- produces ova (germ cells) and sex hormones (estrogen/progesterone)

- receives sperm

- site of fertilization

- transport, housing, and nourishment for reproduction

- "expels" fetus

Functions of Female Reproductive System

- has exocrine and endocrine function

- made of cortex and medulla

- covered with "germinal epithelium"

- houses developing follicles and their outcomes

(corpus luteum, atretic follicles, corpus albicans)

Ovary

- maturation and release of oocytes, developing female germ cells

Ovarian exocrine function

- secretion of estrogen and progesterone

Ovarian endocrine function

- covered with "germinal epithelium" (simple cuboidal) with an underlying tunica albuginea

- contains ovarian stroma, follicles at various stages, corpus luteum, atretic follicles, and corpus albicans

Ovarian cortex

- process by which a diploid somatic cell (oogonium) becomes a haploid ovum in the adult after fertilization

oogonia --(via mitosis)--> primary oocytes (in primordial follicles) --(1st meiosis, arrests in prophase)--> Primary/Secondary follicle --(finish 1st meiosis)--> Secondary Oocyte (Graafian follicle)

--(2nd meiosis, arrests in metaphase)--> Ovulated secondary oocyte --(fertilization)--> Ovum

Oogenesis

- contains primary oocyte

- follicular cells form a simple squamous epithelium

- basement membrane separates it from surrounding ovarian stroma

- only follicle present until puberty

Primordial follicle

- contains a primary oocyte

- follicular cells mature from simple cuboidal epithelium around oocyte (unilaminar) to stratified epithelium (multilaminar, granulosa)

- Zona pellucida surrounds oocyte

- theca folliculi formed by differentiation of multipotential stromal cells (interna & externa)

Primary follicles

- contains a primary oocyte

- follicle cells increase in size and number, produce follicular liquid

- liquid accumulates between cells (forming antrum)

- granulosa cells surround antrum and convert androgens in estrogen

- cumulus oophorus has embedded oocyte

- theca folliculi --> interna (secrete androgens) & externa (flattened fibroblasts, reserve for interna)

- only one in each cycle

- influenced by FSH and estrogen

Secondary Follicle

- formed by both the oocyte and adjacent follicular cells

- a thick glycoprotein band surrounding the oocyte

- beneath the corona radiata, binds sperm in order to release acrosomal contents

Zona pellucida

- region located outside the basement membrane of follicular cells

- formed by differentiation of surrounding multipotential stromal cells

- Ill-defined layers are interna and externa

Theca folliculi

- converts androgens, produced by the theca interna, into estrogen

- formed from stratified epithelium

Granulosa cells

- hillock of granulosa cells where primary oocyte is embedded

- innermost layer forms the corona radiata

- forms in late secondary oocyte

Cumulus oophorus

- located outside the basement membrane of follicular cells

- respond to LH

- secrete androgens

Theca interna

- composed of multipotential CT cells

- resembles layer of flattened fibroblasts

- serves as reserve cell source for theca interna

Theca externa

- increases follicular liquid (diameter 2.0 cm)

- begin formation of corpus luteum

- bulges from ovarian surface to form stigma

- oocyte/cumulus oophorus detach

- first polar body formed

- ruptures at stigma, releases the haploid secondary oocyte, cumulus oophorus, liquid and blood

Graafian follicle

- enlarged follicle bulges from the ovarian surface

- thin ovarian tissue covering the follicle forms this

- Graafian follicle ruptures here

Stigma

- site of fertilization in the uterine tube

- where meiosis II is completed

Ampulla of Uterine tube

- product of oocyte/follicular degeneration following not being the ovulated oocyte

- variability in region and presentation

Atretic follicles

- large, infolded body (cerebriform) and lasts about 12 days (day 14-26)

- formed by differentiation of granulosa and theca interna cells following LH stimulation

- composed of granulosa lutein and theca lutein cells

- secretes progesterone and estrogen

- placental hormones maintain it during 1st trimester

- becomes corpus albicans

Corpus Luteum

- form from cells in the granulosa layer

- Secrete estrogen and progesterone and makes up the major component of the corpus luteum

Granulosa lutein cells

- form from theca interna cells

- smaller than granulosa lutein cells and remain at the outer boundary of the corpus luteum

- form peripheral layer and infoldings

- produces estrogen and progesterone

Theca lutein cells

- consists of white mass of scar tissue composed of much collagenous material and scattered fibroblasts

- results from degeneration of corpus luteum

Corpus albicans

follicular phase (day 1-13) - estrogen, developing follicles, and menstruation

ovulation (day 14) - LH surge, ruptured follicle

luteal phase (day 15-28) - progesterone and estrogen, corpus luteum

Ovarian cycle

- infundibulum --> ampulla --> isthmus --> intramural

- thin --> thick

- 12 cm long tubes

- mucosal folds are most elaborate in infundibulum

- simple columnar epithelium with and without cilia

- submucosa forms CT layer with lamina propria

- poorly defined muscle layers

- outer serosa (except intramural portion)

Uterine (Fallopian) tubes

- funnel-shaped, free end with finger-like fimbria embracing the ovary

- part of uterine tube

- mucosal folds most elaborate here

- ciliated cells most abundant here

Infundibulum

- thin walled, lateral two-thirds

- fertilization occurs here near its junction with isthmus

- part of uterine tube

Ampulla

- thicker walled, medial one-third of uterine tube

- connects to the ampulla

Isthmus

- within uterine wall, lumen is continuous with uterine lumen

- connected to isthmus

- non-ciliated secretory cells most abundant here

Intramural (interstitial)