Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Important structures
tuerus
ovaries
uterine tubes
vagina
vulva
perineum
breasts and mammary glands
Ovaries
paired almond shaped and sized
lateral to the uterus
function to form gametes-oogenesis
ovulation is the release of the egg into the uterine tube
they also secrete hormones-estrogen and progesterone
Ovarian ligaments
the ovaries are held in place by the ovaian ligament and broad ligament
Uterine tubes
“fallopian tubes”
paired 10cm long tubes
attached to uterus medially
functions to transport the egg to the uterus
Components of the uterine tube
medial to lateral
isthmus
ampulla
infundibulum
fimbriae(finger like projections)
Uterus features
fundus-dome shape above the uterine tubes
body and cervix(bottom)
Anatomical divisions of the uterus
uterine cavity
cervical canal (internal and external Os)
Uterine wall
deep to superficial
endometrium
muometrium
perimetrium (simple squamous epithelium)
Ligaments of the uterus
maintain the position of the uterus
broad ligament
Ligaments of the uterus
maintain the position of the uterus
cardinal ligaments-cervical uterus to the pelvic wall
uterosacral ligaments-uterus to the sacrum
round ligaments-anterior uterus to the labia majora
Uterus functions
pathway for sperm to uterine tubes
implantation
development of fetus
labour
source of menstrual flow
Vagina
tubular, fibromuscular canal that is 10 cm long
exterior to uterus
Vaginal fornices
located around the cervix
anterior and posterior and lateral
Vagina function
sexual intercourse
outlet for menstrual flow
passage for childbirth
Vulva
external genital organs
mons pubis
labia majora
labia minora
clitoris
vestibule
external urethral orifice
vaginal orifice
Mons pubis
elevation of adipose tissue
covered by skin and pubic hair
labia majora and minora
majora-two longitudinal folds of skin
minora-two smaller folds of skin medial to majora
Clitoris
mass of erectile tissue
external-glans clitoris
internal-body of clitoris
vestibule
bordered by the labia minora
contains the vaginal and external urethral orifices
Perineum
diamond shaped
contains te anus and urogenital structures
Perineum borders
anterior urogenital triangle
posterior anal triangle
Breast
hemispheric projection
variable in size
anterior to pec major
features are the nipple and areola
Mammary gland
located in each breast
15-20 lobes seperated by adipose tissue
lobes consist of glandular alveoli and smaller lobes
the function is the produce and secrete milk
non-functional in males
Flow of milk
associated with pregnancy and childbirth
simulated by prolactin
alveolar glands to mammar duct to lactiferous duct to nipple
Hypothalamic-pituitary ovarian axis
triggers the release of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary
both act on the ovaries to stimulate follicular growth
GnRH makes what happen
makes FSh and Lh release
high LH triggers egg release (rupture of follicle) also important for maintenance of corpus luteum
FSH triggers the growth and development of follicles
Why is estrogen important
prepares the uterus
progesterone levels go up after ovulation (helps with maturation of endometrium, so that is it ready for an implanting embryo)
Progesterone and estrogen inhibit what
inhibit LH and FSH
negative feedback loop (only one follicle produced at a time)
Drop in progesterone signals what
ovulation
What is the post ovulatory phase
when implantation happens
What does the corpus luteum do
produces progesterone and estrogen, if it degenerates because there is no LH or no implantation, then there is a negative signal for progesterone levels to drop, which causes those spiral blood vessels to undergo constriction (tissue dies)
What happens to the oocyte
it is released into the fallopian tube
new zygote is formed
embryo implants in the body of the uterus
this makes HSG
which reveals pregnancy
