Reproductive Anatomy

Objectives

When you have completed this section, you should be able to

• describe the structure of the ovary and compare it to the testis;
• trace the female reproductive tract from the uterine tube to the vagina, describing the gross anatomy and histology of each organ;
• identify the ligaments that support the female reproductive organs;
• describe the blood supply to the female reproductive tract;
• identify the external genitals of the female; and
• describe the structure of the nonlactating breast.

Think About It

Why do you think the vaginal epithelium changes type at puberty? Of all types of epithelium it might become, why stratified squamous?

Key Point Review

1. How do the site of female gamete production and mode of release from the gonad differ from those in the male?

2. How is the structure of the uterine tube mucosa related to its function?

3. Contrast the function of the endometrium with that of the myometrium.

4. Describe the similarities and differences between the clitoris and penis.

Puberty and Menopause

Objectives

When you have completed this section, you should be able to

• name the hormones that regulate female reproductive function, and state their roles;
• define thelarche, pubarche, and menarche, the milestones of puberty;
• describe the hormonal changes of female climacteric and their effects; and
• define and describe menopause, and distinguish menopause from climacteric.

Think About It

FSH and LH secretion rise at climacteric and these hormones attain high concentrations in the blood. Explain this using the preceding information and what you know about the pituitary-gonadal axis.

Key Point Review

5. Describe the similarities and differences between male and female puberty.

6. Describe the major changes that occur in female climacteric and the principal cause of these changes.

7. What is the difference between climacteric and menopause?

Oogenesis and the Sexual Cycle

Objectives

When you have completed this section, you should be able to

• describe the sequence of cell types in oogenesis and relate these to meiosis;
• describe how the ovarian follicles change in relation to oogenesis;
• describe the hormonal events that regulate the ovarian cycle;
• describe how the uterus changes during the ovarian cycle; and
• construct a chart of the phases of the monthly reproductive cycle showing the hormonal, ovarian, and uterine events of each phase.

Think About It

Review the phenomenon of up-regulation in chapter 17 and explain its relevance to the processes just described in the ovaries.

Key Point Review

8. Name the sequence of cell types in oogenesis and identify the ways oogenesis differs from spermatogenesis.

9. Distinguish between a primordial, primary, and secondary follicle. Describe the major structures of a mature follicle.

10. Describe what happens in the ovary during the follicular and postovulatory phases.

11. Describe what happens in the uterus during the menstrual, proliferative, secretory, and premenstrual phases.

12. Describe the effects of FSH and LH on the ovary.

13. Describe the effects of estrogen and progesterone on the uterus, hypothalamus, and anterior pituitary.

Female Sexual Response

Objectives

When you have completed this section, you should be able to

• describe the female sexual response at each phase; and
• compare and contrast the female and male responses.

Key Point Review

14. What are the female sources of lubrication in coitus?

15. What female tissues and organs become vasocongested?

16. Describe the changes in uterine position through the sexual response cycle.

Pregnancy and Childbirth

Objectives

When you have completed this section, you should be able to

• list the major hormones that regulate pregnancy, and explain their roles;
• describe a woman's metabolic, nutritional, gastrointestinal, circulatory, respiratory, urinary, and integumentary adaptations to pregnancy;
• identify the physical and chemical stimuli that increase uterine contractility in late pregnancy;
• describe the mechanisms that produce labor contractions;
• name and describe the three stages of labor; and
• define puerperium and describe its principal events.

Key Point Review

17. List the roles of HCG, estrogen, progesterone, and HCS in pregnancy.

18. What is the role of the corpus luteum in pregnancy? What eventually takes over this role?

19. List and briefly explain the special nutritional requirements of pregnancy.

20. How much weight does the average woman gain in pregnancy? What contributes to this weight gain other than the fetus?

21. Describe the positive feedback theory of labor.

22. What major events define the three stages of labor?

Lactation

Objectives

When you have completed this section, you should be able to

• describe development of the breasts in pregnancy;
• describe the shifting hormonal balance that regulates the onset and continuation of lactation;
• describe the mechanism of milk ejection;
• contrast colostrum with breast milk; and
• discuss the benefits of breast-feeding.

Think About It

When a woman is nursing her baby at one breast, would you expect only that breast, or both breasts, to eject milk? Explain why.

Key Point Review

23. Why is little or no milk secreted while a woman is pregnant?

24. How does a lactating breast differ from a nonlactating breast in structure? What stimulates these differences to develop during pregnancy?

25. What is colostrum and what is its significance?

26. How does suckling stimulate milk ejection?

27. Why is breast milk superior to cow's milk for an infant?

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