The Feamle Reproductive System Flashcards
what does the basic structure consist of?
- primary sex organs: the ovaries
- ducts/tubules: Fallopian tubes or oviducts
- accessory organs : uterus and vagina
- external genitalia: vulva
What is the functions of the Fallopian tube?
Epithelium helps to move ovum towards the uterus
What is the function of the uterus?
Protects developing foetus during pregnancy
What is the function of the ovary?
- germinal epithelium produces primary follicles that develop into the ova
- ovaries produce ova and oestrogen and progesterone.
What are the three layers of the uterus wall?
- loose connective tissue
- middle layer
- Inner mucous membrane
What is the function of the loose connective tissue?
Support and protection
What is the function of the middle layer?
Induce uterine contractions during childbirth
What is the inner mucous membrane?
Where implantation occurs
What is the function of the endometrium?
Thickens during menstrual cycle and is ready for the implantation of a blastocyst
What is the cervix?
Thick muscular canal found at base of uterus, that contain glands
What is a vagina?
Thin muscular tube.
Receives the penis during sexual intercourse
Acts as birth canal during childbirth
What’s is the vulva?
The open opening of the vagina
What is the structure of the ovary?
- germinal epithelium
- cortex and medulla (internally divided into)
- follicle, forms one ovum
What happens to corpus lutem when fertilisation does not occur?
- anterior pituitary gland produces LH
- LH stimulates corpus luteum to produce progesterone
-ovum(secondary oocyte) degenerates
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What is the internal structure of the ovary?
- germinal epithelium
- primordial follicle
- primary follicle
- primary ovum
- secondary follicle
- fully mature Graafian follicle
- early corpus luteum
- corpus luteum
- corpus albicans
What is purpose of germinal epithelium?
Forms primordial follicles, during embryonic development
What is the primordial follicle?
The stage of development of follicles in ovaries when she is born. Follicle pauses until puberty
What is primary follicle?
First stage in follicle development, when follicle continue to develop after puberty.
What is the primary ovum?
First stage in the development of the ovum?
What is the secondary follicle?
Developmental stages of the follicle from primary follicle to Graafian follicle
What is mature Graafian follicle
A mature ovarian follicle containing an immature ovum
What is a fully mature Graafian follicle?
Burst to release immature ovum. Process is ovulation, controlled by LH hormone
What is early corpus luteum?
Fills with cells containing a yellow substance known as corpus luteum
What is function of corpus luteum?
Secretes progesterone which causes changes on the endometrium and prevents shedding of endometrium
What is corpus albicans?
When production of progesterone is over, corpus luteum degenerates.
What is the function of oestrogen?
Development of secondary charcteristics
Stimulating rebuilding of endometrium after menstruation
What is function of progesterone?
Causes endometrium to thicken, in prep for receiving fertilised ovum
Which hormone is responsible for controlling oogenesis?
FSH
What is the name of the gland that secretes FSH?
Pituitary gland
What is the name of the STRUCTURE responsible for secreting hormone oestrogen?
Graafian follicle
What are the functions of hormone progesterone?
Enriches the endometrium with blood vessels and glands for implantation
Helps with maintenance of the placenta during pregnancy
Explain how FSH and LH play a role in a woman’s fertlity?
FSH stimulates development and maturation of a follicle in one ovary. If this does not occur, an ovum is not produced and woman would be infertile
An increase in the LH level triggers ovulation. If this does not occur, an ovum is not released and woman would be infertile
How can the body temp show ovulation has taken place?
Body temp increases just before ovulation.
What’s is the Main function of the female reproductive system?
Produce ova and nurture the growing foetus during pregnancy
