WARD: Chapter 5: Reproductive A&P

Question 1

differentiated as male or

female.

Answer 1

about eight weeks

Question 2

Primitive reproductive ducts form during this undifferentiated
period, and include a pair of mesonephric ducts
and a pair of paramesonephric ducts.

Answer 2

The mesonephric
ducts are dominant in males and the paramesonephric
ducts are dominant in females

Question 3

Beginning in the 12th

developmental week,

Answer 3

androgens begin to stimulate the

growth of the external genitalia

Question 4

External female genitalia develop

Answer 4

in
the absence of androgens. At approximately 12 weeks, the
clitoris is formed and the labia majora and minora develop
from the surrounding connective tissue

Question 5

The vestibule is essentially an oval-shaped space enclosed
by the labia minora. It contains openings to the urethra
and vagina, the Skene’s glands, and the Bartholin’s glands.

Answer 5

This area of a woman’s anatomy is extremely sensitive to
chemical irritants. Nurses should be prepared to educate
women about the potential discomforts associated with
the use of dyes and perfumes found in soaps, detergents,
and feminine hygiene products, and encourage their discontinuation
if symptoms develop

Question 6

episiotomy

Answer 6

An episiotomy (incision made
to enlarge the perineal opening to allow delivery of a
fetus) may be performed to widen the external passage

Question 7

The infundibulum

Answer 7

the funnel-shaped portion located at the distal end of the

fallopian tube.

Question 8

Fertilization usually occurs in

the

Answer 8

outer one third of the fallopian tube, which provides a

safe, nourishing environment for the ovum and sperm

Question 9

If fertilization does not

occur,

Answer 9

the ovum dies within 24 to 48 hours and disintegrates,

either in the tube or in the uterus

Question 10

dysmenorrhea

Answer 10

Several sensory nerve fi bers that contribute to dysmenorrhea
(painful menstruation) are housed in the
uterosacral ligaments

Question 11

The cervix secretes

Answer 11

mucus, which serves several functions: (1) lubricates the
vaginal canal, (2) forms a barrier to sperm penetration
into the uterus during nonfertile periods, (3) provides an
easy fl owing pathway to facilitate sperm passage into the
uterus during fertile periods, (4) provides an alkaline
environment to facilitate the viability of sperm that have
been deposited in the acidic vagina, (5) forms a solid
plug called an operculum to protect a pregnancy from
outside pathogens, and (6) functions as a bacteriostatic
agent. The composition of cervical mucus changes during
the menstrual cycle and these changes are important
in the fertility assessment.

Question 12

“round ligament pain.”

Answer 12

The round ligaments expand both in diameter and in
length during pregnancy
As the uterus expands, the
round ligaments become stretched tight and sudden movements
such as position changes, coughing or stretching
may result in sharp pains that can be quite concerning
until the woman understands the physiology for the discomfort.

Question 13

pelvimetry

Answer 13

In order to assess the adequacy of a woman’s pelvis for
delivery of a fetus of average size, health care providers
may use pelvimetry (measurement of the pelvis to predict
the feasibility of a vaginal birth).

Question 14

The midpelvis,
which constitutes the area between the ischial spines, is the
narrowest lateral portion of the female pelvis. This measurement
needs to be at least

Answer 14

4.7 inches (12 cm) to allow

for a vaginal birth.