Female Reproductive System Flashcards
What are the external female reproductive structures all together called?
The vulva
What is the labia?
External folds of skin surrounding the urogenital opening
There are two sets, majora and minora
What is the labia majora composed of?
Fatty tissue, sweat glands, hair follicles
What is the labia minora composed of?
Erectile tissue
Which section of the labia is closer the the inside of the body?
Labia minora
Which section on the labia is more sensitive?
Labia minora
What is the prepus?
A hood over the clitoris
What is the clitoris?
An area that is most sensitive and has the most mechanoreceptors which stimulates pleasure
Where is the clitoris located?
Above the urethra
What do the bartholis glands do?
Secrete mucus to protect the vaginal opening
What is around the clitoris to help stimulate it?
Rough skin (rubs against the clitoris when the penis pulls in the skin during intercourse)
What are the external structures of the female reproductive system?
The labia majora The labia minora Prepus Clitoris Bartholins glands
Describe the vagina
A muscular tube-like structure
About 8-10 cm long
What is the function of the vagina?
To receive the penis during sex
Opening for birth
Menstrual flow
What are the three important layers of the vagina? (Moving from the hole to further inside the body)
Mucus membrane lining
Erectile tissue
Muscular layer
What does the mucous membrane lining of the vagina produce?
A very acidic (pH = 1.5-2) secretion
What is the function of the fluid secreted by the mucous membrane lining of the vagina? (2)
To kill bacteria and fungus
To lubricate the vagina
What is found in the erectile tissue of the vagina?
Blood vessels
What occurs in erectile tissue of the vagina when a female is sexually aroused?
More blood moves through the tissue creating a tube
What is the muscular layer of the vagina made of?
Smooth muscle
What is the function of muscular layer of the vagina?
Giving birth
What are the internal reproduction structures of the female?
Vagina Womb/Uterus Cervix Fallopian tubes/oviducts Ovaries (female gonads)
What is the function of the uterus?
To hold a developing/gestating child
What are the three layers of the uterus?
Endometrium
Myometrium
Perimetrium
What is the function of the endometrium?
An exchange point of nutrients between the mother and the child
What is found throughout the entire endometrium?
Blood vessels
What does the endometrium look like?
The surface of the endometrium layer looks like protruding fingers
What is the point of the finger-like surface on the endometrium
More surface area for the blood of the baby to have contact with the blood of the mother
What is the myometrium made of?
Muscle tissue
What is the function of the myometrium layer of the uterus?
The muscular layer contracts during birth
What causes the contractions of the myometrium?
Oxytocin
What are the functions of the perimetrium?
It is tough, rubbery and fibrous to support the uterus
It provides attachment points for ligaments to keep your uterus in place
It decreases the size of the endometrium after birth
What is the cervix?
The opening from the vagina into the uterus
What is found in the cervix?
Cervical mucus
What happens to the cervical mucus when pregnancy occurs?
The cervical mucus hardens to become the cervical plug
What happens over time to the cervix during pregnancy?
The cervix slowly relaxes
What causes the cervix to relax?
A hormone is released when pregnant called relaxin
How wide has the cervix dilated by the time of birth?
10 cm
What causes cervical cancer?
Carcinogens and viruses (HPV) can get into the mucus of the cervix
Describe the fallopian tubes
About 5 cm long
Smooth muscle layer
Lined with ciliated cells
What is the function of a fallopian tube?
Carries the ovum down to uterus
The top third of the fallopian tube should be the site of fertilization
A pathway for sperm
What is the function of the smooth muscle layer of the fallopian tube?
The smooth muscle undergoes peristalsis which moves the egg down the fallopian tube
What is the function of the ciliated cells lining the fallopian tube?
The cilia beat rhythmically to create a current which helps move the egg down
How long does it take an egg to move down the fallopian tube?
5 days
Why does the ovum have to be fertilized in the top third of the fallopian tube?
It has to have enough time to develop and implant itself before menstruation
Describe the ends of the fallopian tube closest to the ovary
The ends of the fallopian tubes are not directly attached to the ovaries, but instead have fingerlike extensions that catch the ovums leaving the ovary
What are the fingerlike extensions of the fallopian tubes called?
Fimbriae (pl.)
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
The egg implants itself in the wrong place (ex. Outside the uterus or in the fallopian tube)
What is endometriosis?
When the endometrium cells move up the Fallopian tube and into the body cavity. The cells can attach to the outside of the uterus or other organs and go through the menstrual cycle.
What is oogenesis?
The creation of the ovum
How many follicles does each ovary contain?
200 000
How many follicles are stimulated during each ovulation?
1000
What pattern do the ovaries ovulate in?
They alternate during each ovulation (both don’t release egg cells at the same time)
What is the oogonium?
A diploid egg cell
What surrounds the oogonium?
Granulosa cells (nurse cells)
What is a follicle made of?
Granulosa cells and an oogonium
How many divisions does the oogonium go through?
2
What is the resulting cells of the first division of the oogonium?
A haploid secondary oocyte and a polar body
What is the resulting cells of the second division of the oogonium? (The division of the secondary oocyte)
An ootid and a polar body
What does the ootid become?
An ovum
