Basic and female repro physiology Flashcards
What are the 2 parts which make up the inside of the ovary?
Cortex
Medulla
The surface of the ovary is made from what kind of cells?
Connective tissue capsule covered with cuboidal epithelial cells
What is an ovarian follicle?
One oocyte surrounded by single layer of cells
What does the ovarian cortex contain?
Connective tissue containing ovarian follicles
What does the ovarian medulla contain?
Connective tissue with blood vessels supplying the ovaries
What are the 2 main functions of the ovaries?
Oocyte production
Steroid hormone production (Oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone)
What does progesterone do?
Maintains endometrium/secretory uterus lining
Helps metabolise fat
Balances out adverse effects of oestrogen
What does oestrogen do?
Helps to develop and maintain the female secondary sexual characteristics (Breast and hair development, body structure)
Proliferation of endometrium
Body fat distribution
What is amenorrhoea?
No periods
Why may amenorrhoea occur?
Problems regulating hormones
Problems with ovarian structure/function
Problems with uterus/outflow tract
Which organs regulate hormones in menstruation?
Hypothalamus
Anterior pituitary
What are some functional problems that may lead to hormonal amenorrhoea?
Excessive weight gain or loss
Over exercising
Stress
Give some chronic conditions which may cause amenorrhoea?
Diabetes
Sarcoidosis
TB
What kind of local pathologies could cause hormonal amenorrhoea?
Intracranial SOL’s
Infection e.g. meningitis
Trauma (bleeding)
What kind of drugs could lead to amenorrhoea?
Glucocorticoids
Anabolic steroids
Opiates
What are some notable hormone levels affected by hypogonadotropic hypogonadism?
Low FSH
Low LH
High prolactin
What do Kallmann’s and Sheehan’s syndrome have in common?
Both forms of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
What is hypergonadotropic hypogonadism?
High/normal FSH and LH
Hormones are there but ovaries are not functioning properly
What could cause problems with ovarian function leading to amenorrhoea?
Turner's syndrome Ageing Autoimmune diseases Radiotherapy Chemotherapy Infection (TB, mumps)
What are some congenital problems with uterus/outflow tract?
Absent uterus Lack of mallerian duct development Transverse vaginal septum Imperforate hymen Androgen insensitivity syndrome
What are the mallerian ducts?
Primordial anlage of the female reproductive tract
They differentiate to form the fallopian tubes, uterus, the uterine cervix, and the superior aspect of the vagina
What are some iatrogenic problems with the uterus/outflow tract?
Pelvic/cervical radiotherapy
Asherman syndrome
What is Asherman syndrome?
Scar tissue builds up within the uterus and can cause uterus walls to bind together
Usually presents in patients who have undergone Dilatation and Curettage operations or have suffered from infections
What are some adverse effects of oestrogen?
Depression Headache/migraine Interferes with thyroid hormone Increases clotting Decreases libido Impairs blood sugar control Increased risk of endometrial and breast cancer
