Female Reproductive System

Question 1

Name the internal organs of the female reproductive system …

Answer 1

the ovaries, the oviducts (fallopian or uterine tubes), the uterus, and the vagina

Question 2

What are the external genitalia collectively known as ?

Answer 2

The vulva

Question 3

Functions of the female reproductive system

Answer 3

Produce eggs
Produce Estrogen
Be the site of development of a baby after fertilization of egg

Question 4

Describe the ovaries and their location

Answer 4

The ovaries are the main reproductive organ in females. The ovaries are two glands that are almond shaped. One ovary is on each side of the uterus, below the uterine tubes.

Question 5

How are the ovaries held in place ?

Answer 5

The suspensory, ovarian and broad ligaments….The suspensory ligaments attach the ovaries to the pelvis wall. The ovarian ligaments attach the ovaries to the uterus. The broad ligaments hold the ovaries in place in the pelvis

Question 6

What is ovulation?

Answer 6

The release of a mature egg from an ovary which occurs about every 28 days.

Question 7

What is present inside each ovary?

Answer 7

Ovarian follicles which each hold an immature egg

Question 8

What is the corpus luteum?

Answer 8

The ovarian follicle becomes the corpus luteum after ovulation and helps maintain the pregnancy if an egg is fertilized. If not, it disintegrates.

Question 9

What are the structures of the duct system in the female reproductive system?

Answer 9

The duct system includes the oviducts, uterus, and vagina.

Question 10

Oviducts are also known by what other names…

Answer 10

Fallopian tubes or Uterine Tubes

Question 11

Describe the fallopian tubes including their layers and sections

Answer 11

The oviducts, also called uterine or fallopian tubes, extend from the ovaries to the uterus. Each tube has three sections: infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus and three coats: the outer serous coat, the middle muscular coat, and an inner mucosa coat.

Question 12

What are the functions of the fallopian tubes ?

Answer 12

The fallopian tube functions include capturing an egg from the ovary at the time of ovulation; nourishing the fertilized egg or zygote during its early cell divisions; and delivering the developing embryo into the uterine cavity when it is time for implantation. The different parts of the fallopian tube correspond to these various functions.

Question 13

What are the fimbriae ?

Answer 13

Since the fallopian tubes are not connected to the ovaries, they have fingerlike projections called fimbriae on the infundibulum end of the fallopian tubes that help capture the released egg.

Question 14

How does an an egg get into the fallopian tubes?

Answer 14

When an egg (oocyte) bursts from follicle within an ovary during ovulation, it is most often swept into an oviduct by the combined action of the fimbriae and the beating of the cilia that line the oviducts.

Question 15

What happens when the egg reaches the fallopian tube?

Answer 15

Through the action of fimbriae and cila, the egg is captured and quickly moved into the ampulla region of the tube where it is most often fertilized. The mucosa layer of the ampulla provides nourishing fluid that allows repeated cell divisions. Over the next several days, the combination of muscular contractions and cilia move the egg through the isthmus toward the uterus. When the dividing egg (zygote) reaches the stage (blastocyst) where the outer membrane dissolves, it is delivered into the uterus.

Question 16

Describe the uterus …….

Answer 16

The uterus is a hollow, thick walled muscular organ shaped like an inverted pear. It connects with the fallopian tubes and the vagina and is situated in a forward-tilted position between the rectum and the bladder.

Question 17

What are the three areas of the uterus?

Answer 17

Fundus is the most superior portion.
Body is the main portion
Cervix is the most inferior portion

Question 18

What are the three layers of the uterus ?

Answer 18

the outer serous perimetrium, the middle muscular myometrium and the inner glandular endometrium

Question 19

How is the uterus suspended in place ?

Answer 19

It is suspended in the pelvis by ligaments. the broad ligaments which attach the uterus to the walls and floor of the pelvis, uterosacral ligament which attaches the back of the uterus to the front of the sacrum and the round ligament which attaches to the uterus anteriorly.

Question 20

What section of the uterus can be measured and for what purpose?

Answer 20

The height of the fundus can be measured from the top of the pubic bone during prepnancy to provide growth rates and rudimentary indications of abnormalities (breech presentaion or twins)

Question 21

What special purpose does the body of the uterus have?

