The female and male reproductive systems ensure the sexual maturation of each individual and produce cells

necessary to propagate the next generation.

The reproductive systems of the male and female have some basic similarities and some specialized differences. Most of the reproductive organs of both sexes develop from similar embryonic tissues and are therefore homologous.

Note homology

Both male and female reproductive systems have gonads: ovaries in females (which produce oocytes) and testes in males (which produce sperm). In addition these gonads also produce sex hormones.

Fertilization occurs when the male sperm meets the female oocytes in the female !allopian tubes

Male

!emale

The sexual union between a male and female is "nown as: copulation coitus or sexual intercourse.

Puberty is associated with activation of the male and female reproductive systems to a functional state: males can produce sperm and females experience first menstrual bleeding (menarche). #uberty is initiated by hormones secreted by the hypothalamus and by the anterior pituitary gland.

$oth systems have gonads that produce gametes and sex hormones and both systems are latent until puberty. However, males have continuous sperm production after puberty while females have a relatively fixed number of ova released periodically.

!emales have a %relatively& fixed number of ova released periodically after puberty and before menopause.

In both males and females the perineum is a diamond'shaped area between the thighs. Note the anterior triangle (urogential triangle) which contains the urethral and vaginal orifices in the female and the base of the penis and scrotum in males. The posterior triangle (anal triangle) is the location of the anus in both sexes.

(agittal section through the female pelvis

esicouterine pouch

The parietal peritoneum dips down between the uterus and the bladder to form the vesicouterine pouch. It also dips down between the uterus and the rectum to form the rectouterine pouch ()ouglas* cul'de'sac)

)ouglas* cul'de'sac

(yringe inserted into vagina with the help of a speculum and forceps

uterus

!uldocentesis to remove fluid to diagnose #elvic Inflammatory )isease (#I)).

The primary sex organs are the ovaries. The accessory sex organs include the uterine tubes (!allopian tubes) uterus vagina clitoris and mammary glands

The ovaries are solid ovoid structures positioned in the upper pelvic cavity on both sides of the uterus. They are slightly larger than an almond.

+ double fold of the peritoneum called the mesovarium attaches to each ovary and secures it to the broad ligament.

,ach ovary is anchored to the posterior aspect of the broad ligament by an ovarian ligament which is the superior portion of the round ligament of the uterus.

Blood vessels of suspensory ligament

The suspensory ligaments attach to the lateral edge of each ovary and pro-ect superolaterally to the pelvic wall.

,ach suspensory ligament contains an ovarian artery ovarian vein nerves and smooth muscle.

!ertili.ation occurs within the Fallopian tubes (oviducts uterine tubes or salpinges)

Note sperm normally encountering the egg in the Fallopian tube. This view also demonstrates that ovulation occurs within the peritoneal cavity.

,ach !allopian tube is supported by a specific portion of the broad ligament

$road ligament

!allopian tube

Infundibulum

fimbriae

The inner lining of the !allopian tube (mucosa) is coated with cilia that propel the egg towards the uterus. The muscular wall of the !allopian tube ( muscularis) also carries out peristaltic contractions to aide egg movement. The serosa covers the outside of the !allopian tube.

Note that the sperm cells must migrate against the flow created by the cilia in the !allopian tube.

If implantation occurs outside the uterus an ectopic pregnancy occurs. +n egg getting stuc" in the !allopian tube (tubal pregnancy) is a common site for such ectopic pregnancies. (ee the clinical view

The uterus is a thic"'walled muscular organ shaped li"e an inverted pear. It is where an egg normally implants.

Normally (see below) the uterus is angled anterosuperiorly across the superior surface of the bladder a position referred to as anteverted. If the uterus was tilted posteriorly towards the rectum it would be called retroverted.

The uterus provides a site for implantation of the pre'embryo nourishes the developing embryo/fetus expels the fetus at birth and sheds its inner lining every month if pregnancy does not occur.

Note indicated anatomic regions of the uterus

Pap smear being collected from cervix with the help of a circular speculum

of the cervix

0ead the clinical view in the text

The uterus is supported by the muscles of the pelvic floor the round ligaments the transverse cervical ligaments and by the uterosacral ligaments.

"ote round ligament passes through inguinal canal and inserts into labia ma#ora

1terine prolapse

The broad ligament despite its name is not a strong support for the uterus. 0ather it is a peritoneal drape over the uterus.

+rterial blood supply to the ovaries is via the ovarian arteries

"ote layers to uterine wall

#arietal peritoneum

The perimetrium the outer surface of the uterus is actually the parietal peritoneum

"ote layers to uterine wall

0ead about endometriosis in the clinical view in the text

,ndometrial tissue in peritoneal cavity (endometriosis)

The vagina (2atin for %sheath& or %scabbard&) is the organ that receives sperm during intercourse and also is the exit during menstruation and parturition.

