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Foundations Of Medicine > 12.2 Female Reproductive System - Introduction > Flashcards

12.2 Female Reproductive System - Introduction Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the size and shape of ovaries

A

Almonds

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2
Q

Where are ovaries located? Is this internal or external?

A
  • Internal
  • On either side of the uterus in the upper pelvis
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3
Q

Are ovaries exocrine, endocrine, or both? How does this differ from the testes?

A
  • Both
  • It doesn’t differ; the testes are also both
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4
Q

What is the name of the dense connective tissue capsule that surrounds the ovaries?

A

Tunica albuginea

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5
Q

What is a follicle made of?

A
  • Oocyte
  • Follicular cells
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6
Q

What type of connective tissue can be found in the cortex of the ovaries?

A

Dense connective tissue (supports follicles)

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7
Q

Where are follicles located in the ovaries?

A

Cortex

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8
Q

What occurs in the cortex of the ovaries?

A
  • Folliculogenesis
  • Oogenesis
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9
Q

What is located in the ovarian medulla?

A
  • (More) blood vessels + nerves
  • Loose connective tissue
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10
Q

Why does it make sense for there to be many blood vessels in the ovaries?

A

So hormones that are produced can enter systemic circulation

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11
Q

What occurs during folliculogenesis, broadly speaking?

A
  • Oocyte maturation
  • Increased number of follicular cells
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12
Q

Describe a primordial follicle

A
  • Oocyte surrounded by single layer of (squamous) follicular cells
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13
Q

Describe a primary follicle

A
  • Primary oocyte
  • 1-2 layers of CUBOIDAL follicle cells
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14
Q

Describe a secondary follicle

A
  • Enlarged oocyte
  • Additional follicle cells
  • Multiple, small fluid-filled spaces develop between follicular cells
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15
Q

Describe a tertiary follicle

A
  • Single, large, fluid filled space called antrum (cave)
  • Oocyte surrounded by specialised follicular cells called granulosa cells
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16
Q

Recall the name of the specialised follicular cells around the oocyte in a tertiary follicle

A

Granulosa cells

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17
Q

What hormones does the corpus luteum secrete?

A
  • Estrogen
  • Progesterone
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18
Q

Up until ovulation, what hormone do folliucular cells secrete?

A

Estrogen

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19
Q

In the absence of fertilization, what is the rough lifespan of the corpus luteum?

A

10 days

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20
Q

What does the corpus luteum degenerate into? What is it made of?

A

Corpus albicans. Made of dense connective tissue.

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21
Q

What hormones does the corpus albicans make?

A

Nothing. Zip.

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22
Q

When does the formation of oocytes/follicles start? How does this differ from men?

A
  • Starts before birth (in an embyro)
  • In males, spermatogenesis begins from puberty onwards
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23
Q

How many follicles are produced from one oogonia stem cell? How does this differ from males?

A
  • One produced per stem cell
  • Different to males, who produce four sperm for every spermatogonia
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24
Q

How many oogonia per ovary?

A

2-3 mil

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25
Q

When do oogonia stop dividing by mitosis?

A

Around month three or four of embryonic development

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26
Q

What are oocytes called after mitotic replication of oogonia stops?

A

Primary Oocytes

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27
Q

In which types of follicles do we find primary oocytes?

A

Primordial and primary

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28
Q

What triggers meiosis I to become “unfrozen” from their paused state part-way through meiosis 1?

A

Puberty

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29
Q

Name one hormone that triggers primary oocytes to finish meiosis 1?

A

FSH

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30
Q

What is the function of polar bodies produced during meiosis 1 of primary oocytes?

A

To collect half the genetic information that isn’t required. These cells are not fertilized.

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31
Q

Meiosis II is blocked in secondary oocytes until a certain event occurs. What is this event?

A

Fertilization by a sperm

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32
Q

What happens to an oocyte in terms of cell division when it is fertilized by an egg?

A
  • Meiosis II
  • One of the resultant cells becomes a polar body, and is discarded
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33
Q

What is the name of a fertilized egg?

A

(Villain since an itsy bitsy) zygote

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34
Q

Is oogenesis continuous? How does this differ from spermatogenesis?

A
  • Oogenesis is not continuous, as the cell replication pathways are blocked at certain points until puberty/fertilization
  • Spermatogenesis is continuous once it begins during puberty
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35
Q

How long are uterine tubes approximately?

A

13cm

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36
Q

Are uterine tubes connected to the ovaries? What about the uterus?

A
  • Not connected to ovary
  • Connected to uterus
37
Q

What are the three segments of the uterine tube?

A
  1. Infundibulum
  2. Ampulla
  3. Isthmus
38
Q

What is the function of uterine tubes?

A
  • Transport oocytes from ovaries to uterus
  • Sperm maturation (capacitation)
  • Site of fertilization
39
Q

Where in the uterine tubes does fertilization occur?

A

Ampulla

40
Q

Where in the uterine tubes does sperm maturation occur?

A

Isthmus

41
Q

Describe the wall of uterine tubes

A
  • Simple, ciliated columnar epithelia with mucous-secreting cells
42
Q

Describe the size and shape of the uterus

A

Pear

43
Q

Describe the position of the uterus relative to the rectum and the urinary bladder

A
  • Anterior to rectum
  • Posterosuperior to bladder
44
Q

What are the three regions of the uterus?

A
  • Fundus (superior to attachment of uterine tubes)
  • Body (large, central region)
  • Cervix (Narrow, inferior region that projects into vagina)
45
Q

What are the three layers of the uterus?

A

Endo/Myo/Perimetrium

46
Q

Endometrium

A

Innermost layer containing epithelium and connective tissue containing glands.

