Female reproductive system

Question 1

Describe the anatomical position of the ovaries in relation to the uterus

Answer 1

Lateral to the uterus

Question 2

State 2 functions of the ovaries

Answer 2

1. produce oestrogen and progesterone

2. produce the secondary oocyte and expels it into the abdominopelvic cavity

Question 3

name the structures located in the ovarian cortex and the ovarian medulla

Answer 3

Cortex - follicles and oocytes

Medulla - blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves

Question 4

Name the hormone secreted by the follicles of the ovaries

Answer 4

oestrogen

Question 5

Name 2 sections so the uterine tubes

Answer 5

Ampulla and Isthmus

Question 6

Describe the function of the uterine tubes

Answer 6

channels for oocyte transport and fertilization

Question 7

Explain how the oocyte moves from the ovaries into the uterine tubes and how the oocyte is transported in tubes

Answer 7

fimbrae which have cilia create current in the fluid which moves the oocyte towards the tube. Transported through peristalsis

Question 8

Where does fertilisation occur in the uterine tubes

Answer 8

Ampulla, the lateral 2/3 of the tube where fertilisation takes place

Question 9

2 factors that may impede the movement of the oocyte

Answer 9

1. pelvic inflammatory diseases such as chlamidya if left long enough may block the uterine tubes causing sterility.
2. uterine tubes are narrowed therefore tiny sperm can help form a zygote but larger zygote can leave = ectopic pregnancy

Question 10

3 functions of the uterus

Answer 10

1. route for transport of sperm
2. receives, retains and nourishes fertilised ovum
3. muscular wall contracts during labor

Question 11

What is the innermost layer of the uterus and what is its function?

Answer 11

Endometrium

• Innermost functional layer sheds during mensuration
• basal layer replaces functional layer each month

Question 12

What is the middle layer of the uterus and what is its function?

Answer 12

3 layers of smooth muscle expel the foetus during labour

Question 13

What is the outer layer of the uterus and what is its function?

Answer 13

external layer that forms part of the visceral peritoneum

Question 14

what hormone is responsible for the changes in the endometrium

Answer 14

a decrease in progesterone causes the changes

Question 15

Describe the location of the cervix

Answer 15

Narrow neck of the uterus

Question 16

Describe three functions of the cervix

Answer 16

1. produces cervical mucus
2. opens during labour to allow baby to pass through birth canal
3. protect uterus from bacteria and other objects

Question 17

The hormone that causes cervical mucus to become thinner. Why does this happen?

Answer 17

oestrogen thins musucs mid cycle to allow for sperm to pass through cervix

Question 18

How can cervical cancer be prevented

Answer 18

Gardasil - 3 dose HPV vaccine

Cervical smear tests

Question 19

Describe the location and function of vagina

Answer 19

Location: 10cm long fibro-muscular canal that extends from cervix to exterior of body
Function: receptacle for penis, passageway for childbirth, outlet for menstrul flow

Question 20

Name the structures of the vulva

Answer 20

Mons pubis 
Labia majora
clitoris 
Labia minora 
vestibule

Question 21

State functions of mammary glands

Answer 21

modified sweat glands which synthesise, secrete and eject milk

Question 22

What hormones involved in milk production and secretion

Answer 22

Prolactin and oxytocin

Question 23

State the stimulus from prolactin

Answer 23

initiates and maintain milk production with levels rises dramatically near the end of pregnancy

Question 24

State the stimulus for Oxytocin and the feedback type

Answer 24

when a baby breast feeds it stimulates positive feedback causing the secretion of more oxytocin to stimulate more milk production

Question 25

State the 4 phases of the female reproductive cycle including the day of the cycle that it occurs during

Answer 25

1. menstrual (1-5)
2. pre-ovulatory (6-13)
3. ovulation (14)
4. post-ovulatory (15-28)

Question 26

Describe the change that occurs in the ovaries and/or uterus for phase 1

Answer 26

Menstrual

- in the uterus, low levels of progesterone cause spiral arterioles to contract and functional layer of endometrium dies

Question 27

Describe the change that occurs in the ovaries and/or uterus for phase 2

Answer 27

Pre ovulatory
- in OVARY, dominant follicle turn into mature follicle.
- by day 14 mature follicle has enlarged and bulges at surface of ovary
-in UTERUS
proliferitave phase
occurse between menstration and ovulation
- oestrogen produced by growing follicle produces new functional layer 4-10mm thick

Question 28

Describe the change that occurs in the ovaries and/or uterus for phase 4

Answer 28

Post ovulatory
in OVARY, corpus lutetium
- secretes large quantities of progesterone and some oestrogen
- non fertilised ovum = non functional corpus Albicans

Question 29

State four signs of ovulation

Answer 29

1. increase in basal body temp
2. cervical mucus thins and forms channels allowing sperm through
3. cervix softens
4. discomfort/pain

Question 30

whats the difference between corpus lutetium and corpus albicans

Answer 30

Lutetium-
hormone secreting body formed immediately after ovulation
Albicans-
white degenerated fibrous body

Question 31

age related changes at puberty and menopause

Answer 31

ovulation/ menstruation cease at 46-64 years (menopause), ovaries then continue to produce oestrogen for a while but then stop hormone production