Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Describe the anatomical position of the ovaries in relation to the uterus
Lateral to the uterus
Function of the Mammary glands
Production, secretion and ejection of milk
What are the 2 functions of ovaries?
- Produce & expel the secondary oocyte
- Produce & secrete oestrogen & progesterone
What are the 2 functions of Uterine (Fallopian) tubes?
- Transport the oocyte
- Provide a place for fertilisation to occur
What are the 3 functions of the uterus?
- Receives, retains & nourishes the fertilised ovum
- Muscular wall contracts to expel the fetus
- Route for transport of sperm to the oocyte
What are the 3 functions of the cervix?
- Produces cervical mucus which impedes the entry of sperm except during mid cycle
- Supplements the sperm during mid cycle (contains proteins, lipids & enzymes)
- Blocks the entry of microorganisms into the uterus
What are the 3 functions of the vagina?
- Receptacle for penis during intercourse
- Outlet for menstrual flow
- Passageway for childbirth
Function of the Labia (major and minor)
Outer folds that protect the vaginal opening
Function of the mons pubis
Cushions & protects the symphysis pubis
Function of the clitoris
Erectile tissue for female sexual pleasure
What are the two areas of the ovaries?
- Medulla
- Cortex
What does the medulla of the ovaries mostly contain?
- Blood vessels
- Lymphatics
- Nerves
What does the cortex of the ovaries mostly contain?
Ovarian follicles/oocytes
How many chromosomes does a mature oocyte contain? What is this known as?
23 - Haploid
What is menstruation?
Shedding of the functional layer of the endometrium
How does the functional layer regenerates each month? Describe what happens to this layer during menstruation include the hormones responsible for this
If pregnancy does not occur, oestrogen and progesterone levels decrease which trigger menstruation. Once the lining is completely shed, a new menstrual cycle begins
Name the correct path of a sperm to fertilisation
- Vagina
- Cervix
- Body of the uterus
- Isthmus of the uterine (fallopian) tube
- Ampulla of the uterine (fallopian) tube
Name the correct path of the secondary oocyte to fertilisation
- Mature follicle
- Pelvic cavity
- Ampulla of the uterine (fallopian) tube
State the usual location of fertilisation
Ampulla of uterine (fallopian) tube
Name the 2 sections of the Uterine (fallopian) tubes and which is widest and which is the narrowest
- Ampulla (widest)
- Isthmus (Narrowest)
Name the hormone secreted from the follicles of the ovaries
Oestrogen
Describe two factors that may impede the movement of the oocyte (or ovum if fertilised) in the uterine tubes
- Infection in the uterine tubes due to pelvic inflammatory disease like chlamydia may lead to scar tissue in the uterine tube, this may narrow or block the uterine tubes causing sterility
- Ectopic pregnancy may also result from cigarette smoking which reduces activity of cilia. This slows transport of the fertilised ovum to the uterus so it starts implant into the uterine tube
Name the three layers of the uterus
- Endometrium
- Myometrium
- Perimetrium
Function of the endometrium
Innermost functional layer is shed during menstruation
Function of the myometrium
Three layers of smooth muscle which expel the fetus during labour
Function of the perimetrium
Outer serous layer of the uterus. The serous layer secretes a lubricating fluid that helps to reduce friction.
Describe the location of the cervix
Lowermost part of the uterus
Name the hormone that causes the cervical mucus to become thinner and explain why this happens.
Becomes thin under the influence of oestrogen in mid-cycle allowing sperm to pass through the cervix
Explain how cervical cancer can be prevented
Cervical smear test scrapes some of these epithelial cells which cover the tip of the cervix and examines them for abnormalities
Describe the location of the vagina
Canal that extends from the cervix to the exterior, situated between the urethra & rectum.
Name the two hormones involved in milk production and secretion
- Prolactin
- Oxytocin
State the stimulus for the secretion of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH)
Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) secreted by the hypothalamus stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to release follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone
Name the gland where FSH and LH are made and secreted from
Anterior pituitary gland
What are the 4 phases of the reproductive cycle?
