Female Reproductive System

Question 1

What are the urinary and reproductive duct systems in females

Answer 1

Completely separate

Question 2

What is external genitalia called

Answer 2

Vulva

Question 3

What does external genitalia contain

Answer 3

Clitoris, Labia major and minor, Mons pubis

Question 4

What is the uterus also called

Answer 4

Womb

Question 5

Uterus

Answer 5

Pear-shaped, where fertilized ovum embeds in the endometrium, the lining is shed during menstruation

Question 6

Vagina

Answer 6

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)

Question 7

Oviduct (Fallopian tube)

Answer 7

Tube carrying mature ova to the uterus - usually the site of fertilization - ova are swept in by fimbria at open ends

Question 8

Cervix (Cervical Canal)

Answer 8

A muscular band that prevents the fetus from delivering prematurely - will dilate during birth

Question 9

Ovary

Answer 9

Store and produce ova - generally one ovum is produced monthly (each egg is about 1mm large)

Question 10

Similarities between Ova and Sperm Production

Answer 10

1. Initial development occurs in the ovary (seminiferous tubule)
2. Final development occurs in the fallopian tube (epididymis)

Question 11

Differences between Ova and Sperm

Answer 11

1. Women are born with all of the ova-producing cells they will ever have
2. Every spermatogonia will produce 4 sperm, whereas 1 oogonia produces one ovum

Question 12

What happens to potential ova

Answer 12

They become polar bodies, sacrificing themselves to provide more cytoplasm for the one ovum produced

Question 13

What happens in response to FSH

Answer 13

The development of a mature ovum, one (usually) primary oocyte and the surrounding granulosa cells will develop monthly

Question 14

When one of the 2 cells produced dies, what is that called

Answer 14

A polar body

Question 15

What forms around the oocyte

Answer 15

A fluid-filled cavity

Question 16

What is ovulation

Answer 16

Mature follicle ruptures

Question 17

Where do oocytes complete maturation

Answer 17

Oviduct

Question 18

After ovulation, the follicular cells in the ovary collapse, what does that form and secrete

Answer 18

Forms: Corpus Luteum
Secrete: Progestrone

Question 19

What happens if implantation does not occur

Answer 19

The corpus luteum breaks down forming a scar termed the corpus albicans and the oocyte will disintegrate and be reabsorbed by the body

Question 20

Menstruation

Answer 20

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)

Question 21

Menstrual Cycle

Answer 21

Repetitive sequence of shedding the uterine lining (endometrium), development and release of the egg (ovulation), and replacement of the endometrium

Question 22

Menarche

Answer 22

The onset of first period

Question 23

Menopause

Answer 23

End of fertility period

Question 24

What are the four phases of the menstrual cycle

Answer 24

1. Flow Phase
2. Follicular Phase
3. Ovulation
4. Luteal Phase

Question 25

When is flow phase

Answer 25

Day 1-5

Question 26

What happens during flow phase

Answer 26

- 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

Question 27

When is the follicular phase

Answer 27

Day 6-13

Question 28

What happens during the follicular phase

Answer 28

- 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

Question 29

When is ovulation

Answer 29

Day 14

Question 30

What happens during Ovulation

Answer 30

- 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)

Question 31

When is the Luteal Phase

Answer 31

Day 15-28

Question 32

What happens during luteal phase

Answer 32

- 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

Question 33

What does progesterone do

Answer 33

Maintains the lining

Question 34

What does estrogen do

Answer 34

Develops the lining

Question 35

How does the breakdown of the endometrium occur

Answer 35

Progesterone and estrogen inhibit LH release --> Corpus luteum starts to degenerate --> Breakdown of endometrium