Reproductive System Flashcards
seminiferous tubules
cell types and functions
spermatogenic series cells and Sertoli cells
production of spermatozoa, support cells for spermatogenesis
testis interstitium
cell types and functions
Leydig cells between lobules
synthesis of androgenic hormones principally testosterone
rete testis
cell types and functions
cuboidal epithelium with cilia and smooth muscle
first collection point within testes, convey spermatozoa to ductules efferentes and then epididymis
epididymis
cell types and functions
columnar epithelium with stereocilia and smooth muscle
store and mature spermatozoa
vas deferens
cell types and functions
columnar epithelium and smooth muscle with three layers
carry sperm to urethra during ejaculation
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prostate main components
central, transition and peripheral zones, and anterior fibromuscular stroma
prostate
cell types and functions
epithelium with two layers, luminal tall columnar layer and basal cell layer
produces proteinaceous secretions that mix with seminal fluid
seminal vesicle
cell types and functions
cuboidal to columnar epithelium with muscular wall
produces seminal fluid - more watery, thickened by prostate secretions
corpus spongiosum and corpus cavernosa
cell types and functions
spongy fibrous tissue and anastomosing vascular sinuses
erectile tissue
urethra
cell types and functions
lined by urothelium proximally and pseudostratified columnar epithelium distally
duct for ejaculation and micturition
why are spermatozoa incapable of fertilising until undergoing capacitation in the female genital tract
they are less motile
their membranes are not fragile enough
capacitation prepares them to fertilise
six major functions of the female reproductive function
production of gametes
reception of male gametes
provision of a suitable environment for the fertilisation of ova by spermatozoa
provision of an environment for foetus development
expulsion of developed foetus to external environment
nutrition of the baby (placenta)
fimbriae
finger like structures to catch the released ovum from the ovary
ectopic pregnancy
fertilisation and implantation in the uterine tube
layers of the ovary
cortex containing germinative epithelium
medulla
tunica albuginea
outside layer of ovary
inside of which is germinative epithelium
at what stage can you tell which follicle will become the gamete in the ovary
when a primary follicle becomes a primary oocyte
what causes the ovum to be discharged
LH surge
what does the Graafian follicle become after the secondary oocyte is released
corpus luteum and then corpus albicans - a scar in the ovary
these then regress otherwise a postmenopausal ovary would contain 500
polycystic ovarian syndrome
many dominant follicles instead of just one
how many primordial follicles are activated per cycle
20 but only one reaches maturation
8 follicular development stages
oogonia
primordial follicle
early primary follicle
primary follicle
secondary follicle
Graafian follicle
corpus luteum
corpus albicans
which arteries of the uterine wall shed off with each cycle and which do not
straight arteries that supply the myometrium remain
spiral arteries that supply the endometrium shed off
stratum functionalis above the stratum basalis sheds
3 phases of the menstrual cycle
menstrual phase: endometrial shedding
proliferative phase: thickening and vascularisation of endometrium, ovulation
secretary phase: progesterone release promotes secretions by endometrial glands
role of LH, hCG, progesterone, estrogen
LH: triggers ovulation
hCG: maintenance of corpus luteum until 1st trimester
Progesterone: enriches the uterus with thick lining
Estrogen: 1 maintains the uterus lining, 2 upregulates oxytocin receptor in myometrium
birth control pills
monophasic and biphasic
when progesterone or estrogen is high LH is blocked - no ovulation
monophasic: all the same pill with a placebo week to allow shedding of lining
biphasic: two different strengths of pills
vagina
muscular tube that extends from vulva to uterus
upper half lies above pelvic floor
lower half lies in perineum
fornixes because it is circular
vaginal wall histology
stratified squamous epithelium that produces mucous
smooth muscle
adventitial layer
vaginal lactic acid
superficial cells produce glycogen metabolised by commensal bacteria to lactic acid
prevents infection and kills sperm
oviduct
epithelial lining and organisation of muscle
columnar ciliated
inner circular and outer longitudinal
uterus
epithelial lining and organisation of muscle
columnar with groups of ciliated cells
thick 3 intermingling layers
cervix
epithelial lining and organisation of muscle
tall columnar and stratified squamous near vagina
less muscle, none near vagina
vagina
epithelial lining and organisation of muscle
stratified squamous
inner circular and outer longitudinal
