The Female Reproductive Tract Flashcards by Emma Strang

What are the main components of the female reproductive tract?

Ovaries
Fallopian tube
Uterus
Vagina
External genitalia (accessory glands)

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What are ovaries?

Endocrine glands

Flattened ovid, roughly 3cm long

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What are the ovaries suspended in the upper pelvis by?

Broad ligament- peritoneum
Suspensor ligaments- to pelvic wall
Ovarian ligaments- lower to pole of ovary to the uterus

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What is the ovary histology?

Simple cuboidal germinal epithelium
Tunica albuginea (connective tissue capsule- same name as capsule around testis)
Stromal connective tissue
Follicles in cortex= oocytes & supporting cells
Roughly 400 (oocytes) fully released in lifetime

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What are within the stromal connective tissue?

Outer cortex- developing follicles sit in here

Inner medulla

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Follicles= oocytes and supporting cells, what do they do?

Produce hormones

Ovum expelled each month

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Why are there roughly 400 oocytes released in lifetime?

Birth roughly 2 million follicles- mitosis during foetal life, then paused in meiosis. When puberty a new surge of hormones begins oogenesis
Puberty roughly 400,000 follicles

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What is atresia?

Degeneration of follicles that aren’t going to be released

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What is oogenesis?

Formation of female gametes

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Where does oogenesis this begin?

Fetus

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What is the primary oocyte surrounded by?

Granulosa cells

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What happens during puberty?

Enlarged= primary follicle (primary oocyte surrounded by supporting granulosa cells)

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What is the mature/tertiary follicle (Graafian follicle)?

Enlarged follicle with fluid filled atrium (cavity)

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What is a secondary oocyte?

Oocyte that completes 1st meiotic division

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What happens during ovulation?

One will be released the rest will go through Atresia. More follicles recruited to go through oogenesis than will complete cycle so will degenerate.

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What is ovulation?:

Release of a secondary oocyte from ovary into peritoneal cavity

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What is the difference between oorgenesis and ovulation?

Oogenesis- development of oocyte

Ovulation- release of oocyte

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How many eggs are ovulated?

Lots of follicles mature each cycle

Only one ovulated

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What is fertilisation?

Sperm binds to & penetrates the oocyte plasma membrane

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What happens to the follicles that aren’t ovulated?

Others degenerate- atresia

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What is the corpus luteum (CL)?

Enlarge and secrete hormones- progesterone and estrogen for 10 days- give hormone long enough to travel through fallopian tube
Degenerates when no pregnancy- corpus albicans

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What happens to CL during pregnancy?

CL enlarges and remains throught pregnancy

Continues to produce progesterone and estrogen, stop uterine wall from shedding (preventing miscarriage)

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How does high insulin and T alters follicle development in Polycistic (PCOS)?

High insulin &amp; T alters follicle dev
Many follicles develop but not fully
No ovulation
Difficulty conceiving
Weight gain and hirsutism- increased testosterone
1 in 10 (or even 4)

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What is the uterine (fallopian tubes)?

Space in between ovary and Fallopian tube, not released directly into fallopian tube
Paired, roughly 10cm long
Extends ovary- uterus
Opens into peritoneal cavity

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How is the uterine (fallopian tube) expand?

Expands at ovary= infundibulum Funnel shaped Long, thin, processes (fimbriae)

What is the ampulla in the uterine?

Widest longest part | Site of fertilisation

What is the isthmus in the uterine?

Part nearest uterus | Narrow but thick walled

What do fallopian tubes receive?

Receives oocytes | Pathway to uterus

What is fallopian tubes lined by?

• Lined by mucosa- mucous membrane o Simple columnar epithelium o Cilia to help move egg

What muscularis makes up the fallopian tube?

Inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle

How long does a fertilised egg travel through the fallopian tube?

Roughly 6-10 days

What happens in an ectopic pregnancy?

Egg implants outside the uterus

What is the shape and size of the uterus?

pear shaped, roughly 7.5cm long

What is the fundus in the uterus?

Posterior to fallopian tubes | Large and rounded

What is the body in the uterus?

Central portion

What is the cervix?

Inferior, narrow, opens to vagina, cervix is part of the uterus Projects forward- 90 degree angle with vagina Retroverted- backwards tipping

What is retroflexion?

Backward tipping of vagina

What do ligaments and pelvix cloor muscles support?

Broad, round, cardinal & utersoacral ligaments | If muscles weakened uterus extend inferiorly into vagina= prolapsed uterus

What 4 categories do ligaments and pelvix cloor muscles support uterine prolapse?

I- uterus in upper half of vagin | IV- uterus completely out other vagina

What is perimetrium?

Peritoneum serous membrane covering uterus

What is myometrium?

Smooth muscle layer, bulk of uterus

What type of muscle and tissue is in the cervical?

Less muscle, more dense connective tissue so rigid and less contractile

What is endometrium?

Muscous membrane- simple columnar epithelium & lamina propria

What makes up the cervix?

Neck of uterus- inferior Columnar (sup.) & squamous (inf) epithelial cells Cervica mucous glands

What do cervica mucosa glands do?

Mucus barrier to substance from the vagina | Near ovulation, consistency of mucus changes

What can identify cervical cancer?

Abnormal changes in cell shape

What happens during early cervical cancer?

Cells change, visible under a microscope

What are treatments for cervical cancer?

Radiation, chemo and surgery

How many women are affected with cervical cancer each year?

2800

What is cervical cancer usually caused by?

70% cervical cancer due to infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) NEW VACCINTION

In the vagina how long is the fibromuscular tube?

roughly 10cm

What makes up the vagina wall?

Inner mucosa- stratified squamous epithelium Muscularis Adventitia Gateway to uterus (pH acidic- protective) Passageway for menstrual flow Birth canal during Labor

What does the endometrium contain?

Contains uterine glands and blood vessels (spiral artieries) Functionalis & deeper stratum balld Functional zone thicker, undergoes changes during menstrual cycle

What is inner mucosa used for in the vagina?

Protective- luberications in intercourse Folded in rugae Hymen- mucous membrane covering vaginal orifice

What muscularis is present in the vagina?

Inner longitudinal & outer circular; allows vagina enlarge in intercourse & childbirth

What is the composition of the Adventitia in the vagina?

Outer loose CT, anchors vagina

What is the Female External genitalia called?

VULVA

What is the vestibule of the vagina?

``` Space Urethral & vaginal openings Mucous glands Labia minora skin folds borders Clitoris: erectile structure- corpora cavernosa ```

What is the labia majora of the vagina?

Rounded folds of skin & fat Medial surfaces sebaceous & sweat glands Unite to form mons pubis ant Elevated over pubis symphysis

What is the male version of the labia majora?

Scrotum

What is the male version of the labia minora?

Spongy urethra

What is the male version of the vestibule?

Membranous urethra

What is the male version of the bulb of vestibule?

Bulb of penis

What is the male version of the clitoris?

Glans penis

What is the male version of the Skene's glands?

Prostate

What is the male version of the Bartholin's glands?

Cowper's glands