Anatomy and physiology Female external structures Mon veneris Labia minora Labia majora Vestibule Clitoris 2 Skenes

s 2 Skenes glands (paraurethral glands) Bartholins glands (vulvovaginal glands) Fourchette Perineal body Hymen

Female internal structures Ovaries ovulation; estrogen, progesterone, testosterone; produce, mature and discharge ova Fallopian tubes site of fertilization; interstitial, isthmus, ampulla, infundibular Uterus organ of implantation and menstruation; body/corpus, isthmus, cervix Uterine wall : Endometrium (mucus membrane) Myometrium (muscle layer) Perimetrium

Vagina organ of copulation Breasts breastfeeding; milk glands Pelvis support and protect the reproductive and other pelvic organs

Sacrum (upper portion of the pelvic ring) Coccyx False and true pelvis

Pelvic inlet (entrance to the true pelvis) Pelvic outlet (inferior portion) Pelvic cavity

Menstruation Periodic sloughing of the endometrium; every 28 days for 4-6 days

Menstrual cycle (uterine/ovarian cycle) Proliferative phase FSH increases follicle in the ovary mature estrogen secretion from ovaries endometrium thickens and become more vascular Secretory phase LH increases ovulation occurs corpus luteum is developed Luteal phase corpus luteum secretes progesterone progesterone acts on the uterus, causing the endometrium become larger Menses if the ovum is not fertilized: FSH and LH diminishes so estrogen and progesterone secretion falls ovum disintegrates endometrium lining sloughs off menstrual flow

If the ovum is fertilized: estrogen n and progesterone level remains high, and complex hormonal changes in pregnancy occur

Fertilization Conception/impregnation/fecundation Capacitation and acrosomal reaction Union of an ovum and of a spermatozoon Outer third of the fallopian tube

Zygote

Implantation 8-10days after fertilization Apposition blastocytes brushes against the uterine endometrium Adhesion attaches to the surface of the endometrium Invasion settles down in the soft folds of the endometrium Once a zygote is implanted, it is called an embryo

Hormones of pregnancy (insulin antagonist higher risk of developing GDM) Estrogen Responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics Responsible for changes in the cervical mucus Breast development

Progesterone Relaxes uterine muscle; known as the hormone of pregnancy Prevents lactation during pregnancy Decreases peristaltic activity of the intestine constipation

Human chorionic gonadotropin Orders corpus luteum to keep on producing estrogen and progesterone; basis for pregnancy test vomiting

Human placental lactogen Promotes growth of mammary gland necessary for lactation; insulin antagonist