The document provides information about the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and mammary glands. It describes the structure and functions of these organs, such as follicular development in the ovaries, changes in the endometrium through the menstrual cycle, roles of the placenta in pregnancy, and hormonal control of lactation.

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2. The Female reproductive system The ovary

5. The follicle with the Theca Interna and the Theca Externa

7. The cortex of the ovary contains numerous follicles embedded in a thick stroma . Most of the follicles are resting primordial follicles . Follicles which have been stimulated to develop progress through primary and secondary stages to become mature tertiary or Graafian follicles

9. The cortex of the ovary contains numerous follicles embedded in a thick stroma . Most of the follicles are resting primordial follicles . Follicles which have been stimulated to develop progress through primary and secondary stages to become mature tertiary or Graafian follicles , in which a large fluid-filled cavity, the antrum, is surrounded by many layers of granulosa cells . Stromal cells around the follicle form the theca interna, which secretes estrogen.

10. At the end of the monthly cycle, or at the end of pregnancy, the corpus luteum degenerates into a fibrous scar called a corpus albicans . The corpus luteum forms by reoganization of granulosa and theca cells following ovulation.

14. The Fallopian tubes

18. The wall of the fallopian tube includes an elaborately folded mucosa surrounded by a muscularis . In the ampulla, shown here, the mucosa is quite elaborate and the muscularis is relatively thin. Mucosal folds occupy most of the potential lumenal space, so that cilia on the epithelial surface can effectively move the egg toward the uterus. The simple columnar epithelium of the mucosa contains both secretory cells and ciliated cell

19. The wall of the fallopian tube includes an elaborately folded mucosa surrounded by a muscularis . The thickness of both layers varies along the length of the tube

20. In the isthmus, shown here, the mucosa is relatively simple and the muscularis is quite thick. The ampulla, where elaborate mucosal folds occupy most of the potential lumenal space and the muscularis is relatively thin.

21. The uterus

24. The uterus has an extremely thick muscular wall, the myometrium , and a thick mucosa, the endometrium with tubular glands lined by simple columnar epithelium. The endometrium undergoes extensive changes during the menstrual cycle.

25. The myometrium consists of smooth muscle. The endometrium consists of a thick stroma containing numerous irregularly-shaped tubular glands lined by columnar epithelium. This image shows the endometrium in proliferative phase.

27. During the proliferative phase , when the stratum functionalis is growing, the endometrial glands have a relatively smooth contour and mitotic figures are common.

28. Endometrium, Proliferative stage. A helical (corkscrew) shape permits the spiral artery to extend into the thickening stroma of the proliferative endometrium and also, later, to retract back into the stratum basalis when the stratum functionalis is eventually sloughed off. Because of its corkscrew shape, each spiral artery typically appears as an aligned cluster of profiles (asterisks) deep in the endometrium.

29. The endometrial glands have matured in the secretory phase , their contour is more tortuous and the epithelium consists of mature secretory cells. The endometrium is highly vascular, and the blood vessels also participate in the menstrual cycle. Distal vessels are sloughed off, while the spiral arteries (named for their helical shape) retract into the stratum basalis and constrict to limit blood loss during menstruation. The spiral arteries then extend again (like springs) as the stratum functionalis regenerates

31. Many chorionic villi are seen in the vicinity of the uterine wall . Both large and small chorionic villi have the same basic structure, a surface of syncytiotrophoblast surrounding a core of mesenchyme containing fetal blood vessels. Fetal blood vessels are visible here only in the largest villi. The small villi vastly increase the surface area available for material interchange with maternal blood. Decidual cells are large cuboidal cells derived from endometrial stroma.

32. The External Female genitalia

33. The cervix and vagina represent the distal portion of the reproductive tract, lined by stratified squamous epithelium. Surface samples of cervical epithelium ( Pap smears ) are used to screen for cervical cancer.

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