University:
Glendale Community College
Course:
BIO160 | Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology
Academic year:

2022
Views:

289

Pages:

9
Author:

Joshua Spence

Female Reproductive System Functions: • Produce female sex hormones and gametes • Provide nutrition for fetal development • Nourish the infant after birth The Uterus • Thick-walled, pear-shaped, muscular chamber opening into vagina. • Cervix is the rounded opening of the uterus. • Two uterine tubes (also called Fallopian tubes or oviducts) branch off the uterus and terminate near the ovaries. Uterine Tubes • Also called Fallopian Tubes or Oviducts • Open-ended, muscular tube lined with secretory cells and ciliated cells that sweep secretions and peritoneal fluid towards the uterus. • Uterine Tube Regions: – narrow isthmus near the uterus – middle portion is the ampulla – flared distally into infundibulum with fimbriae • Fertilization usually occurs in ampulla or isthmus Epithelium lining the uterine tube consists of ciliated cells, goblet cells and other secretory cells. Cilia move peritoneal fluid and uterine tube secretions towards the uterus. Cervix and Vagina normally have a stratified squamous epithelium Test developed by Dr. G.N. Papanicolaou can detect cervical cancer by identifying transformed squamous cells. normal PAP smear abnormal PAP smear Histology of the Uterus • Perimetrium is the external serosa layer • Myometrium is the middle muscular layer – 1 cm thick in nonpregnant uterus – composed of smooth muscle – produces labor contractions to expel fetus during childbirth • Endometrium – simple columnar epithelium with tubular glands – stratum functionalis is superficial layer that is shed with each menstrual cycle – stratum basalis is deeper layer that regenerates a new stratum functionalis with each menstrual cycle Ovary • Ovaries produce oocytes and female hormones. • Each oocyte is surrounded by follicular cells. • Oocytes develop within a follicle. • As a primordial follicle matures, it swells with fluid and develops into a primary follicle and eventually a mature Graffian follicle. • Ovulation is the bursting of the Graffian follicle and the release of the oocyte from the ovary. mature (Graafian) follicles