Chapter

28
The
Reproductive
System
PowerPoint® Lecture Slides prepared by
Jason LaPres
Lone Star College - North Harris

Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc.,

publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings
 Principle organs of the female
reproductive system
• Ovaries
• Uterine tubes
• Uterus
• Vagina
 Support and stabilization
• Ovaries, uterine tubes and uterus enclosed
within broad ligament
• Mesovarium supports and stabilizes ovary
Figure 26.13 The Female Reproductive
System

Figure 26.13
 The ovaries
• Held in position by ovarian and suspensory
ligaments
• Blood vessels enter at ovarian hilus
• Tunica albuginea covers ovary
 Figure 26.14 The Ovaries and Their
Relationships to the Uterine Tube and Uterus

Figure 26.14a, b
 Oogenesis
• Ovum production
• Occurs monthly in ovarian follicles
• Part of ovarian cycle
– Follicular phase (preovulatory)
– Luteal phase (postovulatory)
Figure 26.15 Oogenesis

Figure 26.15
 The ovarian cycle
• Steps in the ovarian cycle
– Formation of primary, secondary, and tertiary
follicles
– Ovulation
– Formation and degeneration of the corpus luteum
– Degradation of the corpus luteum
Figure 26.16 The Ovarian Cycle

Figure 26.16.1
Figure 26.16 The Ovarian Cycle

Figure 26.16.2
 The Uterine tubes
• Uterine tubes (Fallopian tubes or oviducts)
– Infundibulum
• End closest to the ovary with numerous fimbriae
– Ampulla
• The middle portion
– Isthmus
• A short segment connected to the uterine wall
 Each uterine tube opens directly into
uterine cavity
• Fertilization occurs in uterine tube
– 12-24 hours after ovulation
– During passage from infundibulum to uterus
Figure 26.17 The Uterine Tubes

Figure 26.17a-c
 The uterus
• Muscular organ
– Mechanical protection
– Nutritional support
– Waste removal for the developing embryo and fetus
• Supported by the broad ligament and 3 pairs of
suspensory ligaments
 Uterus
• Major anatomical landmarks
– Body
– Isthmus
– Cervix
– Cervical os (internal orifice)
– Uterine cavity
– Cervical canal
– Internal os (internal orifice)
 Uterine wall consists of three layers:
• Myometrium – outer muscular layer
• Endometrium – a thin, inner, glandular mucosa
• Perimetrium – an incomplete serosa continuous
with the peritoneum
Figure 26.18 The Uterus

Figure 26.18a
Figure 26.18 The Uterus

Figure 26.18b
Figure 26.19 The Uterine Wall

Figure 26.19a
Figure 26.19 The Uterine Wall

Figure 26.19b
 Uterine cycle
• Repeating series of changes in the endometrium
• Continues from menarche to menopause
– Menses
• Degeneration of the endometrium
• Menstruation
– Proliferative phase
• Restoration of the endometrium
– Secretory phase
• Endometrial glands enlarge and accelerate their rates of
secretion
Figure 26.20 The Uterine Cycle

Figure 26.20
 The vagina
• Major functions
– Passageway for elimination of menstrual fluids
– Receives the penis during sexual intercourse
– Forms the inferior portion of the birth canal
Figure 26.21 The Histology of the
Vagina

Figure 26.21
 External genitalia
• Vulva
– Vestibule
– Labia minora and majora
– Paraurethral glands
– Clitoris
– Lesser and greater vestibular glands
Figure 26.22 The Female External
Genitalia

Figure 26.22
 Mammary glands
• Pectoral fat pad
• Nipple surrounded by the areola
• Function in lactation under control of
reproductive hormones
Figure 26.23 The Mammary Glands

Figure 26.23a-c
 Hormones of the female reproductive
cycle
• Control the reproductive cycle
• Coordinate the ovarian and uterine cycles
 Hormones of the female reproductive
cycle
• Key hormones include:
– FSH
• Stimulates follicular development
– LH
• Maintains structure and secretory function of corpus
luteum
– Estrogens
• Have multiple functions
– Progesterones
• Stimulate endometrial growth and secretion
Figure 26.25 The Hormonal Regulation of Ovarian Activity

Figure 26.25
Figure 26.26 The Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive

Figure 26.26a-c
Figure 26.26 The Hormonal Regulation of the Female Reproductive

Figure 26.26d-f