Female reproductive system

Female reproductive system

• The set of organs of the reproductive system that ensure the production of female germ cells (ovogenesis) and female sex hormones responsible for the formation and functioning of the body according to the female type.
• Includes internal (ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina) and external (pubis, labia, clitoris) organs.
• Organs of the female reproductive system:
  • function cyclically (ovarian-menstrual cycle) under the control of hormonal and neural mechanisms during the reproductive period (from 9–14 to 45–55 years), after which they lose function and atrophy (menopause);
  • these are the primary sexual characteristics of women, observed in each of them since their intrauterine formation.
• During puberty, as a result of increased production of sex hormones, the female body acquires secondary sexual characteristics (developed mammary glands, high timbre of voice, female-type physique and hair loss, increased fat content, cyclic changes in the reproductive system).

Ovary

• A paired organ of the female reproductive system in which, as a result of the processes of ovogenesis haploid eggs are formed and female sex hormones (estrogens, progesterone).
• Contains cortical and medullary region:
  • cortical region contains oocytes of the 1st order lying in the connective tissue stroma at different stages of growth, surrounded by follicular epithelial cells (the latter produce estrogens);
  • medullary region is formed by connective tissue with blood vessels and nerve endings.
• function cyclically — the set of organ rearrangements is designated as ovarian cycle (average duration — 28 days):
  • in the first half of the cycle (follicular phase) under the influence of follicle-stimulating hormone of the adenohypophysis (FSH), the growth of oocytes of the 1st order occurs, culminating in the formation of mature (tertiary) follicles;
  • in the middle of the cycle (day 14), as a result of ovulation the rupture of mature follicle occurs and the exit of the ovocyte from the ovary into the fallopian tube;
  • in the second half of the cycle (luteal phase) under the influence of luteinizing hormone of the adenohypophysis (LH) from the follicular cells of the ovulated follicle develops a yellow body (a temporary endocrine gland that secretes progesterone).

Ovary

Ovary with a corpus luteum