Module 3: Female Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology Flashcards
define sexual anatomy
external and internal genital sex organs
list the major functions of the female genitalia
- produce ova
- produce estrogen and progesterone
- provide for the reception of sperm, movement of sperm, and the site of fertilization
- provide a location for fetal development
- carry out the birth process
- provide sexual pleasure
define sexual physiology
vascular, hormonal, and central nervous system processes involved in genital functioning
list the anatomical features of the breast
- pectoralis (chest) muscle
- stroma
- lobes of the mammary glands
- lactiferous ducts
- lactiferous sinuses
what is the function of the pectoralis muscle in the breast
where breast tissue anchors to the body
why do women have less defined pectoralis muscles
- women have less testosterone
- testosterone contributes to the development of muscles
what are the components of the stroma in the breast
- suspensory ligaments
- adipose tissue
what is the function of suspensory ligaments in the breast
- anchor breast tissue to the pectoralis muscle and the body
- hold mammary tissue in place
what is the function of the stroma in the breast
give the breast shape
what part of the breast makes up the majority of breast tissue
stroma
what is the function of the lobes of the mammary glands
produce milk
what is the function of the lactiferous ducts
carry milk from the lobes of the mammary glands to the lactiferous sinuses
what is the function of the lactiferous sinuses
where milk is stored until expressed (breastfeeding/pumping)
what hormone promotes milk production
prolactin
what hormone promotes the excretion of milk
oxytocin
describe the nipple
- made of erectile tissue
- can vasocongest when aroused
- erogenous zone: can be pleasurable when stimulated
what are three situations where the nipple will vasocongest
- breastfeeding
- arousal
- cold
where are breast implants placed
under the pectoralis muscle
what happens to the breast during a breast reduction
- removal of adipose tissue and skin
- the nipple is shifted upwards
define gynecomastia
male breast tissue growth
what are the causes of gynecomastia
low testosterone (aging, anabolic steroid injections)
what is the purpose of bras
distribute the weight of bras across the shoulders and away from the back
describe why long-term usage of sports bras can be dangerous
- sports bras are compression garments
- will compress structures surrounding the breast including the lymphatic system
- lymph can get back up and create cysts
list the anatomical features of the vulva
- mons veneris
- labia majora
- labia minora
- clitoris
- vaginal opening
- urethral opening
what does mons mean
mountain
what does veneris mean
venus/love
what does pubis mean
to become covered with hair
who do the terms mons veneris and mons pubis refer to
- mons veneris: female
- mons pubis: unisex
describe the mons veneris
- fat pad above the pubic bone for protection and cushioning
- area covered with the most pubic hair to reduce friction
should you remove pubic hair
removal of pubic hair is entirely a personal choice
what does labia mean
lips
what does majora mean
large/major
what does minora mean
small/minor
describe the labia majora
- outermost lips
- typically join in the center when standing
- encloses sensitive structures of the vulva for protection
describe the labia minora
- innermost lips
- below the clitoris and above the urethral opening
- may extend beyond the labia majora, may be unsymmetrical
- additional layer of protection for the urethral and vaginal openings
where is the clitoris located
- just below the labia majora
- under the clitoral hood
what covered the clitoris when unaroused and why
- clitoral hood
- protection
what is the function of the clitoris
pleasure
describe the innervation of the clitoris
- contains millions of nerves
- most densely packed site of nerves on the female body
describe what happens to the clitoris and the clitoral hood when aroused
- both vasocongest (fill with blood)
- clitoris doubles in size
- clitoral hood retracts to reveal more surface of the clitoris
what are the analogous structures in men for the clitoris and the clitoral hood
- clitoris analogous to the head of the penis
- clitoral hood analogous to the foreskin
what is the size of the clitoris when unaroused and aroused
- unaroused: 1/2 inch
- aroused: 1-2 inches
describe the entire structure of the clitoris
- external portion is small under the clitoral hood
- internal portion is much larger, wishbone shape extending around the vagina
what percent of women need clitoral stimulation to orgasm
70%
describe the vaginal opening
- located under the urethral opening
- may be covered by the hymen
- opens to the vagina
- where period blood exits and a penis may enter
describe the urethral opening
- above the vaginal opening
- where urine is expelled
why are UTIs more common in women than men
- the urethral opening is located in a dark, moist, and warm environment
- perfect place for bacterial growth
why are bladder infections more common in women
- the female urethra is short than the male urethra
- bacteria will have a shorter distance to travel to get to the bladder
what is the best way to prevent UTIs
proper hygiene
list ways to prevent UTIs
- wash the vulva with soap and water
- pee after sex, masturbation, or a bath
- 100% cranberry juice (or supplement) everyday
- wear breathable underwear (cotton)
describe why peeing after sex or a bath can prevent UTIs
the acidic urine will flush bacteria out of the urethra and kill them
