Exam 4: Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Gonads
-ovaries
Accessory Reproductive Organs
- uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, external genitalia, and mammary glands
Puberty
-anterior pituitary releases FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (Luteinizing hormone)
Ovary
-functions: mature, house, and release oocytes (sex cells), produce female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone)
Ovary External Anatomy
- each is oval shaped
- within pelvic cavity
Ovary Internal Anatomy
- has an outer cortex and an inner medulla
- medulla contains blood vessels
- cortex contains ovarian follicles
- ovarian follicles consist of an oocyte (egg) plus follicle (or granulosa) cells that surround the oocyte
Primordial Follicle
- in female fetus and female child ovary
- primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of flattened follicle cells
Primary Follicel
- first seen at puberty
- primary oocyte surrounded by one or more layers of cuboidal follicle (granulosa) cells
Secondary Follicle
- first seen at puberty
- primary oocyte + follicle (granulosa) cells + antrum (fluid-filled space)
Vesicular Follicle
- first seen at puberty
- typically only one of these produced each month and will undergo ovulation
Ovulation
- process where a seconday oocyte is expelled from ovary
- caused by a spike or peak in LH
Corpus Luteum (function)
- ruptured follicle that underwent ovulation
- yellowish
- function: secretes estrogen and progesterone to build up uterine lining
- limited lifespan
Corpus Albicans:
- degenerated corpus luteum
- white CT scar
Oogenesis Before Birth (Fetal Period)
- ovary contains oogonia (oocyte”stem cells” or ‘parent cells’) oogonia contain 23 pairs of chromosomes
- primary oocytes are oogonia that start the process of Meiosis!! (meiosis process is “arrested” at Prophase I)
- so before birth, the ovary will contain primarily primordial follicles (which have primary oocytes in them!)
Oogenesis During Childhood
-ovary is inactive
Oogenesis During Puberty
-anterior pituitary secretes FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone): stimulates follicle development
Each Month from Puberty to Menopause
- about 20 primordial follicles develop into primary follicles
- some primary follicles degenerate, while others become secondary follicles
- one secondary follicle becomes “dominant” and matures into a vesicular follicle
Vesticular Follicle in oogenesis
- is the primary oocyte completes Meiosis I, but gets stopped at Metaphase II of meiosis
- at this point, you now have a secondary oocyte!
Ovulation in oogenesis
- happens at about day 14 because of a peak in LH levels
- the structure expelled is a secondary oocyte
- this oocyte is still suspended at metaphase II - it will not complete meiosis UNLESS it becomes fertilized by a sperm!
After Ovulation
- FSH and LH levels decline
- ruptured ovarian follicle becomes a corpus luteum
- corpus luteum eventually becomes a corpus albicans
If woman does not get pregnant
- 10-13 days after ovulation corpus luteum degenrates
- estrogen and progesterone levels drop
- menstruation occurs
If woman does get pregnant
- Fertilized oocyte secretes hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin)
- prolongs corups luteum life for 3 months
- after 3 months placenta produces estrogen and progesterone
Uterine Tubes
- paired tubes that attach to the uterus
- each uterine tube is close to (but not attached to) the ovary!
- at the ends of each tube are fimbriae: finger like projections that catch the oocyte
- functions: pick up oocyte and transports it to uterus, site of fertilization of oocyte
Tubal Pregnancy
- fertilized ovum implants in the uterine tube instead of
- severe cramping, potential bleeding by week 8
- threatens life of mother if it ruptures
Uterus
- function: site of implantation and development of fertilized oocyte
- when a fertilized oocyte doesn’t implant, it is the site for menstruation (shedding of part of the uterine wall)
Uterus Gross Anatomy
- single, pear-shaped organ, in pelvic cavity
- cervix: inferior portion of uterus, projects into vagina
Perimetrium
- outermost layer
- visceral peritoneum + areolar CT
Myometrium
- middle layer
- THICKEST layer
- 3 layers of smooth muscle
Endometrium
- innermost layer
- highly vascular
- columnar epithelium and CT
- fertilized oocyte implants here
- it is subdivided into 2 sublayers: functional and basal
Basal Layer
- the deeper layer immediately adjacent to the myometrium
- this is a permanent layer
Functional Layer
- it will grow and develop during the ovarian cycle
- if a fertilized oocyte doesn’t implant, this layer is shed during menstruation (menses)
Why does menstruation occur?
- when corups luteum degenerates, levels of estrogen and progesterone DROP.
- functional layer breaks down
Vagina
- muscular tube that opens to the outside
- lies behind bladder, and in front of rectum
- lined with nonkeretinized stratified squamous epithelium
- functions: expells a baby, receives penis, during sexual intercourse, menstruation
Mons Pubis
-fatty, rounded area covered with pubic hair
Labia Majora
- two elongated, skin folds between legs - covered with pubic hair
- homologous to: scrotum of male
Labia Minora
thin, hairless skin folds
-between the labia minora are: urethral orifice (opening), vaginal orifice (opening), openings for the greater vestibular glands, clitoris
Greater Vestibular Glands
- function: secrete mucus as a lubricant
- homologous to: penis (glans)
Clitoris
- anterior to the urethral orifice
- homologous to: contains two columns of erectile tissue (corpora cavernosa)
Mammary Glands
- apocrine glands
- each mammary gland has glandular tissue, adipose tissue, and ligaments to connect it to thoracic wall
function: to produce milk for a baby - lactation = breast milk production
- prolactin: stimulates milk production
- oxytocin: EXPELS the milk in response to a stimulus (baby suckling/crying)
