Female Reproductive System Flashcards
What are the urinary and reproductive duct systems in females
Completely separate
What is external genitalia called
Vulva
What does external genitalia contain
Clitoris, Labia major and minor, Mons pubis
What is the uterus also called
Womb
Uterus
Pear-shaped, where fertilized ovum embeds in the endometrium, the lining is shed during menstruation
Vagina
Connects the uterus with the outside world - site of sperm deposition, birth canal, protects the rest of the female reproductive system from bacterial invasion (highly acidic)
Oviduct (Fallopian tube)
Tube carrying mature ova to the uterus - usually the site of fertilization - ova are swept in by fimbria at open ends
Cervix (Cervical Canal)
A muscular band that prevents the fetus from delivering prematurely - will dilate during birth
Ovary
Store and produce ova - generally one ovum is produced monthly (each egg is about 1mm large)
Similarities between Ova and Sperm Production
- Initial development occurs in the ovary (seminiferous tubule)
- Final development occurs in the fallopian tube (epididymis)
Differences between Ova and Sperm
- Women are born with all of the ova-producing cells they will ever have
- Every spermatogonia will produce 4 sperm, whereas 1 oogonia produces one ovum
What happens to potential ova
They become polar bodies, sacrificing themselves to provide more cytoplasm for the one ovum produced
What happens in response to FSH
The development of a mature ovum, one (usually) primary oocyte and the surrounding granulosa cells will develop monthly
When one of the 2 cells produced dies, what is that called
A polar body
What forms around the oocyte
A fluid-filled cavity
What is ovulation
Mature follicle ruptures
Where do oocytes complete maturation
Oviduct
After ovulation, the follicular cells in the ovary collapse, what does that form and secrete
Forms: Corpus Luteum
Secrete: Progestrone
What happens if implantation does not occur
The corpus luteum breaks down forming a scar termed the corpus albicans and the oocyte will disintegrate and be reabsorbed by the body
Menstruation
Periodic discharge of blood and fluid from the uterus, caused by low levels of estrogen and progesterone at the end of the monthly cycle (hormone withdrawal)
Menstrual Cycle
Repetitive sequence of shedding the uterine lining (endometrium), development and release of the egg (ovulation), and replacement of the endometrium
Menarche
The onset of first period
Menopause
End of fertility period
What are the four phases of the menstrual cycle
- Flow Phase
- Follicular Phase
- Ovulation
- Luteal Phase
When is flow phase
Day 1-5
What happens during flow phase
- Marked by the shedding of the endometrial lining
- Triggered by a decrease in ovarian hormones (particularly progesterone) -> stimulates FSH and LH from the pituitary
- Corpus luteum degenerates, forming corpus albicans
When is the follicular phase
Day 6-13
What happens during the follicular phase
- Governed by estrogen released by the developing follicle (which is stimulated by FSH)
- Endometrial lining thickens (estrogen builds the lining)
- FSH increases then is lowered (negative feedback from estrogen)
- LH production increases (stimulated by estrogen)
- Follicle matures
When is ovulation
Day 14
What happens during Ovulation
- Estrogen and LH levels peak
- Follicle erupts, ovum is released into Fallopian tube
- Females temperature peaks (may be used as a contraceptive method or to help in impregnation)
When is the Luteal Phase
Day 15-28
What happens during luteal phase
- Corpus luteum develops
- Lasts until menstruation
- Governed by progesterone released by the corpus luteum
- Further ovulation and uterine contractions are inhibited (progesterone prevents contractions)
- Endometrial lining continues to thicken, preparing for pregnancy
What does progesterone do
Maintains the lining
What does estrogen do
Develops the lining
How does the breakdown of the endometrium occur
Progesterone and estrogen inhibit LH release –> Corpus luteum starts to degenerate –> Breakdown of endometrium
