Female Reproductive Physiology Flashcards
Are there glands in the mucosa of the vagina?
No
What types of cells detect foreign pathogens in the vagina?
dendritic cells
What part of the female reproductive tract provides secretions for lubrication during intercourse?
Cervical mucosa
The epithelial cells of the vaginal wall releases large amounts of ___?
Glycogen
Why do the epithelial cells of the vaginal wall secrete large amounts of glycogen?
It is metabolised by resident bacteria (lactobacillus), producing lactic acid & H2O2 - decreasing the pH (acidic), making it toxic to foreign pathogens
What does the adventitia of the vagina connect to?
Surrounding structures such as the urethra and urinary bladder
What layers exist in the muscularis of the vagina?
Outer ongitudinal and inner circular layer
What is the vaginas blood supply?
Internal vaginal artery branching off the uterine artery
What is the name of the portion of the cervix that projects into the vagina?
Ectocervix
What is the opening of the ectocervix called?
External os
What is the other name for the cervical canal?
Endocervix
When is the cervix relaxed and cervical mucous thin and at a ten-fold increase in secretion? What hormone causes this?
Ovulation, Oestrogen
What hormone causes thick secretions and a firm cervix?
Progesterone
The transformational zone separates the endocervix and ectocervix. What type of epithelium are these structures?
Endo: Simple columnar
Ecto: Stratified keratinised squamous
What is the pap smear and what does it entail?
A cytodiagnostic test for the early detection of cervical cancer. Scrape surface epithelial cells from transitional zone of cervix mucosa, spread on glass slide and stain.
What is the name of the stain used for a pap smear?
Papanicolaou
What is this?
An abnormal pap smear
What is this?
A normal pap smear
Where is a fertilised ovum implanted?
Uterus
What is the blood source for the uterus?
Internal illiac branches to uterine artery that also supplies the cervix and vagina
What are the 3 layers of the uterus? Describe them.
Perimetrium: Outer serous membrane
Myometrium: Smooth muscle (x3/4), thick, contracts during delivery. Cervix: more rigid and less contractile than rest of uterus
Endometrium: Mucous membrane, simple tubular glands, leukocytes (7%).
What layer of the endometrium is hormone responsive?
Stratum functionalis
What is the epithelium of the uterus?
Simple columnar
What are the two outermost layers of the overy?
Visceral peritoneum then tunica albuginea
Is the cortex or the medulla of the ovary the functional part for reproduction?
Cortex
What is the medulla of the ovary composed of?
CT, blood vessels, glands, nerves and lymphatics
What is the rate of pulsatile release of GnRH during follicular phase in a female?
Every 60-90 minutes
How many viable gametes does a female produce from 1 primary cell?
1