Female Reproductive System

Question 1

What do the ovaries produce and secrete?

Answer 1

Produce ova (egg cells, process called oogeniesis) and secrete estrogen and progesterone.

Question 2

What is the function of the uterine (fallopian) tubes?

Answer 2

Transport egg, site of fertilization (where sperm meets egg), and move fertilized ovum to uterus.

Question 3

What is the main function of the uterus?

Answer 3

Receives fertilized egg and supports fetal development.

Question 4

What are the functions of the vagina?

Answer 4

Receives sperm, serves as birth canal, and passageway for menstrual flow.

Question 5

What are the labia?

Answer 5

Two pairs of skin folds that protect the vaginal orifice and contain mucous glands.

Question 6

What is the clitoris?

Answer 6

External genitalia with erectile tissue, involved in sexual sensation.

Question 7

Mammary glands are part of which system histologically and functionally?

Answer 7

Histologically: Integumentary system (modified apocrine glands)
Functionally: Reproductive system (milk production via lactation)

Question 8

How many primordial follicles are females born with?

Answer 8

About 400,000, each containing a primary oocyte stuck in prophase I of meiosis in (can be found in egg nest)

Question 9

What happens to follicles during each menstrual cycle?

Answer 9

About 20 begin to grow, but only 1 becomes a mature tertiary (Graafian) follicle and releases an egg.

Question 10

What do primordial follicles contain?

Answer 10

A primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of follicle cells; found in egg nests.

Question 11

What forms around the oocyte in a primary follicle?

Answer 11

🥚Primary oocyte in the center → This is the immature egg.

🌸 Zona pellucida → A clear jelly-like layer that surrounds the oocyte to protect it.

🔄 Granulosa cells → These form several layers around the oocyte and help nourish it.

🌿 Thecal cells → These form the outer layer of the follicle and help produce estrogen.

Question 12

What is oogenesis?

Answer 12

The process of egg (oocyte) development in females.

Question 13

How many primordial follicles are females born with?

Answer 13

Around 400,000, each with a primary oocyte stuck in prophase I of meiosis.

Question 14

What happens during each cycle of oogenesis?

Answer 14

~20 primordial follicles grow → become primary and secondary follicles → only 1 matures to a tertiary follicle and releases a secondary oocyte during ovulation.

Question 15

What is the role of estrogen in the cycle?

Answer 15

helps rebuild the endometrium after menstruation.

Question 16

What is the role of progesterone?

Answer 16

Made by the corpus luteum; keeps the endometrium thick for possible implantation.

Question 17

What are primordial follicles?

Answer 17

Found in egg nests, contain a primary oocyte surrounded by 1 layer of follicle cells, arrested in meiosis I.

Question 18

What characterizes a primary follicle?

Answer 18

Enlarged follicle with granulosa cells, thecal cells, zona pellucida, and secretion of estrogen.

Question 19

What is a tertiary (Graafian) follicle?

Answer 19

A fully mature follicle with a fluid-filled antrum and a secondary oocyte surrounded by corona radiata.

Question 20

What happens during ovulation?

Answer 20

The tertiary follicle ruptures, releasing the secondary oocyte and corona radiata

Question 21

What is the corpus luteum?

Answer 21

Remains of the ruptured follicle that secretes progesterone

Question 22

What is the corpus albicans?

Answer 22

Scar tissue left when the corpus luteum degenerates if no fertilization occurs after 10 days

Question 23

When does the secondary oocyte become an ovum?

Answer 23

It becomes an ovum only if it is fertilized by a sperm cell.

Question 24

What happens to Meiosis II in oogenesis?

Answer 24

Meiosis II is not completed unless fertilization occurs.

Question 25

What are fimbriae?

Answer 25

Finger-like structures on the uterine tubes that help catch the oocyte and guide it into the tube.

Question 26

What happens to the oocyte if it is not fertilized?

Answer 26

It is shed anlong with endometrium with the menstrual flow.

Question 27

What is the suspensory ligament?

Answer 27

A ligament that contains blood vessels and helps support the ovary.

Question 28

What is the cervix?

Answer 28

The inferior portion of the uterus. Internal cervical os: The opening into the uterine cavity. External cervical os: The opening into the vagina. The cervix acts as part of the birth canal and a passageway for menstrual flow

Question 29

What is the vagina?

Answer 29

A muscular tube that extends from the external cervical os to the vaginal orifice.

Question 30

What are the layers of the uterus?

Answer 30

Perimetrium: Outer covering. Myometrium: Thick middle layer with smooth muscle; contracts during labor. Endometrium: Inner lining; sheds during menstruation and hosts embryo implantation (zygote) if fertilized.

Question 31

When does the uterine cycle begin? the first menstrual flow called...

Answer 31

It begins at puberty,,,menarche.

Question 32

What triggers the proliferative phase of the uterine cycle?

Answer 32

Estrogen from the growing follicle stimulates the rebuilding of the endometrium.

Question 33

What triggers menses (menstrual flow)?

Answer 33

If fertilization doesn’t occur, the corpus luteum degenerates, hormone levels drop, and the endometrium sheds.

Question 34

What happens during the secretory phase of the uterine cycle?

Answer 34

Progesterone from the corpus luteum thickens the endometrium to prepare for embryo implantation.

Question 35

When does the uterine cycle end?

Answer 35

It ends at menopause, which marks the stop of menstruation.

Question 36

What is the vulva?

Answer 36

The vulva is the collective term for the female external genitalia.

Question 37

What do the Labia Majora cover?

Answer 37

The Labia Majora are the outer pair of skin folds that cover the Labia Minora, vaginal orifice, clitoris, and external urethral meatus.

Question 38

What are the Labia Minora?

Answer 38

The Labia Minora are the inner pair of skin folds that create the vestibule.

Question 39

What is the vestibule?

Answer 39

The vestibule is the open space within the vulva, containing greater vestibular glands that secrete mucus to lubricate the vagina.

Question 40

What do the greater vestibular glands do?

Answer 40

These glands secrete mucus to lubricate the vagina and open into the vestibule on either side of the vaginal orifice.

Question 41

What is the function of the external urethral meatus?

Answer 41

It serves as the opening for urine to exit the body.

Question 42

What does estrogen do during pregnancy in relation to the breasts?

Answer 42

Stimulates development of the lactiferous ducts.

Question 43

What does progesterone do during pregnancy in relation to the breasts?

Answer 43

Promotes development of the secretory alveoli.

Question 44

Why is milk not produced during pregnancy?

Answer 44

High estrogen levels trigger the hypothalamus to release prolactin-inhibiting hormone (PIH), which stops the anterior pituitary from releasing prolactin.

Question 45

What happens after delivery to allow milk production?

Answer 45

Estrogen levels drop → PIH stops → Prolactin is released → Alveoli begin milk production.

Question 46

What are lobes in the mammary gland?

Answer 46

Glandular tissue divided into lobules; each lobule contains secretory alveoli that produce milk.

Question 47

What is the lactiferous duct?

Answer 47

Duct formed from each lobule that transports milk from lobules to the nipple

Question 48

What is the lactiferous sinus?

Answer 48

An enlarged area of the duct that forms chamber near the nipple

Question 49

What is the nipple's role?

Answer 49

Contains the external openings of the lactiferous ducts.