Chapter 23.2:
Female Reproductive System
General Anatomy
- Ovaries: produce oocytes and hormones
Uterine (fallopian) tube
Ovary
- Uterine tubes: transport oocytes from
ovaries to uterus
Uterus
Cervix
- Uterus: pathway for sperm to reach
ovaries and development of fetus
- Vagina
Urethra
- Mammary glands
Vagina
Labium minus
Anatomy of Ovaries
Growing
follicles
Mature (graafian) follicle
Ruptured follicle
Degenerating
corpus luteum
Ovulation (expulsion of a
secondary oocyte)
Corpus
luteum
Oogenesis
- The process by which ovaries produce eggs
- This begins before birth
- Three stages:
- Meiosis I
- Meiosis II
- Maturation
Meiosis I
- During fetal development
- Oogonium (2n) develop into primary oocytes (2n)
- About 200,000 to 2,000,000 developed at time
of birth
2n
Oogonium
- At puberty
- 40,000 primary oocytes remain
- Hormones initiate completion of Meiosis I
to produce secondary oocyte (n) and
1st polar body (n)
During fetal development
meiosis I begins.
Meiosis I
2n
Primary oocyte
n
n
Secondary
oocyte
First
polar body
After puberty, primary oocytes
complete meiosis I, which
produces a secondary oocyte
and a first polar body that may
or may not divide again.
2n
Meiosis II
During fetal development
meiosis I begins.
Oogonium
Meiosis I
2n
- Secondary oocyte (n) begins Meiosis II
Primary oocyte
- Occurs in the ovary
- Ovulation
- Secondary oocyte released into fallopian tube
- Only about 400 go through this
- Fertilization
-
Sperm penetrates secondary oocyte
Meiosis II resumes
Produces ovum (n) and second polar body (n)
Sperm and ovum nuclei join to produce a
zygote (2n)
After puberty, primary oocytes
complete meiosis I, which
produces a secondary oocyte
and a first polar body that may
or may not divide again.
n
n
Secondary
oocyte
First
polar body
n
Ovulation
n
n
n
Sperm + Secondary
cell
oocyte
Fertilization
n
n
Ovum
n
Second
polar body
2n
Zygote
The secondary oocyte begins
meiosis II.
A secondary oocyte (and first
polar body) is ovulated.
Meiosis II
After fertilization, meiosis II
resumes. The oocyte splits into
an ovum and a second polar
body.
The nuclei of the sperm cell
and the ovum unite, forming a
diploid (2n) zygote.
Uterine Tubes and Uterus
Infundibulum of
uterine tube
Fimbriae of uterine tube
- Two uterine (fallopian) tubes
- Transport secondary oocytes to
uterus
Uterine
(fallopian)
tube
- Each tube has a open, funnelshaped end called infundibulum
Ovary
- Contain fimbriae that sweep oocyte
into fallopian tube
- Fertilization occurs in the tubes
Body of uterus
Cervix of uterus
- Fertilized ovum implanted into uterine wall
Vagina
Vagina
- Extends from the exterior of the body to
uterine cervix
- Vaginal mucosa produces organic acids
- Prevents microbial growth
- Harmful to sperm
- Surrounded by smooth muscle to allow
intercourse and child birth
Mammary Glands
- Modified sweat glands that
produce milk
Lobule containing alveoli
- 15-20 lobes which contain
alveoli
Milk duct
Nipple
- Milk secreting glands
- Milk production stimulated by
prolactin and milk secretion
stimulated by oxytocin
Adipose tissue in
subcutaneous layer