Lecture 23 - The Female Reproductive System Part II Flashcards
Hollow muscular tubes which nourish and transport the oocyte to the uterus
Uterine (fallopian) tube
The oocyte is captured by the _______ and is transported into the uterine tube by _______
Infundibulum, simple ciliated columnar epithelium
What is the function of the simple ciliated columnar epithelium in the uterine tubes?
Produces mucus and moves ovum/oocyte down the uterine tubes
What is the effect on the infundibulum when estrogen is high?
Smooth muscles contract and fimbriae sweeps over the over the ovary
What are the two types of simple columnar epithelium in the infundibulum?
Ciliated cells and secretory cells
What part of the uterine tube provides the best environment for fertilization?
The mucosa of the ampulla
Part of the uterine tube where the mucosal folds of the lumen are the most complex
Ampulla
How is the oocyte moved down the uterine tube in the ampulla?
By cilia and smooth muscle contraction
The narrowest portion of the uterine tube with anatomy similar to the vas deferens
Isthmus
Part of the uterine tube with less complex mucosal folds and a thick muscularis layer
Isthmus
How is the oocyte moved down the uterine tube in the isthmus?
Muscles move the oocyte by peristalsis
The part of the uterine tube which penetrates the wall of the uterus
Intramural
Pocket between the uterus and the urinary bladder
Vesicouterine pouch
What are the two major parts of the cervix?
The internal os and the external os
What is the purpose of the cervical mucus?
Prevents passage of bacteria and acidic secretions of the vagina from entering the uterus
What is the consistency of cervical mucus during ovulation?
Very watery secretion which allows entrance of sperm
What are the three main layers of the body of the uterus?
The mesometrium, myometrium, and endometrium
Layer of the uterus which is part of the broad ligament
Mesometrium
Muscular layer of the uterus
Myometrium
Lumen/internal layer of the uterus which changes every month
Endometrium
True or false: the uterus has both a body and a fundus
True
How many layers of smooth muscle are in the myometrium?
Three
What is the purpose of the myometrium?
Provides the force needed for parturition and the release of menses
Makes up 90% of the mass of the uterus
The myometrium
Makes up up to 10% of the mass of the uterus
The endometrium (functional layer sheds itself so can be less than 10%)
What are the two layers of the endometrium?
The basal layer and the functional layer
The uterus contains a vast amount of _____ which open into the _____ and extend into the _____
Uterine glands, endometrial surface (lumen), lamina propria (connective tissue)
Where do the uterine vessels get their blood from?
From internal iliac vessels and drain into the IVC (travel along the transverse ligament)
Blood vessels which branch off of the uterine vessels
Vaginal vessels
Where do the ovarian vessels get their blood from?
Directly from the abdominal aorta and drains into the IVC (vessels travel along the suspensatory ligament)
All of the blood vessels in the female reproductive system can _____ with one another
Anastomose
What is the benefit of having the repro blood vessels anastomose with one another?
There is lots of communication, and plays a key role in pregnancy
What are the three phases of the menstrual cycle?
Menstrual phase (aka menses), proliferative phase, and secretory phase
Changes to the endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle are caused by:
Ovarian hormones secreted during the ovarian cycle
What is the effect of estrogen on the endometrium?
Induces proliferation of the endometrium following menstruation (building the house)
What is the effect of progesterone on the endometrium?
Causes the endometrium to become secretory and prepares it for implantation (furnishing the house)
List the pathway of arteries through the uterus and endometrium
Uterine artery —> arcuate artery —> radial artery —> straight artery—> spiral artery
supply blood to the stratum basalis of the endometrium
straight arteries
supply blood to the stratum functionalis of the endometrium
spiral arteries
type of blood vessels which are shed and regrow (angiogenesis) during each menstrual cycle
spiral arteries
type of blood vessels which remain unchanged throughout the uterine cycles
straight arteries
at what part of the uterine cycle do spiral arteries grow?
the proliferative phase
at what part of the uterine cycle do sprial arteries enlarge and mature?
during the secretory phase (due to the effects of progesterone)
what are the three main consequences of the degeneration of the corpus luteum?
1) loss of progesterone
2) spasm of smooth muscles in the walls of spiral arteries
3) endometrium becomes ischemic, dies, and is shed
what is the effect of estrogen on the endometrium during the proliferative phase?
epithelial cells of the uterine glands multiply and spread across the surface of the uterus
during the proliferative phase, the endometrium becomes:
mucus rich in lipids and glycogen (preparing nutrients for implantation)
what does the functional layer of the endometrium look like at ovulation?
it is several mm thick and highly vascularized
what are the effects of combined estrogen and progesterone on the uterus during the secretory phase?
uterine glands enlarge and accelerate their rate of secretions, and spiral arteries elongate throughout the functional layer
how long does the secretory phase last?
begins at the time of ovulation and persists as long as the corpus luteum is intact
when is the peak of estrogen and progesterone?
~12 days after ovulation
what is the cause of the degeneration of the stratum functionalis during the menstrual phase?
decrease in hormone levels (estrogen and progesterone)
how is the functional layer shed during the menstrual phase of the uterine cycle?
arteries constrict which weakens the arterial walls and reduces blood flow, then the uterine glands and surrounding tissues begin to die
how long does the menses phase last?
