Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Ovaries
Create the egg cells; storehouse of the follicles; Produces estrogen and progesterone
Oviducts/Fallopian tubes
Transport cells to the uterus; normally where the oocyte (egg cell) get fertilized
Uterus
AKA the womb, where the fetus develops and grows; is composed of 3 parts: the ovum (wide upper part), the cervix (narrow lower part or the “neck”), and the endometrium (the lining of the uterus that is involved in mentruation)
Cervix
Narrow opening where the semen must pass through to fertilize the egg
Vagina
Entryway of the penis; connects the internal reproductive organs to the external genitalia
Where do oocyte’s develop?
Follicles
What type of follicle releases the oocyte each month during ovulation?
Graafian follicle
What is the corpus luteum?
It is the empty follicle after the release of the egg cell after ovulation. The corpus luteum secretes the following: progesterone (completes the preparation of the uterine lining), estrogen (works with progesterone), relaxinrelaxes uterine muscles), and inhibin ( decreases the secretion of LH &FSH)
Fimbriae
Finger-like structures that “catch” the egg during ovulation to tranport it to the oviducts/fallopian tubes
What moves the oocyte through the fallopian tube?
The cilia and peristalis
What part of the fallopian tube does the sperm cell normally reach the egg cell?
Ampulla
What are the 2 layers of the endometrium?
Functional Layer: is shed during mentruation
Basal Layer: replaces functional layer each month
Where does the baby exit?
Vagina
What are Mammary Glands?
Modified sweat glands that produce milk
What gland secretes GnRH?
Hypothalamus
Preperation of the uterus to recieve the fertilized ovum, where the endometrium is shed due to not being fertilized?
Uterine cycle/ Menstrual cycle
Changes in the ovary during and after the maturation of the follicle and oocyte
Ovarian cycle
What phase of the ovarian cycle do the follicles grow into
graafian follicles?
Follicular Phase
What happens during ovulation?
The graafian follicle releases the oocyte from the ovary into the pelvic cavity.
What happens during the luteal phase?
The corpus luteum secretes progesterone and some estrogen. Progesterone prepares the endometrium for possible pregnancy
What phase of the uterine cycle do the levels of estrogen rise?
Proliferative phase
What phase of the uterine cycle does the corpus luteum secrete progesterone?
Secretory phase
What happens when feretilization occurs?
Embryo implants on uterus
Must maintain the levels of progesterone to maintain teh endrometrium and pregnancy
LH normally maintains corpus luteum, but LH is inhibited by the high progesterone levels
Corpus Luteum degenarates after 3 -4 months of pregnancy
If no pregnancy?
Progesterone and estrogen levels decline
