Female reproductive system

Question 1

what is sexual reproduction

Answer 1

• the union of the nuclei of ovum and sperm cell

Question 2

what are ovum and sperm cells and where do they come from

Answer 2

• gametes, produced at the gonads

Question 3

how many chromosomes do gametes have

Answer 3

• half the number of chromosomes of a normal body cell

Question 4

what are the female gonads

Answer 4

• ovaries

Question 5

what are the male gonads

Answer 5

• testes

Question 6

where do ovums go when the leave the ovaries

Answer 6

• travels through the fallopian tube

Question 7

where does a fertilized egg implant itself

Answer 7

• in the uterine wall (if not, ectopic pregnancy results)

Question 8

what are essential organs of the female reproductive system

Answer 8

• ovaries and ova

Question 9

what are accessory organs of the female reproductive system

Answer 9

• ducts/modified ducts (fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina)
• sex glands, including breasts
• external genitals

Question 10

what are bertholin glands

Answer 10

• where lubrication occurs

Question 11

how do we determine how far along a pregnancy is

Answer 11

• measuring the fundus of the uterus

Question 12

what is the corpus luteum

Answer 12

an empty sac after maturing and releasing egg, secretes progesterone

Question 13

what are the ovaries

Answer 13

• a pair of glands (resembling large almonds) attached to ligaments in the pelvic cavity, on each side of the uterus

Question 14

what are ovarian follicles

Answer 14

• found in the ovaries, what you ovulate during lifetime
• contain an oocyte, which is an immature sex cell (about 1 million at birth)
• primary follicles: about 400,000 at puberty are covered with ganulosa cells

Question 15

how many follicles does a woman ovulate during her lifetime and what are they called

Answer 15

• about 350-500

- sometimes called graafian follicles, when you run out you enter menopause

Question 16

what 2 hormones are produced by the ovaries

Answer 16

• estrogen/estradiol: development and maintenance of female secondary sex characteristics)
• progesterone: assists in initiating menses and maintaining pregnancy, produced by the corpus luteum

Question 17

fallopian tubes

Answer 17

• extend about 10 cm from uterus into abdominal cavity
• expanded distal end surrounded by fimbriae
• fertilization takes place in the fallopian tubes

Question 18

what is the endometrium

Answer 18

• inner layer, shed during menstruation

Question 19

what is the myometrium

Answer 19

• middle, muscular layer

Question 20

what is the uterine serosa

Answer 20

• outer layer or perimetrium

Question 21

what is the vagina

Answer 21

• distensible tube about 10 cm long in pelvic cavity
• located between urinary bladder and rectum in pelvis
• receives penis during sex and is birth canal for normal delivery of baby

Question 22

what is the breast

Answer 22

• located over pectoral muscles of the thorax
• size determined by fat quantity more than amount of glandular (milk-secreting) tissue
• lactiferous ducts drain at nipple, which is surrounded by pigmented areola
• lymphatic drainage important in spread of cancer cells to other body areas
• made up of glandular tissue, lactiferous ducts, sinuses, fatty tissue, mammary papilla is the nipple, many lymph nodes in this area

Question 23

external female genitalia

Answer 23

• also known as the vulva
• includes: mons pubis, clitoris, urethral orifice, vaginal orifice, hymin, bartholin glands (2 at opening of vagina, secrete lubrication), perineum (area between vagina and anus), labia minora and majora

Question 24

what is episiotomy

Answer 24

• surgical cut during childbirth (incision of the perineum)

Question 25

days of the menstrual cycle, what is happening and their corresponding names

Answer 25

• days 1-5: menses, (period)
• days 6-12, estrogen repairs the endometrium, the ovum grows in the follicle
• days 13-14: ovulation, egg leaves ovary and passes through the fallopian tube
• days 15-28: corpus luteum secretes progesterone, uterus lining builds up in anticipation of pregnancy. if no fertilization, stops production of progesterone

Question 26

pregnancy

Answer 26

• if fertilization occurs, egg implants in the uterine endometrium
• placenta forms, attaches to the uterine wall
• amnion holds the fetus in the amniotic cavity
• nutrients, oxygen and wastes exchange between the fetus and mother (placenta and umbilical cord)
• the placenta produces human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG, causes positive pregnancy test)

Question 27

what is a zygote

Answer 27

• 0-2 weeks old

Question 28

what is an embryo

Answer 28

• 2-8 weeks old

Question 29

what is a fetus

Answer 29

• 8 weeks to term, normally 38-40 weeks

Question 30

what maintains placenta development

Answer 30

• progesterone

Question 31

what is the normal delivery position of the fetus

Answer 31

• cephalic presentation (head first)

- anything else is breach

Question 32

what are the 3 phases of labour

Answer 32

1 - dilation and thinning of the cervix ( ~10 cm)
2 - birth of the infant
3 - delivery of the placenta

Question 33

what is the first menstruation termed

Answer 33

• menarche

Question 34

what is menopause

Answer 34

• no period for 1 full year
• gradual ending of the menstrual cycle
• normally begins between the ages of 45 and 55
• falling estrogen levels
• option for estrogen replacement therapy (careful consideration of risks required)