Female Flashcards
What is the function of suspensory ligaments?
Hold ovaries to lateral pelvic wall
carry vasculature
What is th function of the ovaries
produce gametes - oocyte
produce hormones - oestradiol and progesterone
Why might ovariea appear scarred and pitted?
Due to ovulation once amonth
What epithelium lines the ovary?
Simple cuboidal/squamous
Describe the structured layers of the ovary
Germinal Epithelium
Tunica Albuginea
Ovarian cortex
Ovarian medulla
Where in the ovary would you find follicles?
Ovarian cortex
What is the difference between follicular cells and granulosa cells?
Follicular cells - single layer of follicle cells
Granulosa cells - multiple layers of follicle cells
Describe the appearance of a graafian follicle
This is a matire follicle and is large with a fluid-filled antrum. Ready to rupture and expel secondary oocyte
What happens to the graafian follicle after ovulation?
Turns into corpus luteum - produces progesterone, oestrogen and inhibin until it degeneates into fibrous scar tissue known as the corpus albicans
What are the two peritoneal puches in a female?
Rectouterine pouch of Douglas - between uterus and uterine
Uterovesical pouch - between uterus and bladder
Where in the uterine tubes does fertilisation occur?
ampulla
What feature of the uterine tube may lead to increased risk of peritoneal cavity infection
Not conected to ovary so diret route from vagina to peritoneum
How long are the uterin tubes?
13cm
What epithelium lines the uterine tubes?
Ciliated columnar
From where does the uterine artery originate?
Internal iliac artery
Describe the structure of the uterine wall
- Perimetrium - coovers bladder and rectum and laterally becomes broad ligament
- Myometrium - muscular layer (long-circular-long)
- Endometrium - highly vascularised
- Stratum Basalis
- Stratum functionalis - lines uterine cavity and sheds durign menstruation
What epithelium lines the vagina?
non-keratinised stratified epithelium
How are steroid hormones produced? Where?
Enzymatic modification of cholesterol mainly in SER and mitochondria
What are the different forms of oestrogen, where are they produced and what is their function?
- Oestrone - secreted directly from ovary or converted from androstenedione
- Oestradiol - directly synthesised in developign follicle or converted from oestradione
Development of female secondary sex characteristics
Where in females are androgens produced?
Ovary produces androstenediol, DHEA and small amount of testosterone but the adrenal glands are them main location of female androgens
Where are progetogens produced?
Corpus luteum
adrenal glands
placenta during pregnancy
From cholecterol via pregnenolone
What is the function of progestogens?
Develop endometrium
Develop mammary glands
Maintain pregnancy through placenta development
Explain the HPO axis
GnRH from hypothalamus causes release of FSH and LH from anterior pituitary. These cause the ovary to produce oestrogen and progesterone which have a negative feedback input on anterior pituitary, along with inhibin
What is the function of FSH?
Initiates follicle recruitment
Supports growth, especially of granulosa cells
What is the function of LH
Supports Theca cells
Surge causes ovulation
Describe the Follicular changes within the ovarian cycle
DAYS 1-14: This is the pre-ovulatory phase where there is growth of the dominant follicle. The primordial follicle develops into a primary follicle whilst th epre-granulosa cells develop into granulosa cells and surround the oocyte. Stromal cells are recruited which develop into theca cells and surround the follicle. As the theca develops, the folicle is given an independent blood supply whilst the granulosa cells develops FSH, oestrogen and androgen receptors. The recruited follicles increase oestradiol production, increasing FSH and LH production but inhibiting release, allowing exponential increase in oestrogens.
DAY 14: High oestradiol levels trigger LH secretion which due to build up results in the LH surge, stimulating breakdown of follicle wall - ovulation
DAYS 14-28: This is the post-ovulatory phase where the corpus luteum develops, secretign progesterone. If implantation occurs, the corpus luteum remains as supported by HCG. But if no implantation, it degrades away, reducing prgesterone levels - cause endometrial lining to shed due to leukocyte infiltration causing restriction and breakdown of spiral arteries
Draw and explain ‘the menstrual cycle graph’
-
When does oogenesis begin
before females are born
Describe the process of oogenesis
- Primordial germ cells undergo mitosis prenatally, producign primary oocyte after an intermediate stage of oogonia
- The primary oocyte undergoes its first meiotic division, arresting in prophase, staying here until first menstrual cycle. They are located within primordial follicles
- The primordial follicles develop into primary follicles, with the primary oocytes surrounded by granulosa cells. As this develops, zona pellucida forms
- At puberty, first meiotic division continues, producing a diploid secondary oocyte and the first polar body (dies due to decreased cytoplasm). This enters meiosis II and stops in metaphase
- Upon fertilisation, meiosis II is completed, producing an ovum and a second polar body
What is the function of polar body production in oogenesis?
They cant survive due to insufficient cytoplasm but allow for half replicated DNA to arrest
What is polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
Due to LH and FSH being out of balance as a result of hormone excess, there is no negative feedback, resulting in continuous oestrogen and androgen production. This causes infertlity, amenorrhea, weight gain, hirsutism and acne
What syndromes are caused from hormone deficiency?
Hypogonadism Turners Klinefelters Kallmans (GnRH deficiency) Hypopituitarism
How does the contraceptive pill work?
Oestrogen and Progesteroen selectively inhibit pituitary function by prevent LH production, and therefore inhibiting ovulation
