Structural and Functional Organization of the Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Term for external genitals of the female?
Vulva, or pudendum
Which organs produce secondary oocytes?
The ovaries
Which organs arise from the same embryonic tissue as the testes?
The ovaries
What type of hormones are produced by the ovaries?
Progesterone and estrogen (female sex hormones)
Inhibn and relaxin
What is the layer of simple epithelium that covers the surface of the ovary?
Germinal epithelium
What is the region in the ovaries that is a region of dense connective tissue that contains ovarian follicles?
Ovarian cortex
what does each follicle consist of?
an oocyte and a variable number of surrounding cells that nourish it and begin to secrete estrogens as the follicle grows larger.
what type of follicle is a large, fluid filled follicle that is preparing to rupture and expel a secondary oocyte.
a mature (graafian) follicle
what do the remnants of an ovulated follicle develop into?
a corpus luteum
what does the corpus luteum develop?
progesterone, estrogen, relaxin, and inhibin
what will the corpus luteum degenerate into?
a fibrous tissue called a corpus albicans
what is in the ovarian medulla?
loose connective tissue that contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.
what transports the secondary oocytes from the ovaries to the uterus?
the uterine (fallopian) tubes.
what is the open, funnel shaped end of the fallopian tubes called that opens to the pelvic cavity?
infundibulum
what is on the end of the the infundibulum that looks like a fringe of fingerlike projections?
fimbriae
how do secondary oocytes travel into the uterine tube?
by local currents produced by movements of the fimbriae, which surround the surface of the mature follicle just before ovulation occurs.
from the fimbriae, how is the oocyte moved along the tube to the the uterus?
cilia in the tubes mucus lining and peristaltic contractions of its smooth muscle layer
what is the usual site of fertilization of a secondary oocyte by a sperm cell?
in the uterine (fallopian tube)
fertilization can occur any time up to about how may hours after ovulation?
24 hrs.
what are secondary oocytes called once fertilized?
ovum (zygote)
the fertilized ovum (zygote) descends into the uterus within how many days?
7 days
what happens to unfertilized secondary oocytes?
they disintegrate
what is the site of implantation of a fertilized ovum, development of the fetus, and labor?
Uterus
what is the source of menstrual flow?
the uterus
where is the uterus situated?
between the urinary bladder and the rectum
what are the parts of the uterus?
the dome shaped portion superior to the uterine tubes (fundus), the tapering central portion called the body, and the narrow portion opening to the vagina called the cervix.
what is the uterine cavity?
the interior of the body of the uterus
what do you call the layers of the uterus?
the middle muscular layer of the uterus is the myometrium, the innermost portion called the endometrium that has a mucous membrane.
what forms the bulk of the uterine wall?
the myometrium
what does the endometrium contain that nourishes the sperm and zygote?
the secretions of the endometrial glands.
what is the recess called that surrounds the cervix?
the fornix
where is the vagina situated?
between the urinary bladder and the rectum
what does a contraceptive diaphragm rest on when covering the cervix?
the fornix
the decomposition of what on the mucosa of the vagina produces organic acids?
large stores of glycogen.
what is the purpose of the acidic environment within the vagina?
slow microbial growth, but it is also harmful to sperm.
what helps neutralize the acidity of the vagina and increases the viability of sperm in the vagina?
alkaline secretions, mainly from the seminal vesicles.
what is the thin fold of mucous membrane partially covering the vaginal orifice?
the hymen (membrane)
what is the diamond shaped area between the thighs and buttocks of both males and females that contains the external genitals and anus?
the perineum
what is the term for the external genitals of the female?
vulva, or pudendum
what is the elevation of adipose tissue covered by coarse pubic hair, which cushions the pubic symphysis
Mons Pubis
what are the two longitudinal folds of skin extend down from the mons pubis?
labia majora
what is singular for labia majora?
labium majus