Reproductive System Flashcards
label Male and Female reproductive system - WORD
what are Ovaries?
Females have 2 ovaries
Responsible for oogenesis (the production and maturation of the female gametes eggs/ova).
How often does the maturation of eggs take place?
once a month, and the ovaries take turns.
Fallopian tubes? (2)
Connects the ovaries to the uterus.
Important location for egg fertilisation.
Uterus (3)
where the fertilised egg will implant.
Contains the developing embryo and foetus for the entire pregnancy
has an endometrial lining that is shedded monthly, giving rise to a monthly
bleeding period (periods).
Cervix
where?
produces what?
birth?
common site of what?
Located at the bottom most narrow part of the
uterus
Continuously produces mucous- Mucous viscosity (thickness and stickiness of mucus) is regulated by female sex hormones and affect the sperm’s ability to reach the egg
cervix dilates when giving birth
One of the most common site for cancer- at 25yrs, every three to five years the NHS invites women for cervical cancer screening.
How is cervix cancer tested for?
smearing a small brush against the cervix- sample sent to laboratory to check for abnormal shaped cells.
what is cervix cancer associated with
human papillomavirus (HPV)- vaccines available
vagina
where?
what?
able to do what?
what does it have?
- Extends from the vestibule (bottom of vagina) to the cervix
- Is an elastic muscular canal
- able to lengthen and dilate during arousal due to muscle relaxation
- Has Bartholin’s glands at the entrance that Secrets small amounts of mucous during arousal.
Hymen
function?
virginity?
testing?
has no biological function
scientifically impossible to tell if someone is a virgin from examining the hymen
testing the hymen called a gynaecological examination.
Clitoris
Its only function is to provide sexual pleasure.
Anatomically similar to penis- both have erectile tissue (corpus cavernosum)
Female Menstrual Cycle (period):
what age does it start?
How long does it last?
Counted from when?
how long does it last?
when does it stop?
when is the female most fertile?
generally age 12- but can range from 8-15.
usually last 4-8 days
from the 1st day
generally 28 days- but can range from 23- 35 days.
stops at menopause- approx. age 52
right after ovulation.
what are females born with?
millions of primary oocytes in their ovaries.
the primary oocytes have still have 46 chromosomes but are not ready for fertilisation
what is the menstrual cycle regulated by?
sex hormones like oestrogen and progesterone.
what happens every month after menstruation?
- what happens to those which reach full maturation.
- release of more than one causes what?
- what happens to the others?
Every month after menstruation hundreds of primary follicles (containing
primary oocytes) will start maturing:
* One oocyte will reach full maturation and
be released (ovulation)
* Releasing more than one oocyte can lead to
the birth of non-identical twins (nearly 2%
of all pregnancies)
* The other follicles that did not fully mature will be reabsorbed.
cause of twin pregnancies (2).
twin pregnancy from the release of two eggs/oocytes in the same month = due to GENETIC= non- identical twins (2% of pregnancies).
twin pregnancy from the release of one oocyte= due to CHANCE= identical twins.
what happens when primary oocyte matures?
When the primary oocyte matures it will undergo MIEOTIC division
to have 23 (haploid) chromosomes instead of 46 (diploid).
what is ovulation?
the process during the menstrual cycle when a mature egg is released from one of the ovaries.
typically occurs around the middle of the cycle, about 14 days before the start of the next menstrual period
