Female Reproductive System Flashcards
produce secondary oocytes and hormones, including estrogens, progesterone, inhibin, and relaxin
ovaries
transport the secondary oocyte to the uterus, and normally are the sites where fertilization occurs
uterine (fallopian) tubes
the site of implantation of a fertilized ovum, development of the fetus during pregnancy, and labor
uterus
a receives the penis during sexual intercourse and is a passageway for childbirth
vagina
synthesize, secrete, and eject milk for nourishment of the newborn
mammary gland
- Female gonads located in the upper pelvic cavity on either side of the uterus
- Homologous to the testes
- One on either side of the uterus
- Produce secondary oocytes
- Ovulation
- Secrete estrogens, progesterone, relaxin, and inhibin
ovary
2 sections of the ovary
- ovarian cortex
- ovarian medulla
- Deep to the tunica albuginea
- Consists of ovarian follicles
- Surrounded by dense irregular connective tissue that contains collagen fibers and fibroblast-like cells called stromal cells.
ovarian cortex
Present in ovarian cortex: Surrounded by dense irregular connective tissue that contains collagen fibers and fibroblast-like cells
stromal cells
- Deep to the ovarian cortex
- Consists of more loosely arranged connective tissue
- Contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves
ovarian medulla
- Production of haploid secondary oocytes
- Sequence includes meiosis I and meiosis II.
- Meiosis II is completed only after
an ovulated secondary oocyte is fertilized by a sperm cell
Oogenesis
what sequence is included in the oogenesis?
Meiosis I and Meiosis II
This is completed only after an ovulated secondary oocyte is fertilized by a sperm cell.
Meiosis II
- Transports a secondary oocyte from an ovary to the uterus
- Normal site of fertilization
- Includes infundibulum and fimbriae
- From the infundibulum, these extend medially, attaching to the upper and outer corners of the uterus.
Fallopian tube
- Open, funnel-shaped end of each fallopian tube
- Lies close to the ovary but is open to the pelvic cavity
infundibulum
Fingerlike projections of the fallopian tube or fringe; ends
fimbriae
Portion of fallopian tube:
* Widest, longest portion
* Making up about the lateral two thirds of its length
Ampulla
Portion of fallopian tube:
* More medial, short, narrow
* Thick-walled portion that joins the uterus
Isthmus
- Serves as pathway for sperm deposited in the vagina to reach the uterine tubes
- Site of implantation of a fertilized ovum
- Development of the fetus during pregnancy, and labor
Uterus
- Innermost layer of the uterine wall
- Undergoes marked changes during the menstrual cycle
endometrium
a dome- shaped portion superior to the uterine tubes
fundus
a tapering central portion of the uterus
body
an inferior narrow portion; opens into the vagina
cervix
a constricted region between the body of the uterus and the cervix
isthmus
interior of the body of the uterus
uterine cavity
interior of the cervix; opens into the uterine cavity at the internal os and into the vagina at the external os
cervical canal
- Long fibromuscular canal lined with mucous membrane
- Extends from the exterior of the body to the uterine cervix
- Outlet for the menstrual flow
- Receptacle for the penis during sexual intercourse
- Passageway for childbirth
- The smooth muscle of the wall makes it capable of considerable stretching.
Vagina
A collective term for the external genitals of the female:
* Mons pubis
* Labia majora
* Labia minora
* Clitoris
* Vestibule
* Vaginal and urethral orifices
* Paraurethral glands
* Greater vestibular glands
vulva
- Modified sweat glands that produce milk
- Lie over the pectoralis major and serratus anterior muscles
- Attached to them by a layer of connective tissue
- Function is to secrete and eject milk
- Development depends on estrogens and progesterone.
- Milk production is stimulated by prolactin, estrogens, and progesterone.
- Milk ejection is stimulated by oxytocin.
mammary glands
milk production is mainly stimulated by what hormone?
prolactin
milk ejection is stimulated by what hormone?
oxytocin
(Cycle)
* For the development of a secondary oocyte
ovarian cycle
(cycle)
* Preparation of the endometrium each month to receive a fertilized egg
Uterine cycle (menstrual)
- The ovarian and uterine cycles are controlled by Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus
- Stimulates the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) by the anterior pituitary
female reproductive cycle
- Stimulates development of follicles
- Initiates secretion of estrogens by the follicles
FSH
- Further development of the follicles
- Secretion of estrogens by follicular cells
- Ovulation
- Formation of the corpus luteum
- Secretion of progesterone and estrogens
LH
- Stimulate the growth, development & maintenance of female reproductive structures
- Development of secondary sex characteristics
- Protein synthesis
estrogens
Prepares the endometrium for implantation and the mammary glands for milk synthesis
progesterone
- Increases the flexibility of the pubic symphysis
- Helps dilate the uterine cervix to ease delivery of a baby
relaxin
How long is the female reproductive cycle?
