The Female Reproductive system Flashcards
What do the ovaries do?
Produce ova and hormones
What do the uterine tubes do?
Capture and transport ova, this is also where fertilisation occurs
What does the uterus do?
accommodate fertilised ova
What does the cervix do?
Controls access to the uterus
What does the vagina/ vestibule do?
together they form the female copulatory organ and the birth canal
What does the vulva do?
the external part of the female genital system, it protects the reproductive tract opening
What do the ligaments do?
Support the reproductive organs internally
What do follicles contain?
they each contain a single ovum
What can be found in the centre and outside of the follicles?
loose vascular zone/ Medulla in centre and there is an outer/ dense parenchymatous zone
What is the first stage of follicle development?
Primordial follicle, a single layer of flat granulosa cells
What is the second stage of follicle development?
Primary follicle formed, The flat granulosa cells become cuboidal cells
What is the third stage of follicle development
Secondary follicle formed, there are several layers of cells with fluid-filled spaces
What is the fourth stage of follicle development
Tertiary (Graafian) follicle formed, it is mature- the fluid spaces are all joint up (these can then rupture and the ova pushes them out)
What is atresia?
When follicles disappear/ do not fully mature
What occurs during ovulation?
Graafian follicle ruptures, the fluid flushes the ovum to the uterine tube, the remaining follicle bleeds a little
What does the tissue form during ovulation?
corpus luteum
What happens to the corpus luteum when there is no pregnancy?
corpus luteum regresses, scar tissue called the corpus albicans is formed
What is the function of the uterine tube?
capture and transport ova to the uterus
What lines the uterine tube?
ciliated epithelium
What are the three parts of the uterine tuube?
infundibulum, Ampulla and Isthmus
What are the three different parts of the uterus?
Horns, body and Cervix
How does the cervix limit access to the vagina?
It forms a sphincter, Thick mucosal folds interdigitate, can occlude cervical canal
* Cervical mucosa secrete mucus, forming a plug
How many layers does the uterine wall have?
three
What is the inner layer of the uterus called?
mucosal layer (endometrium)
What are uterine caruncles
attachment sites of embryonic membranes
What is the muscle layer responsible for?
Responsible for uterine contractions
The activity is coordinated- longitudinal contractions
‘shorten utuerus’ while circular contractions push
out contents.
What is the vulva?
the external genital opening
Where are the labia found?
either side of the genital opening
Where is the clitoris?
lies within ventral commissure, contained within the clitoral fossa
What is the function of the intercornual ligament
connects uterine horns
What are fimbriae?
Projections on the expanded infundibulum portion of the uterine tube
What lines the uterine tube?
ciliated epithelium
What are uterine caruncles and where are they found?
sites of attachment for the placenta, they are found in the endometrium
What is the function of the vestibular glands?
They lubricate the vestibule during copulation and birth
What is the serosal/outer layer of the peritoneum continuous with?
The broad ligament
What does the broad ligament enclose?
The suspensory, ovarian and round ligament of the uterus?
What are the three arteries that supply the reproductive tract?
Ovarian, Uterine and vaginal
(also internal pudendal)
What does pgf2 alpha do to the corpus luteum?
causes regression
What is the function of the vestibular glands in the vestibule/vulva
lubricates the vestibule during copulation and parturition
