I. ANATOMY
1. OVARIES

- Primary reproductive organ of the female which produce exocrine and endocrine products
- Paired; with shape almost the same as almonds
- Secured by: Suspensory Ligaments
Ovarian Ligaments
Broad Ligament
- Internal view would reveal tiny saclike structures called
OVARIAN FOLLICLES: Consist of a. OOCYTE
                          b. FOLLICLE CELLS - surround the oocyte
- As the developing egg matures, the follicle enlarges and develops a fluid filled cavity called the ANTRUM.
- Upon formation of the antrum, the cell is then called VESICULAR or GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE
- OVULATION - ejection of the egg cell from the ovary
- After ovulation: the ruptured follicle is transformed to CORPUS LUTEUM and degenerates to become the CORPUS ALBICANS.

2.    DUCT SYSTEM - consist of the uterine tubes, uterus and vagina
A. FALLOPIAN TUBES/ UTERINE TUBES

- forms the initial part of the duct system
- receives the ovulated oocyte and site where fertilization can occur
INFUNDIBULUM - funnel shaped portion of each tube
AMPULLA - widest, longest portion and makes up the lateral 2/3 of the tube
ISTHMUS - more medial, short, narrow, thick walled portion
FIMBRIAE - fingerlike projections of the distal end of the FT
- Fertilization can occur at any time up to about 24 hours after ovulation

B. UTERUS

- located in the pelvic area between the urinary bladder and the rectum
- the size and shape of an inverted pear
- serves as part of the pathway for sperm deposited in the vagina to reach the uterine tubes
- it is also the site of implantation of the fertilized ovum, development of the fetus during pregnancy, and labor
- Suspended in the pelvis by the broad ligament; anchored anteriorly by the round ligament and posteriorly by the uterosacral ligament.

UTERINE PROLAPSE:

PARTS:a.    FUNDUS -
          b.    BODY -
          c. CERVIX -

Wall is composed of three layers:
a. ENDOMETRIUM -
2 Layers: STRATUM FUNCTIONALIS
             STRATUM BASALIS

- lining sloughs off periodically every 28 days when a woman is not pregnant.

b. MYOMETRIUM -
c. EPIMETRIUM -

HYSTERECTOMY -

C. VAGINA

- Thin walled tube 8 - 10 cm (3 - 4") long
- Called the birth canal - passageway for the delivery of the infant
- Female organ of copulation - receives the penis and the semen during sexual intercourse
- HYMEN - thin fold of vascularized mucous membrane at the distal end of the vagina

3. VULVA/PUDENDUM

- Includes the: mons pubis, labia, clitoris, urethral and vaginal orifices, and the greater vestibular glands
MONS PUBIS -
LABIA MAJORA -
LABIA MINORA -
VESTIBULE -
CLITORIS -

4. PERINEUM

- diamond shaped area medial to the thighs and buttocks
- contains the external genitals and anus
- BOUNDARIES:    Anterior - pubic symphysis
          Posterior - coccyx
          Lateral - ischial tuberosities
    EPISIOTOMY -

III.  MAMMARY GLANDS

- Modified sudoriferous glands that produce milk
NIPPLE - pigmented projection on each breast; has a series of closely spaced openings of ducts called
    LACTIFEROUS DUCTS
AREOLA - circularly pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple
SUSPENSORY LIGAMENTS OF THE BREAST (COOPER'S LIGAMENTS)

LOBULES - smaller compartments in each lobe
    - Contain alveolar glands that produce milk
- Passage of milk:     
ALVEOLI (milk secreting glands) >> SECONDARY TUBULES >> MAMMARY DUCTS >> LACTIFEROUS SINUSES (storage of milk) >> LACTIFEROUS DUCT (carries milk to the outside)

IV.  THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS AND CYCLES

1. OOGENESIS -  formation of gametes in the ovaries
2. OVARIAN CYCLE - series of events in the ovaries that occur during and after maturation of an oocyte.
3. UTERINE (MENSTRUAL) CYCLE - cyclic changes that the endometrium or the mucosa of the uterus goes through every month as it responds to changes in the levels of ovarian hormones in the blood.
STAGES: 3.1. Days 1 - 5: MENSES
             3.2. Days 5 - 14: PROLIFERATIVE STAGE
             3.3. Days 15 - 28: SECRETORY STAGE

4. HORMONE PRODUCTION BY THE OVARIES

ESTROGEN - produced by the follicle cells of the growing and mature follicles
    Fxn:    a. Causes appearance of the secondary sex characteristics
             b. Increase protein anabolism
             c. Lowers the blood cholesterol
             d. Moderate levels inhibit release of GnRH, FSH and LH

PROGESTERONE - produced by the corpus luteum as long as LH is present in the blood
    - Major effects are exerted during pregnancy:
        - Maintains pregnancy and prepares the breast for milk production.
    - During pregnancy, source of progesterone is the placenta.
    - Inhibits release of GnRH and LH.
    - Works with estrogen to prepare endometrium for implantation

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