Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

BMS 300: Concepts in Human Anatomy and Physiology > Reproductive System II (Female) > Flashcards

Reproductive System II (Female) Flashcards

1
Q

What makes up the female reproductive system?

A

Like the male system, it is made of gonads, ducts, accessory glands, and external genitalia.
Plus a couple extras (uterus, ).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the gonads for females? What do they do?

A

Ovaries:
Produce hormones and release oocytes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the ducts for females? What do they do?

A

Fallopian tubes (oviducts):
Carry ovulated oocytes to the uterus.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the structure and function of the uterus?

A

Muscular organ that encloses (protects) and supports (nourishes) developing embryo (1-8 wks) and fetus (9wks to delivery)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the three layers of the uterus?

A

Endometrium: Lumen lining, contains glandular and vascular tissue. Sensitive to estrogen.

Myometrium: smooth muscle with longitudinal, circular, and oblique layers, allowing pressure to be applied from all angles. Contracts to move fetus.

Perimetrium: Continuous with peritoneal lining (membrane lining abdominal-pelvic cavity).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the cervix? What does it do?

A

The inferior portion of the uterus, opens into vagina. Normally very tight, but loosens during intercourse to allow sperm in.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the structure and function of the vagina?

A

Highly distensible muscular tubule extending between the cervix and vestibule (smooth, inner part of the vulva). Forms the inferior portion of the birth canal.

Allows for elimination of menstrual fluid and receives the penis during intercourse.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the female external genitalia?

A

Clitoris: Small projection containing erectile tissue.
Labium minora: small folds of smooth, hairless skin around the vestibule.
Labia majora: Prominent folds of skin and adipose tissue, covered with coarse hair.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Why does pregnancy increase urination frequency?

A

The uterus grows from the pregnancy, putting pressure on the bladder which sits inferior to it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Describe the cells of the uterine (Fallopian) tubes.

A

Made of three kinds of cells

  1. Ciliated columnar cells: Line the lumen. Ciliary movement and peristaltic contractions move oocytes to the uterus.
  2. Mucin-secreting cells
  3. Peg cells (non-ciliated): Secrete fluid for second step of capacitation. Provides nutrients for sperm and pre-embryo (0-2 wks).
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What glands lie on either side of the vestibule? What do they do?

A

Greater vestibular glands.

Produces a mucus secretion during arousal.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the structure and function of the mammary glands?

A

Specialized INTEGUMENTARY organs that produce milk to nourish the infant.

Consists of lobes separated by suspensory ligaments.
Each lobe has secretory lobules separated by dense CT.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the structure and function of the mammary gland ducts?

A

Ducts leave lobules and converge, forming a lactiferous duct in each lobe.
Lactiferous ducts form expanded chambers (lactiferous sinuses).
Ducts converge and open at the nipple.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What area of skin gets darker as pregnancy progresses?

A

The skin of the areola surrounding each nipple.
Caused by melanocyte stimulating hormone.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are ovarian follicles?

A

Specialized follicles where oocyte growth and meiosis occurs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What cell types make up each kind of ovarian follicle?
What oocytes do they contain?

A
  1. Primordial: Single layer of simple squamous epi cells. Primary oocyte.
  2. Primary: Simple cuboidal epi cells. Primary oocyte.
  3. Secondary: Stratified cuboidal epi cells. Primary oocyte.
  4. Tertiary: Fluid-filled. Secondary oocyte.
17
Q

What happens to an ovarian follicle after ovulation?

A

It becomes a corpus luteum, which produces a hormone to maintain pregnancy. Later degrades for form corpus albicans.

18
Q

How is oogenesis different from normal meiosis? Why does this happen?

A

A primary oocyte results in a single haploid oocyte instead of 4. At the end of meiosis I, half of the genetic material is lost in a polar body. After meiosis II, the next half of the genetic material leaves as a polar body, leaving only one haploid cell.

19
Q

Describe the steps and timing of oogenesis.

A
  1. An oogonium undergoes mitosis, forming two primary oocytes (before birth).
  2. SOME primary oocytes move onto meiosis I and pauses at Prophase I after tetrad is formed (3-7 months in utero).
  3. Meiosis resumes during puberty due to FSH. LH stimulation results in a secondary oocyte and the first polar body.
  4. Secondary oocyte is released while Metaphase II takes place.
  5. Meiosis II is completed during fertilization and the second polar body will be lost.
20
Q

When does oocyte mitosis take place?

A

Before birth.

21
Q

How many oocytes does a woman have as a baby, at the stage of puberty, and as an adult?

A

1-2 million, 500,000, 300,000 (continues to decrease, eventually resulting in menopause).

22
Q

How does FSH interact in the reproductive system?

A

FSH - acts on the ovaries to release hormones which will then act on the uterine lining.

23
Q

Be able to draw out the flow chart for regulation of the female reproductive function! Also be able to relate it to the graph of the ovarian and uterine cycles. Draw this as well.

A

Explanation and depiction found around 12 minutes into 11 AM lecture on 12/2.

24
Q

What effects does estrogen have on the CNS?

A

Regulates sexual behavior.
Influences reward and motivation pathway.
Regulates stress response.

25
Q

What is menopause?

A

When ovulation and menstruation stop.
Occurs around age 45-55.

26
Q

How many primordial ovarian follicles would a 50 year old woman have?

A

None. They have all been used up by this point.

27
Q

What happens to hormones during/after menopause?

A

Estrogen and progesterone decrease.
Sharp increase in GnRH, FSH, LH.
This is due to the decreased activity of granulosa cells.

Very important! Be able to connect it to the flow chart.
(28 m into 11AM lecture on 12/2).

28
Q

What are theca and granulosa cells?

A

Theca cells produce androgens.
Granulosa cells are similar to nurse cells. Produce inhibin and convert androgens into estrogen.

Both located in the ovaries.

29
Q

Why does decreased granulosa cell activity and decreased progesterone increase FSH and LH?

A

Granulosa cells will produce less inhibin and estrogen, reducing the inhibition of GnRH, resulting in sharp uptick of FSH and LH.
Progesterone from corpus luteum also has this effect.

30
Q

What produces progesterone?

A

Corpus luteum

31
Q

Why does progesterone decrease after menopause?

A

With no follicles left, no more corpus luteum are being produced to synthesize progesterone.

32
Q

What are the physiological implications of decreased estrogen?

A

Decreased uterus and breast size.
Thinning of the urethral and vaginal epithelia.
Reduction of bone deposition (decrease density).

BMS 300: Concepts in Human Anatomy and Physiology (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions