Chapter 10: The Female Reproductive System - 25 Tough Terms Flashcards
Amnion
Innermost membrane of the sac surrounding the fetus during gestation
One of two glands on either side of the vagina that secrete fluid into the vagina
Bartholin’s gland
Chorion
Outermost membrane of the sac surrounding the fetus during gestation
Corpus luteum
Structure formed after the graafian follicle fills with a yellow substance, secretes estrogen and progesterone
- Secreted hormones encourage the uterus to prepare for a pregnancy by growing the endometrium into a thick nutritive layer
- Involved 2 weeks after beginning of menstruation (time of ovulation/ eggs release from the graafian follicle - stimulated by pituitary release of LH
Endometrium
Inner most layer of the uterus
Estrogen
1 of 2 primary female hormones
- secreted by ovaries
- stimulate development of female sex characteristics and uterine wall thickening; inhibits FSH and increases LH
Fimbriae
Hairlike ends of the uterine tubes that sweep the ovum into the uterus
Follicle stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Hormone necessary for maturation of oocytes and ovulation
- released from anterior pituitary gland
- involved in days 6-12 of menstrual cycle
Gestation
Period of fetal development in the uterus; usually about 40 weeks
Graafian follicle
Follicle in the ovary that holds an oocyte during development and then releases it
-Gametes develop in graafian follicle (immature = oocyte, mature = ova)
Intrauterine device (IUD)
Contraceptive device consisting of a coil placed in the uterus to block implantation of a fertilized ovum
Introitus
External opening or entrance to a hollow organ, such as a vagina
Isthmus
Narrow region at the bottom of the uterus opening into the cervix
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Hormone essential to ovulation
- Stimulates oocyte maturation
- increases progesterone
- Released by pituitary
- Prompts the fimbriae to swell and push newly released ovum toward fallopian tube
Myometrium
Middle layer of muscle tissue of the uterus