Female Reproductive System

Question 1

In the ovarian cycle, what triggers ovulation?

Answer 1

a surge of LH and FSH

Question 2

Estrogen blocks the [a] of LH and FSH

Progesterone blocks the [b] of LH and FSH

Answer 2

a. release

b. production

Question 3

1. Progesterone, or synthetic progestins found in some BCPs, work as a contraceptive because they:

inhibit the production of _____ for the entire month (the ovarian cycle). This also inhibits the production of ___ and ___ (which blocks ovulation). This tricks the body into thinking it’s pregnant.

Answer 3

inhibit the production of GnRH for the entire month (ovarian cycle). This also inhibits the production of LH and FSH (which blocks ovulation). Without LH and FSH, ovulation can not occur, nor can the development of follicles.

Question 4

Approximately how many Graafian follicles rupture each month?

Answer 4

1-2

Question 5

How long does it take a primary follicle to develop into a Graafian follicle?

several months
2 days
2 weeks

Answer 5

several months

Question 6

Makes Estrogen prior to ovulation: [a]

Follicle cells or ovum

Answer 6

a. Follicle cells

Question 7

Makes Estrogen and Progesterone after ovulation: [b]

Corpus albicans or Corpus luteum

Answer 7

b. Corpus luteum

Question 8

What is the name for the portion of the endometrium shed during menses?

stratum functionalis
stratum corneum

Answer 8

stratum functionalis

Question 9

1. Why would estrogen promote blood clotting? (i.e. why/when would that be good for females with high levels of estrogen?)

During ____ estrogen levels are ____ but there is also a significant amount of bleeding. Estrogen is beneficial at that time because the ___ levels in the blood can promote blood clot formation

Answer 9

During childbirth estrogen levels are very HIGH but there also is a significant amount of bleeding. Estrogen is beneficial at that time because the HIGH levels of estrogen in the blood can promote blood clot formation

Question 10

2. Why would estrogen promote blood clotting? (i.e. why/when would that be good for females with high levels of estrogen?)

Therefore high levels of estrogen in the blood at that time can ___ the amount of blood ___ during _____.

Answer 10

Therefore high levels of estrogen in the blood at that time can LIMIT the amount of blood LOSS during CHILD BIRTH.

Question 11

1. What is endometriosis?

When ____ tissue is pushed up the ___ ___ (rather than down the cervix and out the vagina) while the ovaries are undergoing the ___ phase (producing high levels of ____), and those ____ cells begin to undergo mitosis.

Answer 11

Endometriosis is when ENDOMETRIAL tissue is pushed up the FALLOPIAN TUBE (rather than down the cervix and out through the vagina) while the ovaries are undergoing the FOLLICULAR phase (producing high levels of ESTROGEN), and those ENDOMETRIAL cells begin to undergo mitosis.

Question 12

2. What is endometriosis?

This creates even more ____ cells which may eventually cause a ____ in the ___ ___ if the mass of cells grow __ enough putting ____ on the fallopian tube, which results in ___.

Answer 12

This creates even more ENDOMETRIAL cells which may eventually cause a BLOCKAGE in the FALLOPIAN TUBE if the (mass of) cells grow BIG enough putting PRESSURE on the fallopian tube resulting in PAIN.

Question 13

3. What is endometriosis?

When the fallopian tubes stop producing ___ and ___, and the rest of the uterine lining is undergoing the ___ phase, the mass of endometrial cells in the fallopian tubes will begin to ___.

Answer 13

When the fallopian tubes stop producing ESTROGEN and PROGESTERONE and the rest of the uterine lining is undergoing the MENSTRUAL phase, the mass of endometrial cells in the fallopian tubes will begin to DIE.

Question 14

4. What is endometriosis?

When they die they release ____ and since the fallopian tubes are not equipped to handle the pain associated with ____ ____ (like the uterus is), this leads to a significant amount of pain for the woman.

Answer 14

When they die they release PROSTAGLANDINS and since the fallopian tubes are not equipped to handle the pain associated with INFLAMMATORY PROSTAGLANDINS (like the uterus is), this leads to a significant amount of pain for the woman.

Question 15

1. What else can cause menstrual cramps, besides endometriosis:

As the endometrial tissue is ___, it releases ___ molecules (like, ___) which can bind to ___ (signaling the brain that there is pain)

Answer 15

As the endometrial tissue is DYING it releases INFLAMMATORY molecules (like PROSTAGLANDINS) which can bind to NOCICEPTORS (signaling the brain that there is pain in the general area near/around the cervix).

Question 16

2. What else can cause menstrual cramps, besides endometriosis:

___ and ___ that is too ___ to easily fit through the ___ can cause discomfort in the form of menstrual cramps (as the smooth muscle contractions force that ____ endometrial tissue out of the cervix).

Answer 16

BLOOD CLOTS and DEAD TISSUE that is too LARGE to easily fit through the CERVIX can cause discomfort in the form of menstrual camps (as the smooth muscle contractions force that DEAD/DYING endometrial tissue out of the cervix).