Module 6 - Female Reproductive System Part 1 Flashcards
Purpose of the female reproductive system (2)
1) Produce eggs and estrogen
2) Maintain the development of the fetus after fertilization
Female internal organs (4)
1) Ovaries
2) Oviducts
3) Uterus
4) Vaginal canal
Female external genitalia
Vulva
Ovaries (3)
1) Main reproductive organ in females
2) Two almond shaped glands
3) One on each side of the uterus, below the uterine tubes (oviducts)
Ovarian follicles (2)
1) Inside each ovary
2) Each hold an immature egg
Ovulation (2)
1) Release of a mature egg
2) Occurs about every 28 days
Corpus Luteum (2)
1) Egg is released from the ovarian follicle
2) Becomes CORPUS LUTEUM after ovulation
a) Helps maintain pregnancy if egg is fertilized
b) If no fertilization occurs, it disintegrates
The Duct System (3)
1) Oviducts (also called fallopian tubes or uterine tubes)
2) Uterus
3) Vaginal canal
Oviducts (Uterine tubes, fallopian tubes) (2)
1) Three sections:
a) Infundibulum (including the fimbriae)
b) Ampulla
c) Isthmus
2) Three layers
a) Outer serous coat
b) Middle muscular coat
c) Inner mucosa coat
Oviducts: Infundibulum (4)
Fimbriae
1) Finger-like projections on infundibulum end
2) Do not physically touch the ovaries
3) Captures egg from ovary
4) Swept into oviduct by fimbriae and cilia that line oviducts
Oviducts: Ampulla (3)
1) Egg quickly moves to this region
2) Egg is most often fertilized here
3) Nourishes zygote (fertilized egg) during early cell divisions from mucosa layer
Oviducts: Isthmus (4)
1) Muscular contractions, cilia move the egg through the isthmus toward the uterus
2) Opens into the uterus
3) Fertilized egg: delivers the developing embryo for implantation in the uterine cavity
4) Unfertilized egg into the uterine cavity for removal from body in menstrual cycle
Uterus (4)
1) Hollow, thick-walled muscular organ
2) Connects uterine tubes to the vaginal canal
3) Between the bladder and rectum
4) Forward tilted position
Uterus Layers (3)
1) Outer serous perimetrium
2) Myometrium
a) Middle, muscular layer
b) Expands during pregnancy to hold growing fetus
c) Contracts during labor
3) Endometrium
a) Inner layer
b) Embryo completes development
c) Shed monthly if female is not pregnant (menses)
Fundus (uterus) (2)
1) Upper part of the uterus
2) Height can be measured from top of pubic bone during pregnancy to determine growth rates and abnormalities
Body (uterus) (2)
1) Middle region
2) Receives fertilized egg, becomes implanted into endometrium in this region until birth
Cervix (uterus) (4)
1) Posterior region
2) Connects uterus to vaginal canal
3) Prior to ovulation:
a) Softens and secretes mucus to facilitate sperm acces to uterus
4) Pregnancy:
a) Mucus plug develops to prevent bacteria from entering uterus
b) Protects health of fetus
Vaginal canal (3)
1) Connects from small opening at the cervix to outside the body
2) Elastic muscular tube
3) Functions:
a) Receives male penis during intercourse
b) Outlet for menstrual blood during menses
c) Birth canal
Vaginal canal layers (3)
1) Inner mucosal layer
a) Lies in folds and can extend
b) Facilitates birth process and intercourse
2) Middle muscular layer
a) Allows for expansion
3) Outer (adventitia) layer)
a) Contains elastic fibers, blood vessels, lymph vessels and nerves
b) Elastic fibers help give strength and elasticity
