Reproduction 1

Question 1

Name the 6 main components of the female reproductive system

Answer 1

ovaries, uterine (fallopian) tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina and vulva

Question 2

Describe the function of the ovaries

Answer 2

production of gametes and hormones - including female sex hormones, progesterone, oestrogen, relaxin and inhibin

Question 3

Name the 3 parts that make up the structure of the ovary

Answer 3

cortex, tunica albuginea, ovarian medulla

Question 4

Describe the cortex of the ovary

Answer 4

surrounds the medulla, made from a framework of connective tissue, consists of ovarian follicles, covered by a simple layer of epithelium known as germinal epithelium

Question 5

Describe the tunica albuginea of the ovary

Answer 5

a white capsule of dense connective tissue directly inside germinal epithelium

Question 6

Describe the ovarian medulla of the ovary

Answer 6

consists of fibrous tissue, central in ovary, contains blood and lymph vessels and nerves

Question 7

Describe the ovarian cycle

Answer 7

germ cell within the ovaries become the oogonia, these divide to form germ cells and oocytes, they surround themselves with follicular cells and are know as primordial follicles - about 40,000 present in ovaries at puberty but only about 400 will be ovulated - remainder degenerate, gonadotrophins - FSH and LH from pituitary gland stimulate primordial follicles to become primary follicles, primary follicles consist of an oocyte surrounded by granulosa cells - located in cortex and secret oestrogen as follicle grows, this develops into a secondary follicle which becomes a large and fluid filled graafian follicle

Question 8

Describe the stages of follicle maturity

Answer 8

the graafian follicle ruptures to free the secondary oocyte in the process of ovulation = this is called the ovum, - released into the uterine tubes and can go on to be fertilised in the process of conception

Question 9

the remnant of the mature follicle following ovulation is called …

Answer 9

corpus luteum - produces progesterone, oestrogens, relaxin and inhibin

Question 10

what happens if there is fertilisation

Answer 10

ovum attaches itself to the endometrium which has become vascularised in preparation fro implantation of ovum, hormones continue to be secreted to aid embryonic development

Question 11

what happens if there is no fertilisation

Answer 11

no fertilisation = no implantation, hormones secretion changes and the endometrium will be shed during menstruation

Question 12

the corpus lute degenerates into scar tissue called

Answer 12

corpus albicans

Question 13

Name the 4 areas of the uterine tubes

Answer 13

Infundibulum
Fimbriae
Ampulla
Isthmus

Question 14

Describe the infundibulum of the uterine tubes

Answer 14

close to the ovary and opens into the pelvic cavity

Question 15

Describe the fimbriae of the uterine tubes

Answer 15

the end of the infundibulum, finger-like projections, one of which is attached to the lateral end of the ovary

Question 16

Describe the ampulla of the uterine tubes

Answer 16

widest, longest portion

Question 17

Describe the isthmus of the uterine tubes

Answer 17

short, narrow and thick-walled, joined to the uterus, extends laterally from the uterus, approx 10cm

Question 18

Where do all 4 areas of the uterine tubes lie

Answer 18

within the upper margins of the broad ligament

Question 19

Describe the 4 different types of ligament

Answer 19

Broad ligaments
Round ligaments
Utero-sacral ligaments
Cardinal ligaments

Question 20

Describe the broad ligaments

Answer 20

double fold of the peritoneum, attach uterus to the pelvic wall, contain blood vessels and nerves as well as uterine tubes and ovaries

Question 21

Describe the round ligaments

Answer 21

cord-like ligaments attached to the uterus just below the uterine tubes, run laterally between folds of broad ligament to lateral pelvic wall

Question 22

Describe the utero-sacral ligaments

Answer 22

connect uterus to the sacrum, originate from posterior wall of cervix and vagina, run posteriorly either side of rectum to sacrum

Question 23

Describe the cardinal ligaments

Answer 23

from cervix and upper part of vagina to lateral pelvic walls

Question 24

Describe the Uterus

Answer 24

8cm x 5cm x 2.5cm - depends on pregnancy & hormone levels (birth control pills and post menopause), pear shaped, weighing 30-40g, located in the pelvis between bladder and rectum

Question 25

Describe how the uterus is positioned

Answer 25

anteverted and anti-flexed - tipped forward anterior of cervix

Question 26

Name the 4 parts of the uterus

Answer 26

Fundus
Body
Cervix
Isthmus

Question 27

Describe the fundus of the uterus

Answer 27

dome shaped portion, superior to the uterine tubes

Question 28

Describe the body of the uterus

Answer 28

central portion, tapers towards inferior end

Question 29

Describe the cervix of the uterus

Answer 29

opens into the body of the uterus by the internal os, opens into the vagina at the external os

Question 30

Describe the isthmus of the uterus

Answer 30

constricted region, between the body of the uterus and the cervix

Question 31

Name the 3 layers that the body of the uterus consists of …

Answer 31

Perimetrium
Myometrium
Endometrium

Question 32

Describe the perimetrium layer of the body of the uterus

Answer 32

outer layer, part of peritoneum - composed of simple squamous cells and areola tissue, laterally - becomes broad ligament, anteriorly - forms pouch between uterus and bladder (vesicle-uterine pouch), posteriorly - forms pouch between uterus and rectum (recto-uterine pouch)

Question 33

Describe the myometrium layer of the body of the uterus

Answer 33

middle layer of uterus, comprised of 3 layers of smooth muscle, thickest at fundus & thinnest at cervix, responsible for contractions during labour

Question 34

Describe the endometrium layer of the body of the uterus

Answer 34

inner layer, comprised of 2 layers =
stratum functionalis - lines uterine cavity, shed during menstruation
stratum basalis - never shed, provides new functionalis layer after menstruation

Question 35

Describe the vagina

Answer 35

muscular tube, length 7.5cm, extends from uterus to vulva, angled superiorly and posteriorly - forms a 90degree angle with uterus

Question 36

Describe the fornix of the vagina

Answer 36

recess surrounding the vagina at the attachment of the cervix

Question 37

Describe the 3 layers forming the vagina

Answer 37

outer layer = loose areolar tissue containing vessels and neves
middle layer = smooth muscle
inner layer = smooth muscle consisting of stratified squamous epithelium - secretes glycogen rich fluid that maintains a low pH in vagina (3.5 - 4) - provides protection from bacteria entering

Question 38

Name the 5 parts of the vulva - the external female genitals

Answer 38

Mons pubis
Labia majora
Labia minora
Vestibule
Perineum

Question 39

Describe the mons pubis of the vulva

Answer 39

adipose tissue, covered by skin and pubic hair, cushions symphysis pubis

Question 40

Describe the labia majora of the vulva

Answer 40

2 longitudinal folds of skin, covered in pubic hair, composed of adipose tissue, sebaceous glands and sweat glands

Question 41

Describe the labia minora of the vulva

Answer 41

smaller skin folds medial to labia majora, no pubic hair or fat, v few sweat gland, many sebaceous glands

Question 42

Describe the vestibule of the vulva

Answer 42

region between labia minor, contains vaginal orifice, external urethral orifice and opening of several glands

Question 43

Describe the perineum of the vulva

Answer 43

triangular skin between posterior vulva and anus, perineal muscles strengthen walls of vagina and supports pelvic floor