Female Reproductive System and Function

Question 1

Labia majora

Answer 1

Outer fold of skin, larger, mostly fatty tissue containing pubic hair. Protection from foreign invaders

Question 2

Labia minora

Answer 2

Inner fold of erectile tissue that is stimulated during sexual activity.

Question 3

Clitoris

Answer 3

Contains mechanoreceptors for sexual stimulation during intercourse

Question 4

Urogenital openings

Answer 4

Within the folds of labia are openings to vagina and urethra.

Question 5

Bartholin’s glands

Answer 5

Glands located on either side of the opening to vagina. Produces clear lubricating secretions at the base of the vagina

Question 6

Hymen

Answer 6

Web-like tissue layer over the opening to the vagina

Question 7

Inner Mucous lining

Answer 7

This layer produces acidic secretions that lubricate and keep the vagina free from bacterial or fungal infections

Question 8

Erectile tissue

Answer 8

his tissue becomes engorged with blood during sexual excitement and forms the vagina into an open tube making intercourse possible/more comfortable.

Question 9

Muscular layer

Answer 9

The outer layer of smooth muscle is responsible for helping to push the baby out during the birthing process.

Question 10

Cervix

Answer 10

• Muscular opening into the uterus from the vagina.
• Susceptible to cancer
• Cervical mucus changes during menstrual cycle
• Cervix holds the baby in the uterus during pregnancy and dilates during birthing process to allow for delivery

Question 11

Uterus

Answer 11

• Site of embryo + fetus development
• Internal organ used for growth and development of offspring
• Perimetrium (outer)- rubbery, gives uterus shape and supports the inner tissue
• Myometrium (middle)- responsible for uterine contractions. Oxytocin stimulate it to begin contractions to help push the baby out
• Endometrium (inner)- where the developing embryo will implant, placenta will grow into this where their baby will exchange nutrients and waste. Shead every 28 days, resulting in periods

Question 12

Fallopian tube/ Oviduct

Answer 12

Fimbriae – picks up ovum from ovary after ovulation
(finger-like extensions of fallopian tube)
Fallopian tube (oviducts): passageway for ovum to travel from ovary to uterus
Site of fertilization; passage for sperm to travel to ovum
Fertilization usually occurs in the top 1/3rd of oviducts
Oviduct walls are muscular, moves ovum via peristalsis
Also contain cilia that beat rhythmically to move ovum down towards uterus
Ectopic pregnancies - occur because the Fallopian tubes are not directly connected to the ovaries, resulting in the embryo implanting somewhere other than the endometrium.
Endometriosis-when the endometrium sheds and moves into the body cavity and attach to an organ, resulting in nodes

Question 13

Ovaries

Answer 13

Females have 2 ovaries, alternate each month to produce an egg/ovum. Release hormones including estrogen, progesterone. Oogonium cells will divide (by mitosis) into primordial follicles (diploid, 2n)
Primordial follicle: made up of primary oocyte (immature egg cell) + Granuloma cells (nurse cells that care for Oogonium)