Reproductive System Flashcards
Female Reproductive System
Includes internal organs such as the ovaries, oviducts (fallopian/uterine tubes), uterus and vagina and external genitalia called the vulva
- This system must produce eggs, estrogen and maintain the development of a fetus after fertilization occurs
Ovaries
- the main reproductive organ in females
- are 2 almond shaped glands located on each side of the uterus below the uterine tubes
Ovarian Follicles
- hold an immature egg that are inside each ovary
Ovulation
is the release of a mature egg that occurs about every 28 days
Ovarian Cycle
An egg is released from the ovarian follicles, which becomes the corpus luteum after ovulation
closley integrated w/ menstrual cycle
ovaries release progesterone and estrogen that cause changes in the endometrium of uterus, preparing for fertlization
Corpus luteum
- is what the egg becomes after ovulation
- helps maintain pregnacy if an egg is fertilized; if not it disintegrates
Oviducts
- also known as the uterine or fallopian tubes that extend from the ovaries to the uterus
- each tube contains the infundibulum, ampulla, and isthmus
- each tube contains 3 coats: an outer serous coat, a middle muscular coat and an inner mucosa coat
Fimbrae
- are finger-like projectings on the infundibulum end of the oviducts that are farther from the uterus
- they capture an egg from the ovary during ovulation
- when an egg (oocyte) bursts from the follicle within an ovary during ovulation, its cilia sweep the egg into the oviduct
Ampulla
- After the egg is swept by the fimbrae into the lining of the oviducts, the egg quickly moves here
- site where most fertilization occurs
- it noursishes the zygote during early cell division by the mucusoa layer which provides noursing fluid
Isthmus
- after the next several days, muscualr contractions and cilia move the egg from the ampulla through here and toward the uterus
- it opens into the uterus, delivering the developing embryo into the uterine cavity when implantation is ready
Uterus
- is a hollow, thick-walled muscular organ that is shaped like an inverted pear that connects to the uterine tubes and the vagina
- it is positioned in a forward-tilt btw the bladder and rectum
- contains 3 layers: the outer serous perimetrium, the middle muscular myometrium, and inner glandular endometrium
- can be divided into 3 regions called the fundus, body and cervix
muscular myometrium
Expands during pregnancy to hold the growing fetus
contracts during labor to push the baby out of uterus
Inner endometrium layer
where the embryo completes development
this layer sheds monthly, every 28 days if the female is not pregnant
mensutruation/menses
when the inner endometrium layer is shed monthly if female is not pregnant
Fundus
is the upper part of the uterus
the height of which can be measured from the top of the pubic bone during pregnancy to provide growth rates or abnormalities (breech presentation/ twins)
Body
is the middle section of the uterus that receives the fertilized ovum
- ovum becomes implanted in the endometrium to receive nourishment and developms into an embryo to a festus and gestate until childbirth
Cervix
- is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina and changes in size and texture
- prior to ovulation, it swells, softens and secretes mucus to allow sperm better access and viability in the uterus
- when pregnant, a mucus plug develops here and prevents bacteria or pathgoens from entering the uterus to protect the health of the fetus
- its closed firmness holds the fetus until it reaches full term
vaginal canal
small opening at the cervix that leads here
vagina
is an elastic muscular tube that leads from the cervix of the uterus to outside the body
- its wall contains an inner tissue layer, intermediate muscle layer and outer tissue layer
- remains wet and moist by mucus from the cervix
- elastic fibers give the wall strength and elasticity
- its mucosal lining folds and extends, which is important during birth and facilitating in intercourse
vulva
external genitatlia of the vagina that contains the mons pubis, vestibule, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, urethral and vaginal orifices
Mons Pubis
is a fat pad located in front of the pubic symphisis that is covered with pubic hair after puberty
Vestibule
surrounds the urethral and vaginal orifces
labia majora
is an outer fold of skin located posterior to the mons pubis
labia minora
second fold of skin surrounded by the labia majora
clitoris
is at the anterior end of labia majora
orifices
openings for the uretha and vagina located inside the labia minora
mammary glands
female breast tissue that contains 1-2 dozen lobules, each with a mammary duct
mammary duct
begins at the nipple and divides into numerous other ducts ending in blind sacs called alveoli
in non-lactating breasts, the ducts outnember alveoli since alveoli are made of cells to produce milk
lactation
is milk production
not produced during pregnancy because prolactin, which is needed for milk production, is suppressed by estrogen and progesterone
