Female Reproductive Flashcards
What is the function of Ovaries?
2 main things
- Produce secondary oocytes
- Hormones-Relaxin, inhibin, progesterone, estrogen
Function of the Uterine tubes
Transportation of the secondary ooycte to the uterus for the usual site of fertilization
Function of the Vagina
(2)
- Receives the penis during intercouse
- Passageway of childbirth
Function of the Mammary Glands
(3)
- Synthesize
- Secrete
- Eject milk
What is the paired female glands homologous to the testes?
Ovaries
Broad ligament
Part of parietal peritoneum
Ovarian ligament
Anchors ovaries to uterus
Suspensory ligament
Attaches ovaries to pelvic wall and has vessels inside
What are the four layers of ovaries from deep to superficial
- Medulla-blood vessels, lymphatics & nerves
- Cortex-connective tissue and ovarian follicles
- Tunica albugenia-thick connective tissue layer
- Surface of ovary- Germinal epithelium
Ovarian arteries
Direct branches from abdominal aorta
Ovarian veins
Right and Left
R-inferior vena cava
L-Left renal vein
Lymphatic drainage
End in the lateral aortic lymph nodes
Ovarian Cancer Risk Factors
50-40-30
Over age 50
More than 40 years of active ovulation
First pregnancy after 30
Ovarian Cancer Early Stage
Symptoms
Asymptomatic-or mild symptoms of
* Abdominal discomfort
* Heartburn
* Nausea
* Decreased appetite
* Bloating
* Flatulence
Ovarian Cancer Late Stage
Symptoms
- Enlarged abdomen
- Abdominal/pelvic pain
- GI disturbance
- Urinary complications
- Menstrual irregularities
- Heavy flow
Fallopian Tube Parts
Starting from Ovary
NO direct contact
1. Infundibulum (fimbria)
2. Ampulla (large)
3. Isthmus-opening to uterus
What are the 3 layers of the uterine tube composed of?
- Mucosa-non-ciliated peg cells w/ microvilli and ciliated simple columnar epithelium
- 2 layers; inner circular and outer longitudinal
- Serosa
What is the function of the Uterus?
Muscular organ that provides a protective and nutritive environment for developing fetus
What are the 3 parts of the Uterus?
- Fundus-superior
- Body-tapering central portion
- Cervix-inferior narrow portion
Uterine wall layers from superficial to deep
(3)
- Outer perimetrium-lined by serosa/adventitia
- Myometrium
- Endometrium-Shed during menses
What are the two parts of the endometrium and what do they do?
- Stratum functionalis-lost monthly if no pregnancy
- Stratum basalis: retained during menstruation and provides stem cells for stratum functionalis for next cycle
Normal Anatomical Position of Uterus
- Anteverted
- Anteflex
What supports the Uterus?
(5)
- Pelvic floor muscles
- Perineal body
- Transverse cervical ligaments
- Uterosacral ligaments
- Round ligaments of the uterus
What is Uterine Prolapse?
- Support structures no longer can counteract typical intra-abdominal pressure.
- Caused by uterosacral ligaments and pelvic floor muscles
What are the treatments for Uterine Prolapse?
- Surgery
- Exercises
- Lifestyle changes
Epiosotomy procedure
- Perineal cut between the vagina and anus w/ surgical scissors d/t breech presentation, large fetus, forceps delivery, fetal distress
- Complications include: pain, increased risk of fecal incontinence
Blood supply of the uterus
Arterial
- Uterine arteries-branches of the internal iliac arteries
- Ovarian arteries-from aorta
Venous drainage of the Uterus
Uterine and vaginal veins drain to the ovarian and internal iliac veins
Hysterectomy
Removal of the uterus
Indications include:
* Uterine fibroids
* Pelvic inflammatory disease
* Endometriosis
* Excessive uterine bleeding
* Cancer of the cervix, uterus, or ovaries
Cervical Cancer important things to remember
- Detected by Pap smears
- most are caused by HPV (STD)
- Main symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding
Cervical Cancer Risk Factors
- HPV infection
- Smoking
- Immunosuppression
- Long-term oral contraceptive use
- Overweight
Cervical Cancer Tx and Prevention
Prevention: Gardasil and Cervarix (vaccines)
Tx:
1.Surgery
2. Cryo/laser/radiation/chemo therapy
Vagina fibromuscular canal
Composed of 3 layers
- Mucuosa-non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
- Muscularis: 2 layers of smooth muscle-inner circular and outer longitudinal
- Adventitia: loose connective tissue that anchors vagina
Mammary Glands
- Modified sweat glands
- 15-25 lobes
- Grandular elements are arranged in a radial fashion around the nipple which ducts from secretory units empty into
What is Fibrocystic change of the breasts?
- NOT a cancer
- D/T hormonal stimulation of breast tissue
- Results in dilated fluid-filled acini and stroma abundance
- Small cysts-painful lumpy breasts
- Symptoms follow menstrual cycle
What is the most common Breast Cancer?
Ductile carcinoma
Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations
(3)
- Breast self-exam: monthly over age 20
- Clinical breast exam: q3 years between 20-40 and annually afterwards
- Mammography: annually age 40 or older
If family history of breast cancer-screening must start earlier
What is the typical duration of Female Reproductive Cylcle?
24-35 days 28 day average
Menstrual Phase
What phase number and what days?
First phase
Days 1-5
Preovulatory Phase
What phase number and what days?
Phase 2
Days 6-13
Ovulation
What phase number and what days?
Phase 3
Day 14
Postovulatory phase
What phase number and what days?
Phase 4
Days 15-28
What hormone is most active during each phase of the menstrual cycle?
F-FSH (menstrual phase)
E-Estrogen (Preovulatory phase)
L-LH-(Ovulation)
A-ALL-(Postovulatory phase)
What meiotic phase do the oocyte arrest in?
Prophase I
What meoitic phase do secondary oocytes arrest in?
Metaphase II
What secretes estrogen and what are the main functions of estrogen?
4 functions
Secretion by ovarian follicles
1. Promotes development and maintenance of female reproductive structures
2. Increases protein anabolism (including strong bones)
3. Lowers blood cholesterol
4. Inhibits GnRH (-ve feedback)
What secretes Progesterone and what does it do?
Secreted by corpus luteum
1. Works with estrogen to prepare and maintain endometrium for implantation and mammary glands for milk production
2. Inhibits GnRH and LH (-ve feedback)
What secretes Relaxin? What is the purpose of relaxin?
Secreted by corpus luteum
1. Relaxes uterus by inhibiting the contraction of myometrium
2. Increases flexibility of pubic symphysis and dilates uterine cervix (late pregnancy)
What secretes inhibin and what does it do?
Secreted by the granulosa cells of growing follices AND corpus luteum
* Inhibits FSH and LH (-ve feedback)
