Female Reproductive System (1) Flashcards
What is the necessity of the reproductive system and when does it become active?
Not necessary for survival of the individual but required for the survival of the species (stores, nourishes and transports functional male and female reproductive cells, gametes)
Becomes active at puberty, hormones affect structure and function of other systems
What are the functions of the female reproductive system? (7)
Production of female gametes (ova) and sec hormones (estrogen and progesterone)
Reception of male gametes (spermatozoa)
Site for fertilization (prep for fert each month by uterus)
Transport of fertilized zygote to uterus
SIte of development of embryo and fetus
Mechanism for copulation and parturition
Provision of nutrition for the newborn (mammary glands)
What are the 4 parts of the female reproductive system and their function?
Gonads (ovaries): gamete production (1/month) and sex hormones
Reproductive tract (ducts): uterine tubes for transport of ovum and fertilization, and uterus for implantation/ development of fetus
Accessory glands: pituitary stimulates oogenesis and ovulation, mammary glands provide nutrition for newborn
Organ of copulation (vagina): common pathway for birth canal
What are the 2 types of pelvis and the two parts of the pelvis?
Pelvic inlet: pelvic brim is the beginning of the cavity
Pelvic outlet: exit of pelvic cavity, sacrum, pubic symphysis, ischial spines)
Greater/false pelvis: abdominal cavity with guts, at the iliac crest (has pelvic bones but no pelvic organs)
Lesser/ true pelvis: actual pelvic cavity from inlet to outlet, contains pelvic organs
What separates the greater and lesser pelvis?
Parietal peritoneum
What is the purpose of the parietal peritoneum? (2)
Lining the peritoneal cavity (body wall)
Separates the abdominal cavity from the pelvic cavity therefore pelvic organs are all retroperitoneal
What is the difference in abdominal and pelvic cavity separation in males and females?
Biological males: complete separation as the peritoneum covers all pelvic organs
Biological females: incomplete separation, 2 openings from the pelvic cavity to the abdominal cavity via the uterine tubes
What is a “ligament” in terms of the reproductive system? What is the largest one?
Thickening of the parietal peritoneum, called this because it has an inner and outer layer that are posterior and anterior to the organ.
Largest one is the broad ligament of uterus and covers entire reproductive system.
What are the pouches in the pelvis responsible for. and what are the 2? What are the other 5 main elements of the female reproductive system?
Pouches: accumulations of fluid, often sites of infection and disease
Rectouterine: rectum/uterus, when standing it is the lowest point in female abdomen, bleeding and infection common
Vesicouterine: between the uterus and bladder
Ovary, uterine tube, uterus, cervix, vagina
What are the 4 structures on the uterine tubes?
Infundibulum: has fimbriae that sweep ovum into the uterine tubes from abdominal cavity
Ampulla: site of fertilization, enlargement
Isthmus
Intramural
What are the two ligaments on the reproductive organ that stabilize it?
Ovarian ligament: anchor ovary to uterus
Suspensory ligament: allows entry of vasculature (veins and arteries)
What are the three parts of the broad ligament mesentery? What does mesentery imply?
Mesentery implies 2 layers (anterior and posterior) serving as conduit for vessels, nerves, lymphatics
Mesosalpinx: 2 layers over tube with vasculature
Mesovarium: 2 layers over ovary with vasculature
Mesometrium: 2 layers over uterus with vasculature
What are the 5 supporting ligaments in addition to broad ligament and where are they?
Uterosacral ligament: from uterus to sacrum, around rectum
Transverse ligament: either side of uterus to body wall with uterine vessels
Ovarian ligaments: from uterus to ovary
Suspensory ligament of ovary: from abdominal aorta (gonadal branches)/ IVC to ovary with ovarian vessels
Round ligament of the uterus: from uterus to inguinal canal, anterior body wall, remnant of development from pulling down of ovaries and testes
What is the main function of the ovaries and what are they stabilized by (3)?
Produce gametes and sex hormones
Stabilized by mesovarium, ovarian ligament, suspensory ligament of the ovary
5cm long, 2,5 cm wide, 8mm thick, 6-8g each
What are the functions of all sex hormones? (6)
Regulate functions of reproductive and other systems
Generate secondary sex characteristics (hair)
Generate sex drive
Maintenance of uterus lining (endometrium)
Stimulates growth and metabolism throughout body
Influence brain development
What are the three interrelated processes of the female reproductive system?
- Oogenesis: production of gametes
- Ovarian cycle: monthly series of events assoc with maturation of oocyte
- Uterine (menstrual) cycle: prepares uterus for implantation of fertilized oocyte
What are the 3 main things/events that happen during oogenesis?
Production of female gametes: begins in fetal development (oogonia), dormant until puberty, ends at menopause
Before birth: mitosis and DNA replication (primary oocyte)
At birth: primary oocytes are suspended in meiosis I
What happens during oogenesis at puberty (6)? At ovulation? Fertilization?
Meiosis I completes and results in uneven division of cytoplasm and expulsion of first polar body.
FSH from anterior pituitary causing primary oocyte to mature into secondary oocyte
LH stimulates ovulation
Ovulation: secondary oocyte is suspended in meiosis II
Fertilization: meiosis II is complete, but if no fertilization occurs then menses happens, oocytes develop and mature into ovarian follicles
What is the difference between males and females in terms of ratio of cell to nucleus?
1:1 and 1:4
What are the 3 phases of the ovarian cycle?
