FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM Flashcards

1
Q

state the 4 principle organs of the female reproductive system?

A
  • ovaries (female gonads)
  • uterine/ fallopian tube
  • uterus
  • vagina
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2
Q

describe the role of the ovaries?

A

the ovaries are the primary female reproductive organ

  • make female gametes (ovum-ova)
  • secrete female sex hormones (oestrogen and progesterone)
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3
Q

what makes up the accessory ducts?

A
  • uterine tubes
  • uterus
  • vagina
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4
Q

what makes up the internal and external genitalia?

A
internal = ovaries and internal ducts
external = external sex organs
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5
Q

what is oogenesis?

A
  • formation of gametes in the ovaries

- occurs monthly in ovarian follicles

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6
Q

how many oocytes are females born with?

A
  • born with 200,000 to 2,000,000 primary oocytes in each ovary
  • 40,000 present at puberty
  • 400 will mature and ovulate during a woman’s reproductive lifetime
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7
Q

name and describe the ligaments that hold the ovaries in place?

A
  • ovarian = anchors ovary medically to uterus
  • suspension = anchors ovary laterally to the pelvic wall
  • mesovarium = suspends ovary in between
  • broad ligament = contains the suspensory ligament and mesovarium
  • blood supply = ovarian arteries and ovarian branch of uterine artery
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8
Q

describe the structure of the ovary?

A

-covered by fibrous tunica albuginea which is covered by layer of epithelial cells
—called germinal epithelium
-embedded in ovarian cortex are ovarian follicles
—each follicle consists of an immature egg called an oocyte

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9
Q

what are the cells around an oocyte called?

A
  • follicle cells (one layer thick)

- granulosa cells (more than one layer)

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10
Q

what is the graafian follicle?

A

secondary follicle at its most mature stage that bulges from the surface of the ovary

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11
Q

define ovulation?

A

ejection of the oocyte from the ripening follicle

-for 20% of woman its associated with mittelschmerz (ovulation pain)

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12
Q

what is the corpus luteum?

A

ruptured follicle after ovulation

-temporary endocrine structure

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13
Q

describe the movement of an oocyte through the uterine (fallopian) tubes?

A
  • receive the ovulated oocyte and provide a site for fertilisation
  • empty into superolateral region of the uterus
  • expand distally around ovary forming an area known as ampulla
  • uterine tubes have no contact with the ovaries and the ovulated oocyte is cast into the peritoneal cavity
  • beating cilia on the fimbriae carry the oocyte in the tube
  • non ciliates cells keep the oocyte and the sperm nourished and moist
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14
Q

define the mesosalpinx?

A

visceral peritoneum that supports the uterine tubes

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15
Q

describe the structure and location of the uterus?

A

a hollow, thick walled organ located in the pelvis, anterior to the rectum and posterosuperior (in back and above) to the bladder

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16
Q

name and describe the 5 parts of the uterus?

A
  • body = major portion of the uterus
  • fundus = rounded region superior to the entrance of the uterine tubes
  • isthmus = narrowed region between body and cervix
  • cervix = narrow neck which projects into the vagina inferiorly
  • cervical canal = cavity of the cervix
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17
Q

which two parts of the female reproductive system does the cervical canal communicate with?

A
  • the vagina, via the external opening of the cervix

- the uterine body, via the internal opening of the cervix

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18
Q

what is the role of cervical glands?

A

secrete mucus that covers the external opening of the cervix and blocks sperm entry except during midcycle

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19
Q

name and describe the 3 layers of the uterine wall?

A
  • perimetrium = outermost serous layer; the visceral peritoneum
  • myometrium = middle layer; interlacing layers of smooth muscle
  • endometrium = mucosal lining of the uterine cavity
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20
Q

define endometriosis?

A

where tissue that acts like the lining of the womb is found in other parts of the body
-such as: ovaries, Fallopian tubes, bladder, bowel

21
Q

describe 3 features of the endometrium?

A

-has numerous uterine glands that change in length as the endometrial thickness changes
-stratum functionalis = undergoes cyclical changes i response to ovarian hormones
—shed during menstruation
-stratum basalis = forms a new stratum functionalis after menstruation ends

22
Q

Describe 5 features of the uterine blood supply?

A

-highly vascular = uterine arteries arise from internal iliac arteries
—ascend the sides of the uterus and send branches into the uterine wall
-arcuate arteries = branches of uterine arteries in myometrium that give rise to radial branches
-radial branches = descend into endometrium
—give off spiral arteries to the stratum functionalis
—give off straight arteries to the stratum basalis
-degeneration and regeneration of spiral arteries = functionalis sheds during menstruation
-veins of endometrium = thin walled with occasional sinusoids enlargements

23
Q

describe the structure and function of the vagina?

A
  • thin walled tube between the bladder and the rectum, extending from the cervix to the exterior of the body
  • urethra us embedded in the anterior wall
  • provides a pathway for birth, menstrual flow and is the organ of copulation (intercourse)
24
Q

name the 3 layers/coats of the vaginal wall?

A
  • fibroelastic aventitia
  • smooth muscle muscularis
  • stratified squamous mucosa
25
Q

what does the mucosa near the vaginal orifice form?

A

an incomplete partition called the hymen

26
Q

define vaginal fornix?

