Female Reproductive System Flashcards
What are the 3 parts of the uterine fallopian tube?
- Infundibulum
- Ampulla
- Isthmus
What is the timeline for the ovarian cycle?
Days 1-13: Follicular phase
Day 14: Ovulation - spike in LH
Days 15-28: Luteal phase - maintain high progesterone
What are the two main regions of the ovary and what do they consist of?
- Medulla - inner region of loose CT, BV, lymphatics, and nerves
- Cortex - outer region with ovarian follicles
What is the timeline for the menstrual cycle?
Days 1-5: Menses
Days 5-14: Proliferative phase
Days 15-26: Secretory phase
Days 27-28: Premenstrual phase
What are primordial follicles?
immature follicle formed during fetal development that are waiting their turn to enter the developmental cycle prior to ovulation
What are primary follicles?
Primordial follicles that enter the developmental cycle under hormonal regulation
- made of the oocyte (egg) and surrounding layer of epithelial (follicular) cells
Follicular cells thicken into a layer of….
Granulosa cells that synthesize estrogens
- estrogen-rich follicular fluid forms in small antral lakes
What is a corpus luteum?
The leftover granulosa and theca cells after the release of the oocyte
- secretes progesterone to stimulate the uterus
What is involution?
Occurs if pregnancy does not happen
- the corpus lutein atrophies from days 14-26
What is the corpus albicans?
Inactive scar tissue formed by the corpus luteum
- occurs when the level of progesterone drops and menstruation occurs
Where do sperm wait for the egg?
In the isthmus of the fallopian tube
The menstrual cycle involves the regularly recurring changes in the ______ lining which culminated in menstrual bleeding (menses)
Uterine
Around puberty, the ovaries and other organs begin to respond to hormones, GnRH stimulates the anterior pituitary to release _____ and _____
FSH and LH
FSH stimulates follicle development; the follicular cells then secrete ______ and _______
Estrogen and progesterone
Estrogen causes a thickening of the endometrial lining of the uterus (________ phase of the menstrual cycle).
Proliferative
_____ is released from its storage area in the anterior pituitary around day 14 of the cycle and causes the bulging follicular wall to burst, releasing the oocyte
LH
LH then causes the remaining part f the follicle to evolve into a _______ ______
corpus luteum
Corpus luteum now secretes abundant _______ which maintains the thickened and nutrient-rich uterine endometrium for implantation (_______ phase of the menstrual cycle)
Progesterone
Secretory
Estrogen and progesterone ______ further release of FSH and LH, therefore no more follicles can mature and release at this time
Decrease
If fertilization fails to occur the corpus luteum degenerates and forms a _____ ______
corpus albicans
No corpus luteum means a sharp ______ in estrogen and progesterone and therefore the endometrial lining cannot be maintained
Decrease
Low levels of estrogen and progesterone ______ the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary to secrete FSH and LH
Increase
What are the external genitalia of the female called?
Vulva
What is the perineal body?
The main supportive structure of the genitalia
- located between the vagina and anus
What is an episiotomy?
Where the cut the perineal body during childbirth