colostrum
breasts produce a watery, yellowish-white fluid that contains a higher concentration of protein prior to milk production
oogenesis
is the production of eggs in the ovaries that occur during development of the fetus in the womb and is completed by birth
- all females are born with immautre eggs that she will ovulate during her reproductive lifetime from puberty to menopause
menopause
is the end of a females reproductive lifetime which is around her 50th
oogonia
are female stem cells that undergo mitotic division into 2 daughter cells called primary oocytes
primary oocytes
are 2 daughter cells produced by mitosis from female stem cells (oogonia) that are covered by follicles called primary follicles
primary follicles
are primary occytes covered by follicles (fluid sacs containing an egg) that is completed by birth
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Is a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland when a female reaches puberty
it causes a few follicles to mature each month
secondary oocyte
is one of the daughter cells that are produced when the primary oocyte in the follicle undergoes first meiotic division
needs the cytoplasm from the polar body in case of fertilization
since a lot of cellular energy is needed to sustain life during the first several cell divisions, it needs to maintain as much of the cell contents as possible
if it is united w/ sperm, second meitoic division occurs that produces a second polar body and ovum w/ 23 chromosomes. The ovum and sperm form a fertlized egg w/ 46 chromosomes
first polar body
is a daughter cell that was produced when the primary oocyte in the follicle undergoes first meiotic division
this is produced so that the chromosomes divide properly, but all the cytoplasm is given to the secondary oocyte in case of fertlization
since the first one may not undergo a 2nd meiotic division, females produce 2-3 more and a viable gamete (ovum) w/ 23 chromosomes
luteinizing hormone (LH)
Is a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland during ovulation that causes the follicle to become the corpus luteum (which is necessary for maintaining pregnancy)
estrogen
is a hormone produced by the ovaries important in the production of eggs and menstrual cycle and responsible for secondary sex characteristics
secondary sex characterisitcs involve enlarged breasts, widening of the pelvis, fat deposits in hips, breasts and buttocks
progesterone
is a hormone produced by the ovaries necessary for maintaining pregnancy, but doesn’t promote secondary sexual characterisitcs
menstrual cycle (uterine cycle)
- ovaries release estrogen and progesterone that prepares the uterus for implantation if fertilization occurs; if not, the endometrium is shed
- can be divided into 3 phases: the menstrual phase, proliferative phase and secretory phase
menstrual phase
begins on day 1 when all but the innermost basal layer of the endometrium is shed and continues through day5
- the detached tissue of the endometrium & blood flow from uterus into vagina and exit the body via the vaginal orifice known as the menstrual flow
proliferative phase
occurs during days 6-14 as the endometrium rebuilds in reponse to increasing estrogen levels
ovulation typically occurs on day 14, tiggered when the anterior pituitary releases LH as a response to high levels of estrogen
secretory phase
final phase of the cycle which occurs on days 15-28
- the corpus luteum begins to secrete progesterone that causes an increased blood supply in the uterus and secretion of nutrients, preparing uterus for implantation
- if corpus luteum dies if not fertlized, the endometrium blood supply decreases due to decreases progeserone, which begins the menstrual phase again
male reproductive system
includes the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral glands, urethra and penis
Gonads
are male paired testes which are suspended within fascia sacs of the scrotum
testes
are one of the main organs of the male reproductive system
function to produce sperm and testosterone
begin development inside the abdominal cavity, but descend into scrotal sacs as development proceeds
Testosterone
a hormone produced by interstitial cells inside the connective tissues
function of the male reproductive system that begins during puberty wen anterior pituityar gland secretets LH and FSH
stimulates secondary sex characterisitcs such as broad shoulders, deep voice, increased muscle, bone density and hair growth
seminiferous tubules
are the site of sperm production
each testis contain hundreds of lobules, and each lobule contains several of these
epididymis
tightly coiled tubules that start at the superior end of the testes and travel inferiorly along posteriror lateral side of testes
sperm travel here once produced where they mature and remain until expelled out of the body
sperm mature for 20 days until gain ability to swim
sterility
is the inability to produce gametes, which occurs if testes don’t descent into scrotum
sperm production require a cooler environemnt than body temp.