A

upper end of the vagina, surrounding the cervix

27
Q

describe the vulva (pudendum) as external genitalia?

A

lies outside the vagina, includes the mons pubis, the labia and the clitoris

28
Q

name and describe the 3 layers of the vulva?

A

-mons pubis = round fatty area overlying the pubic symphysis
-labia majora = elongated, hair covered, fatty skin folds which enclose and protect the other external reproductive organs
—basically the female scrotum
-labia minora = hair free skin folds within the labia majora, surround the opening to the vagina
—comparable to ventral penis (facing down and back)
-greater vestibular glands = keep the vestibule moist and lubricated

29
Q

what are the mammary glands?

A

-modified sweat glands, consisting of 15-25 lobes that radiate around and lien at the nipple
-the lobes contain glandular alveoli that produce milk in lactating woman
—alveolar glands pass milk to lactiferous ducts, which open to the outside

30
Q

define the areola?

A

the pigmented skin surrounding the nipple

31
Q

how is the breast attached to underlying muscle fascia?

A

by suspensory ligaments

32
Q

where does breast cancer usually arise from?

A

the epithelial cells of the ducts

33
Q

describe 4 risk factors of breast cancer?

A

-early onset of menses or late menopause
-no pregnancies or the first pregnancy in late life
-previous history of breast cancer or family history of breast cancer
-hereditary factors including mutations to the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2
—70% of woman with breast cancer have no risk factors

34
Q

how is breast cancer detected?

A

early detection is by self-examination and mammography

35
Q

how is breast cancer treated?

A

-depends on characteristics if the lesion
—radiation, chemo and surgery followed by irradiation and chemo
—today, lumpectomy is the surgery used rather than radical mastectomy

36
Q

what is secondary breast cancer?

A

metastases, occur via the lymphatic system or blood

-brain, bone, liver, lung

37
Q

what is the uterine (menstrual) cycle?

A

a series of cyclic changes that the endometrium goes through each month in response to ovarian hormones in the blood

38
Q

describe the 3 phases of the menstrual cycle?

A
  • days 1-5: menstrual phase = uterus sheds all but deepest part if endometrium
  • days 6-14: proliferative (preovulatory) phase = endometrium rebuilds
  • days 15-28: secretory (postovulatory) phase = endometrium prepares for embryo implantation
39
Q

describe the process of messes?

A

-if fertilisation doesn’t occur, progesterone levels fall, depriving the endometrium of hormonal support
-spiral arteries kink, go into spasms and endometrial cells begin to die
-the functional level begins to digest itself (autolysis)
-spiral arteries constrict one final time then suddenly relax and open wide
—the rush if blood and it’s contents fragments the weakened capillary beds and the functional layer sloughs away

40
Q

describe FSH is involved in the menstrual cycle?

A

*follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) = released from pituitary gland
—stimulates ovarian follicle to mature

41
Q

describe LH is involved in the menstrual cycle?

A

*luteinising hormone (LH) = released form pituitary gland at ovulation
—causes rupture of mature ovarian follicle, releasing the egg

42
Q

describe how progesterone is involved in the uterine cycle?

A

*progesterone = ‘relaxing hormone’
—balances effects of oestrogen, main job is to control the building of the uterine lining + mature/ maintain it during pregnancy
—if no pregnancy, progesterone falls and lining sheds

43
Q

describe how oestrogen is involved in the uterine cycle?

A

*oestrogen = ‘growing hormone’
—responsible for growing and maturing the uterine lining
—produced mainly by ovaries but also small amounts by adrenal glands and fat tissue

44
Q

describe the effects of oestrogen?

A
  • promote oogenesis and follicle growth in the ovary
  • exert anabolic effects on the female reproductive tract
  • the uterine tubes, uterus and vagina grow larger
  • the uterine tubes and uterus exhibit enhanced motility e.g. ability to contract
  • vaginal mucosa and external genitalia mature/ become functional
45
Q

describe the secondary sex characteristics caused by oestrogen?

A
  • growth of the breasts
  • increased deposition of subcutaneous fat, especially hips and breasts
  • widening and lightening of pelvis
  • growth of axillary and pubic hair
46
Q

describe gonorrhoea as a sexually transmitted disease?

A

definition = a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae
signs and symptoms =
*males: dysuria, discharge of pus from penis
*females: may be asymptomatic, abdominal discomfort, vaginal discharge, abnormal uterine bleeding
treatment = antibiotics
*if left untreated = pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) = increased risk ectopic pregnancy/ sterility

47
Q

describe chlamydia as a sexually transmitted disease?

A

*definition: most common, often occurs with gonorrhoea (responsible 25-50% PID [pelvic inflammatory disease])
*signs and symptoms: urethritis, discharge, abdominal, rectal/ testicular pain, painful intercourse, irregular menses
*treatment: tetracycline
—if not treated can cause men: arthritis and urinary tract infections, woman: sterility

48
Q

name and describe 3 types of viral infections?

A

*genital warts: caused by human papilloma viruses (HPV)
—infections increase risk of penile, vaginal, anal and cervical cancers
*genital herpes: caused by Epstein-Barr virus (type 2)
—characterised by latent periods and flare ups
*congenital herpes: can cause malformations of a foetus
—been implicated with cervical cancer
—treatment: acyclovir and other antiviral drugs