Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Ovarian Ligament
anchors each ovary medially to the ureters
suspensory ligament
anchors each ovary laterally to the pelvic wall
broad ligament
supports uterine tubes, uterus, and vagine
- portions of suspensory ligament and mesovarium
ovarian follicle
tiny sac-like structures embedded in the cortex
what does ovarian follicle contain
immature ova (oocytes) surrounded by:
- follicle cells
- granulosa cells
primordial follicle
single layer of follicle cells plus oocyte
vesicular follicle
s fully mature follicle in which a fluid-filled antrum has formed. the follicle bulges from the ovary surface
ovulation
Ejection of the oocyte
corpus luteum
develops from the ruptured follicle after ovulation
ectopic pregnancy
- an oocyte is fertilized in the peritoneal cavity or in the distal uterine tube, it begins developing
- typically results in a natural abortion with substantial bleeding
cervical glands
secrete thick mucus to block sperm from entering the cervix outside of the mid cycle time window
cervical cancer (slide 12)
cardinal ligament
extend from the cervix and superior vagina to the lateral pelvic walls
uterosacral ligaments
secure uterus to the sacrum
round ligament
binds the uterus to the anterior wall
uterine prolapse
despite ligaments, the uterus is primarily supported by the pelvis floor
3 layers of uterine wall (be prepared to label slide 14)
perimetrium
myometrium
endometrium
perimetrium
outermost, serous layer (visceral peritoneum)
myometrium
bulky middle layer, consists of interlacing layers of smooth muscle
- provides the powerful rhythmic contractions needed for childbirth
endometrium
mucosal lining
- simple columnar epithelium atop a thick lamina propria
- a fertilized egg burrows into the endometrium and resides there during development
the endometrium has two chief layers called strata, what are they
stratum finctionalis
stratum basalis
stratum finctionalis
the functional layer
- changes in response to ovarian hormone cycles
- is shed during menstruation
stratum basalis
the basal layer
- forms a new stratum functionalis after menstruation
- is not responsive to ovarian hormones
which layer of endometrium is sloughed off during menstrual flow
stratum functionalis
perineum
diamond shaped region between the public symphysis, coccyx, and the bilateral ischial tuberosities
glandular alveoli
mil-producing structures
what structure carries milk to the nipples
milk is passed into lactiferous ducts and then into lactiferous sinus
- sinus opens to the external body surface at the nipple
3 things that can increase a women’s risk for breast cancer
- family history
- genetic mutation
- early puberty
- late menopause
- no or delayed pregnancies
what is the screening for breast cancer
mammogram
when does oogenesis begine
in the fetal period
at birth, a female infant has a lifetime supply of…
primary oocytes
what does it mean to be the dominant follicle
the dominant follicle resume meiosis I and creates 2 haploid cells - 1 secondary oocyte, 1st polar body
secondary oocyte
large cell with almost all the parent cell’s cytoplasm and organelles
1st polar body
very small cell - almost devoid of cytoplasm
what happens if a secondary oocyte is fertilized
it completes meiosis II creating 1 ovum and a 2nd polar body
what happens if a secondary oocyte is not fertilized
it deteriorates
how long is a typical ovarian cycle
28 days
what are the two phases of the ovarian cycle
- follicular phase
- luteal phase
follicular phase
days 1-14; period of vesicular follicle growth
luteal phase
days 14-28; period of corpus luteum activity
primordial follicles
1st follicle to develop in a female fetus
primary follicle
primordial follicles become primary follicles through oocyte enlargment and a change in the shape of the surrounding cells - squamous to cuboidal
secondary follicle
primary follicles become secondary follicles when follicular cells proliferate to form stratified epithelium around the oocyte
vesicular follicle
a secondary follicle becomes a vesicular follicle when a clear fluid-filled cavity called the antrum forms
- a vesicular follicle bulges from the external ovary surface and is ready to be ovulated
which hormone stimulates development of the follicles
rising levels of follicle stimulating hormone
what causes selection of the dominant follicle
FSH level drop
what hormone stimulates the rupturing of the ovarian wall
rising levels of luteinizing hormone
review slide 36-38
uterine (menstrual cycle)
series of cyclic changes in the endometrium - changes occur in response to fluctuating ovarian hormones levels
3 phases of the uterine cycle
- menstrual phase
- proliferative (preovulatory) phase
- secretory (postovulatory) phase
menstrual phase
days 1-5
- ovarian hormones are at their lowest levels
- gonadotropin levels begin to rise
- stratum functionalis detaches from the uterine wall and is shed - flow of menstrual blood and tissue lasts 3-5 days
- by day 5, growing ovarian follicles start to produce more estrogen
proliferative (preovulatory) phase
days 6-14
- rising estrogen levels prompt generation of new stratum functionalis - layer thickens, glands enlarge, spiral arteries increase in number
- estrogen increases the synthesis of progesterone receptors within the endometrium
- normally thick, sticky cervical mucus is thinned out to facilitate the passage of sperm
- ovulation occurs day 14
secretory (postovulatory) phase
days 15-28
- phase that is most consistent in duration
- endometrium is prepared for possible implantation
- rising progesterone levels from the corpus luteum prompt
- endometrial glands to enlarge and secrete nutrients
- formation of a cervical mucus plug to block entry of more sperm, pathogens, debris
if fertilization does not occur
- corpus luteum degenerates, progesterone levels fall
- spiral arteries kink and spasm
- endometrial cells die, and glands regress
- spiral arteries constrict and then open wide - blood rushed into the weakened capillary beds
- blood vessels fragment, the functional layer sloughs off
amenorrhea
cessation of menstruation
leptin
hormone that plays a critical, permissive role in the onset of puberty
what’s the role between estrogen and bone health
once estrogens levels drop and the menstrual cycle stops, bone loss begins- can lead to osteoporosis
effects of estrogen
- promote oogenesis and follicle growth in the ovaries
- exert anabolic effects on the female reproductive tract
- support rapid, short-lived growth spurts at puberty
- induce secondary sex characteristics
- growth of breasts and subcutaneous deposits of fat in the hips
- widening + lightening of pelvis
metabolic effects of estrogen
- maintain low total blood cholesterol and high HDL levels
- facilities calcium uptake and sustains bone density
effects of progesterone
- works with estrogen to establish and regulate the uterine cycle
- promotes changes in cervical mucus
- inhibits uterine motility during pregnancy
- prepares breaths for lactation
determination of genetic sex
- 23rd pair of chromosomes in a fertilized egg are the sex chromosomes
- X chromosomes are large compared to Y chromosomes
- XX: female; XY: male
which parent determines genetic sex of offspring
sperm
SRY gene
single gene on the Y chromosome that determines maleness by initiating development of testes
nondisjunction
abnormal distribution of any chromosomes to the gametes
- abnormal distribution of the sex chromosomes can cause abnormalities in the development of the reproductive systems
systems of declining estrogen levels
- atrophy of the reproductive organs and breasts
- irritability and depression
- hot flashes - intense Vasodilation of the skin’s blood vessels
- gradual thinning of skin and bone loss
- increased total blood cholesterol levels and falling HDL
Turner’s syndrome
females with only 1 X chromosomes - never develop ovaries; at risk for shorter stature, learning challenges, and heart defects
Klinefelter’s syndrome
males with 2+ X chromosomes and 1 Y chromosome - results in sterility; at risk for learning challenges
the presence or absence of which hormone determines sexual differentiation
in the absence of testosterone, female ducts and external genitalia will develop
