Female Reproductive System Flashcards
what are these
fallopian tubes
arrow pointing to ciliated simple columnar epithelium
What is the name for the first menstrual period of a female in puberty?
menarche
How long is the average menstrual cycle?
21-34 days
What is the average range of onset of menopause?
45-55 years old
What is the name for gametogenesis in females?
oogenesis
What is the name for the developing gamete in females?
oocyte
What is the name for the mature gamete in females?
ovum
What are the two primary hormones involved in steroidogenesis in females?
estrogen and progesterone
What 3 functions does estrogen have in the female reproductive system?
promotes growth of sex organs
responsible for female sex characteristics
breast development
What 2 functions does progesterone have in the female reproductive system?
secretory changes in endometrium
promotes lobular proliferation
What are the three attachments of the ovary?
posterior surface
superior surface
inferior surface
What would you expect the surface of the ovary to be in a female in puberty?
semi-smooth
What would you expect the surface of an ovary to be in a female in a middle-aged woman?
rough due to scarring
What are the two distinct regions of the ovary?
cortex and medulla
What part of the ovary would blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves most likely to be found?
medulla
What type of cells is typically found in the germinal epithelium of ovary?
simple cuboidal
From what component of the ovary do most malignancies arise from?
epithelial surface
What is the name for the dense connective tissue layer that lies between the germinal epithelium and the cortex of the ovary?
tunica albuginea
When does the first ovulation occur in menstruating females?
puberty
What are the three major stages of follicle development in an ovary based on morphology?
primordial
growing
mature/graffian
At what month do primordial follicles start appearing in development?
3rd month of fetal development
Where in the mature ovary are the primordial follicles found?
cortex
What body is seen in primordial follicles of the ovary that represent an accumulation of Golgi membranes, ER, centrioles, mitochondria, and lysosomes?
balbiani body
What is the name of the foam extracellular coat found between the oocyte and follicle cells that secrete proteins?
zona pellucida
What is the secondary spermatozoa-binding protein produced by the zona pellucida?
ZP-3
What is the name for follicle cells in the stratum granulosum?
granuloma cells
What is the name of the connective tissue cells or sheath that form the thecal layers of the primary follicle?
theca folliculi
What component of the thecal folliculi possess LH hormone receptors and secrete androgens that are precursors to estrogen?
theca interna
What is a morphologic feature of the secondary follicle?
fluid antrum
What 3 factors are required for an oocyte and follicular growth?
follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
growth factors
calcium ions
What is the name for a thickened mound of granulosa cells associated with the oocyte which projects into the antrum of a mature Graafian follicle?
cumulus oophorus
What is the name for the cells of the cumulus oophorus that immediately surround the oocyte and remain during ovulation?
corona radiata
What bodies may be seen between the granulosa cells that are PAS positive and are secreted by the granulosa cells?
call-exner bodies
What 5 morphologic changes does a mature Graafian follicle undergo to prepare for ovulation?
decreased mitotic activity of granuloma cells
space between granulosa cells enlarge
oocyte and cumulus cells loosen
cumulus cells form layer around oocyte
theca layer becomes more prominent
When does the first meiotic division of the primary oocyte occur after a LH surge?
after 12-24 hours
Which 2 cells in the ovary go through a luteinization and produce progesterone?
granulosa and thecal cells
What is the name for the area of the germinal epithelium that becomes elevated and then ruptures?
macula pellucida
Where is the most common place for an ectopic pregnancy to occur?
fallopian tube
What is the purpose of polar bodies in oogenesis?
eliminate half of diploid chromosomes
How long can the 1st meiotic prophase be arrested for in oogenesis?
12-50 years
When is the 2nd oocyte arrested in oogenesis?
just before ovulation
What is the name of the process where granulosa cells and theca interna layers differentiate into granulosa luteal cells and theca luteal cells, demonstrating an increase in size and lipid droplets?
luteinization
What 3 hormones do granulosa lutein cells secrete?
estrogen
progesterone
inhibin
What 2 hormones do theca lutein cells secrete?
androgens and progesterone
How long does a corpus luteum remain active if no fertilization takes place?
