female reproductive physiology Flashcards
premenarche
The physiologic state of a female before the onset of menses or menstruation
menarche
The onset of menstruation or the first menses
menstruation
Periodic discharge of bloody fluid from superficial layer of endometrium during ages of puberty through menopause
Average length of flow is 3-7 days
Occurs on average every 28 days
Ceases during pregnancy
mennorhea
Normal menstruation AKA menses
ovulation
Release of an ovum from the ovaries
menopause
Permanent cessation of menstrual activity
Usually between 35-58 years of age
Has associated symptoms which vary
hypothalamus
Stimulates the release of: Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormones, Follicle Stimulating Hormone Releasing Factor (FSHRF) and Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Factor (LHRF)
Releasing factors can also be called releasing hormones & they are interchangeable
So, the FSHRF could be FSHRH etc.
what are the 2 pituitary (gonadotropic) hormones?
Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
What are the 2 ovarian hormones? What are the secreted by?
What phases do they control?
estrogen (secreted by the follicles) and progesterone (secreted by the corpus luteum)
uterine phases
Stimulates Endometrial growth, Cervical and vaginal secretions, Breast development. It is Responsible for female body contours
estrogen
types: Estradiol –> Estriol & estrone
what stimulates Endometrial gland, Prepares the endometrium for the fertilized ovum, Breast development, Inhibits secretions of cervical glands and Increases basal body temperature
progesterone
Explain the different hormonal levels throughout the menstrual phase.
What are the 4 phases of the menstrual cycle. Identfy if they are follicular or luteal phases.
Menstruation
Proliferative (Ovarian Cycle = Follicular phase)
Secretory (Ovarian Cycle = Luteal phase)
Premenstrual or Ischemic phase*
What happens to the endometrial layers during menstruation?
Straum / zona functionalis – Thickness varies. It is Shed during menstruation
Straum /zona basalis – Permanent and produces a new functionalis following menstruation
Explain the endometrial development in the different phases of the cycle.
menstruation
phase 1 (pre-follicular)
Days 1-5
Thickened superficial layer of endometrium is shed (menses)
Proliferative Phase
Phase 2 (follicular) days 6-14
follicles devleop
Epithelium is restored
Endometrium thickness (0.5-4 mm, 4-8 mm together) and more vascular
Triple Echo Pattern AKA 3 line pattern
Single thin stripe (endometrial cavity)
Hypoechoic functionalis halo around stripe
Thin echogenic basalis layer
This phase is terminated by the rupture of follicle
Secretory Phase
Phase 3 days 15-28 (leuteal phase)
corpus luteum develops
Endometrium increases, becomes thickened (5-7 mm, 10-14 mm together) and edematous
Glands produce an abundance of secretions
Endometrium
Premenstrual/Ischemic Phase
Phase 4 ~ 1-2 days before menses (Leuteal Phase)
corpus luteum involution
spiral arteries constrict and endometrium becomes anemic and shrinks
Patches of necrotic endometrium break off and menses begins
Endometrium
Contains 2 layers, anterior and posterior portion
Measurement of both layers on sagittal plane determines the thickness
This ‘double layer’ measurement does not include the echogenic halo that is the zona basalis
Endometrial thickness post-menopausal (not on HRT)
greater than > 5mm is abnormal
What phase is this? How do you know?
proliferative
Triple Echo Pattern
- Single thin stripe (endometrial cavity)
- Hypoechoic functionalis halo around stripe
- Thin echogenic basalis layer
What phase is this? How can you tell?
posterior acoustic enhancement
What phases are each of these picture in and what plane were the images taken from?
what does this represent?
hormonal balance b/t brain and ovaries
What are the stages of follicular development?
What type of feedback mechanism is needed for ovulation?
positve/negative feedback system
What is the difference b/t regular follicles and the corpus luteum?
follicles are anechoic up to ~5cm and the corpus luteum is comlex and >5cm
mittelschmerz
pain associated w/ ovulation
what’s happening here?
fallopian tube sweep whic occurs when the corpus luteum releases an egg.
what is this process known as?
ovulation
what is this? how can you tell?
corpus luteum. the blood vessels surrounding it and it is anechoic w/ regular borders
What are copus albicans? When do they form?
What happens to the fluid in the follicle after it ruptures at ovulation?
what are the oavarian layers?
germinal epithelium (peritoneum on top) or thin outer covering
tunica albuginea (white covering) this white capsule around ovary
cortex (all fo the eggs in the cortical) the thickest part containing primitive follicles in various stages of development
medulla - middle inner part that has vlood vessels, nerves etc (the stuff needed to keep the ovaries alive)
If she doesn’t get pregnant, what does the corpus lutem turn into?
corpus albican
what is the hydatid of morgani
hangs off th efallopian tube. gestational left over