- The menstrual phase (menstruation)
- Pre-ovulatory phase
- Ovulation
- Post-ovulatory phase
What days does the menstrual phase occur?
Days 1-5 (first day of bleeding is considered beginning of the 28 day cycle)
What days does the Pre-ovulatory phase occur?
Days 6-13
What days does the ovulation phase occur?
Day 14
What days does the post-ovulatory phase occur?
Days 15-28
What are the changes that occur with the menstrual phase?
- Low levels of progesterone causes the spiral arterioles to constrict and the functional layer of the endometrium dies
- The dead functional layer detaches from the uterine was causing 3-5 days of bleeding
- 50 to 150ml of blood, tissue fluid and epithelial
cells is shed from the endometrium
What are the changes that occur with the pre-ovulatory phase?
- Ovary: Development of mature follicle that enlarges and is ready for release from the ovary, production & release of oestrogen occurs
- Uterus: creation of new functional layer to develop into the endometrium (with glands & spiral arteries growing into it)
What are the changes that occur with the ovulation phase?
- The ovarian follicle collapses and the follicular cells slowly begin to:
- Enlarge and change character
- Form the corpus luteum - The corpus luteum then secretes progesterone and oestrogen
What are the changes that occur with the post-ovulation phase?
- Ovary: Corpus luteum secretes oestrogen & progesterone. If secondary oocyte is not fertilized the corpus luteum becomes a corpus albicans (non-functional)
- Uterus: oestrogen & progesterone promote thickening of the endometrium (in preparation for receiving the fertilised ovum). If fertilisation does not occur menstruation will begin a new cycle
What hormone is dominant during the menstrual phase?
Decrease in progesterone
What hormone is dominant during the pre-ovulation phase?
Increase in Oestrogen
What hormone is dominant during the ovulation phase?
A surge in the level of LH
What hormones is dominant during the post-ovulation phase?
Increase in oestrogen and progesterone
State four signs of ovulation
- Increase in basal body temperature
- Cervical muscles thins and forms channels to allow sperm to pass through it - caused by rising oestrogen levels
- Cervix softens
- Discomfort/pain
Describe the difference between the corpus luteum & corpus albicans
- Corpus luteum is the hormone-secreting body formed immediately after ovulation from the opened follicle while corpus albicans is the white degenerated fibrous body.
Describe the age related changes that occur during puberty and at menopause
- Peak of reproductive abilities in late 20’s, after this, ovaries become less responsive to hormonal stimulation and ovarian function gradually declines
- Ovulation and menstruation cease completely at age 46-64 years old (menopause). The ovaries continue to produce oestrogen for a while after menopause but then stop hormone production
What would happen without sufficient oestrogen?
- The reproductive organs and breasts atrophy
- The vagina becomes dry
- Weight gain
- Loss of bone mass
- Rising total blood cholesterol but decreased HDL levels
- Hot flushes and sweating
- Some women experience irritability and depression
An over-the-counter test is now available for purchase that indicates ovulation. This test measures the levels of…
LH
Low levels of progesterone cause….
Menstruation
What is Menarche?
First menstruation
Oral contraceptive pills contain oestrogen and progesterone that…
Inhibit the release of FSH and LH
What does the Corpus leteum secrete?
- Oestrogen
- Progesterone
The hormone responsible for stimulating the development of the secondary follicles in the ovary is…
FSH
The mature (Graafian) follicle continues to enlarge and increase its oestrogen production during what stage?
Pre-ovulatory phase
The open, funnel-shaped portion of a uterine tube is called the…
Infundibulum
The basal layer of the endometrium of the uterus repeatedly gives what?
Repeatedly gives rise to a new functional layer after each menstruation
Which hormone has effects on general metabolism to increase protein production and reduce cholesterol production as well as controlling the reproductive cycle in the female?
Oestrogen
What two hormones has the greatest direct control over the changes in the uterus?
- Oestrogen
- Progesterone
The path travelled by a secondary procure after it leaves the ovary is..
- Pelvic cavity
- Fimbriae
- Ampulla of uterine tube
- Isthmus of uterine tube
- Uterus
What is the structure that receives, retains and nourishes the fertilised ovum (zygote) is..
Uterus
