ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Female Reproductive System

Consists of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina and external genitals.

Ovaries

- the ovum-producing reproductive organ, often found in pairs as part of the vertebrate female
reproductive system

- They produce and store your eggs (also called ovum) and make hormones that control your menstrual
cycle and pregnancy.

Oogenesis

- Oogenesis, the production of eggs, begins in the fetus. Oogonia, the diploid stem cells of female
gametes, are converted to primary oocytes before birth. The infant female's ovaries contain about 2
million primary oocytes arrested in prophase of meiosis1.

Fallopian Tube

– 2 – 3 inches long that serves as a passageway of the sperm from the uterus to the ampulla or the
passageway of the mature ovum or fertilized ovum from the ampulla to the uterus.

Uterus

- hollow muscular organ, varies in size, weight and shape; organ of menstruation

Vagina

- extends from the cervix to the vaginal orifice. The vaginal orifice is partially closed by a thin membrane,
the hymen. The wall consists of a mucosa, muscularis and outer fibrous coat. The vagina connects the
uterus to the vestibule. It is the copulatory organ and allows passage of the menstrual flow and as the
birth canal during delivery.

EXTERNAL GENITALS

-Also called the vulva. It is composed of

a. Clitoris – “key”, pea – shaped erectile tissue composed of sensitive nerve endings; sought of sexual
arousal in females

b. Labia Majora – large lips, longitudinal fold from perenium to pubis symphysis
c. Labia Minora – AKA Nymphae, soft thin longitudinal fold between labia majora

d. Vestibule – almond shaped area that contains the hymen, vaginal orifice and batholene’s gland

e. Bartholin's glands- which open into the vaginal orifice and secrete mucus.

Mammary glands

The mammary glands lie over the pectoral muscles of the chest and are surrounded by adipose and
fibrous connective tissue. Each mammary gland consists of many lobules, which contain milk-producing
alveoli. Alveolar glands produce milk; lactiferous ducts converge at the nipple.

Functions of Estrogen and Progestin

Estrogen – hormone of woman

Primary Function

Responsible for the development of secondary characteristics in female

Inhibit production of FSH

Other function

Hypertrophy of the myometrium

Spinnbarkeit and Ferning Patter (Billing Method)

Ductile structure of the breast

Osteoblastic bone activity (causes increase in height)

Early closure of the epiphysis of the bone

Sodium retention

Increased sexual desire

Responsible for vaginal lubrication

Progesterone – Hormone of the mother

Primary Function- prepares the endometrium for implantation making it thick and tortuous

Secondary Function – inhibit uterine contractibility