Reproductive - Female System Flashcards
function of the uterine tubes?
receives oocyte after fertilisation, wafts sperm using its cilia towards the oocyte
ampulla is the site of fertilisation
function of the uterus?
protects and nourishes foetus - uterine endometrial wall is the site of implantation for the day 6-8 blastocyst
function of clitoris?
stimulation causes arousal, has potential to facilitate conception
function of ovary?
production of oocyte and hormones - oestrogen and progesterone
a female is born with all the oocytes she’ll ever have
describe the process of fertilisation and oocyte development in ovaries
oocyte is surrounded by granulosa cells which rapidly multiply - produce hormones that stimulate oocyte growth
one follicle dominates each menstrual cycle - antrum grows between granulosa cells and expands, producing a mature, dominant follicle with a large antrum
mature oocyte is released and caught by fimbriae of uterine tube - have very little muscle, lots of secretory mucosa to secrete substances via glands and communicate with potentially fertilised oocyte
oocyte is released from follicle which collapses and forms the corpus luteum - produces high progesterone to help maintain uterine conditions for pregnancy
divisions of the uterine tube & structural differences and functions?
fimbriae, infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus
fimbriae = finger-like projections, capture oocyte released from ovary
infundibulum = highly convoluted secretory mucosa, little muscle - opens funnel on lateral side of the tube
ampulla = more muscle, a little less secretory mucosa - widest part of tube, site of fertilisation
isthmus = thinnest part of tube, lots of muscle and very little mucosa - important in movement of uterine tube
describe the structure of the uterus
consists of fundus, body, uterine cavity; cervix is an inferior aspect
uterine cavity is where fertilised egg enters before it implants
uterine wall consists of perimetrium, myometrium and endometrium
perimetrium = outer serous later covering the uterus
myometrium = thick muscular later of circular, longitudinal and figure-8 fibres for childbirth contractions
endometrium = inner mucous layer and site of implantation; thickness changes through menstrual cycle
describe the cervix - associated structures, the effects of childbirth on shape?
vagina is an inferior aspect - going upwards: external os, cervical canal, internal os
external os = constricted opening of communication between cervical canal and vagina
internal os = constricted opening of communication between cervical canal and uterus
childbirth - nulliparous women have a small and round external os, multiparous = slit
describe the vagina
canal for menstruation & birth, receives penis during sex
area of vaginal cavity surrounding the cervix consists of
- anterior, posterior, left and right lateral fornixes (4)
what is the angle of anteflexion?
the axis of the uterus body bending forwards with cervical axis
what is the angle of anteversion?
the axis of the cervix bending forwards with vaginal axis
describe the peritoneum associated with female reproductive organs - function? clinical significance?
peritoneal membrane is a serous lining; covers the top surface of internal genitalia, folds around uterus and creates the rectouterine and uterovesical pouches
function = produces a fluid which helps prevent friction
clinical significance = fluid it produces can build up in pouches during infection
name & describe the two pouches associated with the uterus
uterovesical pouch & rectouterine pouch
uterovesical - potential space between bladder and uterus
rectouterine - potential space between rectum and uterus; can be palpate by transvaginal digital exam
describe the structure of the clitoris
has internal and external parts - important in sexual pleasure and potentially is more welcoming to sperm when stimulated
from anterior to posterior - body, glands, crus, bulb of vestibule, greater vestibular glands
body = composed of two tubes of erectile tissue called corpus cavernosa - they separate and attach to the pubic bone as the crus
glans = non-erectile tissue, exposed by retracting prepuce
crus = erectile tissue/ corpus cavernosa attached to pubic bone
bulb of vestibule = erectile tissue that wraps around the urethra and distal vagina
greater vestibular glands = secrete fluid during arousal for lubrication
describe the structure of external female genitalia
mons pubis = area of skin above the vulva - separates as two fatty folds on other side for the labia majora
labia minora further midline to vagina
from anterior to posterior - mons pubis, prepuce, glands clitoris, external urethral meatus, vestibule of vagina, vaginal orifice, hymen
prepuce = glans clitoris
external urethral meatus = opening of the urethra
vestibule of vagina = between left and right labia minora
hymen = ring-like fold of membrane
