Female Reproduction Flashcards
List the primary organs of the female repro system
ovaries
List the accessory organs of the female repro system
uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, vulva
Describe where the broad ligament is attached to
supports the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries
Describe where the ovarian ligament is attached to
connects ovaries to later part of the uterus
Describe where the suspensory ligament is attached to
anchors for the ovaries
Which of the ligaments of the female repro system is the largest?
broad ligament
What is found in the cortex of the ovary?
primordial follicles
What is contained within the medulla of the ovary
blood vessels
What is meant by primordial follicle and what is within the primordial follicle?
primordial follicles are single large cells surrounded by epithelial cells, contain the primary oocyte
How many primary oocytes does a female have at the time of birth? Puberty?
About one million; 400,000
How many primary oocytes are released from puberty throughout?
fewer than 400-500
What is FSH and where does it come from?
follicle stimulating hormone, anterior pituitary
What does FSH stimulate concerning female reproduction?
maturation of follicles
What are granulosa cells?
primordial follicle become the primary follicle with zona pellucida surrounding oocyte
What is the zona pellucida?
Layer of glycoprotein that gradually separates primary oocyte from granulosa cells
When does a primordial follicle become a primary follicle?
when the zona pellucida separates the primary oocyte from the granulosa cells
What is the antrum?
Fluid filled cavity that lies behind the ooctye; helps push it out of follicle
When does a primary follicle become a secondary follicle?
after meiosis I
What is the theca interna?
inner vascular layer with steroid-secreting cells, loose connective tissue and blood vessels
What is the theca externa?
tightly packed connective tissue
When does the secondary follicle become the Graafian or pre-ovulatory follicle?
at about 10-14 days maturation
How is oogenesis different from spermatogenesis?
there is an unequal division of cytoplasm after meiosis I creating a large cell (secondary oocyte) and a small cell (first polar body) in the female
Which oocyte can become the future egg?
the secondary oocyte
How long does it take for maturation of the follicle?
10-14 days
What is inside the Graafian follicle?
secondary oocyte, thick zona pellucida, corona radiata
What is the corona radiata and what is the function?
supply nutrients to secondary oocyte
What is LH and where does it come from?
lutenizing hormone; anterior pituitary
What is the function of LH concerning female repro
triggers ovulation
What is ovulation?
The rupturing of the graafian follicle wall allowing for the secondary oocyte to enter the fallopian tube
Where does estrogen come from and what are the functions?
secreted by the ovaries; presence of secondary sex characteristics
Where does progesterone come from and what are the functions?
ovaries; thickens endometrium, stimulates breast development
Where does relaxin come from and what are the functions?
corpus luteum; relaxes the myometrium and the pubic symphysis at end of pregnancy
Where does inhibin come from adn what are the functions?
granulosa cells, corpus luteum; inhibits FSH and LH
On average, when does a female become reproductively mature?
10 years
On average, when does a female begin her menstral cycle?
13 years
What day does thickening of the endometrium occur? What stimulates this?
7 days; release of progesterone from the theca externa and theca interna
What happens on day 14?
surge of LH release; ovulation
What is the corpus luteum? What does it secrete?
used to the mature graafian follicle; secretes progesterone and estrogen
How does the secretions of the corpus luteum prepare the body for the developing fetus?
thickens the endometrium
What happens on day 24 of the cycle if the egg is not fertilized?
the corpus luteum beings to degenerate and is replaced by the corpus albicans
What is the corpus albicans?
used to be the corpus luteum
What is menses and when does it typically begin?
sloughing off of the endometrial lining; begins at day 28 in the cycle
What is hCG? Where does it come from and what does it do in regards to the corpus luteum?
human chorionic gonadotrphin; released by the developing embryo; supports the corpus luteum to produce hormones
What is the window of opportunity for fertilization to occur?
2 days before ovulation to 1 day after ovulation
What is another name for uterine tubes?
fallopian tubes
What is the infundibulum?
opening of the fallopian tubes
What is the fimbriae
finger like projections from the fallopian tubes that help the oocyte enter the tubes
What components make up the vulva
mons pubis, clitoris, labia majora, labia minora, vestibule, vaginal orifice
what is the mons pubis?
round mass of fatty tissue over the pubis symphysis
what is the vestibule?
area between the labia minora
Describe the paraurethral glands.
secrete mucous
Describe the vestibular (Barholin’s) glands.
secrete lubricant
What two hormones are released following an orgasm ina female?
oxytocin and pitocin
What is the function of the mammary glands?
produce milk
What is the alveoli concerning the breasts?
milk secreting glands
What is the areola
pigmented area of the breast
mens-
month
fimb-
fringe
mast-
breast
folic-
little bag
oo-
egg
mons-
one, single
mamm-
breast
labi-
lip
zon-
girdle, belt