Ch. 28: Reproductive System (Female) Flashcards
_____ are considered part of both the integumentary system and female reproductive system.
Mammary glands.
Ovaries.
Produce secondary oocytes that develop into mature ova after fertilization. Also produce progesterone, estrogens, inhibin and relaxin. Descend to the superior pelvic cavity during the 3rd month of development.
Which ligaments hold the ovaries in position?
Broad ligament: fold of parietal peritoneum, attaches to ovaries by a double-layered fold of peritoneum (mesovarium).
Ovarian ligament: anchors ovaries to uterus.
Suspensory ligament: attaches ovaries to pelvic wall.
Each ovary contains a ____ , which is a point of entrance and exit for blood vessels and nerves.
Hilum.
Ovarian mesothelium.
Surface epithelium. Layer of simple cuboidal or squamous epithelium. Covers ovary surface.
Tunica albuginea (female).
White capsule of dense irregular connective tissue. Deep to ovarian mesothelium.
Ovarian cortex.
Deep to tunica albuginea. Consists of ovarian follicles surrounded by dense irregular connective tissue that contains collagen fibres and fibroblast-like cells (stromal cells).
Ovarian medulla.
Deep to ovarian cortex. Loosely arranged connective tissue. Blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, nerves.
Ovarian follicles.
In ovarian cortex. Consist of oocytes in various stages of development plus the cells surrounding them. When the surrounding cells form a single layer, they are called follicular cells. Later in development when the surrounding cells form several layers, they are called granulosa cells. Surrounding cells nourish the developing oocyte and begin to secrete estrogens as the follicle grows larger.
Mature follicle.
A large fluid-filled follicle that is ready to rupture and expel its secondary oocyte (ovulation).
Corpus luteum.
Contains the remnants of a mature follicle after ovulation. Produces progesterone, estrogens, relaxin, and inhibin until it degenerates into fibrous scar tissue (corpus albicans).
During early fetal development, primordial germ cells migrate from _____ to the ovaries.
The yolk sac. Germ cells then differentiate into oogonia.
Oogonia.
Diploid stem cells. Divide mitotically to produce millions of germ cells. Even before birth, these germ cells degenerate via atresia.
Germ cells develop into larger cells called _____ that enter prophase of meiosis I during fetal development, but do not complete that phase until after puberty.
Primary oocytes. During this arrested stage of development, each primary oocyte is surrounded by a single layer of flat follicular cells, and the entire structure is called primordial follicle.
Each month after puberty and before menopause, what happens?
1) FSH and LH stimulate the development of several primordial follicles. A few primordial follicles start to grow, developing into primary follicles. Each primary follicle consists of a primary oocyte that is surrounded in a later stage by several layers of granulosa cells. The outermost granulosa cells rest on the basement membrane. As the primary follicle grows, it forms a clear glycoprotein layer (zona pellucida) between the primary oocyte and granulosa cells. Stromal cells surrounding the basement membrane begin to form an organized layer (theca folliculi). With continuing maturation, a primary follicle develops into a secondary follicle.
2) In a secondary follicle, the theca differentiates into two layers. The granulosa cells begin to secrete follicular fluid which builds up in the antrum in the center of the secondary follicle. The innermost layer of granulosa cells becomes firmly attached to the zona pellucida and is now called the corona radiata. The secondary follicle eventually becomes larger, turning into a mature follicle. Only 1 primary follicle a month will mature.
3) While inside the mature follicle, and just before ovulation, the diploid primary oocyte completes meiosis I to produce 2 haploid cells of unequal size. The first polar body is a packet of discarded nuclear material. The secondary oocyte receives most of the cytoplasm. Once this secondary oocyte is formed, it begins meiosis II and then stops in metaphase.
4) The mature follicle ruptures and releases its secondary oocyte. The secondary oocyte is expelled into the pelvic cavity together with the first polar body and corona radiata.
5) Meiosis II will resume if a sperm cell penetrates the secondary oocyte. It will split into 2 haploid cells of unequal size (mature egg and second polar body). The nuclei of the sperm cell and ovum then unite, forming a diploid zygote.
