Female Anatomy and Function

Question 1

female duct system

Answer 1

uterine tube system doesn’t have direct contact with ovaries

tube system: 1 vagina, 1 uterus, 2 uterine tubes (Fallopian tubes)

Question 2

ovarian cycle overview

Answer 2

monthly series one vents associated with maturation of the ovum
2 consecutive phases
- Follicular phase: period of vesicular follicle growth (days 1-14)
- Luteal phase: period of corpus luteum activity (days 14-28)

** follicular phase varies, but luteal phase is always 14 days from ovulation to end of cycle

Question 3

ovaries

Answer 3

contain ovarian follicles: house and nurture developing oocytes (immature eggs)

rising levels of LH cause ovary wall to rupture, expelling secondary oocyte

after ovulation development of CL (oocyte caught my fimbriae and transported off, rest become CL after)

Question 4

corpus luteum

Answer 4

ruptured follicle turns into CL after ovulation, becomes a gland that secretes progesterone + estradiol (oestrogen) and inhibin

CL regresses if no pregnancy occurs after 10/12 days –> scar tissue corpus albicans

if pregnancy occurs CL is supported by hCG (hormone measured in pregnancy test)

Question 5

hormones of the ovarian cycle

Answer 5

FSH higher than LH = follicle growth

LH surge (pos feedback mechanism) causes ovulation (Fat follicle rupture/ovulation, LH production ceases)

CL cant produce LH, but does produce progesterone and oestrogen (Explains rise of them in luteal phase)

Question 6

Oogenesis

Answer 6

• Production of gametes in the female
• Production of ova (oocytes)
• Begins during fetal development
• No new ova formed after birth
• Ovary contains at birth ~2 million primordial follicles, each containing an immature oocyte
• Not all will develop further most will degenerate
• Female Meiosis begins at fetal stage and completes at time of fertilization (primordial follicle = meiosis)

Question 7

Hormones of the menstrual cycle

Answer 7

• Estrogen and Progesterone are secreted form the ovaries
• Estrogen produced by developing follicle builds up endometrial lining
• Estrogen makes mucus fluid so sperm can pass to reach oocyte
• Progesterone from corpus luteum maintains endometrial lining (and estrogens)
• Menses (menstrual bleeding) is due to progesterone withdrawal (corpus luteum dies)

Question 8

phases of the menstrual cycle

Answer 8

Proliferative Phase

• Endometrium thickens, facilitated by FSH
• Uterine glands small
• Cross section: round shape, diagonal cut: oval

Secretory Phase

• Endometrium glands elongated, coiled, facilitated by LH
• Uterine glands secrete uterine milk

Premenstrual phase
- Lack of progesterone 
- Glands start breaking down
(not as squiggly)
- Tissue death

Menstrual phase

• Lack of progesterone
• Loss of blood due to breakdown of superficial layers of uterine endometrium
• About 30 - 50 ml of mainly arterial blood.
• Duration: 3 - 6 days, often heavier on 2nd day
• Red indicative of blood in tissue, leaving the body

Question 9

endometrium of the cervix

Answer 9

• Mucus secreting simple columnar epithelium on luminal surface
• Continues with the moist non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium covering the external surface of the cervix
• Transformation (transitional) zone - area between columnar and squamous cells
  (most precancerous cells occur in this area)

Question 10

changes in cervical mucus

Answer 10

Follicular phase

• Mucus copious, watery, thin & alkaline
• Fernlike pattern on slide (when dried)
• Dominant influence: Estrogens

Ovulatory period

• Mucus thinnest at time of ovulation
• Dries in arborizing fernlike pattern

Luteal Phase

• Mucus thick, viscous & cellular
• Mucus scanty
• No ferning pattern when dried
• Dominant influence: progesterone