Chapter 15: The Female Reproductive System
Gynecologists: specialize in disease of the female
reproductive tract
Obstetricians: specialize in the care od women during
pregnancy and childbirth
Neonatologists: pediatric subspecialists in disorders of the
newborn, particularly ill or premature infants
Perinatologists: obstetric subspecialists in the care of the
mother and fetus who are at higher-than-normal risk for
prebirth complications
External Genitalia
Vulva
Occupies most of the perineum
Includes the:
o Mons pubis: mound of skin that overlies the
symphysis pubis
o Labia majora: pare of thick folds of skin, connective
tissue, and adipose tissue
o Labia minora: pair of thin folds of hairless skin
immediately internal to the labia majora
Form together to make the hood of the clitoris
Clitoris: small erectile body capped with a glans
o Vestibule: area enclosed by the labia minora; contains
the urinary and vaginal opening
Greater vestibular gland (Bartholin): pea-sized gland
that secretes mucus to lubricate the vulva and vagina, the
secretions increase during sexual stimulation
Female Reproductive Tract
Ovaries
Primary female se organ
The related internal accessory organs include a pair of
uterine tubes, a uterus, and a vagina
, Women are born with all of the eggs they will release in their
life time, but the eggs don’t mature and start to leave until
puberty
Held in place by ligaments that attach to the pelvic walls and
uterus
Main functions:
o Produce and release eggs
o Secrete hormones that affect puberty, menstruation,
and pregnancy
Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes
4 inches longs and extends from the uterus and opens to the
abdominal cavity near and ovary
Fimbria: fringe-like structure on the surface of a cell or
microorganism
During ovulation the fimbriae enclose the ovary and sweep
the ovum into the uterine tube
Each tubes main function is to enable sperm and eggs to
meet and fertilize
Uterus
Thick-walled muscular organ in the pelvic cavity
Main functions:
o Cradle and nourish the fetus from conception to birth
and produce a woman’s period
Divided into 3 regions:
o Fundus: broad, curved upper region between the
attachments of the fallopian tubes
o The body or midportion
o The cervix – the inferior portion that projects into the
vagina
Uterus wall has 3 layers:
o Perimetrium: thin layer of connective tissue
o Myometrium: thick layer of smooth muscle
o Endometrium: the lining that sheds in menstruation
Vagina
Gynecologists: specialize in disease of the female
reproductive tract
Obstetricians: specialize in the care od women during
pregnancy and childbirth
Neonatologists: pediatric subspecialists in disorders of the
newborn, particularly ill or premature infants
Perinatologists: obstetric subspecialists in the care of the
mother and fetus who are at higher-than-normal risk for
prebirth complications
External Genitalia
Vulva
Occupies most of the perineum
Includes the:
o Mons pubis: mound of skin that overlies the
symphysis pubis
o Labia majora: pare of thick folds of skin, connective
tissue, and adipose tissue
o Labia minora: pair of thin folds of hairless skin
immediately internal to the labia majora
Form together to make the hood of the clitoris
Clitoris: small erectile body capped with a glans
o Vestibule: area enclosed by the labia minora; contains
the urinary and vaginal opening
Greater vestibular gland (Bartholin): pea-sized gland
that secretes mucus to lubricate the vulva and vagina, the
secretions increase during sexual stimulation
Female Reproductive Tract
Ovaries
Primary female se organ
The related internal accessory organs include a pair of
uterine tubes, a uterus, and a vagina
, Women are born with all of the eggs they will release in their
life time, but the eggs don’t mature and start to leave until
puberty
Held in place by ligaments that attach to the pelvic walls and
uterus
Main functions:
o Produce and release eggs
o Secrete hormones that affect puberty, menstruation,
and pregnancy
Uterine (Fallopian) Tubes
4 inches longs and extends from the uterus and opens to the
abdominal cavity near and ovary
Fimbria: fringe-like structure on the surface of a cell or
microorganism
During ovulation the fimbriae enclose the ovary and sweep
the ovum into the uterine tube
Each tubes main function is to enable sperm and eggs to
meet and fertilize
Uterus
Thick-walled muscular organ in the pelvic cavity
Main functions:
o Cradle and nourish the fetus from conception to birth
and produce a woman’s period
Divided into 3 regions:
o Fundus: broad, curved upper region between the
attachments of the fallopian tubes
o The body or midportion
o The cervix – the inferior portion that projects into the
vagina
Uterus wall has 3 layers:
o Perimetrium: thin layer of connective tissue
o Myometrium: thick layer of smooth muscle
o Endometrium: the lining that sheds in menstruation
Vagina
