Chapter 32.txt

gonads are the paired ovaries; gametes are ova produced by the ovaries—the ovaries are also internal genitals

• Internal genitals —uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina: ducts or duct structures that extend from the ovaries to the exterior
• –External genitals —the vulva
• –Additional sex glands such as the mammary glands

• -skin-covered region between the vaginal orifice and the rectum
• –This area may be torn during childbirth

–Nodular glands located on each side of the uterus, below and behind the uterine tubes (Figure 32-2)

development of the fetus in a place other than the uterus

• –Surface of the ovaries is covered by the germinal epithelium
• –Ovarian follicles contain the developing female sex cells (Figure 32-3)
• –Ovum —an oocyte released from the ovary (contains haploid or half number of chromosomes-23)

Ovaries produce ova —the female gametes

process that results in formation of a mature egg (ovum) (Figure 32-4)

estrogens and progesterone

Pear-shaped, has two main parts—the cervix and the body

inner endometrium, middle myometrium, and outer, incomplete layer of perimetrium (parietal peritoneum)

• cavities are small because of the thickness of the uterine walls
• -The body cavity’s apex constitutes the internal os and opens into the cervical canal, which is constricted at its lower end and forms the external os that opens into the vagina

uterine arteries

• –Located in pelvic cavity between urinary bladder and rectum (Figure 32-1)
• –Position of uterus (Figure 32-5) is altered by age, pregnancy, and distention of related pelvic viscera
• –Descends, between birth and puberty, from the lower abdomen to the true pelvis
• –Begins to decrease in size at menopause

• Body lies flexed over the bladder
• –Cervix points downward and backward, joining the vagina at a right angle
• –Several ligaments hold the uterus in place but allow some movement

• –Part of reproductive tract, permits sperm to ascend toward uterine tubes
• –If conception occurs, an offspring develops in the uterus

endometrial glands

organ that permits exchange of materials between mother’s blood and fetal blood but keeps the two circulations separate

occur during labor and help push the offspring out of mother’s body

outer layers of endometrium

a cyclical event that allows the endometrium to renew itself

• •Uterine tubes are also called fallopian tubes, or oviducts
• •Uterine tubes are attached to the uterus at its upper outer angles and extend upward and outward toward sides of pelvis

• –Consist of mucosal lining, smooth muscle, and serous coat (Figure 32-6)
• –Tubal mucosa is continuous with that of the uterus and vagina, which means it may become infected with organisms introduced into the vagina

isthmus, ampulla, and infundibulum and ends in finger-like projections called fimbria

–Serve as transport channels for ova and as the site of fertilization (fertilization occurs in the ampulla).

• –Collapsible tube capable of distention, composed of smooth muscle, and lined with mucous membrane arranged in rugae
• –Anterior wall is shorter than posterior wall because cervix protrudes into its uppermost portion

a mucous membrane that typically forms a border around the vagina in young premenstrual girls

• –Lining of the vagina lubricates and stimulates the penis during sexual intercourse and acts as a receptacle for semen
• –Lower portion of the birth canal
• –Transports tissue and blood shed during menstruation to the exterior

the female external genitals: mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urinary meatus, vaginal orifice, and greater vestibular glands (Figure 32-8)

• –The mons pubis and labia protect the clitoris and vestibule
• –The clitoris contains sensory receptors that send information to the sexual response area of the brain
• –The vaginal orifice is the boundary between the internal and external genitals

–The breasts lie over the pectoral muscles

Estrogens and progesterone

the amount of fat around glandular tissue

The function of mammary glands is lactation

• •Ovarian hormones make breasts structurally ready to produce milk
• •Shedding of placenta results in decrease of estrogens and thus stimulates prolactin
• •Prolactin stimulates lactation

• •Nutrients
• •Passive immunity from antibodies present in colostrum and milk
• •Emotional bonding between mother and child
• •Lactation lowers the incidence of breast cancer

menses

ovaries from birth contain oocytes in primary follicles in which the meiotic process has been suspended; at the beginning of menstruation each month, several of the oocytes resume meiosis; meiosis will stop again just before the cell is released during ovulation (Figure 32-11)

• •Menses
• •Postmenstrual phase
• •Ovulation
• •Premenstrual phase
• –Myometrial phase
• –Gonadotropic cycle

amenorrhea

• –The main hormone secreted by the corpus luteum is progesterone and some estrogens
• –Control of cyclical changes in gonadotropin secretion is caused by positive and negative feedback mechanisms and involves estrogens, progesterone, and the hypothalamus’s secretion of releasing hormones

stimulates primary graafian follicles to grow toward maturity (oogenesis); also stimulates follicle cells to secrete estrogens.

triggers ovulation. Also, LH stimulates the Corpus luteum to secrete mainly progesterone and some estrogens.

• -Ovarian cycle’s primary function is to produce an ovum at regular intervals
• -Secondary function is to regulate endometrial cycle through estrogen and progesterone

is to make uterus suitable for implantation of a new offspring

that a woman is only fertile a few days of each month

at puberty, and menstrual cycle continues for about three decades

• -The urinary system because of their close proximity and because they share the vulva
• –The skeletal muscles in the perineum
• –The integumentary system because breasts are actually modifications of the sweat glands of the skin