BIO - Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Essential Female Reproductive Organs
(2) ovaries - produce female gametes (ova)
Accessory Female Reproductive Organs
Internal genitals: uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, ovary ducts
External genitals: vulva
Mammary glands
Perineum
Skin coverage: Vaginal orifice > Rectum
Vertical borader: Pubic symphysis > coccyx
Lateral borader: ischial tuberosities
Consists of the urogenital and anal triangle
Ovaries
Contain ovarian follicles
- produce the female gamete (ova) through oogenesis
Ovulation: rupture of ovarian follicle > uterine tube
Produces estrogen/progesterone
Uterus structures
Cervix: lower narrow portion
Body: wider portion
- fundus: upper most part of body
Wall: inner endometrium (mucus membrane), middle myometrium (smooth muscle), and perimetrium (outer incomplete layer)
Uterus fxn
Permits sperm to ascend > uterine tube
Endometrial glands initially supply nutrients
Placenta: permits exchange of material between mother & fetus but keeps their blood circulation separate
Myometrial contractions: push offspring out
Endometrium sheds if no conception occurs
Uterine Tubes (fallopian or oviducts)
Transport ova from ovary > uterus
Fertilization site
Divisions: isthmus, ampulla, infundibulum
Vagina
Receptacle of semen
Transports tissue & blood shed during menstruation outside of the body
Vulva
Pudendum: female external genitals
Mons pubis (skin covered fat pad) & labia major/minora protect clitoris
Clitoris: contains sensory receptors
Vaginal orifice: boundary between internal/external genitals
Greater vestibular glands: secrete lubricating fluids
Ovarian Cycle
Produces ova at a regular interval
- secondary to regulating menstrual cycle
Oocytes resume meiosis as it is released as an ovum awaiting to be fertilized (complete meiosis)
Cells of the ruptured follicle becomes the corpus luteum and secretes progesterone
Menstrual Cycle - 4 phases
Makes the uterus suitable for implantation of offspring
Typically 28 days
1) Meses: 0-5days, endometrial wall sloughs off
2) postmenstrual phase: incr estrogen & proliferation of endometrial wall
3) Ovulation: rupture of mature follicle, releasing ovum (occurs 14 days prior to end of cycle)
4) Premenstrual phase: progesterone incr by corpus luteum
FSH & LH (low levels)
Causes regression of corpus luteum = low estrogen/progesterone = endometrial sloughing of menstrual phase
Menstrual Flow
Continues for about 30 years
Infertility
failure to conceive after 1 year
Breasts
Consists of the nipple surrounded by an areola
Mammary gland: produces milk (lactation)
- low estrogen > prolactin (released from ant pituitary)
- oxytocin (released from post pituitary)