24 - 36 days
____ is more variable in length than the other phases
Preovulatory phase
These are secreted by the dominant follicle before ovulation
Estrogens
After ovulation both progesterone and estrogens are secreted by the ____________.
corpus luteum
- Part of the endometrium is shed
- Discharges blood and tissue cells
- Roughly the first 5 days of the cycle
- Several ovarian follicles grow and enlarge
- Menstrual flow from the uterus consists of 50 to150 mL of blood and tissue cells from the endometrium.
- Part of the endometrium sloughs off
- The menstrual flow passes from the uterine cavity to the cervix and through the vagina to the exterior.
menstrual phase
Menstrual flow from the uterus consists of _____ mL of blood and tissue cells from the endometrium
50 to 150
- A group of follicles in the ovaries begins to undergo maturation.
- One follicle outgrows the others, becomes dominant while the others die.
- Endometrial repair occurs in the uterus.
- Estrogens are the dominant ovarian hormones during this phase.
Preovulatory phase
- This is the rupture of the dominant mature (Graafian) follicle
- Release of a secondary oocyte into the pelvic cavity
- Usually occurs on Day 14 of a 28 day cycle
- It is brought about by a surge in LH.
Ovulation
- Both progesterone and estrogens are secreted in large quantity by the corpus luteum of the ovary
- Uterine endometrium thickens in readiness for implantation.
- Most constant in duration
- Lasts for 14 days, from days 15 to 28 in a 28-day cycle.
- Aka Luteal Phase
Post-ovulatory Phase
This happens when _____:
* The corpus luteum degenerates
* Results in low levels of progesterone and estrogens
* Allow discharge of the endometrium (menstruation)
* Followed by the initiation of another reproductive cycle
If fertilization and implantation do not occur
This happens when _______:
* Corpus luteum is maintained by human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).
if fertilization and implantation occur
- Refers to restricting the number of children by various methods designed to control fertility and prevent conception
- No single, ideal method of birth control exists.
contraception
The only method of preventing pregnancy that is 100% reliable
Complete abstinence or avoidance of sexual intercourse
procedure that renders an individual incapable of further reproduction
sterilization
- Principal method for sterilization of males
- A portion of each ductus deferens is removed
- Although sperm production continues in the testes, sperm can no longer reach the exterior.
vasectomy
- Both uterine tubes are tied closed and then cut
- Secondary oocyte cannot pass through the uterine tubes
- Sperm cannot reach the oocyte
tubal ligation
- Combined Oral Contraceptives (COCs)
- Progestin-Only Pills
Most effective (after abstinence/surgical sterilization)
- Inhibit ovulation by suppressing FSH & LH
- Prevent dominant follicle development and midcycle LH surge
- Block implantation and sperm/ova transport (backup action)
How Combined Oral Contraceptives (COCs) work
- Thicken cervical mucus
- May block uterine implantation but don’t consistently inhibit ovulation.
How Progestin-Only Pills work
- Regulates menstrual cycles
- Decreases menstrual flow and risk of anemia
- Protects against endometrial/ovarian cancers
- Reduces risk of endometriosis
Non-contraceptive Benefits
- Not suitable for women with:
- Blood clotting disorders, hypertension, or heart disease
- Liver issues or migraines
- Smoking + pill use = Higher risk of heart attack/stroke
- Advice for Smokers: Quit smoking or choose alternative methods.
Risks of Oral Contraceptives
It is the period of time when secondary sex characteristics begin to develop and the potential for sexual reproduction arises
Puberty
In females, the reproductive cycle normally occurs once each month from _______, the first menses, to _________, the permanent cessation of menses.
menarche, menopause
In males, at about age ___ a decline in testosterone synthesis leads to reduced muscle strength, fewer viable sperm, and decreased sexual desire. However, abundant sperm may be present even in old age.
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