Lecture 11: Female reproductive system Flashcards
What is the function of the female reproductive system
- to produce offspring and ensure continuity of the genetic code
- to produce eggs, or female gametes, each can unite with male gamete to form the first cell of an offspring
- to provide nutrition and protection to the offspring for up to several years after conception
What are the 4 parts that make up the female reproductive system
- Gonads
- Hormones
- Organ systems
- Reproductive cycles
What are the Gonads
- ovaries (oogenesis occurs here)
- gamete: 2nd oocyte (can lead to ovule)
What are the hormones of female reproductive sys.
- Estrogen & Progestrone
- Inhibin & Relaxin
What are the 3 parts of the organ system
- Internal genitalia (ovaries & duct system)
- External genitalia (Vulva)
- Accessory organs (mammary glands)
What are the 3 independent reproductive cycles of female repro sys
- Ovarian cycle (oogenesis & developmentt of folicles)
- Menstrual cycles (shedding of the endometrium of the uterus)
- Hormonal cycle (control of the other 2 cycles & mammary gland -> secretion and production)
what is structure and location of ovaries
- site of female gamete production
- homologus to the testes of the male
- held in peritoneal cavity by many ligaments
What are the 3 ligaments holding ovaries in place
- Broad ligament (attaches the ovaries to the uterus)
- Ovarian ligament (holds ovary to uterus)
- Suspensory ligament (attaches the ovaries to the pelvic wall)
How does irrigation work in the ovaries
- abdominal aorta sends to the ovarian artery
- internal iliac artery sends to a branch of the uterine artery
- ovarian veins form the PAMPINIFORM plexus
Structure of germinal epithelium in ovaries
- external covering
- continuous w/ peritoneum
- cuboidal or squamous epithelium
- covering ovaries
What is structure of tunica Albuginea of ovaries
- internal capsule
- made of c.t.
what is structure of cortex of the ovaries
- dense layer
- highly vascularized
- containing ovarian follicles
What do the ovarian follicles contin
- Oocytes (immature future ovules at diff stages of devel) & a few layers of epithelial tissue that surrounds them
- all devel in first 6 months of fetus life
- have ~ 400, 000 total but only 400 survive
- 400/ 12 mnths = 33 years after puberty to have a baby
What is structure of medulla of ovaries
loose tissue housing blood vessels & nerves
What does oogenesis genrate
the female gamete
What is the progress of oogenesis
primary oocyte -> secondary oocyte -> ovum
How many Oocytes develop at a time and how does this differ from spermatogonium
-1 oocyte will develop at a time
vs
-4 spermatozoa
What happens to first and second polar bodies
they are broken down and then reabsorbed
What is first form of follicular phase
-primordial follicle
then becomes primary follicle
When does primordial follicle become primary follicle
when the 1 layer of follicular cells surround oocyte
What happens when follicular cells of primary follicle proliferate
- they become stratified
- take on a new name : Granulosa cell
What is the name of the connective tissue (c.t.) that forms around the primary follicle
Theca cells (internal & external)
What do the internal theca cells secrete
androgens
What do Granulosa cells do to androgens secreted by the internal theca cells
converts them to estrogen