Female

Question 1

What is the function of the female reproduction system? (6)

Answer 1

Formation of ova
Receive sperm
Provide a suitable environment for fertilisation and foetal development
Childbirth
Lactation

Question 2

What is the mons pubis?

Answer 2

Rounded mass of fatty tissue lying over the joint of pubic bones

Question 3

What is the labia majora?

Answer 3

Large folds of fibrous tissue and fat covered in skin
Contains sebaceous and sweat glands

Question 4

What is the labia minora?

Answer 4

Smaller folds of skin
Contains sebaceous and sweat glands

Question 5

What is the clitoris?

Answer 5

Corresponds to the penis
Contains sensory nerve endings and erectile tissue

Question 6

What is the vestibular glands?

Answer 6

• Pea-sized glands situated on each side of the vaginal opening
• Secrete mucus to keep the vagina moist

Question 7

What is the perineum?

Answer 7

Triangular area extending from the base of the labia minora to anal canal
Consists of connective tissue, muscle and fat
Gives attachment to the muscles of the pelvic floor

Question 8

What is the function of the vagina?

Answer 8

Receive the penis during sexual intercourse
Allow menstrual flow to leave the body
Birth a child

Question 9

What is the pH of the vagina and why?

Answer 9

3.8-4.2 to inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Question 10

What is the cervix?

Answer 10

Pathway between the uterus and the vagina.

Question 11

What is the function of the cervix?

Answer 11

The discharge of menstrual fluid
The opening for sperm
The opening of delivery of an infant.

Question 12

What is the uterus?

Answer 12

Womb

Question 13

What are the three parts of the uterus?

Answer 13

Fundus- Thick muscular region situated about the fallopian tubes
Body - Main portion joined to the cervix
Cervix - Narrowest part opening into the vagina

Question 14

What are the three layers of the uterus?

Answer 14

Perimetrium - Blanket of peritoneum over the uterus, tubes and ovaries.
Myometrium - Thick, smooth muscle fibre
Endometrium - Columnar epithelium of connective tissue which undergoes changes during the menstrual cycle.
There are two layers:
Functional – sheds during menstruation
Basal – permanent layer

Question 15

What are the fallopian tubes for?

Answer 15

Transport the ova towards the uterus

Question 16

What are the overies for?

Answer 16

Storage space for folicles
Produce oestrogen and progesterone

Question 17

What is the first onset of the menstural period called?

Answer 17

Menarche

Question 18

Describe the hypothalamic-pituitary involvement

Answer 18

1. The hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin releasing hormone.
2. This stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone.
3. They travel in the bloodstream to the ovaries.
4. This stimulates the production of oestrogen and inhibin.
   - Oestrogen helps to regulate the menstrual cycle.
   - Inhibin causes inhibition of gonadotropin releasing hormone production.
   - Follicle stimulating hormone stimulates the development of ovarian follicles.
   - Luteinising hormone causes the follicle to change into the corpus luteum which produces progesterone.
   - Progesterone stimulates the endometrium to become receptive to implantation.
5. Increasing levels of oestrogen, progesterone and inhibin have a negative feedback effect on the pituitary and hypothalamus.
6. This leads to decreased production of gonadotropin stimulating hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone.
7. This leads to a decrease in production of oestrogen and inhibin.

Question 19

What happens during the follicular phase?

Answer 19

At the beginning of the cycle, levels of FSH rise causing stimulation of ovarian follicles.
The ovarian follicle releasing oestrogen which results in:
Endometrial thickening
Thinning of cervical mucus allowing easier passage for sperm
Inhibition of LH production
As oestrogen levels rise, they surpass a threshold and they stimulate LG production, leading to a spike in levels.
The ovum is then released and taken into the fallopian tube.

Question 20

What happens during the luteal phase?

Answer 20

Once ovulation has happened, LH and FSH stimulate the follicle to develop into the corpus luteum which produces progesterone.
This leads to:
The endometrium become receptive to implantation
Negative feedback causing decreased LH and FSH
An increase in body temperature
As the levels of FSH and LH fall, the corpus luteum degenerates which results in a loss of progesterone production.
This triggers menstruation unless fertilisation occurs.
If fertilisation occurs, the corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone which prevents menstruation.

Question 21

What happens during the proliferative phase?

Answer 21

The endometrium is exposed to increased oestrogen as a result of FSH and LH stimulating the production.
Oestrogen stimulates repair and growth of the functional endometrial layer allowing recovery from menstruation.

Question 22

What happens during the secretory phase?

Answer 22

Begins once ovulation has occurred.
This phase is driven by progesterone produced by the corpus luteum.
This results in the uterus become a welcoming environment for an embryo to implant.

Question 23

What happens during the menstural phase?

Answer 23

As the corpus luteum degenerates, there is a decrease in progesterone production.
This causes the arteries in the functional endometrium to contract.
causes the functional endometrium to become ischaemic and neutronic.
As a result, it sheds.

Question 24

What are the phases on the menstural cycle?

Answer 24

Follicular
Luteal

Question 25

What are the phases of the uterine cycle?

Answer 25

Proliferative
Secretory
Menstural