GE ELECT 1 - HUMAN contained within primordial follicles

REPRODUCTION (immature follicles).

● These oocytes are protected by the
UNIT 1 ovaries until such time they are ready
CHAPTER 1 - THE FEMALE for release.
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS ● One egg – sometimes more – is released
during ovulation.
● Consists of organs primarily involved in ● The ovaries also produce estrogen and
producing offspring progesterone
● Does not operate in isolation ○ Regulate different reproductive
● Connected to the networks of blood functions
vessels, blood, nerves, hormones. ○ Regulate female secondary sex
● Also connected to tissues that: characteristics
○ Nourish ○ Role in bone metabolism and
○ provide with oxygen cancer management
○ regulate its responses
○ eliminate its wastes THE OVARIAN CYCLE
○ strengthen and protect ● Is a series of events that occur in the
ovaries during and after the maturation
of the oocytes for fertilization.
FEMALE INTERNAL REPRODUCTIVE ● In this cycle, the uterus is prepared for a
ORGANS possible pregnancy.
● From menarche to menopause

● Menarche – the onset of menstruation

(approximately 9-14 years old)
● Menopause – cessation of menstruation
(approximately 48-52 years old)
● Ovarian cycle is controlled by the
hypothalamus through
gonadotropin-releasing hormones to the
pituitary gland,
● Which in turn , sends gonadotropic
OVARIES hormones to the ovaries:
● Two almond-shaped organs approx. 3 ○ follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
cm long, 2 cm wide, and 1 cm thick ○ luteinizing hormone (LH)
located in the lower abdomen (pelvis)
and attached to the margins of the ● FSH – stimulates the primary oocyte to
uterus and to the pelvic wall by resume its meiotic division and mature
ligaments. ○ FSH also stimulates the primordial
● Are reproductive glands that produce follicle to increase its lining cells
eggs and female sex hormones. and form an outer covering that
● They contain 300,000 to 500,000 produces estrogen.
primary oocytes (immature eggs) ● Once a month, the Luteinizing hormone
(LH) causes a Graafian follicle to burst
 (ovulation), releasing the mature egg ● It has an inner lining which thickens in
(secondary oocyte). preparation for the implantation of the
○ LH also transforms the remnants of fertilized egg.
the Graafian follicle into a yellow ● If the egg is not fertilized, the lining
body called corpus luteum. along with the unfertilized egg is shed
● Corpus luteum – secretes during menstruation.
progesterone, which prepares the lining ● It houses the developing offspring and
of the uterus, for the implantation of the enlarges to accommodate it throughout
fertilized egg. the pregnancy.
● If no implantation occurs within 7 to 10 ● During childbirth, its powerful muscles
days, the corpus luteum regresses, contract to expel the baby.
degenerates, and its hormonal secretion
diminishes. THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
● The cycle repeats with another ● The 28-day menstrual cycle (also known
ovulation. as the endometrial cycle) is closely
● However, if the egg released at related to the ovarian cycle.
ovulation is fertilized, the corpus luteum ● As the primary follicle matures, it
persists, becoming the corpus luteum of secretes estrogen which acts on the
pregnancy. inner lining of the uterus, enabling it to
● With its own hormones, the corpus proliferate after menstruation.
luteum maintains the early pregnancy ● At approx. day 14 of the cycle, ovulation
until the placenta can take over. occurs.
● The corpus luteum produces
FALLOPIAN TUBE predominantly progesterone which,
● Pair of tubes about 10-12 cm long that primed with estrogen, prepares the
connects the ovaries to the uterus. lining of the uterus for the implantation
● Have fringe-like projections with motile of the fertilized egg.
cilia that direct the egg into the lumen. ● If no implantation occurs within 7 to 10
● Propels the ovum from the ovary days, the corpus luteum degenerates, its
towards the uterus. hormonal support decreases, and the
● Receives the sperm coming from the uterine lining is shed as menstruation.
uterus ● Afterwards, a new cycle starts.
● Provides the site for fertilization. ● It entails another maturation of follicle,
● Fertilized egg is propelled by ciliary secretion of hormones, proliferation of
current and contractions of the fallopian uterine lining, ovulation, formation of
tube to the uterus corpus luteum, secretion of more
hormones, and further preparation of
UTERUS uterine lining.
● Or womb, is a hollow, pear-shaped ● Again, if there is no implantation,
muscular organ about 7-8 cm long. degeneration of corpus luteum,
● Located in the middle of the pelvis decrease of supporting hormones,
between the urinary bladder in front and shedding of uterine lining, and
the rectum at the back. menstruation will occur, leading to a
new cycle.
● A few days before menstruation, as an ● It is the female organ of copulation
effect of a change in hormones, a which expands to take in the erect penis
woman may experience headache, and the ejected semen during
bloated feelings, mood swings, breast intercourse.
swelling and tenderness, weight gain, ● The vagina stretches even more to allow
lower back muscle pain, insomnia, food the baby to pass during childbirth.
cravings, pimples, mild fatigue and ● It also provides passage to the
irritability, and increased perspiration menstrual fluid to escape from the
(premenstrual tension). uterus.
● These symptoms characterize what is ● The normal vagina in the adult has an
commonly called premenstrual acidic pH and is richly colonized by
syndrome (PMS). bacterial flora, predominantly
● During menstruation, a woman may feel lactobacilli. Both of these provide
lower abdominal discomfort defense against infection. They are
(dysmenorrhea). lacking in prepubescent and
● Normal menstruation starts before the menopausal women.
age of 16 years and ends after the age
of 45 years. It lasts from 3 to 8 days and
entails a blood loss of less than 80 ml.
● A regular cycle ranges from 21-35 days,
with an average of 28 days.
● Menstrual blood does not clot.
● A prolonged abnormal bleeding or a
frequently heavy or very painful
bleeding should be consulted with the
doctor.

VAGINA
● Or birth canal is a 7-12 cm long
muscular cavity that connects the uterus
to the outside (vestibule).
● It contains mucus secreted by the
cervical glands.
● As ovulation approaches, the mucus
becomes sticky then changes to an egg
white consistency, indicating a fertile
period.
● Recognizing fertile mucus is a basis for
couples to abstain from sex to prevent
pregnancy.
● During pregnancy, the mucus thickens
to a plug to protect the fetus.
● The vagina is a passageway connecting
the uterus to the external genitalia.