Female Reproductive System

Question 1

Female Primary Sexual Characteristics

Answer 1

Ovaries, Vagina, Uterus

Question 2

Female Secondary Sexual Characteristics

Answer 2

axillary and pubic hair, breast-> lactation, smaller body size, prominent hips

Question 3

Indifferent Gonadal Stage

Answer 3

7 weeks, gonads and developing ductile systems are present
-gonads become ovaries or testicles
-paramesonephric and medonephric ducts present

Question 4

Paramesonephric ducts

Answer 4

Female ductile system, Mullerian Ducts

Question 5

Mesonephric Ducts

Answer 5

Male ductule system, Wolffian Ducts

Question 6

Mullerian Ducts

Answer 6

Female (XX) structures
- becomes fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, superior vagina

Question 7

Wolffian Ducts

Answer 7

Male (XY) structures
- become epididymis, seminal vesicles, vas deferens

Question 8

Default Sex

Answer 8

Female
No Y chromosome and SRY gene products -> Ovaries form, mullerian ducts persist, wolffian ducts regress

Question 9

Teratogens

Answer 9

Substances that cause birth defects (period of teratogenicity in humans is first 72 days of development,)
-pathogens
- recreational drugs
- pharmacological agents
- environmental contaminants
BIGGEST RISK IS DURING FETAL PERIOD WHEN ORGANS ARE ESTABLISHED AND NOW GROWING IN SIZE

Question 10

Oocyte Development

Answer 10

-Germ cells from yolk sac migrate to ovary and become Oogonia
-Oogonia divide to produce millions of oogonia by mitosis but most degenerate
- Some develop into primary oocytes stopped in prophase of meiosis I
-200,000 to 2 million present at birth
- 40,000 remain at puberty, but only 400 mature
- Each month hormones cause meiosis I to finish in several follicles resulting in secondary oocytes so that meiosis ii is reached by ovulation
-penetration by the sperm causes the final stages of meiosis to occur

Question 11

Important aspects of female anatomy

Answer 11

-Open System: Direct connection between outside and inside via vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, and uterine tubes into peritoneal cavity
-Flexibility in form and size due to cyclical hormonal changes and changes in pregnancy
-the outlet of the true pelvis has to be flexible, thus is vulnerable
-Female reproductive organs are kept in their physiological location by reproductive ligaments and muscles of pelvic floor

Question 12

Specializations of Broad Ligament

Answer 12

Broad ligament is peritoneum that drapes over female repro organs
- Mesovarium: next to ovary
- Mesosalphinx: Next to uterine tube
- Mesometrium: Directly adjacent to uterus

Question 13

Proper ligament

Answer 13

Anchors ovary to superior aspect of the uterus

Question 14

Suspensory Ligaments

Answer 14

Specialized peritoneum where ovarian blood vessels come from