Reproductive Flashcards
What are the internal female organs?
Ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, vagina
What are the external female organs?
(Vulva)
labia majora and minora, clitoris
What is the function of ovaries?
Produce and secrete estrogen and progesterone
Store oocytes and release as ovum at ovulation
What are the regions of the ovaries and their function?
Ovarian medulla (inner) has network of vessels, lymph vessels and nerves
Ovarian cortex (outer) houses follicles which contain oocytes
What is the function of fallopian tubes?
Pathway for ovum to travel from ovary to uterus
Site of fertilisation
Lumen has peg cells to nourish ovum and sperm
Outer muscles generate peristaltic movements
What is the inner lining of the uterus?
Endometrium
Outer stratum basalis adheres to myometrium
Inner stratum functionalis develops vascular network and is shed at menses
What is the middle layer of the uterus?
Myometrium
Thick layer of smooth muscle
Contract during and after birth
What is the outer layer of the uterus?
Perimetrium
Protective layer continuous with other organs
Secretes lubricant to prevent friction injury
Describe the cervix
Narrow portion joining uterus to vagina
Internal os joins uterus to cervix
External os joins cervix to vagina
Secretes mucus which changes throughout the cycle
How does the cervix change during pregnancy?
Produces thick secretions forming a mucus plug which prevents pathogen entry
When the cervix thins and dilates during labour the plug dislodges = bloody show
Describe the vagina
Elastic and muscular passage
Internal mucosal lining
Middle muscular layer
Outer tough connective tissue layer
What is pelvic inflammatory disease?
STI results in inflammation of internal organs
SX: pain, discharge, fever
Risk fertility and future pregnancies
What is the purpose of menstruation?
To prepare the uterus for a pregnancy
28 day average cycle
4-6 day menses
What is menarche?
First period
What is phase 1 of the menstrual cycle?
Day 1-5
Menstrual phase
Endometrium sheds
What is phase 2 of the menstrual cycle?
Day 6-13
Follicular phase
Pituitary releases FSH to stimulate several follicles to develop
Developing follicles release estrogen which causes endometrium to thicken
One dominant follicle emerges and continues to develop
What is phase 3 of the menstrual cycle?
Day 14
Ovulation
Surge of LH from pituitary triggers follicle to release matured ova into fallopian tube for fertilisation
What is phase 4 of the menstrual cycle?
Day 15-28
Luteal phase
Ruptured follicle becomes a corpus luteum which produces progesterone stimulating the uterus to increase in vasculature and thickness
If fertilisation does not occur, the corpus luteum degrades to a luteum albicans so less hormones are produced and the cycle begins again with low hormone levels
If fertilisation does occur, the trophoblast secretes human chorionic gonadotropin to support pregnancy and interrupt the cycle
What is menopause?
Permanent cessation of menstrual cycle after 12 consecutive months without menses
Ovaries produce less hormones creating symptoms and affecting bone/cardiac health
Perimenopause is transition phase when hormones start to fluctuate and periods are irregular
How does reproduction occur?
Sperm reaches ovum
Attaches to receptor triggering a change so no other sperm can attach
Sperm releases enzyme to break down zona pellucida (protective layer)
Sperm enters and combines genetic material = zygote formed
Zygote undergoes process to become blastocyst and implants in uterus