What are the 2 layers of the theca folliculi in a secondary follicle?
1) Theca interna: highly vascularized internal layer of cuboidal secretory cells that secrete androgens.
2) Theca externa: outer layer of stromal cells and collagen fibres.
What happens if the first polar body undergoes another division?
Produces 2 polar bodies, so the primary oocytes ultimately give rise to 3 haploid polar bodies which all degenerate.
Uterine/Fallopian tubes.
Extend laterally from the uterus. Lie within folds of the broad ligaments of the uterus. Provide a route for sperm to reach an ovum and transport secondary oocytes and fertilized ova from the ovaries to the uterus.
Infundibulum.
Funnel-shaped part of each uterine tube. Closed to ovary. Open to pelvic cavity. Ends in a fringe of fimbriae, one of which is attached to the lateral end of the ovary.
Ampulla of uterine tube.
Widest and longest region.
Isthmus of uterine tube.
Medial, short, narrow, thick-walled part that joins the uterus.
Mucosa of uterine tube.
Ciliated simple columnar cells function as a ciliary conveyor belt to help move a fertilized ovum within the uterine tube toward the uterus and nonciliated cells (peg cells), which have microvilli and secrete a fluid that provides nutrition for the ovum. Lamina propria.
Muscularis of uterine tube.
Inner thick circular smooth muscle. Outer thin longitudinal smooth muscle.
What moves the oocyte towards the uterus?
Peristaltic contractions of the muscularis, and the ciliary action of the mucosa.
After ovulation, _____ are produced by movements of fimbriae, which surround the surface of the mature follicle just before ovulation occurs.
Local currents. These currents sweep the ovulated secondary oocyte from the peritoneal cavity into the uterine tube.
Fertilization can occur up to ____ hours after ovulation.
24
The zygote arrives in the uterus _____ after ovulation.
6-7 days
Uterus.
Site of menstrual flow, implantation, fetal development, and labor. Between urinary bladder and rectum.
What are the 3 anatomical subdivisions of the uterus?
Fundus: dome-shaped part superior to uterine tubes.
Body: tapering central part.
Cervix: inferior narrow part that opens into vagina.
Isthmus of uterus.
Between the body and cervix. Constricted region.
Uterine cavity.
Inferior of the body.
Cervical canal.
Inferior of the cervix. Opens into uterine cavity at the internal os, and opens into the vagina at the external os.
What maintains the position of the uterus?
Ligaments that are either extensions of the parietal peritoneum or fibromuscular cords.
Board ligaments: paired, double folds of peritoneum, attach the uterus to either side of the pelvic cavity.
Uterosacral ligaments: paired, peritoneal extensions, either side of rectum, connect uterus to sacrum.
Cardinal ligaments: inferior to bases of broad ligaments, extend from pelvic wall to cervix and vagina.
Round ligaments: bands of fibrous connective tissue between the layers of the broad ligament, extend from a point in the uterus just inferior to the uterine tubes to a portion of the labia majora of the external genitalia.
The ligaments of the uterus normally maintain the _____ position of the uterus, but they also allow…
Anteflexed. The uterine body enough movement such that the uterus may become malpositioned.
Retroflexion of uterus.
Posterior tilting. Harmless malpositioning. May occur after childbirth.
What are the 3 tissue layers of the uterus?
1) Perimetrium: outer layer, serosa, part of visceral peritoneum, simple squamous epithelium, areolar connective tissue, laterally it becomes the broad ligament, anteriorly it covers the urinary bladder and forms the vesicouterine pouch, posteriorly it covers the rectum and forms the rectouterine pouch between the uterus and rectum.
2) Myometrium: middle layer, thick middle circular layer of smooth muscle, thin inner and outer longitudinal layers of smooth muscle.
3) Endometrium: inner layer, highly vascularized, 3 compartments.
What is the most inferior point in the female pelvic cavity?
Rectouterine pouch (pouch of Douglas).
