Chapter 28: Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Function of the Female Reproductive System
- Produce sex hormones, and gametes
- Must be able to protect and support a developing embryo
- Provide nourishment to the newborn infa
List the Structures of the Female Reproductive System
- Gonads: Ovaries
- Accessory Ducts
- Accessory Glands and Organs
- External Genitatlia (Vulva)
The Accessory Ducts of the Female Reproductive System include
Oviducts (Fallopian Tubes or Uterine Tubes)
The Accessory Glands and Organs of the Female Reproductive System includes
- Uterus
- Vagina
- Greater Vestibular Glands (Bartholin’s Glands)
- Lesser Vestibular Glands
External Genitalia (Vulva) of the Female Reproductive System includes
- Labia Majora
- Labia Minora
- Mons Pubis
- Clitoris
Ovaries
- paired organs that are the primary sex organ of the female reproductive system
- small, lumpy, almond-shaped organs about 2 inches in length and 1 inch in width
Function of the Ovaries
produce gametes (oocytes) and secrete female sex hormones (estrogens and progesterone)
Define oogenesis
formation and development of female gametes
graafian follicle
a fluid-filled structure in the ovary within which an ovum develops before ovulation ??
corpus luteum
- a yellowish body in the ovary formed when a follicle has discharged its secondary oocyte
- secretes estrogens, progesterone, relaxin and inhibin
corpus albicans
- a white fibrous patch in the ovary that forms after the corpus luteum regresses
menarche
the first menses (menstrual flow) and beginning of ovarian and uterine cycles
menopause
the termination of the menstrual cycles
Ovarian Cycle
Divided into two phases:
- Follicular Phase
- Luteal Phase
Ovarian Follicle consists of
Surrounding cells + Immature egg (oocyte)
Follicular Phase
- (pre-ovulatory phase)
- Ovulation: monthly release of an oocyte from the ovary when a follicle ruptures
Luteal Phase
(post-ovulatory phase)
At puberty a female has about _________ follicles.
- 300,000 – 400,000
- (only about 400 follicles mature during her reproductive years)
Stages of Folliculogenisis
Primordial Follicles -> Primary Follicles -> Secondary Follicle -> Tertiary Follicle -> OVULATION -> Corpus Luteum -> Corpus Albicans (Graafian)
Folliculogenisis
the maturation of the ovarian follicle, a densely packed shell of somatic cells that contains an immature oocyte
Oviducts (Uterine Tubes or Fallopian Tubes) Anatomy
- hollow, muscular tube about 5 inches in length
- lies close to the ovary, but does not attach to it
- composed of ciliated columnar epithelia
- has infundibulum and fimbriae
Oviducts (Uterine Tubes or Fallopian Tubes) Function
- site of fertilization (oocyte + spermatozoa = zygote)
- provides a nutrient rich environment (contains lipids and glycogen
- transports the oocyte from the oviduct to the cavity of the uterus (takes about 3-6 days)
What propels the oocyte from the oviduct to the cavity of the uterus?
beating movement of the cilia and peristaltic contractions of the muscular wall propels the oocyte
infundibulum
funnel-shaped opening of the oviducts with fimbriae
fimbriae
finger-like projections that surrounds the ovary and has wave like movements to capture the newly ruptured oocyte
Uterus
- a thick-walled, muscular organ about the size of a pear
- site of fertilized egg implantation, the development of the fetus, and where labor begins for delivery of the newborn
Exterior Anatomy of the Uterus
- Body of the Uterus (contains the uterine cavity)
- Cervix: cervical canal (internal os and cervical os)
Layers of the Uterine Wall
- endometrium
- myometrium
- perimetrium
Endometrium
- thin, glandular and mucosal layer
- site of implantation of the embryo
- thickness changes every 28 days due to the influence of progesterone (except during pregnancy)
Myometrium
- thick, stretchable, muscular layer
- circular, longitudinal and obliquely arranged smooth muscle
- strong contractions allows the delivery of the baby (stimulated by OXT)
Perimetrium
• connective tissue layer
Embryo
(week 1- week 8)
Fetus
(week 9 to delivery)
Function of the Uterus
protects, nourishes, and removes wastes for the developing embryo
Uterine Cycle (Menstrual Cycle)
- A cyclic shedding of the lining of the endometrium
- Averages about 28 days in length, but can range from 21 – 35 days
The Endometrium has 2 zones:
- Functional Zone
2. Basilar Zone
Functional Zone
- thicker layer
- contains most of the uterine glands
- undergoes cyclic changes in response to progesterone levels
