The Female Reproductive System Flashcards
labioscrotal swellings
a pair of skin folds that form the scrotum in males due to presence of testosterone and forms the labia majora of the vagina in females due to absence of testosterone
urethral opening
where urine exits the body, located underneath the clitoris
labia minora
a pair of skin folds surrounding the urethral opening
uterus
hollow organ in the pelvic cavity into which the vagina opens up
cervix
the part of the uterus which opens into the vagina
endometrium
innermost lining of the uterus, responsible for nourishing a developing embryo and is shed during menstrual bleeding
myometrium
surrounds the endometrium, a thick layer of smooth muscle comprising the wall of the uterus
uterine tubes
aka fallopian tubes that extend into the pelvis from the uterus on each side that end in fimbriae
fimbriae
finger-like structures on the end of each uterine tubes
ovary
the female gonad, which brushes up against the fimbriae
the female sexual act
arousal (erection and lubrication controlled by parasympathetic nervous system), orgasm (sympathetic nervous system)-muscle contraction and cervix widening, no ejaculation, resolution (sympathetic nervous system)
greater vestibular glands
secretes mucus for lubrication along with vaginal epithelium
follicular phase
first phase of ovarian cycle, where a primary follicle matures and secretes estrogen (under control of FSH, lasts 13 days)
ovulatory phase
second phase of ovarian cycle, where a secondary oocyte is released from the ovary, triggered by LH surge which also causes remnants of the follicle to become corpus luteum (occurs on the 14th day)
luteal phase
third phase of ovarian cycle, begins with full formation of the corpus luteum in the ovary which secretes both estrogen and progesterone (14 days)
menstruation
first phase of uterine cycle, triggered by the degeneration of the corpus luteum and subsequent drop of estrogen and progesterone which causes bleeding (5 days)
proliferative phase
second phase of uterine cycle, estrogen produced by the follicle induces the proliferation of a new endometrium (9 days)
secretory phase
third phase of uterine cycle, after ovulation occurs, the estrogen and progesterone produced by the corpus luteum further increases the development of the endometrium, including secretion of glycogen, lipids, and other material.
human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
secreted by chorion portion of placenta (derived from trophoblast of blastocyst) and takes the place of LH in maintaining the corpus luteum to maintain elevated estrogen and progesterone levels
granulosa cells
supporting cells that surround the primary oocyte, secrete estrogen during the first half of the menstrual cycle
follicle
the structure consisting of the primary oocyte plus granulosa cells
primordial follicle
an immature primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of granulosa cells
what changes do the primordial follicle undergo as it matures?
granulosa cells proliferate to form several layers around the oocyte and the zona pellucida forms
zona pellucida
a protective layer of mucopolysaccharides formed by the oocyte, layer located just outside egg membrane
thecal cells
cells that separate the follicles present in the ovary
the follicle that matures to the point of progressing to ovulation is termed the:
Graafian follicle (all other follicles degenerate)