            -algia                           pain

gyne, gyn/o-               women                                     hyster/o-                      uterus

lapar/o-                       loin                                          mammilla-                   breast

mast/o-                      breast                                      o, oo-                           egg

-(r)rhea                      flow, discharge                       salphing/o-                  tube

lute-                             yellow                                     mens-                           month

ova-                             egg                                           vagin/o-                       sheath

cervic/o-                     cervix                                     colp/o-                        vagina

episi/o-, vulv/o-          vulva                                       galact/o-, lact/o-           milk

gynec/o-                      female                                   uter/o-, metr/o-            uterus

labi/o-                         lip-like                                    oophor/o, ovari/o        ovary

ob-                               against                                    spor-                            seed

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Exercises/Activities

I. ID female reproductive organs

      A      Drawing

      B      Models

      C     Wall mount

II. Hormone levels in cycles

Concept Map: Make a concept map of the female reproductive system (gross and histo) anatomy, location, and physiological function. Include hormones, source, target, effects. This concept map should be sent as part of the LAR lab report (if selected) as a document insert or as an additional PDF scanned document.

Case Study

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Applications

Endometriosis

Uterine Leiomyomas

Fibroids

Mastitis

Uterine Polyps

Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian Cancer

Menorrhagia

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)

            Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Genital Herpes, Chlamydia, Trichomoniasis, Genital Warts

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Mammography

Cervical Cancer

Breast Cancer

AIDS

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Amenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea

Menopause

Mammary Dysplasia, Fibrocystic Disease

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Career

Gynecologist

 

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WWW

http://innerbody.com

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthtopics.html

http://www.lumen.luc.edu/lumen/meded/histo/frames/histo_frames.html

http://www.ob-ultrasound.net/

http://www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/maplewoods/Biology/Bio110/Labs.htm

http://calloso.med.mun.ca/%7Etscott/second.htm

http://www.track0.com/canteach/links/linkbodysystems.html

http://www.carr.lib.md.us/schs/science/anatomy/systems.html

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/chb/lectures/anatomy7.html

http://www.med.virginia.edu/med-ed/phys/practice_board.html

http://www.medem.com/MedLb/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZ8QKJ56JC&sub_cat=2       breast disorders

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pregnancyandreproduction.html

http://www.wcn.org (women's cancer network)

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Summary and Review Questions

1. Describe the histology of the ovaries and give its functions.

2. Name the functions of the female reproductive ducts:

            a) Fallopian tubes

            b) Uterus

            c) Vagina

3. Give the structure and function of the mammary glands

4. Name the structures of the vulva

5. Define oogenesis

6. Name the three phases of the ovarian cycle

7. Name the three phases of the uterine cycle

8. Name the two hormones that affect the mammary glands

9. Define mitosis

10. Define meiosis

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