Female Reproduction System

Question 1

What is external genitalia known collectively?

Answer 1

Vulva

Question 2

What makes up the internal reproductive organs?

Answer 2

Vagina, uterus, two uterine tubes, two ovaries

Question 3

Describe the labia majora

Answer 3

Outer surface has pubic hair, inner surface is made up of two folds of fat and areolar tissue

Question 4

describe the labia minora

Answer 4

two small subcutaneous folds lying between the labia majora
upper layer passes above clitoris to form the prepuce
lower layer form frenulum
fuse posteriorly to produce fourchette

Question 5

Describe the prepuce

Answer 5

Retractable piece of skin, formed by labia minors which surrounds and protects the clitoris from overstimulation

Question 6

describe the vestibule

Answer 6

area enclosed by the labia minora
where the openings of the urethra and the vagina are

Question 7

describe the vaginal orfice

Answer 7

partially closed by the hymen

Question 8

describe the hymen

Answer 8

thin membrane that tears before and during penetrative sex

Question 9

describe the function of the greater vestibular glands

Answer 9

secrete mucus which lubricates vaginal opening

Question 10

describe the external part of the clitoris

Answer 10

called clitoral glans
densely filled with nerve ending

Question 11

describe the internal part of the clitoris

Answer 11

extremely vascular erectile tissue

Question 12

describe the blood supply and nerves of the female reproductive system

Answer 12

blood supply: internal and external pudendal arteries and veins
lymphatic drainage: inguinal glands
nerve supply: branches of the pudendal nerve

Question 13

describe the function of the vagina internally

Answer 13

passage and exit of menstrual flow
receives penis and ejaculate during intercourse
provides exit for fetus

Question 14

describe the lining of the vagina

Answer 14

squamous epithelial lining, arranged in rugae
kept moist by cervical secretions
pH is acidic to kill microbes

Question 15

describe the muscle layer of the vagina

Answer 15

weaker inner circular fibres and stronger outer longitudinal fibres

Question 16

describe the pelvic fascia

Answer 16

connective tissue surrounding the vagina
to hold the tube in place

Question 17

describe the structure of the uterus

Answer 17

hollow, pear-shaped muscular organ

Question 18

name the structures of the uterus

Answer 18

fundus, cornuae, body, cavity, isthmus

Question 19

describe the perimetrium

Answer 19

made of connective tissue, holds everything in place in uterus

Question 20

describe the myometrium

Answer 20

muscle layer of uterus
inner layer of circular fibres
middle layer of interlacing fibres
outer layer of longitudinal fibres

Question 21

describe the endometrium

Answer 21

functional layer which thickens and sheds during menstruation
basal layer is used by the functional layer to regenerate every cycle

Question 22

describe the cervix

Answer 22

cervical canal made up of columnar epithelium that secretes mucus
muscle fibres are embedded in collagen allowing it to stretch during labour
internal os narrow opening
external os small round opening at lower end of cervix

Question 23

describe blood supply of uterus

Answer 23

branches of internal iliac artery

Question 24

describe the function of uterine tubes

Answer 24

propels ovum forward towards uterus, receives spermatozoa as they travel upwards and provides site for fertilisation

Question 25

describe structure of uterine tubes

Answer 25

lining of ciliated columnar epithelium so it can waft ovum
contains plicae
contains goblet cells which produce secretions to nourish ova

Question 26

describe the function of ovaries

Answer 26

produce oocytes and produces oestrogen and progesterone

Question 27

name some secondary sexual characteristics

Answer 27

• maturation of the uterus, uterine tubes and ovaries
• development and enlargement of the breasts
• growth of pubic and axillary hair
• increase in height and widening of the pelvis
• increased fat deposition in the subcutaneous tissue, especially at the hips and breasts.

Question 28

describe the onset of secondary sexual characteristics

Answer 28

hypothalamus releases LHRH
LHRH acts on anterior pitutary gland to release gonadotrophins, FSH and LH
they influence the ovaries to begin to secrete oestrogen

Question 29

discuss the onset of menarche

Answer 29

hypothalamus releases luteinising hormone releasing hormone (LHRH)
which stimulates the anterior pituitary to release FSH promoting maturation of ovarian follicles and secretion of oestrogen leading to ovulation
the secretion is suppressed once ovulation takes place, 1st half
and release LH, which triggers ovulation and stimulates development of corpus luteum and secretion of progesterone
the hypothalamus is stimulated by high levels of oestrogen and suppressed by oestrogen and progesterone together

Question 30

describe the proliferative phase

Answer 30

day 5-14
maturing ovarian follicle stimulates the thickening of the functional layer of the endometrium
stage ends at ovulation

Question 31

describe the secretory phase

Answer 31

day 15-28
progesterone from corpus luteum stimulates endometrium to become oedematous and secretory glands to produce watery mucus
assists sperm to uterus
begins at ovulation

Question 32

describe the menstrual phase

Answer 32

Day 1-4
ovum not fertilised
the levels of progesterone and oestrogen fall as the corpus luteum degenerates
the functional layer of the endometrium sheds
as myometrium contracts

Question 33

outline oogenisis

Answer 33

FSH stimulates immature follicle into a mature follicle
ovulation: ovum released
corpus luteum develops and secretes progesterone