L30 The Female Reproductive System

Question 1

What are the functions of the female reproductive system? (4)

Answer 1

• Produce haploid gametes
• Facilitate fertilisation with spermatozoan
• Site for implantation of the embryo
• Provide physical and nutritional needs to nurture neonate after birth (mammary glands)

Question 2

What are the sections of the ovaries? And what are in each sections?

Answer 2

Inner medulla - blood vessels + lymph
Cortex - outer terminal epithelial layer containing oocytes

Question 3

What is oocytes?

Answer 3

Oocytes are immature egg cells produced during a process called oogenesis and are crucial for reproduction as they contain the genetic material, they are enclosed within the follicle.

Question 4

What does the pr

Answer 4

Primordial follicle —> Graffian follicle —> Corpus luteum

Question 5

What does the ovarian follicular cells secrete?

Answer 5

They secrete steroid hormones:
Granulosa - 17beta- oestradiol (estrogen) (check)
Theca- progesterone

Question 6

What is the role of progesterone? (Check)

Answer 6

They are essential for ova development, uterus, breasts and bone

Question 7

What is the role of Fallopian tubes?

Answer 7

Transport egg from ovary to uterus (10cm)

Answer 8

Infumdibulum with fimbriae
Ampulla + isthmus

Question 9

What is peristalsis?

Question 10

What adaptations do the ampulla of the fallopian tube have that enables it to transport the egg to the uterus? (Check answer)

Answer 10

Highly folded mucosa - Cilitated and filled with secretory cells
Longitudinal smooth muscle cells
Circular smooth muscle layer

Question 11

What are the 3 distinct layers of the uterine wall?

Answer 11

1. Perimetrium
2. Myometrium
3. Endometrium

Question 12

What are the adaptations of the endometrium?

Answer 12

• simple columnar epithelial cells, with leukocytes + macrophages
• Lamina propria - cell- rich connective tissue
• Compound tubular glands
• Spiral arteries

Question 13

What is the role of the cervix?

Answer 13

Cervical canal that connects the uterus to vagina

Question 14

How does the cervix ensures no microbes reach the uterus?

Answer 14

Cervical glands secrete mucus preventing microbes reaching uterus

Question 15

What are the layers of the vagina?

Answer 15

Thin distensible wall of:
1. Adventitia
2. Muscularis
3. Mucosa

Stratified squamous epithelium rich in glycogen which is fermented by bacteria to lactic acid producing pH 3.5-4 which inhibits pathogens and antigen-presenting dendritic cells.

Question 16

What is the vagina rich in? Why is this substance important?

Answer 16

Glycogen.
It’s fermented by bacteria to produce lactic acid to inhibit pathogens

Also has antigen - presenting dendritic cells

Question 17

What are the two female cycles?

Answer 17

Ovarian + endometrial (menstrual)

Question 18

What is HPGA?

Answer 18

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis which is responsible for controlling reproductive functions in a complex feedback loop.

Question 19

What does the HPGA do?

Answer 19

It drives the menstrual cycle

Question 20

What does the hypothalamic neurones release within the menstrual cycles?

Answer 20

Releases Gonadotropin - releasing hormone (GnRH)

Question 21

What does Hypohyseal portal system do?

Answer 21

They connect hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary.

Question 22

The FSH and LH

Question 23

What does the FSH + LH do together?

Answer 23

They stimulate ovarian follicular cells to secrete steroid hormones

Question 24

What does Thece cells secrete?

Answer 24

Progesterone

Question 25

What does Granulosa cells secrete?

Answer 25

17 beta - oestradiol (oestrogen)

Question 26

Talk about the diagram on the HPGA slidw

Question 27

What does FSH stand for?

Answer 27

Follicular stimulating hormone

Question 28

What does LH stand for?

Question 29

What are the two phases of the ovarian cycle?

Answer 29

Follicular phase
Luteal phase

Question 30

What happens at the Follicular and Luteal phase in the ovarian cycle?

Question 31

What is the difference between the Follicular phase and the Luteal phase? (F)

Answer 31

Follicular - Estradiol
Luteal - progesterone

Question 32

What happens during the midcycle in the ovarian cycle?

Question 33

Ovarian and endometrial cycle diagram analysis

Question 34

Endometrial cycle

Answer 35

Decrease in progesterone before day 22, will impede sperm getting through the cervical mucus because mucus becomes thick

Answer 36

Endometrial proliferation slows, thickness decreases

Answer 37

Glands - tortuous with accumulated glycogen vacuoles, increased mucus

Question 38

Secretory phase slide

Question 39

What does the hormonal contraceptives do ?

Answer 39

They alter hormonal balance to prevent pregnancy

Question 40

What is the mechanism behind hormonal contraceptives?

Answer 40

• Hypothalamus decrease GrRH secretion
• Anterior pituitary gonadotrophs - inhibit FSH/LH + prevent ovulation
• Low FSH insufficient to stimulate folliculogenesis
• Low LH inhibits ovulation

Question 41

Progrestin

Question 42

What does the hormonal ‘morning after’ pill do?

Answer 42

It has higher dose preparation of oestrogen and progesterone so it can:
- Inhibit ovulation
- Interfere with implantation

Question 43

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