Kept low by FSH.  

LH is not released when levels are low.  

Embedded in the outer cortex.  

Saclike bodies.

Each consists of an immiture oocyte (egg) surrounded by one or more layers of cells that nourish the oocyte as it matures.  

Follicular cells - one layer

Granulosa cells - more than one layer

AKA oviducts

Transport the secondary oocytes away from the ovary and toward the uterus. 

The ovaries consist of primary oocytes which develop into secondary oocytes.  

Serosa - outside layer of serous membrane

Middle muscularis - made of 2 layers of smooth muscle.  Generates peristalic contractions that help propel oocyte forward

Inner mucosa - made of cilitated columnar epithelial cells help propel oocyte forward and secretory cells that lubricate the tube and nourish oocyte.

Hollow organ

Fundus (upper), Body (main), and Isthmus (lower, narrow)

Cervix - narrow region at bottom

Narrow region at bottom of uterus.

Leads to vaginal canal.  

Inside, or cerical canal, opens to uterus (above) through internal os and to vagina (below) through external os.  

secreted by mucosa layer of cervical canal

Protects against bacteria entering uterus.

If oocye avail for fertilization, mucous is thin and slightly alkaline to promote sperm passage.

Otherwise is viscous and impedes sperm passage.  

Broad ligaments

Uterosacral ligaments

Round ligaments

Cardinal (lateral cervical) ligaments

Perimetrium

Myometrium

Endometrium

Several layers of smooth muscle - bulk of uterine wall.

Smooth muscle layers contract during childbirth to help force fetus out.  

Highly vascular mucosa - lines inside uterus.

Fertilized oocyte (zygote) implants in this tissue. 

 Has 2 layers - Stratum functionalis is functional innermost layer (facing uterine lumen); shed during menstration.

Stratum basalis (basal layer) - outer layer - permanant and generates each new stratum functionalis

Outer adventitia - holds vagina in position

Middle muscularis - 2 layers of smooth muscle that allow expansion during childbirth and penis insertion

Inner mucosa - no glands - bacterial action on stored glycogen produces lubricating acidic solution that protects against microbial infection.  Acidic environment is also inhospitable to sperm.  Has rugae.

external genitalia made up of:

Mons pubis - adipose tissue above vagina covered in hair

Labia majora - 2 folds of adipose tissue on each side of vagina.  Hair, sebaceous, and sudoriferous glands.  Analogous to male scrotum.

Labia minora - smaller folds of skin inside labia majora

Vestibule - recess formed by labia minora.  Encloses vaginal orrifice, urethral opening, and greater vestibular ducts.  

Sudoriferous (sweat) glands specialized for milk production

Secretory cells form alveoli, join with ducts like grapes, to form lobules (clusters).  Many lobules form a lobe.  

Each breast has single mammary gland made of 15-20 lobes.  

 During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone stimulate extensive development of glands and ducts.  after childbirth, various hormones, especially prolatin intiiate lactaion.  

Lactiferous ducts leading away from lobes widen into lactiferous sinuses whch temporarily store milk, then narrow again to go through protruding nipple.  

Nipple - made course by sebaceous glands, is surrounded by colored area called areolea.  

Contraction of myoepithelial cells around alveoli force milk toward nipple.  

Enlarge at onset of puberty.  

In nonprenant femaled and males glands and ducts are not fully developed.  

Prolactin - from anterior pituitary - initiate lactation.

Oxytocin - stimulated in posterior pituitary by sucking infant - stimulats contraction of myoepithelial cells around alveoli and milk is forced toward nipple (letdown reflex).  

1. Primordial follicle - initial fetal state.  Encircles oocyte with single layer of follicular cells.  

2. Primary follicle - processes 2 or more layers of encircling cells now called granulosa cells.  

3.  Seconday follicle now has antrum, a fluid filled central cavity. 

4. A mature (vesicular or Graafian) follicle has completed meiosis I.  Preceeds ovulation.  Can see:

a. zona pellucida - a clear layer of glycoprotein surround oocyte.

b. corona radiate, ring of granulosa cells, around zona pellucida

c. several layers of cells (theca cells) surround granulosa cells.

5. Corpus luteum is what's left of follicle after ovulation.  Remains functional, producing estrogen, progesterone, and inhibin until it degenerates.  

Each cycle, 1 primary oocyte in it's follicle resumes meiosis I ti make 2 daughter cells (each haploid with 23 chromosomes).  1 daughter cells, the 2ndary oocyte contains most of the cytoplasm making sure enough stored food and mitochondria, ribosomes, and other cytoplasmic organelles avail for developing embryo.  

Other daughter cell, 1st polar body, much smaller and has little cytoplasm and few or no organelles.  

Secondary oocyte begins meiosis II but stops at prophase II. 

1. Proliferative - thickening of endometrium, replacing lost tissues from last cycle.

2. Secretory - after ovulation.  Further thickening and vascularization of endiometrium preparing for fertilization.

3. Menstrual - shedding of endometrium when no implantation occurs.

Menses is tied to body fat %

Women will ovulate 500x in lifetime

500,000 eggs - rest will degenerate and not make way thru

Placenta also responsible for hormones along wth ovaries

Bartholin cyst - infected Bartholin gland - have to make "marsupial pouch" and let heal from inside out or will fill back up.