female system Flashcards
oogenesis
the process during which the formation of the body’s largest cell, the oocyte, takes place
GnRH
Secreted by hypothalamus controls ovarian and uterine cycle
FSH
initiate follicular growth
LH
Stimulates further development of ovarian follicles
estrogens
secreted by ovarian follicles
●Promote development and maintenance of females
Progesterone
Secreted mainly by corpus luteum
●Works with estrogens to prepare and maintain endometrium for implantation and mammary glands for milk production
●Relaxin
Produced by corpus luteum
●Relaxes uterus
●Inhibin
Secreted by granulosa cells of growing follicles and by corpus luteum
●Inhibits secretion of FSH and LH
Uterine (Menstrual) cycle layers
3
perimetrium
myometrium
endometrium
perimetrium
outer layer
part of visceral peritoneum
myometrium
3 layers of smooth muscle
Contractions in response to oxytocin from posterior pituitary
Endometrium
–inner layer
●Highly vascularized
●Uterine arteries, arcuate arteries, radial arteries
Menstrual cycle phases
•menstrual phrase
•Preovulatory phase (proliferative phase)
•Ovulation
•Postovulatory phase (secretory phase) / Premenstrual phase
duration of menstrual cycle
24-35 days
assume 28
menstrual phase is
first 5-7 days
preovulatory phase
days 6-13
ovulation
day 14
postovulatory phase
day 15-28 (14 days)
Prolactin (PRL)
principal hormone promoting milk synthesis and secretio
Oxytocin (OT)
causes milk ejection reflex
what are the accessory glands?
vagina, vulva and breasts
main functions of female reproductive system
producing gametes (called eggs or ova) certain sex hormones
maintaining fertilized eggs as they develop into mature fetuses and become ready for delivery
Thehymen
is a thin membrane that sometimes partially covers the entrance to the vagina
rugae
inner mucous membrane with transverse folds called