THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Question 1

The female reproductive system

Answer 1

Is a collection of organs with several functions:

• Producing oocytes.
• Production the female hormones
• Being the site of fertilization and implantation.
• Maintenance of pregnancy.

Question 2

Anatomy of the female reproductive system

Answer 2

The female reproductive system is including external and internal labia, leading to a muscular tube – the
vagina. 
It includes:
- Vulva
- Vagina 
- Cervix
- Uterus
- Ovaries

Question 3

Vulva

Answer 3

the external structure of the female reproductive system. Its functions are to enable sperm to enter
the body, and to protect the internal organs. Composed of:
* Labia majora – the outer folds.
* Labia minora – the inner folds.
* Clitoris – primary source of female orgasm.

Question 4

Vagina

Answer 4

Muscular hollow tube. The vagina contains folds and acidic 𝑝𝐻 of 5.5. The vagina is separated from the uterus by the cervix.

Question 5

Cervix

Answer 5

A muscular ring separating the uterus from the vagina and allows passage between the two only
is specific cases, like the bleed phase in the menstrual cycle.

Question 6

Uterus

Answer 6

Muscular organ serving as the site of implantation, embryotic and fetal phages. The uterus has
three layers (corpus) that can easily expand to hold developing baby:
* Inner endometrium.
* Middle myometrium.
* Outer perimetrium – site of zygote implementation and fetal growth.

The uterus is connected to two horns, which are the fertilization sites.
* Fallopian tube/Uterine tube.
* Slapings/Oviduct.
These are narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of the uterus and serve as tunnels for the ovum
to travel from the ovaries to the uterus (the site of fertilization).

Question 7

Ovaries

Answer 7

Paired gonads located at each side of the uterus. They have endocrine function and producing

gametes. Inside the ovaries, we can find follicles that are protecting and nourishing the oocytes inside of
them. Follicles are also producing the hormones:
* Estrogen.
* Progesterone

Question 8

Oogenesis

Answer 8

Oogenesis is a meiotic process that creates ovum (egg cells). It takes place in the ovaries and it begins
during the female fetal development.
Follicles form part of the ovaries and provide the oocyte with nutrition and protection. They help it mature
by secreting estrogen and progesterone.
During fetal development, primary oocyte (resides within the follicles) begin meiosis, but stop at prophase1. It remains at this stage till puberty.
**Ovulation – during each menstrual cycle, one primary oocyte enclosed in it follicle resume the meiosis
phage to produce 2 daughter cells.

Question 9

Ovulation Cycle

Answer 9

The female reproductive system is characterized by two cycles:
1. The ovarian cycle – relating the ovaries.
2. The menstrual cycle – relating the uterus.
The propose is to produce an egg and prepare the uterus for egg implantation. Each cycle lasts 28 days

Question 10

Ovarian Cycle

Answer 10

1. Follicular phase – development of the follicle, meiotic stages of division that produces a secondary oocyte
   and secretion of estrogen from the follicle.
   2.Ovulation – occurs mid cycle and is the ejection of the egg from the ovary.
2. Luteal phase – after ovulation, the corpus luteum previously the follicle and the temporary endocrine
   structure. Secretes estrogen and progesterone.

Question 11

Menstrual Cycle

Answer 11

1. Proliferative phase – the thickening of the endometrium of the uterus.
2. Secondary phase – follows ovulation, further thickening of the endometrium in preparation for the
   implantation.
3. Menstrual phase – shedding od endometrium when implantation does not occur.

Question 12

Reproductive hormones(A long answer)

Answer 12

The cycle starts in day one; the sending of endometrium tissue. Simultaneously, 𝐺𝑁𝑅𝐻 from the
hypothalamus is causing the secretion of 𝐿𝐻 and 𝐹𝑆𝐻 from the anterior pituitary gland.
𝑇𝐹𝑆 is stimulating the follicles to produce estrogen and the maturation of one oocyte. High level of estrogen will affect the pituitary gland to secrete high amount of 𝐿𝐻 at once (called 𝐿𝐻 surge). 𝐿𝐻 surge
will cause the rapture of the follicle and the release of the oocyte to the oviduct.
In post ovulation the ruptured oocyte is becoming a small endocrine glands called corpus luteum that
produce progesterone.
Progesterone is preparing the endometrium for implantation, and later the maintenance of pregnancy in the early stages.
Progesterone also inhibits the secretion of 𝐺𝑁𝑅𝐻 from the hypothalamus in order to prevent another ovulation during pregnancy.
If no pregnancy occurs, the corpus luteum will degenerate and become a scar tissue called corpus albicans.
The decreasing levels of progesterone will free the hypothalamus from the negative effect on it, and 𝐺𝑁𝑅𝐻
will be produced again. In this stage the cycle starts anew.

Question 13

Sexual Intercourse

Answer 13

When sperm enters the vagina, it can stay inside its folds between two to three days before being
conducted to the uterus. The sperm’s life span is about five days.
Cervical mucus serves to protect against bacteria entering the uterus from the vagina. If an oocyte is
available for fertilization, the mucus becomes thin and slightly alkaline, which promotes the passage of sperm.
At other times, the mucus is viscous and impedes the passage of sperm.

Question 14

Pathology

Answer 14

• Vulvovaginal candidiasis – yeast infection. Overgrowth of the yeast candida that lives normally in the body’s 𝑈𝑇 and 𝐺𝐼.
• Human papillomavirus (𝐻𝑃𝑉) – virus that can cause warts and may lead to cervical cancer.
• Cervical cancer – cancer arising from the cervix

Types of inflations:

• Vaginitis – inflammation of the vagina.
• Endometritis – inflammation of the uterus.
• Salpingitis – inflammation of the fallopian tubes.
• Oophoritis – inflammation of the ovaries.