- layer that is lost resulting in menses (menstruation)
Basilar Zone
- anchors the endometrium to the myometrium
- thickness remains constant (no changes despite levels of progesterone)
- layer is not lost during menses
3 Phases of the Uterine Cycle
- Menses (Menstrual Phase)
- Proliferative Phase
- Secretory Phase
Menses (Menstrual Phase)
Day 1 - 5
- active shedding of the functional zone of the endometrium
- low levels of estrogen and progesterone causes the disintegration and the deterioration
- basilar zone remains unchanged and intact
the deterioration of the functional zone is caused by
constriction of blood vessels that intertwine and “feed” this layer (causes a lack of blood supply, O2 and nutrients)
Proliferative Phase
Day 6 - 13
- in the days after menses, the cells of the basilar zone begin to multiply and spread across the endometrial surface restoring the functional zone
- by the time of ovulation, the functional zone is several millimeter thick and highly vascularized
- the endometrial glands are secreting mucus rich with glycogen (a food source for the embryo)
The Proliferative Phase is stimulated and sustained by
estrogens secreted by the developing ovarian follicles
Ovulation is on day
14
Secretory Phase
Day 15 - 28
- begins at the time of ovulation & persists as long as the corpus luteum remains intact
- corpus luteum is secreting estrogen and progesterone
- progesterone continues to thicken the endometrium (double or triple in thickness) and maintains its thickness in preparation for the developing embryo
- if no implantation occurs, eventually, the corpus luteum changes to corpus albicans (hormone secretion stops due
to a drop of LH levels)
Implantation of the embryo in the endothelial lining signals
the beginning of pregnancy
Vagina Anatomy
- an elastic, muscular tube with an average length of 3 – 3.5 inches, but is highly distensible, so size varies
Function of the Vagina
- it serves as a passageway for the elimination of menstrual fluids
- it receives the penis during sexual intercourse and holds the spermatozoa just before they enter the cervix
- forms part of the birth canal, through which the fetus passes during delivery
The Vaginal Wall
- contains a network of blood vessels and layers of smooth muscle
- the lining is moistened by the secretions of the cervical glands and water across the permeable membrane
- contains a population of bacteria (usually harmless) that creates an acidic environment which restricts the growth of many pathogens, but inhibits the motility of sperm (seminal fluid is alkaline to help neutralize the acidity)
Ovulation
monthly release of an oocyte from the ovary when a follicle ruptures
Describe the location, function, and composition of the human clitoris.
- Location: anterior to the urethral opening
- Composition: contain erectile tissue that is similar to corpus carvenosa in male, also contains lots of touch and pressure sensitive nerves.
- Function: partially responsible for sexual pleasurable sensation in female.
??
Describe the structure and functions of the vulva.
o Structure: the area outside of vagina that contains female external reproductive structures.
o Functions: these organs work together to support urination and sexual reproduction.
??
Describe the process of Oogenesis
..
What are the cells and hormones involved in ovulation?
- GnRH
- FSH
- LH
- Progesterone and Estrogen
Describe hormonal regulation in females.
..
primary oocyte
cells developing from oogonia during fetal development that enter meiosis but stop in prophase I ??
secondary oocyte
large cell developing from uneven division of 1° oocyte cytoplasm just before ovulation - begins 2nd meiotic division but arrests in metaphase II ??
polar body
Either of two small cells produced during the first and second meiotic divisions in the development of an oocyte, containing little cytoplasm and eventually degenerating ??
estrogen is needed for
- ovulation
- lactogenisis
- secondary sexual characteristics in females: breast development and hourglass shape
FSH
stimulates follicular cells to secrete estrogen
LH
- major target organ is corpus luteum
- stimulates it to produce progesterone
progesterone is needed to
maintain endometrial lining
Why is there a sudden spike in LH and FSH on day 14 of the ovarian cycle?
- Day 14 is the day of ovulation.
- Ovulation needs a surge of estrogen for it to occur.
- As FSH and LH levels rise, so do estrogen levels.
ovum
fertilized oocyte