Female Reproduction

Question 1

What structure gives rise to the female reproductive tract?

Answer 1

Paramesonephric (Müllerian) ducts, due to absence of testosterone and MIF.

Question 2

What happens in the absence of testosterone during development?

Answer 2

Mesonephric ducts degenerate, and external genitalia develop into female structures.

Question 3

What is the role of Müllerian-inhibiting factor (MIF)?

Answer 3

Prevents development of the Müllerian ducts into female reproductive organs.

Question 4

What is the shape and location of the ovaries?

Answer 4

Almond-shaped; located in the posterior pelvic wall.

Question 5

What are the main functions of the ovaries?

Answer 5

Produce eggs and hormones; house developing follicles.

Question 6

What is ovulation?

Answer 6

The bursting of the follicle and release of an egg.

Question 7

What is the typical site of fertilization?

Answer 7

The uterine (fallopian) tubes.

Question 8

How do uterine tubes move the egg?

Answer 8

Cilia and microvilli beat rhythmically to guide the egg to the uterus.

Question 9

What are the functions of the uterus?

Answer 9

Harbors fetus, provides nutrients, expels fetus during birth.

Question 10

What connects the uterus to the vagina?

Answer 10

The cervical canal.

Question 11

What is the role of cervical glands?

Answer 11

Secrete mucus that prevents microorganism spread; mucus thins during ovulation to allow easier passage for sperm

Question 12

What is the main cause of cervical cancer?

Answer 12

Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

Question 13

Name the layers of the uterine wall.

Answer 13

Perimetrium, Myometrium, Endometrium.

Question 14

What is the function of the stratum functionalis?

Answer 14

It is shed during menstruation.

Question 15

What regenerates the stratum functionalis?

Answer 15

The stratum basalis.

Question 16

What are the functions of the vagina?

Answer 16

Menstrual discharge, receives penis and semen, serves as birth canal.

Question 17

How does vaginal epithelium change at puberty?

Answer 17

From simple cuboidal to stratified squamous.

Question 18

What causes the acidic pH of the vagina?

Answer 18

Bacteria ferment glycogen into lactic acid.

Question 19

What are the components of the vulva?

Answer 19

Labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, mons pubis, Greater vestibular glands, Lesser vestibular glands, Paraurethral glands

Question 20

What glands are present in the vulva?

Answer 20

Greater and lesser vestibular glands, paraurethral glands.

Question 21

What surrounds the nipple?

Answer 21

The areola.

Question 22

What is the primary tissue in a nonlactating breast?

Answer 22

Adipose and collagenous tissue.

Question 23

What genes are linked to breast cancer?

Answer 23

BRCA1 and BRCA2.

Question 24

How is breast cancer treated?

Answer 24

Lumpectomy, mastectomy, radiation, chemotherapy.

Question 25

What hormone triggers puberty?

Answer 25

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).

Question 26

What is thelarche?

Answer 26

Onset of breast development.

Question 27

What is menarche?

Answer 27

First menstrual period (avg. age 12.5 years).

Question 28

What is leptin's role in puberty?

Answer 28

Signals sufficient fat stores to activate GnRH.

Question 29

What does estradiol do?

Answer 29

Stimulates growth of ovaries and secondary sex organs; suppresses FSH/LH.

Question 30

What does progesterone do?

Answer 30

Prepares uterus for pregnancy; suppresses FSH/LH.

Question 31

What does inhibin do?

Answer 31

Selectively regulates FSH secretion.

Question 32

What are the two main reproductive cycles?

Answer 32

Ovarian cycle and menstrual (uterine) cycle.

Question 33

What are the phases of the ovarian cycle?

Answer 33

Follicular phase and luteal phase.

Question 34

What causes ovulation?

Answer 34

A surge in LH.

Question 35

What inhibits LH and FSH after ovulation?

Answer 35

Estrogen and progesterone.

Question 36

What happens during the menstrual phase?

Answer 36

Shedding of the stratum functionalis.

Question 37

What occurs during the proliferative phase?

Answer 37

Regeneration of endometrial lining due to estrogen.

Question 38

What occurs during the secretory phase?

Answer 38

Endometrium thickens due to progesterone.

Question 39

What triggers the premenstrual phase?

Answer 39

Involution of corpus luteum and drop in progesterone.

Question 40

When does oogenesis begin?

Answer 40

Before birth, stops at meiosis I until puberty.

Question 41

What resumes egg development at puberty?

Answer 41

FSH.

Question 42

What is folliculogenesis?

Answer 42

Development of the follicle around the egg.

Question 43

List the stages of follicle development.

Answer 43

Primordial → Primary → Secondary → Tertiary → Mature (Graafian).

Question 44

What is capacitation?

Answer 44

Maturation process that enables sperm to fertilize the egg.

Question 45

What is the acrosome reaction?

Answer 45

Release of enzymes to penetrate the zona pellucida.

Question 46

What prevents polyspermy?

Answer 46

Fast block (depolarization) and slow block (enzyme destruction of ZP3).

Question 47

What hormone is tested in pregnancy tests?

Answer 47

hCG.

Question 48

What hormones maintain early pregnancy?

Answer 48

Estrogen and progesterone from the corpus luteum, later placenta.

Question 49

What hormone might contribute to gestational diabetes?

Answer 49

Human chorionic somatomammotropin.

Question 50

What are common digestive changes during pregnancy?

Answer 50

Morning sickness, constipation, heartburn.

Question 51

What causes blood volume and cardiac output to rise during pregnancy?

Answer 51

Hormonal changes, especially increased aldosterone.

Question 52

What vitamin helps prevent neural defects?

Answer 52

Folic acid.

Question 53

What triggers contractions during childbirth?

Answer 53

Oxytocin and fetal hormones in a positive feedback loop.

Question 54

What are the three stages of labor?

Answer 54

Dilation → Expulsion → Placental.

Question 55

What is Braxton Hicks contraction?

Answer 55

Irregular, practice contractions.

Question 56

What hormone produces milk?

Answer 56

Prolactin.

Question 57

What hormone ejects milk?

Answer 57

Oxytocin.

Question 58

What is colostrum?

Answer 58

First milk with IgA and nutrients; provides passive immunity.

Question 59

What is the order of early conceptus stages?

Answer 59

Zygote → Blastocyst → Embryo → Fetus.

Question 60

What is the importance of germ layers?

Answer 60

Form all tissues and organs (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm).

Question 61

What happens by the end of week 8?

Answer 61

All organ systems are present; now considered a fetus.

Question 62

What are the three fetal shunts?

Answer 62

Ductus venosus, foramen ovale, ductus arteriosus.

Question 63

How does a neonate adapt to breathing?

Answer 63

Spontaneous breathing, strong effort to inflate lungs.

Question 64

What circulatory changes occur in a neonate?

Answer 64

Fetal shunts close; new circulatory routes form.

Question 65

How is immunity provided at birth?

Answer 65

IgG from placenta, IgA from colostrum.

Question 66

What are some physical changes after birth?

Answer 66

Thermoregulation, fluid balance, skin color adjustments.