The Female Reproductive System

Question 1

What makes up the external genitalia (vulva) ?

Answer 1

Labia majora
Labia minora
Clitoris
Vaginal orifice
Vestibule
Hymen
Vestibular glands

Question 2

What makes up the internal genitalia?

Answer 2

Lies in the pelvic cavity
Vagina
Uterus
2 uterine tubes
2 ovaries

Question 3

How is the labia majora made up?

Answer 3

2 folds forming the boundary of the vulva
Composed of fibrous tissue and fat, covered in skin
Contains a large number of sebaceous and eccrine glands

Question 4

How is the labia minora made up?

Answer 4

2 smaller folds of skin between majora
Contains many sebaceous and eccrine sweat glands

Question 5

What is the clitoris for?

Answer 5

Contains sensory nerve endings for pleasure

Question 6

What are the vestibular glands functions?

Answer 6

Secrete mucus that keeps the vulva moist

Question 7

What is the function of the perineum and how is it made up?

Answer 7

Consists of connective tissue, muscle and fat.
Gives attachment to the muscles of the pelvic floor

Question 8

How is the vagina made up?

Answer 8

It is a fibromuscular tube lined with stratified squamous epithelium opening into the vestibule at its distal end

Question 9

How is the hymen made up?

Answer 9

Thin layer of mucous membrane that stretches across the vaginal lumen

Question 10

What are the different parts of the uterus?

Answer 10

Fundus
Cornuae
Body/corpus
Cavity
Isthmus

Question 11

What are the layers of the uterus?

Answer 11

Perimetrium
Myometrium - muscle layer
Endometrium

Question 12

What is the function of the uterine tubes?

Answer 12

Propels the ovum towards the uterus, receives the sperm as they travel upwards and provides a site for fertilisation

Question 13

How does the breast change during puberty?

Answer 13

Breast development occurs under sex hormones particularly oestrogen and progesterone
Secondary sex characteristic
Ages 8.5 - 13.5
Ductal and lobular development
Nipple size increases
Primary areole becomes pigmented

Question 14

How does the breast change in pregnancy?

Answer 14

Glandular development occurs under progesterone
Ductal development occurs under oestrogen
Colostrum synthesised
16 weeks start of milk production

Question 15

What is the structure of the breast like?

Answer 15

Around 20 lobes containing a number of lobules
Lobules open into tiny lactiferous ducts which drain milk towards the nipple
Fatty and connective tissue run through the breast surrounding the lobules
Breast is covered in subcutaneous fat

Question 16

What is the function of the areola?

Answer 16

Lubricate the nipple during lactation

Question 17

What is the function of a lobule?

Answer 17

Make the milk

Question 18

What is the ductal system and its functions?

Answer 18

Complex network of lactiferous ducts which arise from the alveoli and form larger ducts
They transport milk to the nipple

Question 19

How is milk made?

Answer 19

Lactogenesis
Milk is synthesised in the acini cells under prolactin
It is synthesised from glucose and amino acids
Milk is secreted from the acini cell across the membrane into the lumin of the alveoli

Question 20

What does prolactin do?

Answer 20

Milk is sent to both breasts
Produces calmness
Stimulates mothering behaviour
Triggered through touch

Question 21

What is the prolactin cycle like?

Answer 21

Anterior pituitary gland stimulated - nipple nerve - hypothalamus - anterior part of pituitary glands to release prolactin- prolactin travels through bloodstream and tells acini cels to make milk

Question 22

What is the prolactin receptor theory?

Answer 22

Prolactin receptor sites open when placenta delivered
Prolactin surges “prime” site to begin milk production
Receptor sites start to close if not primed

Question 23

What is the function of oxytocin?

Answer 23

Works on muscle cells to expel milk
Induces feeling of love and well-being
Higher levels when baby is near
Can be inhibited by stress

Question 24

How does the breast change during the menstrual cycle?

Answer 24

More estrogen is made early in the cycle and it peaks just before mid-cycle. This causes the breast ducts to grow in size. The progesterone level peaks near the 21st day (in a 28-day cycle). This causes growth of the breast lobules