BSC 215 Lecture Notes - Lecture 59: Ovarian Ligament, Fallopian Tube, Ovarian Follicle

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The Female Reproduction System
The female reproductive system consists of the following structures, as shown in Figure
1:
The ovary is the organ that produces ova (singular, ovum), or eggs. The two
ovaries present in each female are held in place by the following ligaments:
o The broad ligament is a section of the peritoneum that drapes over the
ovaries, uterus, ovarian ligament, and suspensory ligament. It includes
both the mesovarium and mesometrium. The mesovarium is a fold of
peritoneum that holds the ovary in place.
o The suspensory ligament anchors the upper region of the ovary to the
pelvic wall. Attached to this ligament are blood vessels and nerves, which
enter the ovary at the hilus.
o The ovarian ligament anchors the lower end of the ovary to the uterus.
The following two tissues cover the outside of the ovary:
o The germinal epithelium is an outer layer of simple epithelium.
The tunica albuginea is a fibrous layer inside the germinal
epithelium.
=The inside of the ovary, or stroma, is divided into two indistinct regions, the outer
cortex and the inner medulla. Embedded in the cortex are saclike bodies called ovarian
follicles. Each ovarian follicle consists of an immature oocyte (egg) surrounded by one
or more layers of cells that nourish the oocyte as it matures. The surrounding cells are
called follicular cells, if they make up a single layer, or granulosa cells, if more than one
layer is present.
The uterine tubes (oviducts) transport the secondary oocytes away from the
ovary and toward the uterus (the ovaries consist of primary oocytes, which
develop into secondary oocytes). The following regions characterize each of the
two uterine tubes (one for each ovary):
o The infundibulum is a funnelshaped region of the uterine tube that bears
fingerlike projections called fimbriae. Pulsating cilia on the fimbriae draw
the secondary oocyte into the uterine tube.
o The ampulla is the widest and longest region of the uterine tube.
Fertilization of the oocyte by a sperm usually occurs here.
o The isthmus is a narrow region of the uterine tube whose terminus enters
the uterus.
The wall of the uterine tube consists of the following three layers:
o The serosa, a serous membrane, lines the outside of the uterine tube.
o The middle muscularis consists of two layers of smooth muscle that
generate peristaltic contractions that help propel the oocyte forward.
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o The inner mucosa consists of ciliated columnar epithelial cells that help
propel the oocyte forward, and secretory cells that lubricate the tube and
nourish the oocyte.
The uterus (womb) is a hollow organ within which fetal development occurs. The
uterus is characterized by the following regions:
The fundus is the upper region where the uterine ducts join the
uterus.
The body is the major, central portion of the uterus.
The isthmus is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus.
The cervix is a narrow region at the bottom of the uterus that leads
to the vagina. The inside of the cervix, or cervical canal, opens to
the uterus above through the internal os and to the vagina below
through the external os. Cervical mucus secreted by the mucosa
layer of the cervical canal serves to protect against bacteria
entering the uterus from the vagina. If an oocyte is available for
fertilization, the mucus becomes thin and slightly alkaline. These
are attributes that promote the passage of sperm. At other times,
the mucus is viscous and impedes the passage of sperm.
The uterus is held in place by the following ligaments:
Broad ligaments
Uterosacral ligaments
Round ligaments
Cardinal (lateral cervical) ligaments
The wall of the uterus consists of the following three layers:
o The perimetrium is a serous membrane that lines the outside of the
uterus.
o The myometrium consists of several layers of smooth muscle and imparts
the bulk of the uterine wall. Contractions of these muscles during childbirth
help force the fetus out of the uterus.
o The endometrium is the highly vascularized mucosa that lines the inside of
the uterus. If an oocyte has been fertilized by a sperm, the zygote (the
fertilized egg) implants on this tissue. The endometrium itself consists of
two layers. The stratum functionalis (functional layer) is the innermost
layer (facing the uterine lumen) and is shed during menstruation. The
outermost stratum basalis (basal layer) is permanent and generates each
new stratum functionalis.
The vagina (birth canal) serves both as the passageway for a newborn infant and
as a depository for semen during sexual intercourse. The upper region of the
vagina surrounds the protruding cervix, creating a recess called the fornix. The
lower region of the vagina opens to the outside at the vaginal orifice. A thin
membrane called the hymen may cover the orifice. The vaginal wall consists of
the following layers:
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o The outer adventitia holds the vagina in position.
o The middle muscularis consists of two layers of smooth muscle that permit
expansion of the vagina during childbirth and when the penis is inserted.
o The inner mucosa has no glands. But bacterial action on glycogen stored
in these cells produces an acid solution that lubricates the vagina and
protects it against microbial infection. The acidic environment is also
inhospitable to sperm. The mucosa bears transverse ridges called rugae.
The vulvae (pudendum) make up the external genitalia. The following structures
are included:
o The mons pubis is a region of adipose tissue above the vagina that is
covered with hair.
o The labia majora are two folds of adipose tissue that border each side of
the vagina. Hair and sebaceous and sudoriferous glands are present.
Developmentally, the labia majora are analogous to the male scrotum.
o The labia minora are smaller folds of skin that lie inside the labia majora.
o The vestibule is the recess formed by the labia minora. It encloses the
vaginal orifice, the urethral opening, and ducts from the greater vestibular
glands whose mucus secretions lubricate the vestibule.
o The clitoris is a small mass of erectile and nervous tissue located above
the vestibule. Extensions of the labia minora join to form the prepuce of
the clitoris, a fold of skin covering the clitoris.
Figure 1. View of the female reproductive system.
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Document Summary

The female reproductive system consists of the following structures, as shown in figure. 1: the ovary is the organ that produces ova (singular, ovum), or eggs. The two ovaries present in each female are held in place by the following ligaments: the broad ligament is a section of the peritoneum that drapes over the ovaries, uterus, ovarian ligament, and suspensory ligament. The mesovarium is a fold of peritoneum that holds the ovary in place: the suspensory ligament anchors the upper region of the ovary to the pelvic wall. Attached to this ligament are blood vessels and nerves, which enter the ovary at the hilus: the ovarian ligament anchors the lower end of the ovary to the uterus. The following two tissues cover the outside of the ovary: the germinal epithelium is an outer layer of simple epithelium, the tunica albuginea is a fibrous layer inside the germinal epithelium.

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