Week 27 / Reproductive system 3 & 4 Flashcards
Q: What are the essential organs in female reproduction?
[what are the organs ?
What do they produce?
]
A: The gonads (ovaries), which produce sex cells (ova).
Q: What are the accessory organs of reproduction?
[3]
A: The uterine tubes (fallopian tubes or oviducts),
uterus,
and vagina.
Q: What are the sex glands in female reproduction?
A: The glands in the breasts.
Q: What are the external organs of female reproduction?
A: The vulva or pudendum.
Q: What do the ovaries produce? [5]
A: The ovaries
produce secondary oocytes,
progesterone,
oestrogen (female sex hormones)
, inhibin, and
relaxin.
Q: What is the function of the uterine tubes?
A: The uterine tubes transport secondary oocytes to the uterus and are normally the site where fertilization occurs.
Q: What is the role of the uterus?
A: The uterus is the site of implantation of the fertilized ovum, development of the fetus during pregnancy, and labor.
Q: What is the function of the vagina?
A: The vagina receives the penis during intercourse and is the passageway for childbirth.
Q: What do the mammary glands do?
A: The mammary glands synthesize, secrete, and eject milk for the nourishment of newborns.
Q: What is the structure and location of the ovaries?
The ovaries are paired glands weighing about 3g each.
They resemble large almonds.
They are attached to ligaments in the pelvic cavity on each side of the uterus.
Q: What is the germinal epithelium in the ovary?
A: The germinal epithelium covers the surface of the ovary.
Q: What is the tunica albuginea in the ovary?
A: The tunica albuginea is irregular connective tissue beneath the germinal epithelium.
Q: What does the ovarian cortex contain?
[what does it contain ?
what does it surround ?
]
A: The ovarian cortex contains connective tissue with follicles surrounded by fibers and fibroblasts (stromal cells).
Q: What is a follicle in the ovary?
[ [2] , what does the second thing do?]
A: A follicle is made up of an oocyte (egg cell) and surrounding cells. These surrounding cells nourish the oocyte and secrete estrogen as the follicle grows.
Q: What happens in ovulation with the mature (Graafian) follicle?
A: The mature (Graafian) follicle is ready to rupture and expel the secondary oocyte during ovulation.
Q: What is the corpus luteum and what does it produce [3], until it ?
A: After ovulation, the corpus luteum contains remnants of the mature follicle. It produces progesterone, relaxin, and inhibin until it degenerates into a fibrous scar called the corpus albicans.
Q: What is oogenesis?
A: Oogenesis is the formation of gametes (egg cells) in the ovaries.
Q: How do germ cells become oogonia?
A: Germ cells from the yolk sac migrate to the ovary and become potential egg cells called oogonia.
Q: What happens to oogonia in the fetus?
[how are they produced?
where do they degenerate?]
A: In the fetus, millions of oogonia are produced by mitosis, but most of them degenerate through a process called atresia.
Q: What happens to some oogonia during fetal development?
A: Some oogonia develop into immature egg cells called primary oocytes during fetal development.
Q: How many primary oocytes are present at birth?
Q: How many primary oocytes remain at puberty?
Q: How many oocytes mature during a woman’s reproductive life?
Q: What happens each month with primary oocytes?
A: There are between 200,000 to 2 million primary oocytes present at birth.
A: About 40,000 primary oocytes remain at puberty.
A: Only about 400 oocytes mature during a woman’s reproductive life.
A: Each month, about 20 primary oocytes become secondary oocytes, but usually, only one survives to be ovulated from the Graafian follicle.
Q: When does the second division of oogenesis occur?
A: The second division only occurs if the secondary oocyte is fertilized.
Q: What are the results of the second division in oogenesis?
A: The second division results in
one large fertilized egg (ovum) with n=23 chromosomes
and
one small second polar body with n=23 chromosomes.
Q: What is the outcome of oogenesis?
A: Oogenesis results in
one large fertilized egg (zygote)
and
possibly three small polar bodies.
Q: What is the starting cell in oogenesis?
A: Oogenesis starts with a 2n=46 primary oocyte.