how does drinking cranberry juice prevent UTIs
cranberry juice may lower the pH (make more acidic) of urine
describe the hymen
- tissue surrounding the vaginal opening
- is considered external because it can be visualized with an external exam
- vascularized and innervated
what is the function of the hymen
there is no function
what are the only two species with a hymen
- humans
- horses
what is the only purpose of the hymen in human society
cultural and social association with virginity
describe why rupture of the hymen may bleed and be painful
the hymen is highly vascularized and innervated
does the hymen regenerate after rupture
no
describe the vestibular bulb
- erectile tissue that lines the outside of the vaginal opening
- vasocongests during arousal, making the vaginal opening slightly smaller
what is the purpose of the vestibular bulb congesting and making the vaginal opening smaller during arousal
it increases pressure and friction on the penis which increases pleasure
what is the technical name for the G spot
grafenberg spot
where is the g spot located
- 1-2 inches inside the vagina
- on the anterior surface of the vagina
describe how the g spot differs from the rest of the vagina
- is more sensitive
- has a different texture (more firm)
is the perineum part of the vulva
- no
- not a reproductive organ
describe the perineum
- tissue between the vaginal opening and the anus
- 1-2 inches in length in females, longer in men (from scrotum to anus)
what anatomical structures are in female internal genitalia
- vagina
- cervix
- uterus
- fallopian tubes
- ovaries
describe the vagina
a hollow, muscular, and tube-shaped organ
how long is the vagina when unaroused and aroused
- unaroused: 3-4 inches
- aroused 7-8 inches
describe how the vagina doubles in length during arousal
suspensory ligaments at the top of the uterus contract during arousal which lengthens the vagina
describe the cervix
- lowest portion of the uterus
- stops things from entering the uterus
- usually stays tightly closed
what are the 3 times where the cervix will dilate
- childbirth: dilation up to 10 cm
- period: very small dilation to let blood and tissue through
- orgasm: very small dilation to let sperm through
describe the texture of the cervix
similar to the texture of the tip of the nose
when would the texture of the cervix be different than normal
- cervical cancer or other abnormality
- during labor: thinning and effacement
describe the uterus
- hollow and muscular organ
- size of a loose fist
- consists of the perimetrium, myometrium, and endometrium
describe the endometrium
- innermost surface of the uterus
- thickens during the menstrual cycle
- sheds blood and tissue during a period
- supports a fetus when pregnant
what helps to form the placenta
- endometrium
- embryo
describe the myometrium
- the middle layer of the uterus
- long muscle fibers
- responsible for contractions (period cramps, labor)
describe the perimetrium
outermost superficial later of the uterus
describe endometriosis
endometrium forming outside of the uterus
what are treatments for endometriosis
- birth control (stops endometrium from growing)
- surgical removal of endometrium or uterus
describe the fundus of the uterus
- uppermost and widest portion of the uterus
- where the fallopian tubes attach to the uterus
what are the three ligaments attached to the uterus
- suspensory
- round
- broad
what is the function of suspensory ligaments in the uterus
make the uterus move up
what is the function of round ligaments in the uterus
anchors the uterus in place in the body
what is the function of broad ligaments in the uterus
- holds the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries in place
- prevents uterus from rotating
how many periods will a women have in her lifetime
475
what is the function of cilia in fallopian tubes
help to move the egg towards the uterus
what is the site of fertilization
fallopian tubes
how long does it take the egg to reach the uterus
a couple days
are the fallopian tubes and ovaries connected
no
describe the diameter of fallopian tubes
diameter of a spaghetti noodle
where is a common place for ectopic pregnancies to implant and why is this not viable
- fallopian tubes
- has no endometrium, fallopian tubes are not meant to stretch and may rupture
describe the size of an ovary
size of an almond
what are the 2 main functions of the ovaries
- produce ova
- produce female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone)
what does estrogen and progesterone do
- both: develop secondary sex characteristics
- estrogen: stimulates growth of uterine lining
- progesterone: stimulates follicles of ovary to grow/develop
describe estrogen and progesterone levels during the menstrual cycle
- low estrogen and progesterone after period
- estrogen and progesterone slowly start to climb following period
- peak estrogen and progesterone right before period
explain one reason why progesterone climbs following ovulation
the egg begins to secrete its own progesterone once ovulated
how many eggs does a women have when born
- all eggs she will have for her lifetime
- millions of eggs
describe the process of egg maturation and release
- eggs grows within a fluid filled cyst in the ovary
- cyst ruptures and the egg is released into the pelvic region
- fimbriae on the distal ends of fallopian tubes sweep around and collect the egg
how many eggs are released during each month/cycle
1000 eggs
define follicular attrition
- an egg follicle failing to develop
- happens many times during each month/cycle
