The female reproductive system Flashcards
What systems do the breasts belong to?
Reproductive
Intergumentary
What are the constituent parts of the vulva?
Mons pubis
Labia majora and minora
Clitoris
Vestibule
Hymen
What are the different states of hymen?
Annular
Crescentic
Septate
Cribform
Fimbrated
What are the functions of the vulva?
Sexual stimulation
Assisting flow of urine
Protection from infection
What is the purpose of the posterior fornix?
Acts as a natural semen reservoir after intercourse
What are the fornices?
The domes created by the vagina surrounding the cervix
What are the functions of the vagina?
Receives and allows passage of sperm and ejaculate
Daily discharge to cleanse and lubricate
Passage of menstrual blood
Birth passage
Sensation
What are the functions of the cervix?
Facilitates the passage of sperm
Maintains sterility of the upper reproductive tract
How does the cervix facilitate the passage of sperm?
Dilation of the external and internal OS
How does the cervix maintain the sterility of the upper reproductive tract?
Frequent shredding of the endometrium
Cervical mucus
A narrow external os
What are the parts of the uterus?
Fundus
Body
Cervix
What is the structure of the uterine wall?
Endometrium
Myometrium
Perimetrium
What connects the fallopian tubes to the uterus?
Broad ligaments
What connects the ovaries to the uterus?
Fallopian tubes
Ovarian ligament
Where should embryos implant?
The endometrium
What is the function of the fallopian tubes?
Assisting transport of the ovum from the ovaries to the uterus
How do the fallopian tubes facilitate transport of the ovum?
Ciliated inner mucosa cella
Smooth muscle contraction
Which hormones are the fallopian smooth muscle sensitive to?
Sex steroids (oestrogen and progesterone)
What are the parts of the fallopian tubes?
Isthmus
Ampulla
Infundibulum
Fimbriae
What is the structure of the ovaries?
Cuboidal epithelium surface
Cortex
Medulla
Hilium
What is contained in the ovarian cortex?
Largely comprised of connective tissue supporting follicles. Each follicle contains an oocyte surrounded by a single layer of follicular cells
What is contained in the ovarian medulla?
A rich neurovascular network which enters the ovary at the hilium
How do the ovaries form and release ovum?
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
What are the functions of the ovaries?
Production of oocytes
Sex steroid hormone production
What sex steroid hormones do the ovaries produce?
Oestrogen
Progesterone
What causes the ovaries to produce sex steroid hormones?
It is in response to pituitary gonadotropins LH and FSH
What is the ovarian cycle?
The preparation of endocrine tissues and release of eggs
What are the phases of the menstrual cycle?
Menstrual phase
Follicular phase
Ovulation phase
Luteal phase
What are the female reproductive cycle organs?
Hypothalamus
Anterior pituitary gland
Ovary
Uterus
At what point during the menstrual cycle does ovulation usually occur?
Day 14
At what point during the menstrual cycle do the different pituitary and ovarian hormone levels peak?
FSH and LH - 14
Oestrogen- 13 (just before FSH and LH)
Progesterone- 22
At what point in the menstrual cycle is there a secondary spike in oestrogen?
Day 22, in line with the main spike in progesterone
What prompts the formation of primary follicles?
A fall in levels of progesterone
What stimulates the release of FSH and LH?
The release of Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone from the hypothalamus
What stimulates the development of primary follicles into secondary follicles and beyond?
FSH
What produces oestrogen?
Maturing follicles in the ovaries
What are the reproductive effects of oestrogen?
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
What is the effect of LH?
It weakens the wall of the ovary so the egg is released
What is atresia?
The process by which oocytes of follicles that do not mature are degenerated and reabsorbed
How long do human eggs live for after ovulation?
Around 12-24 hours
What is the function of progesterone?
It signals the uterine lining to thicken and become highly vascularised to prepare for gestation
Supports the developing placenta
When and where is progesterone produced?
After ovulation, in the remnant follicle cells left
What occurs during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle?
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
What occurs during the menstrual phase of the menstrual cycle?
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
What is released during menstruation?
A combination of blood, mucus and tissue
What are common PMS symptoms?
Increased appetite
Back pain
Diarrhoea or constipation
Abdominal pain and bloating
Insomnia
Fatigue
Sensitive breasts
Headache and nausea
Acne
What occurs during menopause?
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
What are common menopause symptoms?
Hot flushes
Heavy sweating
Headaches
Hair loss
Muscle pain
Vaginal dryness
Insomnia
Depression
Weight gain
Mood swings
What is the structure of mammary glands?
Fatty tissue surrounding 15-20 lobes of glandular tissue that radiate around the nipple
What hormones contribute to development of the mammary glands?
Oestrogen causes glandular units and adipose tissue to grow during puberty
Progesterone causes the development of the duct system
Where is mammary gland milk produced?
In the alveoli
What stimulates milk release?
Oxytocin stimulates the breast tissue to squeeze the alveoli, pushing the milk into the lactiferous ducts, collecting it in the lactiferous sinus