male duct system
contains the accessory organs of the male reproductive system, the epididymis, vas deferens and urethra
vas deferens
sperm is propelled by muscular contractions once matured
- contained in the spermatic cord and held in place by the spermatic fascia
- travels
Spermatic fascia
- surrounds the vas deferens as well as other nerves and blood vessels
- holds the vas deferens in place
inguinal canal
- is the location in the anterior abdominal wall for the spermatic cord to enter
- the vas deferens travels inside spermatic cord superioly via here
ejaculatory duct
is formed when the vas deferens descents at the base of the prostate gland and connects with the duct of the seminal vesicle
connects with the urethra to provide an exit for sperm
vasectomy
- procedure in which the vas deferens is cut and tied off
- permanently prevents sperm from exiting the body
- doesn’t affect testosterone production
male urethra
travels from bladder through the penis carrying urine
part of male reproductive and urinary systems; both cant happen at once
consists of 3 regions: prostatic urethra, membranous urethra and spongy urethra
prostatic urethra
surrounded by the prostate gland
membranous urethra
begins at the end of the prostatic urethra and travels to the penis
spongy urethra
runs through the penis and opens to the outside at the external orifice
penis
is a cylindrical organ that hangs in front of the scrotum
spongy, erectile tissue that contains distensible blood spaces and extends through the shaft
made up of the shaft and glans penis
shaft
is a long cylindrical part of the penis that is made up of a left and right corpus cavernosum and one corpus spongiosum
glans penis
is the enlarged tip of the penis
at birth, a fold of skin called the foreskin is located here
erection
during arousal, the nervoys system reflexes cause increased arterial blood flow to the penis in which spaces fill w/ blood in erectile tissue
the penis stiffens and increases in size
enables penis to be inserted into vagina when sexually aroused
scrotum
is a poutch of skin that holds the testes outside the body posterior to penis; held in place by the spermatic fascia
skin can adjust to outside temp, contracting when outside temp is cold, allowing sperm to get additional heat from body and expanding when temp are warm to keep sperm away from higher body temp.
semen
is a thick, whitish fluid that contains sperm and accessory gland secretions
about 200-500 million are expelled during ejaculation
semen components
- fructose (sugar for fuel)
- prostaglandins (Facilitate movement)
- relaxin (an alkalin pH that enhances movement)
- antibiotic (to kill bacteria in male urethra or female reproductive system that would kill sperm)
seminal vesicles
pairs that lie at the base of the bladder that join w/ vas deferens to form an ejaculatory duct that enters the urethra
- secrete a thick, viscous fluid containing nutrients (vitamin C, fructose and prostaglandins) for use by sperm
3 glands that contribute to semenal fluids
seminal vesicles, prostate and bulbourethral glands
prostate gland
located below the bladder that secretes a milky, alkaline fluid that helps to increase the mobility of sperm
may become enlargened in men; constricting uretrha and making urination slow or difficult
bulbourethral glands
pair of small glands located slightly below the prostate gland on either side of urethra
secrete an alkaline fluid that neutralizes the acididty of urine that may be inside urethra (acididty may be detrimental to sperm)
spermatogenesis
production of sperm that can take 64-72 days to complete
starts at onset of puberty and continue to produce throuhgout male’s lifetime
spermatogonia
where sperm are formed from in the seminiferous tubules in the testes
are stem cells that undergo mitotic division (46 chromosomes each) begining at birth until puberty
male FSH
Is secreted by anterior pituitary gland once male starts puberty
spermatogonia undergo cell division; one of cells contiunes the stem line, while the other cell becomes the primary spermatocyte
primary spermatocyte
undergoes meiosis to produces 4 gametes w/ 23 chromosomes each
- known in male reproductive system as spermatids, which all 4 become viable gametes
spermatids
four gametes produced by meiosis from the primary spermatocyte
are not mature sperm and must undergo spermiogenesis
spermiogenesis
is the final stage in which the surplus cytoplasm is stripped away to form mature sperm
mature sperm
must contain a head, midspiece and tail
head of sperm
contains almost entirely of nucleus and cell DNA w/ a crown called acrosome
acrosome contains enzymes that break down the egg emmbrane to allow sperm to pentrate
midpiece of sperm
contains numerous mitochondria that generate locomotive energy needed by sperm
tail
is a typlical flagellum used to propel sperm through the female reprodutive tract
gametes
are sex cells that humans reproduce through sexual reproduction
specialized as eggs (oocytes) in females and sperm (spermatocytes) in males
copulation
is the sexual union to facilitate reception of sperm by female
diploid cells
are human cells throughout the body that contain 46 chromosomes that have 2n or the full # of chromosomes
undergo mitosis in which as the cell divides into 2 cells, each containing 46 chromosomes each
haploid
are gamete cells because they contain 23 chromosomes
