UG-female reproductive system Flashcards
what is the female reproductive tract made up of (4)?
- vulva
- cervix
- fallopian tubes
- ovaries
what supports the structures in the pelvis?
ligaments
which structure connects the ovaries to the uterus?
fallopian tube
what are the 3 parts of the uterus?
- fundus (head)
- body
- cervix
what are the 2 restrictions of the cervix?
- internal os
- external os
what is the space between the internal and external os called?
cervical canal
what is the inner membrane of the uterus called?
endometrium
where the fertilised egg implants
what is the myometrium?
the muscular wall of the uterus
where does the majority of the uterus lie?
over the top of the bladder
what are the 2 angles of the uterus?
- angle of anteversion
- angle of anteflexion
describe anteversion
between axis of vagina and cervix
describe anteflexion
between axis of cervix and uterine body
what are the names of the 2 pouches?
- vesio-uterine-between bladder and uterus
- recto-uterine-between rectum and uterus
outline the 3 parts of the deep external genitalia
- 2 corpus cavernosa
- bulb of vesibule
- great vesibular (Bartholin’s gland)
what is the role of the corpus cavernosa?
each has a crus which line the pubic symphysis to form the glans clitoris
what is the role of the bulb of vestibule?
erectile tissue on either side of vestibule of vagina
what is the role of the vestibular (Bartholin’s) gland
secreted small amount of fluid to lubricate the vesibule of the vagina
what do the mons pubis, labium majora/ minora and frenulum of clitoris form?
the vulva
what makes up the superficial external genitalia?
- mons pubis
- labium majora
- labium minora
- frenulum of clitoris
what is the mons pubis?
area of fascia and skin that lies just in front of the pubic symphysis-where the gubernaculum attaches
what are the labium minora and majora?
outer and inner lips of the vagina prepuce-hood over the clitoris
-equivalent to glans penis in males
what is the frenulum of the clitoris?
joining of the labia minora just underneath the clitoris
how long is the female urethra?
4cm
what problems does the length of the female urethra cause?
- more prone to UTIs than males
- less functional internal urethral sphincter
how is the external urethral sphincter controlled?
under somatic control by pudendal nerve S2-4
how is the female pelvis different to male
- rounder linea terminalis
- pubic angle 85
- ilia project further laterally
what is the role of FSH in the HPO axis?
-FSH binds to granulosa cells to stimulate follicle growth
-permit the conversion of androgens (from theca cells)
to oestrogens
-stimulate inhibin secretion
what is the role of LH in the HPO axis?
LH acts on theca cells to stimulate production and secretion of androgens
what happens to the HPG axis when oestrogen levels are moderate?
Moderate oestrogen levels exert negative feedback on the HPG axis
what happens to the HPG axis when oestrogen levels are high?
high levels of oestrogen (in the absence of progesterone) positively feedback on the HPG axis
what effect does oestrogen in the presence of progesterone have on the HPG axis?
negative feedback
what effect does inhibin have on FSH?
negative feedback at anterior pituitary
at which point in development are there the most oogonia?
foetal period
what do oogonia divide into in the foetal period?
primary oocytes
what happens to primary oocytes in prophase 1 of the foetal period?
they are arrested
why are the primary oocytes still arrested during childhood?
ovaries are inactive during childhood
describe the process of oogenesis during puberty to menopause?
- once a month 1 primary oocyte completes meiosis 1
- arrests in metaphase 2
- 1 daughter cell takes all cellular contents other than DNA
- this larger cell is now secondary oocyte
- the other cell with DNA contents is called a polar body
what is ovulation?
once a month an egg is released from ovaries
what happens if the egg is fertilised?
- will form a zygote (2n)
- meiosis is completed and zygote travels to endometrium to implant into uterine wall
what are primordial oocytes encapsulated in in the foetal period?
inside primordial follicles
what are follicles made up of in the foetal period?
a thin layer of granulosa cells
do the follicles develop during childhood?
no they are inactive
how are primary follicles formed during puberty up until menopause?
- primary follicle androgens cause 20-50 primordial follicles to develop into primary follicles in each menstruation cycle
- only 1 forms pre-ovulatory follicle-rest undergo atresia
how are secondary follicles formed during puberty up until menopause?
-FSH causes primary follicles to develop into secondary follicle
what are the roles of FSH in folliculogenesis?
- primary->secondary follicle
- formation of ZP
- proliferation of granulosa cells
- proliferation of theca cells -expression of LH receptors -together theca and granulosa cells produce oestrogen
how are antral follicles formed during puberty up until menopause?
granulosa cells produce follicular fluid which sits in the antrum and nourishes follicle and egg
what happens to the follicle during ovulation?
- LH surge causes oocyte to be cut out of follicle causing enzymes
- remaining follicle forms corpus luteum-release progesterone-used to thicken endometrium
what is the corpus luteum called when it degenerates?
corpus albicans
what does the ovarian cycle involve?
growth of ovum and follicle
which phases does the ovarian cycle involve?
- follicular
- luteal
is the follicular phase oestrogen or progesterone dominant?
oestrogen
is the luteal phase oestrogen or progesterone dominant?
progesterone
what does the uterine cycle involve?
breakdown and growth of endometrial wall
what are the 3 phases of the uterine cycle?
- menses (0-7)
- proliferative (7-14)
- secretory (14-28)
which cells release oestrogen in the ovarian cycle?
granulosa
which cells release progesterone in the ovarian cycle?
corpus luteum
what is the role of progesterone in the menstrual cycle?
used to thicken endometrium
which days make up the follicular phase?
0-14
which days make up the luteal phase?
14-28