47
Q

Myometrium

A

Thick layer of smooth muscle.

48
Q

Perimetrium

A

External layer composed of epithelium.

49
Q

What are the two layers of the endometrium?

A
  • Stratum Basalis
  • Stratum functionalis
50
Q

What are the finger-like projections on the infundibulum of oviducts called?

A

Fimbriae

51
Q

What is the widest, longest region of the uterine tubes?

A

Ampulla

52
Q

What is the function of the glycogen-rich mucous in the uterine tubes?

A
  • Provides energy for sperm
  • Provides energy for zygote if fertilization occurs in ampulla
53
Q

What is the function of cilia in fallopian tubes?

A

Help to move oocyte or zygote towards uterus

54
Q

What is the function of smooth muscle in uterine tubes?

A

Peristaltic movement moves oocyte/zygote down towards uterus

55
Q

What is the narrowing of the body of the uterus called?

A

Isthmus

56
Q

What type of membrane is the perimetrium?

A

Serous membrane; secretes protein rich fluid that lubricates outer surface of uterus

57
Q

How many layers of muscle are in the myometrium? Describe their orientation

A
  • Three layers
  • Outermost: longitudinal
  • Middle: Circular
58
Q

What hormones does the myometrium contract in response to?

A

Oxytocin

59
Q

Describe the density of connective tissue in the functional endometrium

A

Loose

60
Q

Which of the layers of the endometrium does not change during the menstrual cycle?

A

Stratum basalis

61
Q

Describe the connective tissue in the stratum basalis of the endometrium

A

Denser

62
Q

How is a new stratum functionalis formed after menstruation?

A
  • Stem cells in stratum basalis give rise to new stratum functionalis
63
Q

Describe the mucous produced by the mucous glands in the cervix near/during ovulation. How does this differ from usual?

A
  • Less viscous (more watery)
  • Usually thicker to impede sperm penetration
64
Q

Describe the epithelium on the inner lining of the vagina. What is under it?

A
  • Stratified squamous (non-keratinized)
  • Under this is a thin layer of connective tissue containing mucous glands
65
Q

What is the mucous produced by glands in the vagina rich in?

A

Glycogen

66
Q

Why is there glycogen-rich mucous in the vagina?

A
  • Good bacteria break down glycogen, creating organic acids
  • Acidic environment retards microbial growth, but..
  • Is harmful to sperm
67
Q

Describe any smooth muscle that may be present in the wall of the vagina

A
  • Present
  • Thick layer
68
Q

Describe the external structures within the vulva

A
  • Vestibule
  • Labia minora/majora
  • Clitoris
  • Prepuce
  • Bartholin’s (greater vestibular) glands
69
Q

Does the reproductive cycle occur during pregnancy?

A

No, you idiot.

70
Q

What are the two cycles within the female reproductive cycle?

A
  • Ovarian cycle
  • Uterine cycle
71
Q

What three structures control the reproductive cycle hormonally speaking? How do they work together?

A
  • Hypothalamus triggers ant. pituitary
  • Pituitary triggers ovaries
  • Ovaries secrete more hormones
72
Q

What are the three phases of the ovarian cycle?

A
  • Pre-ovulatory (follicular)
  • Ovulation
  • Post-ovulatory (luteal) phase
73
Q

What are the three phases of the uterine cycle?

A
  • Menstrual phase
  • Proliferative phase
  • Secretory phase
74
Q

How long is the follicular/proliferative phase?

A

First 10-14 days of cycle

75
Q

What decides which follicle develops into a tertiary follicle during folliculogenesis?

A

The “strongest” follice with the most FSH receptors

76
Q

What structures secrete oestrogen during the proliferative/pre-ovulatory phase, and what effect does this have on the uterus?

A
  • Released by follicular cells
  • Causes stratum basalis to divide and regerate the stratum functionalis layer
77
Q

What structures secrete oestrogen during the proliferative/pre-ovulatory phase, and what effect does this have on the uterus?

A
  • Released by follicular cells
  • Causes stratum basalis to divide and regenerate the stratum functionalis layer
78
Q

What is the typical effect of oestrogen on the production of GnRH? How does this differ in the female reproductive cycle?

A
  • Usually, results in negative feedback
  • In this rare instance, POSITIVE feedback occurs, causing more FSH and surge of LH
79
Q

Which hormone keeps the corpus luteum alive and tells it to make an additional hormone?

A

LH

80
Q

What hormones does the corpus luteum make?

A
  • Progesterone
  • Oestrogen
81
Q

What is the effect of progesterone released by the corpus luteum on the uterus?

A
  • Activates endometrial glands to produce glycogen-rich mucous
82
Q

Why is the mucous release by endometrial glands rich in glycogen?

A

Provides energy for zygote if fertilization occurs

83
Q

How long is negative feedback on GnRH suppressed? Why

A

~10 days. This is to give the oocyte time to be fertilized

84
Q

What causes menstruation

A
  • GnRH stops
  • LH stops, killing luteum
  • PG and OE stop
  • Spiral arteries in basalis constrict
  • Less blood to functionalis
  • These cells die, and are sloughed off
85
Q

What does the contraceptive pill contain (usually)

A

Oestrogen and/or progesterone (or synthetic versions)

86
Q

Effect of contraceptive pill on cancer risk?

A
  • Inc. breast cancer
  • Dec. Ovarian cancer
87
Q

Contraceptive pill mech

A
  • By increasing oestrogen and progesterone, GnRH drops
  • No FSH, LH, no folliculogenesis
  • During placebo pills, functionalis cannot be maintained, and so menstruation occurs
88
Q

What hormone do newly-fertilized embryos release? Why?

A
  • hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
  • Mimics LH, sustaining corpus luteum until placenta develops

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