University of Kirkuk Lec 1 College of Nursing Reproductive System 3rd Class2020-2021 Dr. jenan, Dr Suhailah The female reproductive organs include the ovaries, fallopian tubes & the uterus. During reproductive years (13-50 years) about 450 follicle develop & expel their ova one each month. Female Reproductive System ● Functions of Female Reproductive System ⮚ Allow for sexual intimacy and fulfillment ⮚ Produce children through the process of conception, pregnancy and childbirth ● Composition ⮚ The external genitalia (vulva) and internal reproductive organs 1 External genitalia of the female reproductive system: ● Mons pubis ● Labia majora ● Labia minora ● Clitoris ● Vestibule ● Perineum Internal Reproductive Organs ● Vagina (Birth canal) - A muscular tube that leads from the vulva to the uterus ● Uterus (Womb) A hollow, pear-shaped muscular structure Functions of the uterus: 1. Prepare for pregnancy each month 2. Protect and nourish the growing child Four sections: ⮚ Cervix - Connect the vagina and uterus - Outer os ⮚ Uterine Isthmus - Connects the cervix to the main body of the uterus - Thinnest portion of the uterus, and does not participate in the muscular Contractions of labor - Most likely to rupture during childbirth ⮚ Corpus (Body) - Main body of the uterus 2 Fundus Top most section of the uterus Walls of the corpus and fundus have three layers - Perimetrium - Myometrium - Endometrium ⮚ Paired fallopian tubes - Tiny, muscular corridors 8-14 cm long 3 sections 1. Isthmus 2. Ampulla 3. Infundibulum ⮚ Ovaries Two sex glands homologous to the male testes; located on either side of the uterus Functions: - Produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone - Store ova and help them to mature 3 - Regulate the menstrual cycle in response to anterior pituitary hormones Regulation of Reproductive function: ● Puberty - The time of life in which an individual become capable of sexual reproduction. - Occurs between 10 and 14 years of age. - Development of secondary sex characteristics. - Menarche ● Menstrual Cycle The normal reproductive years in female characterized by monthly changes in rate of secretion of female hormones, in the ovaries & sexual organs. The duration of menstrual cycle averages 28 days but may be as short as 20 days or as long as 45 days . As a result of this cycle : ● Only one mature ovum is released from the ovaries each month . ● The uterine endometrium is prepared for implantation of the fertilized ovum. ● The absence of cyclic menstruation is called amenorrhea ● The ovarian cycle consist of follicular phase & luteal phase. 4 ● Ovarian cycle and the uterine cycle Ovarian cycle ● Follicular phase ● Encompasses days 1-14 of a 28 day cycle ● Ovulation ● Luteal phase ● Large quantities of LH secreted by the anterior pituitary called the LH surge , LH is necessary for final follicular growth & ovulation & without this hormone ovulation not occur . Two days before ovulation LH secretion increase 6-10 folds & peaks 16 hours before ovulation (LH surge ). The lining of uterus normally gets thicker to prepare for a possible pregnancy. ● Includes 15-28 days Uterine cycle - Refers to the changes that occur in the inner lining of the uterus It has four phases 1. Menstrual phase - Day 1 , onset of menstruation - Uterine lining is shed - Follicle begins to develop - Ends when the menstrual period stops on approximately day 5 of the cycle 2. Proliferative phase - Uterine lining becomes thicker - Ends with ovulation on day 14 3. Secretory phase - Corpus luteum begins to produce progesterone - Prepares for pregnancy 5 4. Ischemic phase - Days 27 and 28, estrogen and progesterone levels fall - Uterine lining becomes ischemic and begins to slough Cervical mucus changes - Menstrual phase: Cervix does not produce mucus - Proliferative phase: a tackey, crumbly type of mucus that is yellow or white - Ovulation: Distensible, stretchable quality called Spinnbarkheit - After ovulation: mucus becomes scanty, thick and opaque Menopause - Reproductive capability ends - Ovaries cease to function - Hormone levels fall (Usually between 47- 55 years of age) Male Reproductive System Urinary tract and reproductive system in male are closely connected 6 The main purpose of the male reproductive organs is to perform the following functions: - To produce, maintain and transport sperm (the male reproductive cells) and protective fluid (semen). - To discharge sperm within the female reproductive tract during sex - To produce and secrete male sex hormones responsible for maintaining the male reproductive sex. Male External Genitalia ⮚ Penis ⮚ Scrotum Penis: - It is the male organ used in sexual intercourse. It composed of three parts; the root, , the body (shaft) and the glans at the end of the penis which is covered with a loose layer of skin called foreskin (circumcision). - Serves a dual role as the male organ of reproduction and as the external organ of urinary elimination. Scrotum: ⮚ An external sac that houses the testes in two internal compartments. ⮚ Protects the testes from trauma and regulates the temperature within the testes. Male Internal Reproductive Organs Testes: - Two oval organs, one within each scrotal sac - Produce male sex hormones (androgens) and form mature spermatozoa Ductal system (vas deference) ⮚ The muscular tube in which sperm begin their journey out of a man’s body. Accessory glands and semen (Seminal vesicles, Prostate, Cowper’s gland) 7 8 .