Q: How many divisions do egg-forming cells (oocytes) undergo?
A: Egg-forming cells (oocytes) undergo two divisions: primary and secondary.
Q: How does the primary oocyte divide in oogenesis?
[what does it divide into?]
A: The primary oocyte divides into two n=23 cells, one of which is a large secondary oocyte and the other is a small first polar body, which may also divide.
Q: What is the structure and length of the oviducts?
A: The oviducts are narrow, 4-inch (10 cm) tubes that extend from the ovary to the uterus.
Q: What is the infundibulum in the oviduct?
A: The infundibulum is the open, funnel-shaped portion near the ovary.
Q: What are fimbriae in the oviduct?
A: Fimbriae are moving, finger-like processes that sweep the secondary oocyte into the oviduct.
Q: What is the ampulla in the oviduct?
A: The ampulla is the central region of the oviduct.
Q: What is the isthmus in the oviduct?
A: The isthmus is the narrowest portion of the oviduct and joins the uterus.
Q: How long does it take for the zygote to reach the uterus?
A: The zygote reaches the uterus in approximately 7 days.
Q: How does the secondary oocyte move through the oviduct?
A: The fimbriae sweep the secondary oocyte into the oviduct, and the oocyte is moved by the cilia lining the wall of the tube.
Q: What are the functions of the uterus? [2]
A: The uterus is responsible for maintaining the fetus during development and expelling the fetus at the end of pregnancy. It is also the site of menstruation.
Q: What are the approximate dimensions of the uterus?
A: The uterus is about 3 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 1 inch thick.
Q: How is the uterus subdivided? [3]
A: The uterus is subdivided into the fundus, body, and cervix.
Q: What is found inside the uterus?
A: The interior of the uterus contains the uterine cavity, which is accessed by the cervical canal.
Q: What are the functions of the uterus in relation to sperm and implantation? [2]
A: The uterus serves as a pathway for sperm and is the site of implantation for a fertilized egg.
Q: What is the fundus of the uterus?
A: The fundus is the dome-shaped area located above the uterine tubes.
Q: What is the body of the uterus?
A: The body is the tapering central portion of the uterus.
Q: What is the cervix of the uterus?
A: The cervix is the narrow opening of the uterus that leads into the vagina.
Q: What is the uterine cavity?
A: The uterine cavity is the interior of the body of the uterus.
Q: What is the function of the vagina?
A: The vagina serves as a pathway for sperm, a passageway for the delivery of a baby from the uterus, and an outlet for menstrual flow.
Q: What is the length and structure of the vagina?
A: The vagina is a 10 cm (4 in.) fibrous muscular canal lined with mucous membrane.
Q: What is the fornix in the vagina?
A: The fornix is a recess that surrounds the cervix.
Q: How does the vaginal environment prevent bacterial growth?
A: The vagina has an acidic environment that prevents bacterial growth.
Q: What is the smooth muscular layer of the vagina responsible for?
A: The smooth muscular layer of the vagina adjusts for intercourse or childbirth.
Q: What is the hymen?
A: The hymen is a thin membrane fold that can cover the vaginal orifice.
Q: What is the vulva?
A: The vulva is the collective term for the female external genitalia.
Q: What is the mons pubis?
A: The mons pubis is an elevation of adipose tissue covered by skin and pubic hair, located anterior to the vaginal and urethral openings.
Q: What are the labia minora and labia majora?
A: The labia minora and labia majora are skin folds that surround the vaginal and urethral openings.
Q: Where is the clitoris located?
A: The clitoris is a small erotic structure located at the anterior end of the folds of the labia minora.
Q: What are mammary glands?
A: Mammary glands are modified sudoriferous (sweat) glands.
Q: What is the nipple?
A: The nipple is a pigmented projection with openings that allow milk to be ejected.
Q: What is the areola?
A: The areola is the area that surrounds the nipple.
Q: What is the internal structure of the mammary gland?
[how many lobes?
what are divided into?
what do they contain?