Answer 21

The body receives the fertilized ovum where it becomes implanted in the endometrium to receive nourishment and develop from ovum to embryo to fetus and gestate until childbirth.

Question 22

What functions does the cervix have ?

Answer 22

The cervix connects the uterus to the vagina and changes in size and texture. Just prior to ovulation, the cervix swells, softens and secretes mucus allowing sperm better access to and viability within the uterus. When a woman becomes pregnant a mucus plug develops in the cervix and prevents any bacteria or pathogens from entering the uterus, thus protecting the health of the developing fetus. A firm, closed cervix also holds the developing fetus in the uterus until it reaches full term.

Question 23

How does the uterus accomodate a growing fetus and delivery of a baby?

Answer 23

The muscular myometrium expands during pregnancy to hold the growing fetus while contacting during labor to push the baby out of the uterus.

Question 24

What layer of the uterus is shed monthly ? What is this layers specific function?

Answer 24

The inner endometrium layer, where the embryo completes development, is shed monthly (~28 days) if the female is not pregnant which is known as menstruation or menses.

Question 25

What is menstruation ?

Answer 25

The monthly shedding of the inner endometrium layer of the uterus if the female is not pregnant.

Question 26

What structures make up the external genitalia ?

Answer 26

mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urethral and vaginal orifices, and the greater vestibular glands.

Question 27

What are the functions of the vagina ?

Answer 27

Receive sperm from the male
Serve as the birth canal
Serve as the outlet for menstrual blood

Question 28

Describe the structure of the vagina ?

Answer 28

A small opening at the cervix leads to the vaginal canal. The vagina is an elastic muscular tube which leads from the uterus to the outside of the body. The vaginal wall consists of an inner tissue layer, intermediate muscle layer and outer tissue layer. The wetness and moisture of the vaginal surface is achieved by mucous from the cervix. The outer layer is made of elastic fibers, blood vessels, lymph vessels and nerves. The elastic fibers give the vaginal wall its strength and elasticity. The mucosal lining of the vagina lies in folds and can extend which is especially important when the vagina serves as the birth canal and it also can facilitate intercourse.

Question 29

Functions of the structures of the external genitalia …

Answer 29

• The mons pubis is a fat pad located in front of the pubic symphysis and is covered with hair after puberty. - The labia majora is an outer fold of skin that is located posterior to the mons pubis
• the labia minora are a second set of skin folds surrounded by the labia majora.
• At the anterior end of the labia majora is the clitoris the main source of sensations during sexual activity.
• The orifices or openings for the urethra and vagina are located inside the labia minora. The urethral orifice is anterior to the vaginal orifice.
• The greater vestibular glands are located on the edges of the vagina and release secretions that help lubricate the area for copulation.

Question 30

How does the cervix function during pregnancy?

Answer 30

Since the cervix contains an opening into the vagina, a mucus plug develops in the cervix that prevents any pathogens or bacteria from entering the uterus to affect the fetus?

Question 31

What kind of cells produce estrogen?

Answer 31

Granulosa cells.

Question 32

How does a miscarraige result?

Answer 32

when a zygote encounters any blockage in the tube. Sometimes zygote will implant itself in the fallopian tube, but it does not have the blood supply or necessary nourishment

Question 33

Compare the walls of the vagina with the walls of the uterus

Answer 33

Vagina has very thin walls compared to uterus. Allows for vagina to stretch and allow for passage of baby during delivery

Question 34

trace the pathway of an egg after ovulation and fertilization

Answer 34

From ovary through fallopian tube and into the uterus

Question 35

What is the longest section of the fallopian tube and what is the section that narrows down toward the uterus ?

Answer 35

The ampulla is the largest and longest section of the fallopian tube. The isthmus is the section that narrows down toward the uterus.

Question 36

What does the cervical canal connect?

Answer 36

The uterus and the vagina

Question 37

How is cervical cancer tested for ? What virus causes many cases? What are risk factors for cervical cancer?

Answer 37

Humanpapilloma virus causes 80%. Tested by way of pap smear. inserted through the vagina into the cervix- Cells are scraped from inner wall of cervix and vagina to test for any abnormalities
Risk factors for cervical cancer- smoking, early sexual activity, use of birth control pill