REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

OVARIES

Ovaries are located in the left and right lower abdomen ,ovaries produce egg as well as hormones like estrogen and progesterone. OVARY LIGAMENTS Each ovary is attached to several ligaments that help to hold it in position. The largest of these, formed by a fold of peritoneum, is called the "broad ligament." It is also attached to the uterine tubes and to the uterus. At its upper end, the ovary is held by a small fold of peritoneum, called the "suspensory ligament," which contains the ovarian blood vessels and nerves. At its lower end, it is attached to the uterus by a rounded, cord-like thickening of the broad ligament, called the "ovarian ligament." The "peritoneum" is a two-layered membrane that supports the abdominal organs, produces lubricating fluid that allows the organs to flow smoothly over each other, and protects against infection. FALLOPIAN TUBE

These thin soft tissue extend from the uterus to the ovaries, during ovulation an ovary release an egg into the fallopian tube next to it. UTERUS Also called the womb, the uterus is a hollow, pear shaped organ with a muscular and a lining. The uterus expends many times in size during pregnancy to hold the growing fetus.

CERVIX

The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus that opens into the vagina, during labor the cervix dilates (expands) about 4 inches into diameter.

VAGINA

The tube like organ connects the uterus to the outside of the body. The birth of baby follows its path.

LABIA MINOR

The labia (singular, labium) minor are flattened lengthwise into folds located with the cleft between the labia major. These folds extend along either side of the vestibule. They are composed of connective tissue that is richly supplied with blood vessels, causing a pinkish appearance.

THE MAMMARY GLANDS

The mammary glands are accessory organs of the female reproductive system that are specialized to secrete milk following pregnancy. They are located in the subcutaneous tissue of the front thorax within the elevations which are called BREASTS. A "NIPPLE" is located near the tip of each breast, and it is surrounded by a circular area of pigmented skin called the "areola." A mammary gland is composed of fifteen to twenty irregularly shaped lobes, each of which includes ALVEOLAR GLANDS, AND A DUCT (LACTIFEROUS DUCT) that leads to the nipple and opens to the outside. The lobes are separated by dense connective tissues that support the glands and attach them to the tissues on the underlying pectoral muscles. Other connective tissue, which forms dense strands called "SUSPENSORY LIGAMENTS," extends inward from the skin of the breast to the pectoral tissue to support the weight of the breast. The breasts are really modified sweat glands, which are made up of fibrous tissues and fat that provide support and contain nerves, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels.

REPRODUCTIVE HORMONES

LUTEINIZING HORMONE

Leuteinizing hormone or LH is produced by the pituitary gland. This is the hormone that is released in a surge and causes the ovary to release the mature egg , LH is the hormone that ovulation predictor kits detects .

FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE

FSH is produced by the pituitary gland. FSH stimulates the ovaries into maturing the egg(s) and into producing estrogen.

ESTROGEN

Estrogen is produced by the ovaries. The closer it gets to ovulation, the more estrogen is released. Estrogen causes the cervical fluid to be thin , and abundant and causes the basal body temperature to be low.

PROGESTERONE

Progesterone is the hormone released after ovulation. Progesterone is responsible for the basal body temperature rising and for maintaining the uterine lining – in preparation for the fertilized egg. Progesterone is produced by the corpus luteum .

HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN

HCG is referred to as the pregnancy hormone. HCG is produced by the developing embryo when it implants into the uterine lining. HCG is the hormone that is detected by pregnancy tests. HCG helps to maintain the corpus luteum in the event of pregnancy which maintains the high levels of progesterone.

MENSTRUAL CYCLE

Each month women of reproductive age who are not pregnant, go through a cycle of fertility that results in either pregnancy or menstruation. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days but ranges from 24 – 35 days.

MENSTRUAL PHASE (1 - 5 DAYS )

The first day of women’s period is considered the first day of the menstrual cycle . If an egg has not been fertilized, it disintegrates. Low levels of hormones estrogen and progesterone during this phase cause the endometrium to break down and be shed in the form of menstrual blood .bleeding last an average of 5 days.

FOLLICULAR PHASE (1 – 13 DAYS)

Early in the menstrual cycle the pituitary gland in the brain produces rising amount of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which acts on ovaries to promote the development of several follicles, each one containing an egg. Only one follicle will reach maturity. Towards the end of this phase, the ovaries secret increasing amount of estrogen, which causes the uterine lining to begin thickening in preparation for potential fertilized egg.

OVULATORY PHASE (10 – 18 DAYS )

The pituitary gland and hypothalamus releases a surge of lutenizing hormone (LH) about midway through the cycle. This causes the mature follicle to bulge out from the surface of the ovary and burst, releasing the egg .ovulation usually occurs around day 14 of the cycle .The egg then begins to travel down the fallopian tube and into the uterus. This is the time when women are most likely to become pregnant.

LUTEAL PHASE (15 – 28 DAYS)

After releasing the egg the ruptured egg develops into a structure called corpus luteum which secrets increasing amount of progesterone. The progesterone causes the endometrium to thicken further and prepare to support embryonic development.

If the egg is fertilized the corpus luteum begins to produce HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN (the hormone that pregnancy test detects), which maintains the corpus luteum and its progesterone secretion. The egg moves to the uterus and attaches to the endometrium about 6-7 days after ovulation, where it begins to develop into a fetus.

If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum degenerates after about 14 days and the level of progesterone and estrogen drop. This causes the endometrium to break down and shed and a new menstrual cycle begins.