what happens to eggs that fail to develop (follicular attrition) during ovulation
they are reabsorbed by the body
how long are mature eggs viable for after release
24 hours
why do you need to move to the edge of the exam table during a well woman exam
tilts the pelvis for better visualization
how long does a well woman exam usually take
5 minutes
what might make a well woman exam take longer than 5 minutes
if you have a tilted uterus
list three different types of pelvic examinations
- external exam
- speculum exam
- bimanual exam
describe an external pelvic exam
- visual exam
- ensure that reproductive organs look normal in size, shape, and location
describe a speculum pelvic exam
- internal exam
- observe for organ normalcy
- speculum is inserted into the vagina to open the vaginal walls
what is visualized during a speculum exam
- cervix
- vaginal walls
what material did speculums used to be made of and what are the made of now
- used to be metal
- are now single use disposable plastic
what is the advantage to single use disposable speculums
- no cleaning required
- allows clinician to visualize the vaginal walls
what is the purpose of a pap smear
obtain cervical cells to check for cervical cancer
what instrument is used to collect cervical cells during a pap smear
brush or ayre spatula
where are cervical cells collected from
- external cervix
- cervical os
define cervical dysplasia
- abnormal cervical cells
- precancerous cells
is a pap smear a screening or diagnostic tool
screening
what procedure is done to diagnose cervical cancer
colposcopy
what causes cervical cancer
HPV
how often should you get a pap smear if you are sexually active
every year
when should you get your first pap smear
- 21 if sexually active
- 25 if not sexually active
- earlier if you are experiencing problems
describe a bimanual pelvic exam
- to feel for abnormalities in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus
- internal organ normalcy
- palpation based
- two fingers of one hand placed inside the vagina pushing upwards, one hand placed above the pubic bone pushing down
what should you feel in a normal bimanual exam
- not much
- nothing should feel hard or protruding
is a bimanual exam a screening or diagnostic tool
screening
what is used as a diagnostic tool for internal organ normalcy
ultrasound
who created the female sexual response cycle
masters and johnson
when did masters and johnson create the female sexual response cycle
research in the 1950s
what are the 4 phases of the female sexual response cycle
- excitement
- plateau
- orgasm
- resolution
does the resolution phase take more or less time if there is no orgasm
takes more time
describe the excitement phase of the female sexual response cycle
- arousal
- body preparing for sex
what are the physical changes that occur during the excitement phase of the female sexual response cycle
- vaginal lubrication begins within 10-15 seconds of stimulation
- labia majora and minora darken as they vasocongest
- clitoris engorges with blood and increases in size and length
- uterus and cervix pull away from the vagina as suspensory ligaments contract
- breasts swell and nipples become erect and more sensitive
- sex flush
describe the vaginal lubrication that is excreted during the excitement phase of the female sexual response cycle
- clear and slippery
- important for insertion and a vessel for sperm
describe sex flush
- blood moving to surface tissues
- darkening of the skin
- often starts in the chest area
describe the plateau phase of the female sexual response cycle
preparing for orgasm
what are the physical changes that occur during the plateau phase of the female sexual response cycle
- vagina continues to expand/elongate
- uterus elevates into the abdomen via suspensory ligaments
- secretions occur from the Bartholin’s glands
- breasts continue to enlarge
- sex flush may continue to spread
describe the vaginal lubrication that is excreted during the plateau phase of the female sexual response cycle
- from Bartholin’s glands
- mucus along the sides of the vaginal canal
- lubrication and vessel for sperm
- more opaque
- slippery
what are the physical changes that occur during the orgasm phase of the female sexual response cycle
- rhythmic contractions of the uterine walls (3-15)
- involuntary muscle spasms in the hands, back, etc.
- vasocongestion and myotonia (muscle tension) release as blood leaves the tissue
- respiration and heart rate increase
- blood pressure increases
- phenylethylamine (PEA) and oxytocin are released
how many uterine contractions make up an orgasm and which are the most intense
- 3-15 total contractions
- the first 3-6 are the most intense
what is the purpose of phenylethylamine (PEA) and oxytocin being released during orgasm
- feel good chemicals
- makes you feel good
what are the physical changes that occur during the resolution phase of the female sexual response cycle
- vasocongestion and myotonia dissipate rapidly
- uterus returns to unaroused state as suspensory ligaments relax
- labia majora and minora return to their normal size and shape
- swelling of breasts disappears
why are arousal states longer for women than men
women need more time for vaginal lubrication to be made and secreted
why is the resolution phase longer for women than men
- more structures vasocongest in women during arousal
- it takes longer for all the blood to leave these structures
define refractory period
time for body to get ready for another orgasm
why do men have refractory periods but women do not
- males must remake the contents of semen
- women do not need to remake any ejaculatory elements