The vagina is about 4.5 inches long and extends from the vaginal orifice to the cervix. The uterus attaches at nearly a 67 degree angle

3agina

The vagina is the copulatory organ of the female

(perm deposited in the vagina 8uic"ly encounter the egg in the !allopian tube so fertili.ation can occur.

Note that females unli"e males have an open road from their vagina all the way to their peritoneal cavity. This ma"es #I) more li"ely. !INI(9

(T+0T

Pelvic inflammatory disease $P%&' is a common cause of infertility and ectopic pregnancies because it either narrows or bloc"s the !allopian tubes.

( wet suit should be worn to prevent contaminated la"e water being propelled by hydrostatic pressure up the vagina uterus and !allopian tubes into the peritoneal cavity when a female water s"ier falls. The is also a concern in high velocity water slides. #elvic inflammatory disease could result.

The inner lining of the adult female vagina is slightly acidic

3aginal rugae

female

male

aginal rugae allow considerable stretching of the vagina during coitus. The vagina of an adult female is normally acidic because of the normal flora bacteria that thrive in the vagina.

The vaginal orifice may be partially or completely obstructed by a thin membrane called the hymen $maidenhead'.

&ifferent appearances of the hymen. It may be torn by activities unrelated to intercourse and an intact hymen is N:T a sure indication of virginity. If desired it can easily be removed by minor surgery in a doctor*s office.

0etained menstruation by an imperforate hymen $hematocolpos) in a female who has -ust reached puberty

)xcision of an imperforate hymen to allow menstrual blood to escape in a female who has reached puberty.

!emale external genitalia (vulva)

"ote homology between the penis and clitoris and between the scrotum and the labia ma#ora.

"ote labia ma#ora, labia minora, and clitoris.

The vaginal vestibule is the region between the labia minora where the vagina the urethra and $artholin*s glands open.

Note the bulb of the vestibule which becomes erect during sexual intercourse

The clitoris is a small erectile body located at the anterior region of the labia minora. It is homologous to the male penis.

;lose up of exposed clitoris

!emale circumcision

Female genital mutilation with clitoris possibly removed and labia sewed shut (female circumcision) :pening left for menstrual blood to escape.

Mammary glands are the glands within the breast.

;hanges in female breasts with age.

The nipple contains erectile tissue and is surrounded by the pigmented areola.

&uring pregnancy the areola becomes dar*er and enlarges presumably to become more conspicuous to a nursing infant.

Intense focus

Intense focus followed by action

Note suspensory ligaments (suspensory ligaments of ;ooper)

,ach mammary gland is composed of <='>7 lobes each with its own drainage pathway to the nipple

+il* is produced in the alveoli in the lobes of a lactating female which is then collected into tiny ducts. These ducts merge into lactiferous ducts each of which expand into a lactiferous sinus near the nipple. The mil" is then e-ected from the nipple.

(timulation of the maternal nipple is essential in promoting production and release of mil*. 0ead about lactation and after pains in your text if you desire.

Breast cancer. 0ead the clinical view in your text

In mammography the breast is compressed to thin it out and then x'rays are employed to detect abnormalities early.

+bnormal lump detected the x' rays employed with mammography.

Types of mastectomies. In the older women who are present in the cadaver lab radical mastectomies are common. 9opefully this will become less common in the future.

+ ?='year'old female physician who died of metastatic breast cancer $note bilateral radical mastectomy'. :bserve the numerous tumors that are easily seen under the s"in and rupturing through the s"in.

+fter reconstruction

$efore reconstruction following radical mastectomy.

@ ,3,0AT9INB #+(T T9I( #:INT I( ,CT0+ :0 !:0 ,C+M(

(uspensory ligaments of ;ooper extend between lobules but are ",T that supportive.

1terine prolapse

1terine prolapse

The primary sex organs are the ovaries which produce eggs (ova) and the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. These sex hormones increase at puberty and decrease after menopause.

-econdary sex characteristics are features that are not essential for the reproductive process but generally are considered to be sexual attractants. ,xamples are body physi8ue pattern of body hair breast development etc.

enous drainage is identical to that seen with the testes. Note the right ovarian vein drains directly into the inferior vena cava while the left ovarian vein drains into the left renal vein.

$lood is brought to the vaginal walls by branches of the internal iliac artery.

Females are more prone to dysfunctions and diseases of the reproductive organs than males.

.ynecology is the specialty concerned with dysfunction and diseases of the female reproductive system. ,bstetrics deals with pregnancy and childbirth. Many doctors do both (:$/BAN)

Normal hysterosalpingography

+bnormal hysterosalpingography showing bloc*ed Fallopian tubes.

Note inflation with carbon dioxide gas.

Mons pubis

(terili.ation of the female (tubal ligation)

$reast self'exam for lumps

right

,ctopic pregnancy

#us from gonorrhea exiting cervix

Bi-manual pelvic exam to palpate uterus

Bi-manual pelvic exam to palpate uterus

Inverted nipple

Normal nipple

0ead interest item about radical mastectomies used to control severe breast cancer.

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