when mature, the cell divides 2x: the first mitosis division provides 2 new cells that have 46, the second meiosis division produces 4 gametes w/ 23 chromosomes each
zygote
is when a sperm gamete and egg gemete combine to form a fertilized egg
pregnancy begins when this is created
46 chromosomes
-determine genetic characteristics of child, such as eye color and skin
sex is determined by the father since they carry one X and one Y chromosome
pregnancy
begins when an egg is fertilized by sperm
sperm are viable for 3-5 days after ejaculation
an egg can survive up to 24 hours
fertilization
typically occurs in oviducts where the egg releases chemicals that attract sperm
copulation must take place by 1 day after ovulation, or 2 days before
corona radiata
follicle cells that surround an egg
is broken down when a sperm cell releases acrosomal enzymes to fertilize egg
chemical changes of the membrane occur instantaneoulsy to prevent other sperm from penetrating egg
morula
forms when zygote spends 3-4 days undergoing mitosis in the oviducts
blastocyst
forms 3-4 days after morula when zygote undergoes mitosis unattached in the uterus
happens as the endometrium prepares for implantation
progesterone releases from corpus luteum and endometrium increases in bloo supply and secretes glycogen = this helps to sustain this before implanting in endometrium
implants into endometrium on day 7, in which some cells begin to develop 3 layers that become the embryo
also form supportive cells for embryonic function
human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
is secreted by the blastocyst in which stimulates the corpus luteum to secret progesterone
presence of this will result in a positive pregnancy test
layers of the embryo
ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm
supportive cells for embryonic function
placenta, amnion and umbilical cord
amnion
forms a sac filled w/ fluid to cushion and protect the fetus
placenta
is a temporary organ tha carries out nutritive, respiratory, exretory and endocrine functions for embryo
proides nutrients for the fetus as it continues to grow in the uterus for 9 months until delivery
umbilical cord
attaches the embryo to the placenta
ectoderm layer
develops the skin and nervous tissue of fetus
endoderm layer
forms the glands (thyroid, parathyroid and thymus), solid organs (pancreas and liver) and lining of hollow organs of digestive and respiratory system of fetus
mesoderm layer
contributes to development of the cardiovascular system, RBC and muscle of fetus
first trimester
development of fetus for months 1-3
development of nervous and cardiovascular systems
heart beats around week 3
fetal heart beat can be detected around week 6
head shape is formed for majority
arms and legs begin to form by week 13 and forms moveable joints, fingers and toes
eyes, ears and nose form but not on correct location on head
second trimester
months 4-6 of fetal devlopment
eyes, ears and nose move to correct position on head
head and body grow proper proportions
eyes develop to detect light and dark on week 16
unique fingerprints develop on hands
other can feel movements around week 18-21
develops lanugo
fetus develops sleep/wake cycles and regulated heart beat
third trimester
months 7-9 of fetal dvelopment characterized by continued development of systems in place
testes descend in scrotum of males
baby incareases in wieght and begins to develop fat
sucking reflexes begin around week 32-vital for feeding
lung maturation and temp. self-regulation occur- 2 important developmental milestones for babys survival outside uterus
baby is around 19-22 in. long and 6-10lbs on average at the end
neuralation
occurs during week 5 in which the neural tube is formed from outer folds of the ectoderm
neural tube
forms underneath epidermis to become the neural creste
the neural plate becomes the neural groove and becomes the neural tube once the neural folds converge
anterior part of neural tube becomes the brain; the rest becomes the brainstem and spinal cord
spina bifida
is a disorder caused if neuraltion doesn’t completely close neural tue
people will have varying levesl of sensory and/or motor disabilities
pregnant mothers recommended to take folic acid to prevent this happening
fetus
embryo becomes this after week 8
begins to move but is still too small to be felt during 1st trimester
lanugo
fetal hair that develops on fetus’ body to keep it warm
labor and delivery
occurs normally during 40th week (or 38-42 weeks) to conclude birth of baby
can be divided into 3 stages: dilation of cervix, delivery of baby, and delivery of placenta
dilation of cervix
first stage of labor and delivery in which takes the longest (6-10 hrs)
cervix must dilate to 10 cm; uterus contracts which pushes baby’s head against cervix causing it to dilate (widen)
oxytocin is a hormone released to stiumlate contractions in myometrium of uterus that increases as contractions continue
delivery of baby
is the second stage of labor and deivery
time it takes the baby to be pushed out of birth canal after full dilation
mother uses abdominal muscles to push baby w/ uteral contractions through the cervix and out of vagina
shorter stage that lasts about 50 min.
umbilical cord is tied and cut after child is born
afterbirth
third stage of delivery that refers to placenta being pushed out
occurs within 15 min of birth of child
needs to be delivered or removed after birth or uterine bleeding with continue
