3.3. Female Reproductive Cycle

Question 1

What is the function of the Bartholins gland?

Answer 1

To supply mucus for the lubrication of the entrance to the vagina during sexual excitement

Question 2

What is the Fourchette?

Answer 2

Small flap of skin that joins the labia minora together

Question 3

What is the Prepuce?

Answer 3

The inner folds of the vulva form a hood of skin (hood of the clitoris)

Question 4

What is an anteverted uterus?

Answer 4

Tilted forwards

Question 5

What is an anteflexed uterus?

Answer 5

Curved forwards (the fundus is pointing forward)

Question 6

What are the 2 functions of the ovaries?

Answer 6

1. To produce oocytes that can be fertilised and undergo full development
2. To secrete the hormones which prepare the reproductive tract for fertilisation and to establish and support the pregnancy

Question 7

What are the 3 phases of the OVARIAN CYCLE?

Answer 7

1. Follicular phase
2. Ovulation
3. Luteal phase

Question 8

What are the 3 phases of the MENSTRUAL CYCLE?

State which phase each overlaps with the ovarian cycle.

Answer 8

1. Menstrual phase -> follicular phase
2. Proliferative phase -> follicular phase and lasts until ovulation
3. Secretory phase -> ovulation and continues through luteal phase

Question 9

Describe the FOLLICULAR phase

Answer 9

1. Low levels of oestrogen and progesterone stimulate the hypothalamus to produce GnRH. This causes the production of FSH and LH by the anterior pituitary gland.
2. FSH controls the growth and maturity of the Graafian follicles.
3. The Graafian follicles secrete oestrogen. Rising levels of oestrodiol cause a surge in LH.
4. When oestrodiol reaches a certain peak, secretion of FSH is inhibited. This causes a slowing in follicle growth and eventually follicle death (atresia).
5. The dominant follicle secretes inhibin which further suppresses FSH. The dominant follicle prevails and forms a bulge near the surface of the ovary. It soon becomes competent to ovulate.

The time from the growth and maturity of the Graafian follicles to ovulation is about 1 week.

Question 10

Describe OVULATION

Answer 10

1. High oestrogen levels cause a sudden surge in LH around day 12-13 which lasts for approx 48hrs. This matures the oocyte and weakens the wall of the follicle and causes ovulation to occur on day 14.
2. The dominant follicle ruptures and discharges the secondary oocyte into the pelvic cavity.
3. Fimbrae guide it into the uterine tube where it awaits fertilisation.
4. During ovulation, meiotic cell division resumes and the diploid oocyte becomes haploid.
5. Stringy clear mucus appears in the cervix, ready to accept sperm.
6. The fertilised or unfertilised oocyte travels to uterus.

Question 11

Describe the LUTEAL phase

Answer 11

1. The cells of the ruptured follicle proliferate and form a yellow structure- Corpus Luteum
   The corpus luteum produces oestrogen, relaxin, inhibin and progesterone for approx 2wks, to develop the endometrium, which awaits the fertilised oocyte.
2. Small amounts of relaxin cause uterine inactivity, which is ideal for the fertilised oocyte to implant.
3. The corpus luteum continues its role until the placenta is developed to take over.
4. The cervical mucus becomes sticky and thick.
5. In the absence of fertilisation, the corpus luteum degenerates and becomes the corpus albicans. Progesterone, oestrogen, relaxin and inhibin levels decrease.
6. In response to low levels of oestrogen and progesterone, the hypothalamus produces GnRH. This stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to produce FSH and the ovarian cycle starts again.

Question 12

Describe the MENSTRUAL phase (Uterine cycle)

Answer 12

1. Spiral arteries of the endometrium go into spasm, withdrawing the blood supply to it.
2. Endometrium dies (necrosis). Endometrium is shed down to the basal layer along with the unfertilised oocyte.

Question 13

Describe the PROLIFERATIVE phase (Uterine cycle)

Answer 13

1. Proliferative endometrium is formed under the control of oestrodiol and other oestrogens secreted by the graafian follicle.
2. Consists of regrowth and thickening
3. If fertilisation occurs, fertilised oocyte implants itself

Question 14

Describe the SECRETORY phase (Uterine cycle)

Answer 14

1. Under the influence of progesterone and oestrogen secreted by the corpus luteum. Functional layer of the endometrium thickens and becomes spongy.
2. Blood supply is increased and glands produce nutritive secretions. These conditions last for c.7 days, awaiting the fertilised oocyte.

Question 15

______ refers to normal, regular menstruation lasting c.3-5 days (although 2-7 days is considered normal)

Answer 15

Eumenorrhea

Question 16

What is pre-menstrual syndrome?

Answer 16

Affects a woman’s emotions, physical health and behaviour during certain days- starts 5-11 days before menstruation

Question 17

What is menorrhagia?

Answer 17

Abnormally heavy or prolonged bleeding

Question 18

What is dysmenorrhoea?

Answer 18

Painful menstrual periods which are caused by uterine contractions

Question 19

What is amenorrhoea?

Answer 19

The failure to establish menstruation by 15 years of age in girls with normal secondary sexual characteristics

Question 20

What is oligomenorrhoea?

Answer 20

Irregular periods with intervals between menstrual cycles of more than 35 days and/or less than 9 periods per year

Question 21

What is endometriosis?

Answer 21

Tissue similar to that which lines the uterus, grows outside of the uterus such as in the ovaries and fallopian tubes

Question 22

What is adenomyosis?

Answer 22

The endometrium grows into the myometrium (related to endometriosis)

Question 23

What 2 hormones are produced in the ovaries?

Answer 23

Oestrogen

Progesterone

Question 24

What 2 hormones are produced in the anterior pituitary gland?

Answer 24

FSH

LH

Question 25

What hormone is produced in the hypothalamus?

Answer 25

GnRH