female reproductive system Flashcards
reproductive system
not necessary for individual survival but is for species survival
stores, nourishes, + transports functional male and female gametes
becomes functional at puberty
hormones can affect other systems as well
gametes
reproductive cells
females: ovum
males: sperm
functions of female repro system
production of ova and sex hormones
reception of male gametes
site for fertilization + preparation each month
transport of fertilized zygote to uterus
site of development of embryo + fetus
mechanism for copulation + parturition
provision of nutrition for newborn
ovaries
gonads
produce ovum (1 released each month)
release sex hormones - estrogen + progesterone
stabilized by 3 ligaments (mesovarium, ovarian ligaments, + suspensory ligaments)
reproductive tract
uterine tubes + uterus
(ovaries are not directly attached)
uterine tubes (+ 4 parts)
fallopian tubes
transport of ovum and site of fertilization
infundibulum = funnel of tube → has fimbriae (projections) to sweep up ovum
ampulla = enlargement (ideal site of fertilization)
isthmus = narrowing of tube
intramural = where tube enters uterus
uterus
implantation and development of fetus
menstrual cycle if no fertilization occurs
accessory glands
pituitary gland: stimulates oogenesis + ovulation
mammary glands: nutrition of newborn
vagina
organ of copulation
common pathway for birth canal
separate from urinary pathway
parietal peritoneum
lines peritoneal cavity = separation of abdominal and pelvic cavities
all pelvic organs are retroperitoneal
pelvic cavity
pubic symphysis + sacrum
incomplete separation from abdominal cavity
2 openings in parietal peritoneum at the uterine tubes (where they meet ovaries)
vesicouterine pouch
peritoneal space between bladder and uterus
rectouterine pouch
peritoneal space between rectum and uterus
vestibule
entrance to urogenital area
between labia minora
urethra + vagina are separate tracts
vaginal canal
2 fornices on either side of cervix
in a physical exam, can be used to detect any internal issues
cervix
opening of uterus
prevents anything from entering uterus from vaginal canal
broad ligament
parietal peritoneum over female reproductive organs
thickening of peritoneum → two layers around uterus = mesentery
3 areas → uterine tubes, ovaries, uterus
mesosalpinx
mesentery over uterine tubes
mesovarium
mesentery over ovaries
mesometrium
mesentery over uterus
supporting ligaments
thickening of peritoneum
prevents movement of structures
anchoring of uterus in all directions
uterosacral ligament
anchors uterus to sacrum
(posterior abdominal wall)
ovarian ligament
anchors ovaries to uterus (R + L)
no vasculature
transverse ligament
either side of uterus to body wall
contains uterine vessels = main vasculature to uterus
round ligament
from uterus to iguinal canal
anterior body wall
some innervation + vasc
remnant of development → what would have carried gonads towards outside (scrotum in males)
suspensory ligament
ovaries (not uterus)
from abdominal aorta to ovary
carries ovarian vessels = lots of vasc
sex hormones
produced by ovaries
regulate functions of repro and other systems
generate secondary sex characteristics
generate sex drive
stimulate growth + metabolism through body
influence brain development
oogenesis
production of oocytes
begins during fetal development
dormant until puberty
ends at menopause
mitosis of oogonium
DNA replication
oogonia → primary oocyte
completed before birth
meiosis I
begins before birth
within primordial follicle
suspended in stage until puberty
completed due to FSH stimulation
follicle maturation
FSH stimulates completion of meiosis I at puberty
uneven division of cytoplasm = secondary oocyte + polar body
meiosis II
begins in mature follicle
LH stimulates ovulation = release of secondary oocyte
completed only if fertilization occurs = ovum + second polar body
ovarian cycle
monthly series of events associated with maturation of oocyte
follicular + luteal stages
follicular stage
primordial follicle (at birth) → primary follicle → secondary follicle → mature follicle
primordial follicle
oogonia (germ cell) → primary oocytes in cortex of ovary before birth
primary oocyte + single layer of follicle cells (simple squamous = granulosa cells)
multiple primordial follicles enter development at same time each month after puberty
primary follicle
FSH stimulates development (regulated by GnRH)
primary oocyte grows in size
surrounding cells differentiate = granulosa cells around oocyte + theca cells outside
zona pellucida develops between oocyte and cells
granulosa cells
cuboidal cells around oocyte
release fluid
zona pellucida
basement membrane formed by fluid released from oocyte and granulosa cells
thick protein coat
theca cells
endocrine cells
outside layer of follicle
associated with blood vessles
stromal cells
make up connective tissue of ovaries
surround follicles
secondary follicle
primary oocyte + thicker walls + antrum
follicle grows + walls thicken → migrates from cortex towards medulla
envelopes blood vessels for release of estrogen by theca + granulosa cells
antrum
space in follicle containing follicular fluid secreted by granulosa cells
sticky fluid
estrogen
supports the regrowth of endometrium after menstruation
initiates repair + growth of uterine lining
Graafian follicle
secondary oocyte + corona radiata + thick walls
only one secondary follicle develops into mature
oocyte finishes meiosis I + starts II (only reaches metaphase)
= primary → secondary
expands cortex
cumulus oophorus → separation of oocyte + corona radiata
atresia
degeneration of secondary follicles that did not mature
cumulus oophorus
mass of granulosa cells
gather around base of oocyte to project it into antrum
for glucose metabolism + signaling
corona radiata
granulosa cells surround secondary oocyte
release from follicle wall = free floating in antrum
non-ovulated follicles
required in early stages of ovarian cycle to secrete estrogen
amount of estrogen secreted is a function of the size of the follicle
estrogen secretion is taken over by dominant follicle
others die off when ovulation occurs
preparation for ovulation
high estrogen secretion by mature follicle = (+) feedback to hypothalamus = ↑ LH secretion
LH induces final maturation + ovulation of follicle
ovulation
stimulated by LH
granulosa cells secrete enzymes to digest cortex = follicle ruptures
oocyte released onto surface of ovary (into peritoneal cavity)
stuck to ovary by sticky fluid until picked up by fimbriae of uterine tube
luteal phase
after ovulation
empty follicle collapses + ruptures blood vessels
granulosa cells proliferate to form corpus luteum
corpus luteum
maintained by LH and if fertilization occurs, also hCG
secretes estrogen + progesterone
if fertilization does not occur, it degenerates 12 days after ovulation = hormone levels ↓
→ corpus albicans
progesterone
prepares endometrium for implantation of embryo
required for maintenance of uterine lining
corpus albicans
from corpus luteum, produced by fibroblasts
non-functional
marks end of ovarian cycle
stimulates GnRN = triggers FSH production + stimulates another cycle
