Ch 27: Female Reproductive
System
All organs are internal and closely associated
– Primary reproductive organs: ?
– Secondary reproductive organs: ?
Female repro system
must produce gametes
AND maintain
developing embryo
Fig 27-11
Ovaries
Suspended by ovarian
ligament & suspensory
ligament
Functions:
1. Ova production
2. Hormone production
Oogenesis (= ovum production)
takes place inside
ovarian follicles in ovaries as
part of ovarian cycle
Oogonia (= stem cells) complete mitotic
divisions before birth
At birth: ~ 2 mio primary oocytes
At puberty: ~ 400,000 primary oocytes
40 years later: 0 (even though only ~ 500 used)  Atresia
Oogensis
Ovarian cycles start at puberty under influence of ___
Primordial follicle
Each month some proceed
Primary follicle
Few proceed
Secondary follicle
Few proceed
Tertiary (Graafian follicle)
Fig 27-12
Primordial Follicle or Egg
Nests
Present at birth
(simple squamous layer)
in
cortex
Primary Follicle
Follicle cells
Oocytes
Follicles enlarge in
response to FSH and
produce estrogens
Secondary Follicle
Few relative
to number of
primary
follicles
Produce
follicular fluid
Rapid
enlargement
= Clear glycoprotein
layer
Tertiary or
Graafian Follicle
Spans entire width of cortex
First meiotic division being
completed: 1oocyte divides into
one 2 oocyte and one polar body
Oogenesis
Suspended in
prophase I
Happens
in tertiary
follicle
Ovulation
Stops in
Metaphase II
Ovulation
Oocyte and follicular cells shed into abdominal cavity
then
1. Empty follicle forms corpus luteum which produces
progesterone
2. Corpus luteum degenerates and becomes corpus albicans
3. GnRH increases under low estrogen and progesterone levels
Uterine Tube
= Fallopian tube = oviduct
= salpinx
Two muscular tubes
–
–
–
–
infundibulum with fimbriae
Ampulla (place of fertilization)
Isthmus
intramural portion
Tubal ligation
Fig 27-14
Uterine Tube Histology
Ciliated and nonciliated simple
columnar epithelium
Ciliary movement and
periodic peristaltic
contractions move
ova
Secretion of nutrient
substances
The Uterus
Uterine wall ~ 1.5 cm
made up of
1. Endometrium,
2. Myometrium,
3. Incomplete perimetrium
Fig 27-16
Blood supply
–
–
Uterine arteries from
internal iliac
Ovarian arteries from
abdominal aorta (inferior to
renal arteries)
Histology of Endometrium

Functional zone – deciduum, sheds during
menses
– menstruation - flow sheds functionalis layer of
endometrium
– proliferative phase - under influence of estrogen
basal cells proliferate
– secretory phase - progesterone maintains
functionalis

Basilar zone – permanent layer, deep to
functionalis
Fig 27-16
Functions of Uterus

Protection of embryo/fetus

Nutritional support

Waste removal

Ejection of fetus at birth
Cervix and Vagina
Cervix attaches to vagina at ~ 90° angle
Fornix – pocket surrounding uterine cervix
(surgical access to pelvic cavity; location of birth
control device)
Vagina – fibro-muscular organ serving as
– receptacle for intercourse
– passageway for menstrual products
– birth canal
Fig 27-20b
The Mammary Gland
Modified sweat gland
Overlaying the ____________ muscle
15-20 separate lobes separated by suspensory
ligaments; each lobe contains several
secretory lobules
Lactiferous ducts leaving lobules; converge into 15-20
lactiferous sinuses
Milk stored in lactiferous sinus until released at tip of
nipple
Fig 27-21
Lymphatic Drainage of Mammary
Glands . . . . . . is of considerable clinical
importance, why ??