female physiology Flashcards
what are the female reproductive organs
2x ovaries
fallopian tubes
uterus
structure of ovaries
surface: connective tissue capsule covered in layer of simple cuboidal epithelium
cortex: connective tissue containing ovarian follicles (one oocyte surrounded by a single layer of cells)
medulla: central part, connective tissue with blood vessels
functions of ovaries
- oocyte production
2. steroid hormone production (oestrogen + progesterone)
primordial follicles
primary oocyte arrested in first meiotic division surrounded by 1 layer of squamous pre-granulosa cells
primary follicle
oocyte surrounded by zona and cuboidal granulosa cells
secondary follicle
increased oocyte diameter and multiple layer of granulosa cells, resumption of first meiotic division
tertiary/graafian follicle
follicular fluid between cells which coalesce to form antrum, completion of first meiotic division to form secondary oocyte and start of second meiotic division
what does GnRH do
acts on anterior pituitary causing it to release FSH and LH
what do FSH and LH do
act on ovary to produce the steroid hormones oestrogen and progesterone
how does oestrogen feedback on the GnRH secretion
most of cycle - negatively
days 12-14 - positively to facilitate LH spike needed for ovulation
what does oestrogen do to endometrium
thickens it
what does progesterone do to endometrium
changes in vasculature (decidualisation) and adds to thickness
decidualisation
changes to endometrium in preparation for pregnancy
what organ does not respond to oestrogen or testosterone
ovaries
