The Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Name and describe the THREE layers of the uterine wall
Perimetrium - consistent with peritoneal layer
Myometrium - muscle layer consisting of oblique/longitudinal/circular/transverse
Endometrium - glandular columnar epithelium with a high number of capillaries
Name the THREE phases of ovarian cycle
Follicular
Ovulatory
Luteal
Which hormone is released in response to low levels of oestrogen and progesterone?
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone
Which hormone is released in response to a rise in levels of Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone?
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
What effect does a rise in oestrogen have on levels of Luteinising Hormone and Follicle Stimulating Hormone?
Inhibits release of FSH and stimulates LH to be released in a sudden burst
What is the ovum released from?
Graafian Follicle
What is the Corpus Luteum formed from and which TWO hormones does it secrete?
From Graafian Follicle
Secretes Progesterone & Oestrogen
How long does the Corpus Luteum last for?
12 days
What happens if fertilisation of the ovum does not occur?
Corpus Luteum becomes Corpus Albicans
Oestrogen and Progesterone levels fall
Name the THREE phases of the development of the endometrium
Menstruation
Proliferation
Secretion
When fertilisation has occurred, which hormone causes levels of oestrogen and progesterone to rise?
Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin
What happens to the myometrium when an ovum has been fertilised?
Hypertrophy & Hyperplasia
What happens to the endometrium when an ovum has been fertilised?
Thickens and becomes more vascular
Describe the operculum and its function
Is a plug of mucus which acts as a barrier to penetration of microorganisms
Why is thrush more common in pregnancy?
An increase of vaginal discharge caused by generation and degeneration of cells in the vaginal wall causes the vagina to become more acidic
