FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM OVARIES Female gonads produce oocytes

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

OVARIES • Female gonads – produce oocytes and hormones (estrogen and progesterone)

UTERINE TUE/FALLOPIAN TUBE • Connects ovaries to uterus • Infundibulum – open end is funnel shaped, not connected to ovary • Fimbriae - many fingerlike projections, draws ovum into uterine tube

• Cilia lining tube allows peristaltic movements also propel ovum toward uterus

UTERUS • Functions in menstruation, implantation of zygote, development of fetus, and labor

• Fundus – portion connected to uteine tube • Body – main portion

• Cervix – opening into uterus −Secretory cells produce about 20 – 60 ml of mucus / day

• mucus provides for energy needs of sperm, protects sperm from environment of vagina

• Perimetrium – outer layer, part of visceral peritoneum • Myometrium – thick middle uterus – three layers of muscle that contract under influence of oxytocin during labor

• Endometrium – inner lining, highly vascular mucosa shed during menstruation

VAGINA • Passageway for sperm and menstrual flow • Receptacle for penis during intercourse

VULVA • External genitals of female • Mons pubis – pad of adipose tissue which cushions pubic symphysis

• Labia majora – outer folds of skin analogous to the scrotum • Labia minora – inner folds of skin

CLITORIS • Homologous to penis, also composed of two corpora cavernosa and a glans

VESTIBULE • Opening to urethra • paraurethral glands secrete mucus and are homologous to prostate

• vestibular (Bartholin’s) glands - produce mucus during arousal – homologous to bulbourethral glands