1 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM Both sexes have ..., Lecture notes of Anatomy

Download 1 FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM Both sexes have ... and more Lecture notes Anatomy in PDF only on Docsity! 1 TEACHER INFORMATION FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM Both sexes have reproductive organs call GENITALS or GENITALIA, designed for the purpose of intercourse and conception. Only the female has organs for pregnancy and childbirth. EXTERNAL FEMALE ANATOMY Vulva: the general term to describe all the external female sex organs. Pudendum or Pubes: the area in the body where the sex organs are located. Mons Pubis: a mound of fatty tissue which covers the pubic bone. At puberty this area is covered with coarse pubic hair. The mons contains many touch sensitive receptors. Labia Majora: (large lips) two folds of skin running from the mons pubis to below the vagianl opening. The labia majora meet and fold together forming protection for the genitals. The labia majora are covered with pubic hair and contain many touch sensitive receptors. Labia Minora: two smaller folds of tissue which lie just within the labia majora. The labia minora join at the top, forming a hood over the clitoris. The labia minora are without hair and are rich in touch receptors and blood vessels. Clitoris: the center of sexual sensation and stimulation in the female. It is composed of erectile tissues and many sensitive nerve endings. It is found where the folds of the labia minora meet in the front. Urethra: below the clitoris, the opening to the bladder. INTERNAL ORGANS Hymen: a thin ring of tissue covering the opening to the vagina. It is the dividing line between external and internal sex organs. It has been over emphasized as a sign of virginity. Vagina: female organ of intercourse, it is actually an empty passageway leading from the vaginal opening to the uterus. It is only 3-4 inches long and shaped like a flattened funnel. The vaginal walls are made of many small folds of membrane that stretch greatly to accommodate a baby during birth. The vagina has three main functions: 1-channel for the menstrual flow, 2- receptacle for the male penis during intercourse, 3-birth canal. Cervix: the neck or opening of the uterus. A normal healthy cervix is the strongest muscle in the body. It dips down about half an inch into the vagina. It is normally plugged by mucus. It stays tightly closed during pregnancy, but thins and opens for the delivery of the baby. Urethra: the uterus is a hollow, muscular organ shaped somewhat like an upside-down pear, about three inches long and two inches wide. This uterus is lined with endometrium. The uterus has one main function – to protect and nourish a fetus until it is ready to live outside the mother’s body. The walls of the uterus stretch much like a balloon that is blown up. After childbirth the uterus shrinks back to the original shape in 6-8 weeks. 2 Oviducts (Fallopian Tubes): two tubes shaped like arched and twisting bridges, high on either side of the uterus. They are about four inches long and 3/16 inch in diameter (the size of cooked spaghetti). The oviducts carry egg cells toward the uterus and sperm cells toward the egg cell. They are the location for fertilization. Fertilization takes place in the outer third of the oviduct. The oviducts are funnel shaped and near the ovary. They have finger- like projections that reach out and encircle the ovum after ovulation takes place. Each oviduct is lined with many hair like fibers called cilia. The cilia beat a blowing motion toward the uterus. This motion carries the egg cell toward the uterus. Ovaries: two solid egg-shaped structures about the size of peach pits. They are attached to the uterus by ligaments. They are the counterpart of the male testicles. They have two main functions: 1-produce female sex hormones ESTROGEN and PROGESTERONE. Estrogen is responsible for the secondary sex characteristics and the sex drive in females. It spurs the onset of puberty and is responsible for OVULATION. Progesterone builds up the lining of the uterus called the endometrium in preparation for the fertilized ovum, 2- stores and releases the ova or female egg cell. The female baby is born with all the ova she will ever have (about 200,000 in each ovary). Some of the ova disappear; others are dormant until each is ripened and released after puberty. Nature is very generous since only about 50,000 ova survive at adolescence and about 400 will never ripen to become available for fertilization. After menopause the remaining ova no longer ripen or develop. OTHER RELATED CONCERNS D&C: Dilation and curettage, a common minor operation on women. The canal of the uterus is dilated and the lining of the uterus is scraped with a spoon-shaped instrument called a curet. Endometriosis: presence in abnormal locations of fragments of the membrane which lines the uterus (endometrium). The displaced tissue menstruates where it should not and tends to form cysts. No one knows for sure why some women have endometriosis. Some experts think it is caused by retrograde menstruation which means the menstrual fluid backs up through the fallopian tubes and spills out onto the pelvic organs. Others think that stray endometrial cells are in the pelvic cavity from birth. For more information, contact your hospital education department. Orgasm: Orgasm is characterized by the massive release of muscle tension which has built up during excitement. It is series of rhythmic contractions in the vagina and uterus. This relese is accompanied by very pleasurable sensations. Dysmenorrhea: painful menstruation. Symptoms include breast tenderness, irritability, cramping, nausea, and fluid retention. Dysmenorrheal results from high levels of hormone-like substances in the blood that cause painful contractions in the uterine lining. These contractions may be relieved by exercise and relaxation techniques. Sometimes a warm bath may help. Aspirin and stronger prescription medications help to relieve dysmenorrheal. Hysterectomy: surgical removal of the uterus, either through an abdominal incision, or through the vagina, which leaves no abdominal scar.