The female reproductive system

Question 1

What systems do the breasts belong to?

Answer 1

Reproductive
Intergumentary

Question 2

What are the constituent parts of the vulva?

Answer 2

Mons pubis
Labia majora and minora
Clitoris
Vestibule
Hymen

Question 3

What are the different states of hymen?

Answer 3

Annular
Crescentic
Septate
Cribform
Fimbrated

Question 4

What are the functions of the vulva?

Answer 4

Sexual stimulation
Assisting flow of urine
Protection from infection

Question 5

What is the purpose of the posterior fornix?

Answer 5

Acts as a natural semen reservoir after intercourse

Question 6

What are the fornices?

Answer 6

The domes created by the vagina surrounding the cervix

Question 7

What are the functions of the vagina?

Answer 7

Receives and allows passage of sperm and ejaculate
Daily discharge to cleanse and lubricate
Passage of menstrual blood
Birth passage
Sensation

Question 8

What are the functions of the cervix?

Answer 8

Facilitates the passage of sperm
Maintains sterility of the upper reproductive tract

Question 9

How does the cervix facilitate the passage of sperm?

Answer 9

Dilation of the external and internal OS

Question 10

How does the cervix maintain the sterility of the upper reproductive tract?

Answer 10

Frequent shredding of the endometrium
Cervical mucus
A narrow external os

Question 11

What are the parts of the uterus?

Answer 11

Fundus
Body
Cervix

Question 12

What is the structure of the uterine wall?

Answer 12

Endometrium
Myometrium
Perimetrium

Question 13

What connects the fallopian tubes to the uterus?

Answer 13

Broad ligaments

Question 14

What connects the ovaries to the uterus?

Answer 14

Fallopian tubes
Ovarian ligament

Question 15

Where should embryos implant?

Answer 15

The endometrium

Question 16

What is the function of the fallopian tubes?

Answer 16

Assisting transport of the ovum from the ovaries to the uterus

Question 17

How do the fallopian tubes facilitate transport of the ovum?

Answer 17

Ciliated inner mucosa cella
Smooth muscle contraction

Question 18

Which hormones are the fallopian smooth muscle sensitive to?

Answer 18

Sex steroids (oestrogen and progesterone)

Question 19

What are the parts of the fallopian tubes?

Answer 19

Isthmus
Ampulla
Infundibulum
Fimbriae

Question 20

What is the structure of the ovaries?

Answer 20

Cuboidal epithelium surface
Cortex
Medulla
Hilium

Question 21

What is contained in the ovarian cortex?

Answer 21

Largely comprised of connective tissue supporting follicles. Each follicle contains an oocyte surrounded by a single layer of follicular cells

Question 22

What is contained in the ovarian medulla?

Answer 22

A rich neurovascular network which enters the ovary at the hilium

Question 23

How do the ovaries form and release ovum?

Answer 23

Primordial follicles form primary follicles around each ovum
The follicles developed into mature follicles with the ovum inside developing also into a secondary ovum
The follicle ruptures liberating the ovum
The follicle degrades forming an early corpus, corpus luteum then coprus albicans

Question 24

What are the functions of the ovaries?

Answer 24

Production of oocytes
Sex steroid hormone production

Question 25

What sex steroid hormones do the ovaries produce?

Answer 25

Oestrogen Progesterone

Question 26

What causes the ovaries to produce sex steroid hormones?

Answer 26

It is in response to pituitary gonadotropins LH and FSH

Question 27

What is the ovarian cycle?

Answer 27

The preparation of endocrine tissues and release of eggs

Question 28

What are the phases of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 28

Menstrual phase Follicular phase Ovulation phase Luteal phase

Question 29

What are the female reproductive cycle organs?

Answer 29

Hypothalamus Anterior pituitary gland Ovary Uterus

Question 30

At what point during the menstrual cycle does ovulation usually occur?

Answer 30

Day 14

Question 31

At what point during the menstrual cycle do the different pituitary and ovarian hormone levels peak?

Answer 31

FSH and LH - 14 Oestrogen- 13 (just before FSH and LH) Progesterone- 22

Question 32

At what point in the menstrual cycle is there a secondary spike in oestrogen?

Answer 32

Day 22, in line with the main spike in progesterone

Question 33

What prompts the formation of primary follicles?

Answer 33

A fall in levels of progesterone

Question 34

What stimulates the release of FSH and LH?

Answer 34

The release of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone from the hypothalamus

Question 35

What stimulates the development of primary follicles into secondary follicles and beyond?

Answer 35

FSH

Question 36

What produces oestrogen?

Answer 36

Maturing follicles in the ovaries

Question 37

What are the reproductive effects of oestrogen?

Answer 37

Follicular phase: Signals the womb to prepare the uterine lining for gestation Cortisol reduces Luteinizing Hormone (LH) pulse frequency, most likely via the inhibition of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) pulsatility. Ovulation phase: A surge of oestrogen stimulates the hypothalamus to release Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) which inturn stimulates FSH and LH release

Question 38

What is the effect of LH?

Answer 38

It weakens the wall of the ovary so the egg is released

Question 39

What is atresia?

Answer 39

The process by which oocytes of follicles that do not mature are degenerated and reabsorbed

Question 40

How long do human eggs live for after ovulation?

Answer 40

Around 12-24 hours

Question 41

What is the function of progesterone?

Answer 41

It signals the uterine lining to thicken and become highly vascularised to prepare for gestation Supports the developing placenta

Question 42

When and where is progesterone produced?

Answer 42

After ovulation, in the remnant follicle cells left

Question 43

What occurs during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 43

The corpus luteum continues to release progesterone for up to 10 days If a sperm fertilises an egg Human Chornic Gonadotropin (HCG) is released HCG travels to the brain which singals the corpus luteum to maintain progesterone levels to support the developing placenta

Question 44

What occurs during the menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle?

Answer 44

If no implantation takes place after 10 days progesterone levels drop off as the corpus luteum degenerates The diminishing progesterone levels cause the highly vascularised and thickened uterine wall to degenerate and fall away, beginning menstruation

Question 45

What is released during menstruation?

Answer 45

A combination of blood, mucus and tissue

Question 46

What are common PMS symptoms?

Answer 46

Increased appetite Back pain Diarrhoea or constipation Abdominal pain and bloating Insomnia Fatigue Sensitive breasts Headache and nausea Acne

Question 47

What occurs during menopause?

Answer 47

The number of oocytes are very depleted Ovaries begin to lose their sensitivity to FSH and LH Less oestrogen and progesterone produced as a result Menstrual period become infrequent and eventually stop Lower oestrogen affects calcium metabolism leading to osteomalacia/osteoporosis Many side effects are induced

Question 48

What are common menopause symptoms?

Answer 48

Hot flushes Heavy sweating Headaches Hair loss Muscle pain Vaginal dryness Insomnia Depression Weight gain Mood swings

Question 49

What is the structure of mammary glands?

Answer 49

Fatty tissue surrounding 15-20 lobes of glandular tissue that radiate around the nipple

Question 50

What hormones contribute to development of the mammary glands?

Answer 50

Oestrogen causes glandular units and adipose tissue to grow during puberty Progesterone causes the development of the duct system

Question 51

Where is mammary gland milk produced?

Answer 51

In the alveoli

Question 52

What stimulates milk release?

Answer 52

Oxytocin stimulates the breast tissue to squeeze the alveoli, pushing the milk into the lactiferous ducts, collecting it in the lactiferous sinus