Chapter 4: Human Reproduction, Pregnancy, and Related Problems Flashcards
What are the testes and what do they produce?
Male sex glands responsible for production of sperm cells and testosterone, surrounded by scrotum
Explain the process of sperm production.
Spermatogenesis (74 days) in seminiferous tubules, spermatogonium turns into spermatozoon (plural = spermatozoa)
Describe the anatomy of a sperm cell.
Head - DNA for offspring, acrosome on surface to penetrate egg
Mid piece - mitochondria (energy)
Tail - flagellum used for propulsion
What is testosterone responsible for?
Puberty and male maturation
What age do males undergo puberty?
Starts at age 10/11 and lasts until age 15/17
Describe the movement of the testes to the outside of the body.
The sperm go from the seminiferous tubules through the rate testis to the epididymis (14 days later). Then they go through the vans deferens, through the ejaculatory ducts to the urethera.
What are the accessory male sex glands?
Semen, Seminal Vesicles, Prostate Gland, Cowper’s Gland
What is semen?
Seminal fluid rich in fructose and is alkaline
What is a hernia?
(Male) Intestines push through a membrane/muscle that contains an organ
What is prostate cancer and how is it detected?
Cancer whose risk increases with age. Detected with a PSA blood test
What is testicular cancer and how is it detected?
Presence of a hard, painless lump, detected with a TSE
List the 4 functions of the female reproductive system.
- Produces eggs
- Site of fertilization
- Provides nourishment and protection for fetus/baby
- Produces hormones
What are the ovaries and what are their 2 functions?
Primary female organs attached to ovaries; produce hormones estrogen and progesterone, produce eggs
What are the uterine tubes and what is their function?
Also called Fallopian Tubes, they are responsible for transporting eggs from the ovaries to the uterus
What is the anatomy of the uterine tubes?
Infundibulum - funnel attached to ovary
Fimbriae - finger-like projections that sweep eggs into uterine tubes
What is the uterus’ primary function?
To house the fetus
Describe the anatomy of the uterus.
Perimetrium - outer layer that provides protection
Myometrium - muscle layer (contractions much fetus outside)
Endometrium - where fertilized egg implants (if not, lost in menstruation)
List the 4 functions of the vagina.
- Receptacle for erect penis
- Where sperm are deposited during intercourse
- Birth canal for delivering of fetus
- Exit for blood and tissue during menstruation
What is the vulva and what does it contain?
Contains female external reproductive organs labia majora, labia minora, and clitoris.
What is the function of the labia majora?
Encloses and protects external reproductive organs
What is the function of the labia minora?
Inside of labia major, covers clitoris
What is the clitoris?
A small projection at the front end of the vulva
What are the 3 phases of the menstrual cycle?
Preovulatory Phase
Postovulatory Phase
Menses Phase
What happens during the Preovulatory Phase of the Menstrual Cycle?
The pituitary gland produces follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is responsible for the growth and maturation of eggs in the ovaries. FSH stimulates estrogen production, which builds endometrium, breasts, and increases fat deposits in buttocks and thighs (preparing for pregnancy).
What happens during the Postovulatory Phase of the Menstruation Cycle?
The pituitary gland releases luteinizing hormone (LH), which allows eggs to rupture from the ovaries into the uterine tubes (ovulation). LH encourages scar called corpus luteum where the eggs once were. The corpus luteum produces progesterone, which increases blood flow to the endometrium.
What happens during the Menses Phase of the Menstrual Cycle?
Corpus luteum shrinks in size, so the levels of progesterone and estrogen drop. Endometrium is lost in blood flow, unfertilized eggs disintegrate.
How long is the average menstrual cycle?
28 days
What is Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)?
Extreme discomfort during a woman’s period - more than usual.
What is Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)?
Bacterial infection associated with the use of tampons.
Bacteria Responsible: staphylococcus aureus
What are the symptoms of TSS?
High fever, headache, discharge from vagina, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, severe fatigue, sunburn-like rash, can cause failure of kidney, liver and heart
What is the treatment for TSS?
Antibiotics and changing tampons regularly
What 3 tests should women do?
Breast Self-Exam
Mammograms
Pap Smear
What is a mammogram?
X-ray of breasts to see abnormalities (ages 35+)
What is a pap smear?
Cell-screening test to detect cervical cancer (18-20+)
Describe the process of fertilization.
Day 1: In the uterine tubes, the sperm and egg’s nuclei fuse together to form a zygote.
Day 3: Cleavage - zygote multiplies into 16 cells called morula.
Morula enters uterus and floats and becomes hollow (blastoclast).
Blastoclast implants into endometrium.
Day 7: Blastoclast becomes an embryo.
How long does a pregnancy last?
280 days (40 weeks or 9 months)
How long does each trimester of pregnancy last?
3 months
What happens in the first trimester of pregnancy?
Organs form (organogenesis)
When does the embryonic stage of pregnancy happen?
During the first two months of pregnancy (First Trimester).
When do mothers-to-be have morning sickness?
During the embryonic stage (First Trimester)
What happens tin the second trimester of pregnancy?
Body systems are near completion.
What happens in the third trimester of pregnancy?
All systems functioning.
What are the 3 stages of the process of delivery?
Dilation Stage
Expulsion Stage
Placental Stage
What happens during the Dilation Stage of the process of delivery?
Cervix opens up to 10 cm
Amniotic sac ruptures - called “water breaking”
Baby’s head enters pelvis - called “engagement”
Fetus’ head descends into vagina
Which stage of the process of delivery is the longest?
The Dilation Stage - a woman’s first baby may take 18 hours
What happens during the Expulsion Stage of the process of delivery?
Mother pushes baby out through the vagina
Umbilical cord clamped and cut
What happens during the Placental Stage of the process of delivery?
Delivery of the placenta 15 minutes after the baby is born.
Called the ‘afterbirth’.
