lecture 29 and 30 Flashcards
Identify and describe the gross anatomy, microscopic anatomy, and functions of the ovaries.
Gross Anatomy:
Almond-shaped organs located on either side of the uterus.
Connected to uterus by ovarian ligament, and to the pelvic wall by suspensory ligament (which contains the ovarian artery and vein).
Microscopic Anatomy:
Outer cortex: contains follicles in various stages.
Inner medulla: connective tissue, blood vessels, lymphatics, nerves.
Functions:
Produce female gametes (oocytes).
Secrete hormones: estrogen, progesterone, inhibin.
Identify and describe the gross anatomy, microscopic anatomy, and functions of the uterus and uterine (fallopian) tubes.
Uterus Gross Anatomy:
Pear-shaped; consists of fundus, body, isthmus, cervix.
Uterine Wall Layers:
Endometrium (inner mucosal lining, sheds during menstruation).
Myometrium (smooth muscle layer).
Perimetrium (outer serosa).
Uterine Tubes Gross Anatomy:
4 parts: fimbriae, infundibulum, ampulla (fertilization site), isthmus.
Functions:
Tubes: transport oocyte, site of fertilization.
Uterus: site of implantation and fetal development.
Identify and describe the structure and function of the vagina.
Structure:
Fibromuscular canal extending from cervix to external genitalia.
Lined with non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.
Functions:
Birth canal, receives penis during intercourse, exit for menstrual flow.
Identify and describe the structure and functions of the external genitalia (e.g. labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, greater vestibular glands).
Labia Majora: Fatty skin folds, protective function.
Labia Minora: Inner folds, enclose vestibule.
Clitoris: Erectile tissue, rich in nerve endings.
Greater Vestibular Glands (Bartholin’s glands): Secrete mucus for lubrication.
Describe the pathway of the oocyte from the ovary to the uterus.
o Ovary (ovulation)
o Fimbriae sweep oocyte into uterine tube.
o Moves through infundibulum → ampulla (fertilization) → isthmus.
o Enters uterus for possible implantation.
Define the process of oogenesis (oocyte development).
o Formation of haploid oocytes via meiosis.
o Begins in fetal life (primary oocytes arrested in prophase I).
o Resumes at puberty: each cycle, one oocyte completes meiosis I → secondary oocyte + polar body.
o Meiosis II only completes if fertilization occurs.
Describe the stages of folliculogenesis (ovarian follicle development).
Primordial follicle: dormant, single layer of squamous cells.
Primary follicle: enlarged oocyte, cuboidal granulosa cells.
Secondary follicle: multiple granulosa layers, fluid-filled spaces.
Tertiary (antral) follicle: visible fluid-filled antrum.
Graafian (mature) follicle: large, ready to ovulate.
Describe a typical ovarian cycle and explain how the process of folliculogenesis spans multiple ovarian cycles.
Lasts ~28 days; 3 phases:
Follicular (Days 1–14): Follicles develop, estrogen rises.
Ovulation (Day 14): Triggered by LH surge.
Luteal (Days 15–28): Corpus luteum forms, secretes progesterone.
when does folliculogenesis occur in relation to the follicle
Folliculogenesis begins months before follicle is ovulated.
Define ovulation, and explain the role of luteinizing hormone (LH) in ovulation.
o Ovulation: release of secondary oocyte from mature follicle.
o LH role: Surge causes follicle rupture and oocyte release.
Describe endocrine regulation of oogenesis, folliculogenesis, and the ovarian cycle.
o Hypothalamus → GnRH
o Anterior Pituitary → FSH (stimulates follicle growth) & LH (triggers ovulation)
o Ovaries → Estrogen, progesterone, inhibin (feedback to brain)
Compare and contrast the timing and number of oocytes produced in oogenesis and sperm produced in spermatogenesis.
Start – oogenesis (fetal life), spermatogenesis (puberty)
Product per stem cell – oogenesis (1 oocyte), spermatogenesis (4 sperm)
Duration - oogenesis (1 cycle), spermatogenesis (continuous)
Pauses - oogenesis (yes, meiosis arrested), spermatogenesis (no)
Lifespan - oogenesis (ends at menopause), spermatogenesis (continues for life)
Compare and contrast endocrine regulation of spermatogenesis and oogenesis.
o Both regulated by GnRH → FSH & LH.
o Oogenesis: FSH → follicle growth, LH → ovulation & corpus luteum.
o Spermatogenesis: FSH → Sertoli cells, LH → Leydig cells → testosterone.
Name the phases of the uterine (menstrual) cycle, and describe the anatomical changes in the uterine wall that occur during each phase.
o Menstrual (Days 1–5): Shedding of endometrium.
o Proliferative (Days 6–14): Estrogen causes regeneration of endometrium.
o Secretory (Days 15–28): Progesterone prepares endometrium for implantation.
Describe the correlation between the uterine and ovarian cycles.
o Follicular phase ↔ Menstrual + Proliferative
o Ovulation ↔ Day 14
o Luteal phase ↔ Secretory phase
Describe how the Testicular/Ovarian Systems connect to other organ systems
o Endocrine: Regulated by hypothalamus & pituitary hormones.
o Circulatory: Hormones travel via blood; uterus highly vascular.
o Nervous: Sensory input (e.g., clitoris), hypothalamic control of cycle.
o Immune: Mucosal immunity in reproductive tract.
