female reproductive system Flashcards
ovary
covered in single layer of epithelium beneath: dense fibrous CT: tunia albuginea -outer portion of cortex remainder of cortex: CT: stroma inner most part: medulla -loose CT
Stroma of ovary
inner cortex
contains ova of various stages of maturation
oogonium surrounded by
granulosa
oogomium+ granulosa cells = follicle
oogonia during prenatal development
increase in size and become primary oocytes
prior to puberty oocytes
are in nonactive phase
after puberty oocytes
a few develop into follicles each month in response to FSH
- vast majority die by atresia
- only one per month will develop and eject through cell wall.
mature follicle
graafian follicle
free end of oviduct/fallopian tube
adjacent to ovary
infundibulum
infundibulum
shaped like funnel with long projections= fimbriae
ampulla
longest part of oviduct
- lined with ciliated mucous membrane
isthmus
short narrow point of oviduct near uterus
fertilization occurs
in oviduct
fundus
rounded part of uterus by fallopian tubes
corpus
main portion of uterus
cervix
lower narrow portion of uterus, extends to vagina
- internal os: uterine end
- external os: vaginal end
3 layers of uterus
serosa: outer most layer
myometrium: middle layer
endometrium: inner most lining
serosa
single layer mesothelial cells supported by thin layer loose CT
myometrium
3 layers of smooth muscle with muscle fibers arranged in different directions
endometrium
2 layers
a thin deep layer: basilar layer
thick superficial layer: functional layer
- has constant cyclic activity of alternant proliferation and sloughing of functional layer in response to estrogen and progesterone
vagina
exit for discarded endometrium
lower end of birth canal
highly elastic muscle capable of considerable distention
rugae: 2 longitudinal ridges along anterior and posterior walls with transverse folds
walls thin with age
mons pubis
rounded elevation in front of pubis symphysis
labia majora
folds from mons pubis down to area behind vagina
labia minora
2 small skin folds between majora, either side of vagina
clitoris
erectile tissue
covered by fold of tissue: prepuce
menstrual cycle
2 significant results
- stimulation of the production of an ovum
- preparation of the uterine endometrium for implantation
cycle
average 28 days
- 20-45 nml
ovulation
approximately 14 days before next cycle
FSH
stimulates follicles to develop
increases during the follicular/proliferative phase
FSH and LH
increase during ovulation to cause release of ovum
progesterone
increase during luteal phase
secreted by corpus leteum
estrogen
increased right before ovulation
- makes anterior pituitary more responsive to LHRH
increased during luteal phase
- secreted by the developing follicles, stimulates uterine endometrium growth
corpus luteum
site of ruptured follicle
- secretes estrogen and progesterone
- stimulates continued thickening of endometrium
- if pregnancy does not occur corpus luteum degenerates and progesterone and estrogen decrease
dec. of estrogen and progesterone during luteal phase causes
constriction of spiral arteries in uterine wall
- portion of endometrium becomes ischemic
- cells dies, tissue sloughed off and menstration begins.
- -prostaglandins play roll in sloughing
fertilization
approx. day 7
- placental development begins
placenta secretes
HCG
-signals corpus luteum to continue to function.
breast
accessory organ in sexual function and human reproduction
primary function: milk lactation
cooper ligaments
fibrous bands in breast that help maintain position
- easily stretched.
glandular epithelial of breast
15-20 lobes per breast
ductal system embedded in interstitial fat/tissue
alveoli
grape like clusters of secretory cells constituting the glandular epithelium
- ducts from each one unite to form single duct form each lobe
ampullae
main ducts of alveoli/lobes enlarge slightly before opening onto the surface of nipple
nipple
composed of bundles of smooth muscle fibers with erectile functions
lactiferous ducts
arranged radially under areola
- 15-20 small openings located on surface of each nipple through which milk flows
5 tanner stages
childhood: breast contains only rudimentary glands
puberty: estrogen and progesterone, with GH and prolactin, promote development
reproductive years: inc. progesterone can cause breast swelling during menstration
lactation
inc. estrogen and progesterone produced by corpus luteum and placenta stimulate development of glands and ducts in breasts
1st trimester lactation
ducts proliferate
2nd trimester lactation
ducts group together to form large lobules with new alveoli formation
3 trimester lactation
existing alveoli dilate in preparation for lactation
colostrum
formed by mammary glands toward the end of pregnancy and until 1-3 days after birth
- high in protein and lactose but little fat
after birth lactation
anterior pituitary secretes prolactin and stimulates milk production
- milk produced by 3rd day after delivery
suckling
stimulates release of prolactin from anterior pituitary and oxytocin from posterior pituitary.
- hormones stimulate laction and ejection of milk from alveoli into ducts
- oxytocin promotes actual release of milk
- milk ejection reflex
hormones in latter part of pregnancy
increased estrogen
- increased uterine contractility
progesterone stays constant or dec. slightly
- inhibits uterine contractility
once estrogen levels rise above progesterone: inc. contractility
oxytocin in latter part of pregnancy
causes uterine contractions
- contractions during birth
