Female Reproducve Anatomy • Ovaries are the primary female reproduc4ve organs • Make female gametes (ova) • Secrete female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) • Accessory ducts include • uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina • Internal genitalia • Ovaries and the internal ducts • External genitalia • External sex organs Female Reproducve Anatomy Figure 27.11 Chapter 27: Reproductive System 1 Ovaries • Blood supply • Ovarian arteries and the ovarian branch of the uterine artery • Consist of • Germinal epithelium • Layer of simple cuboidal epithelium • Covers outside of ovaries • Con4nuous with peritoneum Ovaries • Tunica albuginea • Capsule of fibrous connec4ve 4ssue, deep to germinal • Stroma • Connec4ve ssue deep to tunica albuginea • Cortex • Outer dense layer of stroma containing ovarian follicles • Medulla • Inner loose CT layer of stroma Chapter 27: Reproductive System 2 Ovaries • Each follicle • Consists of an immature egg called an oocyte • In adult woman • One folicle matures each month (typically) • Ruptures, releasing the oocyte • Ovulaon • In various stages of development include • Primary follicles, Graafian follicles, corpus luteum • Cells around the oocyte are called: • Follicle cells (one cell layer thick) • Granulosa cells (when more than one layer is present) Ovaries • Primordial follicle • One layer of squamouslike follicle cells surrounds the oocyte • Primary follicle • Two or more layers of cuboidal granulosa cells enclose the oocyte • Secondary follicle • Has a fluid‐filled space between granulosa cells that coalesces to form a central antrum Chapter 27: Reproductive System 3 Ovaries • Graafian follicle • Secondary follicle at its most mature stage • Bulges from the surface of the ovary • Ovula4on • Ejec4on of the oocyte from the ripening follicle • Corpus luteum • Ruptured follicle aRer ovula4on • Initally briefly a corpus hemorrhagicum • Fills with fat cells • Produces progesterone and estrogen • ~10 days • If no pregnancy occurs ‐ degenerates to corpus albicans Ovaries Figure 27.12 Chapter 27: Reproductive System 4 Ovarian Posion • Paired organs • On each side of the uterus • Held in place by several ligaments • Ovarian ligament • Anchors the ovary medially to the uterus Ovarian Posion • Suspensory ligament • Anchors the ovary laterally to the pelvic wall • Ovarian arteries and nerves from PNS/ANS travel in suspensory ligament • Broad ligament • Part of parietal peritoneum • Mesosalpinx, mesovarium, mesometrium • Also suspends uterus, uterine tubes, vagina Chapter 27: Reproductive System 5 The Ovaries Figure 27.14a Uterine Tubes (Fallopian Tubes or Oviducts) • ~4 inches long • Extend superior‐laterally from uterus in between folds of broad ligament • Mesosalpinx • Isthmus • Short, narrow, thick walled por4on at aYachment to uterus • Ampulla • Distal end • Widest and longest por4on • Curves around ovary Chapter 27: Reproductive System 6 Uterine Tubes (Fallopian Tubes or Oviducts) • Infundibulum • Funnel‐shaped • Osum ‐ opening • Fimbrae ‐ fingerlike projec4ons around osum • Collect ovum from ovary • Does not touch ovary Uterine Tube Histology • Three layers • Inner layer ‐ mucosa • Bea4ng cilia on the fimbriae • Create currents to carry the oocyte into the uterine tube • Carried toward the uterus by peristalsis and ciliary ac4on • Nonciliated cells • Keep the oocyte and the sperm nourished and moist Chapter 27: Reproductive System 7 Uterine Tube Histology • Three layers • Middle layer • Thick circular, thin longitudinal smooth muscle • Peristal4c contrac4on • Outer layer • Serosa Uterus • Site of • Menstruaon, implantaon, development, labor, delivery • Hollow, thick‐walled organ • Located in the pelvis • Anterior to the rectum and posterosuperior to the bladder • Subdivisions • Fundus – rounded region superior to the entrance of the uterine tubes • Body – major, tapering poron of uterus • Isthmus – narrowed region between the body and cervix Chapter 27: Reproductive System 8 Uterus • Cervix • Narrow neck which projects into the vagina inferiorly • Cervical canal – cavity of the cervix that communicates with: • The vagina via the external os • The uterine body via the internal os • Anteversion • Fundus and body of uterus flexed anteriorly rela4ve to cervix • Retroversion ‐ opposite Uterine Wall • Composed of three layers • Perimetrium • Outermost serous layer • Visceral peritoneum • Laterally becomes broad ligament • Myometrium • Middle layer • Interlacing layers of smooth muscle • Thickest in fundus • Thinnest in cervix Chapter 27: Reproductive System 9 Uterine Wall • Endometrium • Mucosal lining of the uterine cavity • Two principal layers • Stratum func4onalis (func4onal layer) • Undergoes developmental changes during menstrual cycle • Each month thickens and becomes engorged with blood in prep for implanta4on • Stratum basale (basal layer) • Permenant layer • Responsible for ongoing produc4on of func4onal layer following menstrua4on • Thick lamina propria Uterine Wall (endometrial) (functional layer) (basal layer) Figure 27.15b Chapter 27: Reproductive System 10 Supports of the Uterus • Lateral cervical (or cardinal) ligaments • Extend from the cervix and superior part of the vagina to the lateral walls of the pelvis • Uterosacral ligaments • Paired ligaments that secure the uterus to the sacrum • Round ligaments • Between layers of broad ligament • Bind the anterior wall to the subcutaneous labia majora through the inguinal canal Vagina • Canal • Internally between bladder and rectum • Extends from cervix to exterior of body • 3 layers • Inner (mucosa) ‐ stra4fied squamous epithelium • With transverse rugae • Middle ‐ longitudinal smooth muscle • Outer ‐ Fibroelasc adven44a Chapter 27: Reproductive System 11 Vagina • Vaginal fornix – upper end of the vagina surrounding the cervix • 3 parts ‐ anterior, lateral, posterior • Introitus ‐ vaginal orifice • Mucosa near the vaginal orifice forms an incomplete par44on • Hymen • No mucous glands • Mucous from cervix • Secretes glycogen • Metabolizes into lac4c acid • Low pH checks microbial growth Vagina Figure 27.16 Chapter 27: Reproductive System 12 External Genitalia: Vulva (Pudendum) • Female external genitalia and includes • Mons pubis, labia, clitoris, and ves4bular structures • Mons pubis • Round, faYy area overlying the pubic symphysis • Labia majora • Elongated, hair‐covered (outer surface), faYy skin folds • Homologous to the male scrotum • Large amount of sebaceous glands • Labia minora • Hair‐free skin folds lying within the labia majora • Homologous to the ventral penis • Highly vascular Chapter 27: Reproductive System 13.