Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Reproduction > Physiology of Pregnancy > Flashcards

Physiology of Pregnancy Flashcards

1
Q

T/F the fetus is susceptible to teratogens in the first 1-2 weeks of pregnancy

A

False; the first ‘2 weeks of pregnancy’ are days 1-14 (ovulation) and actually before conception; during days 14-28 (4 weeks pregnant) teratogens are not thought to have effects because the organ systems don’t start developing until 4 weeks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Early pregnancy is considered to be

A

weeks 3-4, ie after conception (4 weeks from LMP)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Embryonic phase is from week

A

3-8 (5-10 from LMP)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Fetal phase is from week

A

9-38 (term; 11-40 from LMP)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Congenital malformations to organ systems are programmed during what phase of development?

A

Embryonic phase - weeks 3-8 from conception

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

The fetus is considered to be fully functioning at the end of week

A

8 (10 since LMP)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

The foetal period is characterized by

A

exponential growth and maturation of the organ systems

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Issues that face growth and development during the fetal period result in

A

functional deficits in the organ systems; can be some minor morphological abnormalities

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Human chorionic gonadotropin is produced by

A

the trophoblast (becomes placenta)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

The membranes surrounding the fetus are

A

amnion (inner) and chorion (outer)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

The role of the fetal membranes is

A

protect fetus and allow fluid transfer (but mainly goes through umbilical cord)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

The umbilical vein carries __________ blood and the umbilical arteries (2) carry ________ blood

A

vein carries the oxygenated blood; 2 arteries carry deoxygenated blood (and waste products)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

The placenta is formed from

A

trophoblast cells that invade the endometrium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are blood lakes within the placenta?

A

invasion of trophoblast cells into the endometrium breaks down uterine blood vessels and arterioles forming lakes; chorionic vili contain embryonic blood vessels (foetal capillaries) extending into the lakes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the purpose of formation of blood lakes?

A

These regions are safe from vasoactive/vasoconstrictive agents affecting the mother (eg stress, exercise, increased BP) tf the fetal blood supply is not affected by them (exception is pre-eclampsia)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Amniotic fluid is composed of

A

urine, liquid from lungs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

T/F the gut is inactive during development

A

False; it is fully functioning though nutrition comes via teh umbilical vein; the foetus swallows amniotic fluid which helps with development

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

T/F the kidneys are functional during development

A

True; they are producing urine that goes into the amniotic sac; waste products still exit via umbilical arteries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Amniotic fluid functions

A

as a buffer; allows foetal movements and growth; development of GI

20
Q

Oligohydramnios

A

low amniotic fluid volume; can be detrimental to foetal growth, lung growth, and movements

21
Q

Placental function surmises which organ systems?

A

Lungs, kidneys, GIT

22
Q

T/F exercise is dangerous in pregnancy

A

False; as long as uteroplacental blood flow is regulated and maintained and blood flow is not shunted excessively to muscles

23
Q

Which hormones are produced by the placenta?

A

hCG, human placental lactogen (hPL), estrogen and progesterone

24
Q

hCG from the placenta functions to

A

rescue the corpus luteum so it can take over for LH and FSH which have declined

25
Q

human placental lactogen (hPL) from the placenta functions

A

in breast development and maternal metabolic effects

26
Q

Estrogen and progesterone from the placenta function

A

essentially for almost all of the pregnancy adaptations and maintenance; major role in breast development

27
Q

Other hormones produced by the placenta include

A

growth factors, CRH, ACTH

28
Q

Monozygotic twins arise from

A

one zygote that splits and forms 2 embryos; tf they are genetically identical and the same sex because they come from a single fertilized ovum

29
Q

Dizygotic (fraternal) twins arise from

A

2 oocytes ovulated and fertilized by 2 separate sperm; tf they are non genetically identical and can be the same or different sex

30
Q

Development and maturation of organ systems through the foetal period is largely driven by

A

cortisol

31
Q

What must occur prior to labour?

A

Maturation of the fetal organs and softening of the cervix

32
Q

What must occur during labour?

A

dilation of cervix (1ocm); rhythmic uterine contractions of the myometrium (outer muscle layer); once initiated maintained by positive feedback - eg oxytocin

33
Q

Parturition is triggered by

A

CRH, ACTH cascade, hormones from placenta and fetus, cervical stretch as the baby drops lower in the uterus, oxytocin from the posterior pituitary (uterine contraction and lactation), prostaglandins from the uterine wall stimulate contractions

34
Q

What is the role of cervical stretch in parturition?

A

As the fetus drops lower in the uterus, the cervix stretches, upregulating oxytocin release from the posterior pituitary and triggering uterine contraction that furthers cervical stretch

35
Q

What is the role of oxytocin in parturition?

A

Triggers uterine contractions and prostaglandin release from the uterine wall in response to stretch of the cervix; contraction to deliver the placenta

36
Q

What is the role of prostaglandins in parturition?

A

Stimulated release from uterine wall by oxytocin, facilitate uterine contraction

37
Q

During pregnancy, ___________ stimulate development of mammary glands

A

estrogen, GH, cortisol

38
Q

Late in pregnancy, ________ stimulates conversion of mammary ducts to _____________

A

progesterone; secretory epithelia capable of producing milk

39
Q

Before birth, lactation

A

is suppressed by prolactin-inhibiting hormone (PIH); milk production is inhibited by high estrogen and progesterone

40
Q

After birth, lactation

A

is stimulated by high levels of prolactin and low levels of estrogen

41
Q

What is the benefit of breast milk?

A

It contains all the nutrients and immunity needed specifically by the infant to survive

42
Q

Suckling inhibits

A

PIH

43
Q

Prolactin stimulates

A

production of milk

44
Q

Oxytocin in lactation stimulates

A

milk ejection in response to suckling

45
Q

Lactation inhibits ______ which inhibits _________

A

GnRH - the ovarian cycle and ovulation to prevent another pregnancy - natural birth spacing

46
Q

Suckling stimulates

A

inhibition of PIH/production of prolactin to stimulate milk production (next feed) and oxytocin for milk ejection (current feed)

Reproduction (11 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions