Female Reproductive system Flashcards
Name the structures an oocyte would travel from Ovaries to vagina if not fertilized
Ovaries - Ampulla - Isthumus - Uterus - Vagina
Name the structures sperm would travel to reach the oocyte for fertilization
Vagina - Cervix - Uterus - Isthumus - Ampulla.
Describe the anatomical position of the ovaries in relation to the uterus
Located in the pelvic cavity lateral to the uterus
State two functions of the ovaries
Produce oestrogen and progesterone and produce the secondary oocyte and expel it into the abdominopelvic cavity (ovulation)
Name the structures located in the ovarian cortex
Ovarian follicles/oocytes
Name the structures located in the the ovarian medulla
Contains blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves.
Name the hormone secreted from the follicles of the ovaries
Oestrogen
Name the two sections of the uterine tubes (fallopian tubes)
Ampulla and Isthmus
Describe the function of the uterine tubes
To transport the ovum from the ovary to the uterus.
Explain how the oocyte moves from the ovaries into the uterine tubes.
At time of ovulation the uterine tubes bends to drape over the ovary. The fimbriae stiffen and sweep ovarian surface. Fimbriae have cilia which create currents in the peritoneal fluid to carry ovum into the tube. The oocyte is transported in the
How the oocyte is transported in the tubes
The oocyte is transported in the tubes by cilia and peristalsis by smooth muscle in the walls of the uterine tubes
State the location in the uterine tubes where fertilization takes place
Ampulla
Describe the two factors that might impede the movement of the oocyte in the uterine tubes
Infection in the uterine tubes, like chlamydia, may lead to scar tissue in the uterine tubes which may narrow the tubes
Smoking can reduce the activity of cilia resulting in an ectopic pregnancy
State three functions of the uterus
Route for transport of sperm
Receives, retains and nourishes the fertilized ovum
Muscular wall contracts during labour to expel the fetus
Name the three layers of the uterus
Endometrium, Myometrium, Perimetrium
What is the function of the endometrium
Prepare for implantation and maintenance of pregnancy if implantation occurs and menstruation in the absence of pregnancy
What is the function of the myometrium
To induce uterine contractions during labour
What is the function of the perimetrium
External layer that forms part of the visceral peritoneum
Explain how the functional layer of the endometrium regenerates, describe what happens to this layer during menstruation, and name the hormone responsible for these changes (hint: it is a decrease in this hormone that causes the changes).
Low levels of progesterone causes the spiral arterioles to constrict and the functional layer of the endometrium dies causing menstruation. Progesterone produced by the growing follicle causes a new functional layer 4-10mm thick to develop in the endometrium.
Describe the location of the cervix
The cervix is superior to the vagina in the lowermost part of the uterus.
Name three functions of the cervix
Protects uterus from microorganisms
Form cervical plug to impede sperm penetration
Mucus supplements the energy needs of sperm
Name the hormone that causes the cervical mucus to become thinner and explain why this happens
Oestrogen causes cervical mucus to become thinner to allow sperm easy passage through cervix into the uterus
Explain how cervical cancer can be prevented
Having the HPV vaccine to protect against cervical cancer and having a cervical smear test to detect changes in epithelial cells covering the tip of the cervix
