Exam 1 Flashcards
What is the most important reproductive organ?
The hypothalamus and the pituitary gland
What are the two centers of the hypothalamus in females?
Tonic and surge
What is the only center in males of the hypothalamus?
Tonic
What bone surrounds the base of the brain
Sphenoid bone
Two function of the sphenoid bone
Protection, can take products being secreted from HP/PP and spreads them into capillary network
What cells compose the HP
Neurosecretory cells
Functions of the hypothalamus
Master regulator, maintains homeostasis
How does the HP connect to the PP?
Directly through neurons and the infundibular stalk
What tissue is the PP composed of
Neural tissue
Function of PP
Site of hormone storage
How does the HP connect to the AP
Indirectly through the primary portal plexus and the infundibular stalk
What kind of tissue is the AP composed of
Granular tissue
Function of AP
Site of hormone storage and synthesis
Main functions of the female reproductive system
Hormone production, gamete production, gamete transportation, fertilization, growth & development of offspring, parturition
Function of the ovary
Produces gametes and secretes hormones (cytogenic and endocrine)
The four structures of the ovary
Tunica albuginia, cortex, medulla, hilus
Function of the tunica albuginia of the ovaries
Covers and provides support and protection
Function of the cortex of the ovary
Site of gamete development, outer layer
Function of medulla of the ovary
Contains a supportive network of the stroma, capillary network, and lymphatic system
Function of the hilus of the ovary
Brings blood vessels and nutrients to the ovary
What species has an inverted ovary
Horses
What is special about a horse’s ovary
Has an ovulation fossa, located within the medulla
5 stages of follicle development in order
Primordial, primary, secondary, tertiary, antral
Primordial follicle
Present at birth, one layer of flattened granulosa cells
Primary follicle
Increases in size from the primordial follicle, oocyte is now surrounded by cuboidal granulosa cells
Secondary follicle
Adds one layer from the primary follicle for two layers of follicular cells. No atrum
Which follicle starts the formation of thecal and granulosa cells
Secondary
Tertiary follicle
Several layers of follicular cells, granulosa and thecal cells formed, antrum forms
Granulosa cell functions
Provides support to oocytes and produces hormones
Thecal cell functions
Provides protection and produces hormones
Antral follicle
Antrum is now large and takes up a majority of the follicle, can rupture and ovulate cumulus oocyte complex, is dominant