Follicular phase (primordial, primary, secondary, mature)
Ovulation (secondary oocyte, corona radiata)
Luteal phase (corpus luteum, degeneration, CA)
What is involved during primordial follicle development? What is in the primordial follicle? (3)
Oogonia (germ cells) create primary oocytes
Multiple primordial follicles enter development at the same time in cortex each month after puberty
Primordial follicle: primary oocyte surrounded by follicle cells (simple squamous cells, need FSH to mature further, stromal cells and follicle cells)
What is involved during primary follicle development? What is part of the primary follicle?(5)
FSH: critical for the stimulation of follicle development (every month, start of ovarian cycle), regulated by GnRH from hypothalamus)
Primary follicle: primary oocyte (in MI), zona pellucida (basement membrane, protein coat), granulosa cells (cuboidal, secrete ECM and make ZP), theca cells (endocrine cells assoc with capillaries)
What is involved during secondary follicle development? What is part of the secondary follicle?
A few primary follicles develop into secondary follicles (controlled by growth factors in the oocyte)
Transition occurs as follicle wall thickens and follicular cells begin to secrete follicular fluid by deeper cells
Secondary follicle: primary oocyte, thick walls, follicular fluid (antrum, LARGE to feed oocyte)
What happens in the continued development of the secondary follicle? (3)
Theca and granulosa cells produce and release estrogen into vasculature
Estrogen supports the regrowth of the endometrium (layer in uterus) after menstruation
Follicular fluid in the antrum (secretion from cells and blood plasma constituents, STICKY)
What is involved in mature follicle development?(4)
Only one secondary follicle develops into the mature (Graafian) follicle (remainder degenerate by atresia)
The complex expand the cortex (bulge) and stretches the ovarian wall
Oocyte projected into the antrum
Oocyte surrounded by mass of granulosa cells for glucose metabolism and signalling
What is the pedestal that the oocyte stands on?
Cumulus oophorus: granulosa cells that push it out
What happens later in the mature follicle development? What is part of the mature follicle? (3)
Mature follicle starts meiosis II as far as metaphase only (only completes meiosis if fertilized) and becomes secondary oocyte
Oocyte separates from wall (now free floating) with corona radiata
Ready for ovulation
Secondary oocyte, corona radiata, very thick walls
What are the functions of the non-ovulated follicles?
Amount of estrogen secreted is a function of the size of the follicle
Many small follicles are required in early stages of ovarian cycle to secrete required estrogen
As follicles enlarge, one becomes dominant and takes over estrogen secretion
Estrogen also supports regrowth of endometrium after menstruation (initiates repair and regrowth of uterine lining)
What is the DAYS that are associated with each phase of the ovarian cycle?
Follicular phase: days 1-8
Maturation of secondary follicle: days 8-14
Ovulation: day 14
What happens primarily during ovulation? (3)
As follicle matures and enlarges, it secretes increasing amounts of estrogen
High concentration of estrogen causes anterior pituitary to secrete luteinizing hormone (LH)
LH induces the final maturation and ovulation of the follicle
What happens later in ovulation? (3)
Granulosa cells digest the cortex (enzymes) and follicle ruptures
Oocyte released with its corona radiata onto surface of ovary (STICKY)
Oocyte released in peritoneal cavity (intraperitoneal) and picked up by fimbriae and infundibulum of the uterine tube (now outside world)
DAY 14
What happens during the luteal phase? (4)
Empty follicle collapses and ruptures blood vessels
Remaining granulosa cells proliferate and create corpus luteum
Maintained by: LH from AP or human chorionic gonadotropin from implanted embryo
Secretes estrogen and progesterone: progesterone prepares endometrium for implantation, both required for maintenance of endometrium
What happens to the corpus luteum eventually? (3)
Degenerates after 12 days of ovulation (unless fertilized)
Progesterone and estrogen levels decline and fibroblast produce non-functional corpus albicans (marks end of ovarian cycle)
Stimulates GnRH, triggers FSH production and stimulates another cycle
What is the fate of the oocyte? (4)
Oocyte transported down the uterine tube by ciliated epithelium and peristaltic contraction of smooth muscle
Fertilization usually takes place in the ampulla of uterine tube
Fertilized ovum (zygote) travels down uterine tube to uterus
Zygote implants in the mucosa of the uterus
What is the function of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone? (4)
A placental hormone the replaces LH (produced after implantation)
Pregnancy tests
Maintains corpus luteum (1st trimester): progesterone maintains endometrium, angiogenesis of uterine vasculature (thick vascular lining)
Placenta takes over secretion of hormones in 2nd trimester: progesterone. estrogen, relaxin (prepares cervix for delivery), ovaries do not need to produce hormones
What is the placenta and its function? (7)
Temporary organ: connects fetus to uterine wall (via umbilical cord) where exchange of blood and nutrients can occur during development
Allows: nutrient intake, thermoregulation, waste elimination, gas exchange, fight against internal infections, produces hCG (endocrine function)
What are some characteristics of the uterine tubes? (4)
Stabilized by mesosalpinx
Lumen is outside world= epithelium (2 openings into abdominal cavity)
Hollow muscular tube that nourishes oocyte
Transportation of oocyte (ovum if meiosis II completed) to uterus
What is the fate of the oocyte in the uterine tubes? (2)
During ovulation, infundibulum and fimbriae sweep over surface of ovary
Oocyte is captured by infundibulum and transported into the uterine tube by simple ciliated columnar epithelium
What is the purpose of the infundibulum? (3)
Begins with fimbriae extension
When estrogen is high: smooth muscles contract, fimbriae sweeps over the ovary
Epithelium has ciliated and secretory cells, cilia beat in the direction of the ampulla
What is the purpose of the ampulla? (2)
Mucosal folds of lumen is complex, where fertilization usually takes place
Cilia and muscle contraction move oocyte
What is the purpose of the isthmus (4) and intramural (1)?
Isthmus: narrowest portion of the tube, mucosal folds less complex and the muscularis is thick, muscles move oocytes towards uterus (peristalsis)
Intramural: part of the duct which penetrates the wall of the uterus