14 days
What is the term for the activation of spermatozoa within the female reproductive tract?
capacitation
What area must spermatozoa penetrate to gain access to the zona pellucida?
corona radiata
What reaction takes place when spermatozoa bind to the ovary receptors of the zona pellucida?
acrosome reaction
What two arterial blood supplies support the ovary?
uterine and ovarian arteries
What is the name of the vascular plexus of veins in the ovarian hilum?
pampiniform plexus
Where are the lymphatics found in the ovary?
cortex
What nerves innovate the ovary?
ovarian plexus
What are the 5 major divisions of the fallopian tube?
fimbriae
infundibulum
ampulla
isthmus
intramural component
What cells are found in the mucosal layer of the fallopian tube?
simple columnar
What 2 areas of the fallopian tube are ciliated cells more prevalent?
infundibulum and ampulla
What are three mechanisms that encourage movement of an oocyte during ovulation in a fallopian tube?
fimbriae
ciliated cells
peristaltic movement
Where is the most common site for fertilization to occur in the fallopian tube?
ampulla
What are the three primary layers of the uterus?
endometrium
myometrium
serosa (perimetrium)
Describe the stratum vasculare of the myometrium:
circular pattern with lots of blood vessels and lymphatics
How many layers of smooth muscle are present in the myometrium of the uterus?
3 layers
What are the two layers of the endometrium?
stratum functionale
straum basale
What layer of the endometrium sloughs off during menstruation?
stratum functionale
What are the three cyclic changes seen in the endometrium?
proliferative phase
secretory phase
menstrual phase
what structure is this
cervix
what is this
placenta
what is this
vagina
what is this
labia majora with sebaceous ducts
The proliferative phase of the endometrium is regulated by what hormone?
estrogen
What part of the endometrium thickens in the proliferative and secretory phase?
stratum functionale
The secretory phase of the endometrium is regulated by what hormone
progesterone
What cells of the zygote implant into the endometrium?
blastocysts
What portion of the endometrium underlies the implantation site of the embryo?
decidua basalis
What thin portion of endometrium lies between the implantation site and the uterine lumen?
decidua capsularis
What is the name of the remaining endometrium of the uterus that surrounds the embryo?
decidua parietalis
What 2 mucosa types are present at transition zone of the cervix?
stratified squamous and simple columnar
What is the name of the mucin filled cysts often present within the cervix?
nabothian cysts
What common test is used to identify metaplastic changes in this transformation zone of the cervix?
pap smear
The fetal portion of the placenta is formed by what?
chorion
The maternal portion of the placenta is formed by what?
decidua basalis
When does the uteroplacental circulatory system begins to develop?
9 days after fertilization
The placental membrane that separates the fetal and maternal vessels is composed of what 4 tissues?
endothelium of capillaries
mesenchyme
cytotrophoblasts
syncytiotrophoblasts
The number of syncytial knots is often an indicator of what?
age of placenta
When does blood begins to circulate through the embryonic cardiovascular system and the villi?
21 days
What part of the placenta is a site for the exchange of nutrients, metabolic products and intermediates, and wastes between the maternal and fetal circulatory systems?
intervilious spaces
How many arteries and how many veins should an umbilical cord have?
2 arteries and one vein
Where does maternal blood enter the placenta?
endometrial spiral arteries
After blood leaves the intervillous spaces of the placenta, what vessels does the blood leave through?
endometrial veins
How does fetal blood enter the placenta?
umbilical arteries
What vessel brings oxygenated blood back to the fetus?
umbilical vein
What tissue in the placenta is responsible for hormone production?
syncytiotrophoblasts
What two major hormone types are produced by the placenta?
steroid and peptide hormones
What are the four major roles of the placenta?
maternal and fetal circulation
nourishes fetus
eliminates fetal wastes
makes hormones for pregnancy
What are the six main hormones of pregnancy?
HCG
progesterone
estrogen
prolactin
relaxin
oxytocin
What are the three layers of the vagina?
inner mucosa
intermediate muscle
outer adventitia
What type of epithelium does the vagina have?
stratified squamous
What 2 glands are present within the vestibule of the vulva?
skene’s and bartholins glands
What part of the female external genitalia has abundant melanin pigment and sebaceous glands?
labia minora
The erectile bodies of the clitoris?
clitoris
What 3 nerve endings are present in the vulva?
meissner’s corpuscles
pacinian corpuscles
free nerve endings
What is the name for an accessory nipple present on the milk line?
polythelia
What hormone stimulates breast development of mesenchymal cells?
estrogen
Mammary glands present in the breast resemble what other gland in the body?
tubuloalveolar apocrine sweat glands
What ducts carry alveolar secretions into the lactiferous duct of the breast?
interlobular collecting ducts
What type of cells line the terminal ducts of the breast?
secretory cells
What specialized, hormonally sensitive loose connective tissue that surrounds the terminal ductules and alveoli?
interlobular stroma