~1-7 days (highly variable)
where does menstrual pain come from?
uterine inflammation and contraction (both from myometrium and ischemic blood vessels in endometrium)
go review the “relationship between ovarian and uterine cycles” slide
wahooooo
what type of cells are found in the cervix and what do they do?
columnar cells which produce mucus
what is the function of the cervix during pregnancy?
forms plug during pregnancy and dilates during childbirth
which hormone dilates the cervix during childbirth?
relaxin
an elastic and muscular tube extremely variable in size due to elasticity
the vagina
smooth muscles in the vagina form:
rugae
where is the vagina found?
extends from the cervix to the vestibule of external genitalia
how is the vagina innervated?
both somatic (close to the outside) and autonomic (close to the cervix)
what are the functions of the vagina?
- eliminates menses
- organ of copulation
- forms birth canal during parturition
type of epithelia found in the vagina
stratified squamous epithelium
vaginal epithelia contains _____ which feeds resident bacteria
glycogen
desquamated cells in the vagina serve as:
substrate for lactic acid-producing bacteria
what is the purpose of lactic acid in the vagina?
maintains low vaginal pH, inhibiting the growth of pathogens
the vaginal epithelium has a thick _____ with a large number of _____
lamina propria, lymphocytes
name the four fornices?
anterior fornix, posterior fornix, left lateral fornix, right lateral fornix
which is the largest fornix?
the posterior fornix (want semen to go here)
list the parts of the female external genetalia
- mons pubis
- clitoris
- prepuce (hood) of the clitoris
- labia minora
- vaginal opening
- vestibule
- labia majora
the external urethral orfice in males is analogous to the ______ in females
external urethral orfice
the glans of the penis in males is analogous to the ______ in females
glans of the clitoris
the prepuce of the penis in males is analogous to the ______ in females
prepuce of the clitoris
the body of the penis in males is analogous to the ______ in females
body of the clitoris
the raphe of the penis/perineal raphe in males is analogous to the ______ in females
labia minora and perineal raphe
the scrotum in males is analogous to the ______ in females
labia majora
what is the difference between the external urethral muscles in males and females?
in males there is a clear separation of muscles around the urethra and in females there is a mixing of urethral and vaginal muscles
the bulbs of the vestibule are the erectile tissue equivalent to:
the corpus spongiosum (has a left and right bulb)
covers the bulbs of the vestibule and greater vestibular glands
bulbospongiosum mm
covers the erectile tissue of the corpus caverosa
ischiocavernosa
the perineal muscles are innervated by:
the pudenal nerve (S2, 3, 4)
true or false: the muscles over the erectile tissues of the genitalia increases blood flow
true
homologues to the prostate gland associated with female ejaculation
Skene’s glands
sympathetic innervation for the upper parts of the female reproductive system comes from:
T12-L2
parasympathetic innervation for the upper parts of the female reproductive system comes from:
S2-S4
what is the effect of sympathetic stimulation on the female reproductive system?
vasoconstriction of blood vessels, contraction of smooth muscles, and ejaculation
what is the effect of parasympathetic stimulation on the female reproductive system?
vasodilation of blood vessels and erection
sensory pain of the ovarian plexus and uterovaginal plexus is felt in the:
lower back and abdomen
sensory pain of the vaginal canal is felt in the:
lower back and perineum
how is the lower part of the female reproductive system innervated?
somatic motor - pudenal nerve (S2-S4)
sensory pain of the lower part of the female reproductive system is felt in the:
vaginal walls and perineum
what is the effect of pregnancy on the breasts and uterus?
they grow, adding weight to the front of the body (increasing anterior mass)
what is the effect of pregnancy on the abdominal muscles?
they stretch as the fetus grows (surface area of the abdomen increases)
what is the effect of pregnancy on the nervous system?
nerves may be pressed as the fetus grows and/or shifts position
what is the effect of pregnancy on the pelvic ligaments and joints?
loosen and become strained (pelvis tilts forward and adds to lumbar lordosis)
how much does the uterus stretch during pregnancy?
stretches to 5x its normal size
what is the effect of pregnancy on uterine ligaments?
stretches the ligaments
what is the purpose of the uterus “dropping” towards the end of gestation?
gets you ready for vaginal birth
during pregnancy, the cervix closes and forms a:
mucus plug
what is the purpose of the mucus plug?
provides a protective barrier
what allows the cervix to dilate during labour and delivery?
relaxin
what happens to the vagina during labour and delivery?
elasticity increases
what is the impact of pregnancy on the GI and urinary system?
increase waste production
what is the impact of pregnancy on the cardiac and respiratory systems?
changes to input and output
how do the areolas change during pregnancy?
areolas darken and widen (visual for infant)
why do the breasts increase in size during pregnancy?
milk ducts and glandular tissue increase in size
starts building up in the breast tissue in the second trimester and then given to the baby for three days after delivery
colostrum
what type of glands are the mammary glands?
apocrine glands
what is the function of the mammary glands?
secrete milk for nourishment of newborn
the mammary glands are regulated by:
sexual and pituitary hormones
milk production is stimulated by:
prolactin (primarily), estrogen, and progesterone
milk ejection is stimulated by:
oxytocin
what is the effect of oxytocin on lactating mammary glands?
causes contraction of smooth muscle in the walls of lactiferous ducts and sinuses