]
A: Internally, the mammary gland has 15-20 lobes, each subdivided into lobules, which contain alveoli—milk-secreting glands.
Q: When do mammary glands mature?
A: Mammary glands mature at puberty.
Q: What are suspensory (Cooper’s) ligaments?
A: Suspensory (Cooper’s) ligaments suspend the breast from the deep fascia of the pectoral muscles.
Q: What is the function of the mammary gland?
A: The function of the mammary gland is the synthesis, secretion, and ejection of milk, a process called lactation, which is associated with pregnancy and childbirth.
Q: What is the role of oestrogens in the breast?
A: Oestrogens develop the duct system in the breasts.
Q: What is the role of oxytocin in lactation?
A: Oxytocin stimulates milk ejection from the alveoli.
Q: What is the role of prolactin in lactation?
A: Prolactin stimulates milk synthesis in the alveoli.
Q: What is the role of progesterone in the breast?
A: Progesterone develops the milk-secreting glands in the breast, which are called alveoli.
Q: What are the dominant female sex hormones?
[what are they produced by?]
A: The dominant female sex hormones are oestrogen and progesterone, which are produced by the ovaries.
Q: What happens at puberty regarding hormone production?
A: At puberty, hormone production surges, triggering sexual maturation and the development of secondary sex characteristics.
Q: How is sex hormone production during fetal development, infancy, and childhood?
A: During fetal development, infancy, and childhood, sex hormone production is low.
Q: What is the role of sex hormones from puberty to menopause?
[what do sex hormones control?,
how are they produced?]
A: From puberty to menopause, sex hormones control the menstrual cycle and are produced cyclically.
Q: What role do androgens play in women?
A: Androgens are produced in small amounts by the ovaries and adrenals and have important functions in women.
Q: How do sex hormones behave during pregnancy?
A: During pregnancy, sex hormones are produced in higher levels by the placenta and inhibit ovulation.
Q: What is one of the local effects of oestrogen on the ovaries?
Q: How does oestrogen affect the reproductive tract?
Q: What are the effects of oestrogen on the fallopian tubes?
Q: What are the effects of oestrogen on the uterus?
Q: What is the effect of oestrogen on the vagina?
Q: How does oestrogen affect external genitalia during puberty?
Q: What effect does oestrogen have on breast growth during puberty?
Q: How does oestrogen affect female body configuration during puberty?
Q: What is the effect of oestrogen on sebum production?
Q: How does oestrogen affect bone growth?
Q: What are the vascular effects of oestrogen?
Q: How does oestrogen affect the hypothalamus and pituitary gland?
Q: How does oestrogen affect prolactin secretion?
Q: What is the protective effect of oestrogen against atherosclerosis?
A: Oestrogen stimulates the growth of the ovaries and follicles.
A: Oestrogen stimulates the growth of smooth muscle and the proliferation of epithelial linings in the reproductive tract.
A: Oestrogen increases contractions and ciliary activity in the fallopian tubes.
A: Oestrogen increases myometrial contractions, responsiveness to oxytocin, stimulates secretion of watery cervical mucus, and prepares the endometrium for progesterone by inducing progesterone receptors.
A: Oestrogen increases the layering of epithelial cells in the vagina.
A: Oestrogen stimulates the growth of external genitalia, particularly during puberty.
A: Oestrogen stimulates breast growth, particularly the ducts and fat deposition during puberty.
A: Oestrogen stimulates the development of a female body configuration, including narrow shoulders, broad hips, and female fat distribution on the hips and breasts.
A: Oestrogen stimulates fluid secretion from lipid (sebum-producing) skin glands, which helps oppose the acne-producing effects of androgens.
A: Oestrogen stimulates bone growth and the ultimate cessation of bone growth (closure of epiphyseal plates). It also protects against osteoporosis but does not have an anabolic effect on skeletal muscle.
A: Oestrogen has vascular effects, and a deficiency can produce “hot flashes.”
A: Oestrogen has feedback effects on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary gland.
A: Oestrogen stimulates prolactin secretion but inhibits prolactin’s milk-inducing action on the breasts.
A: Oestrogen protects against atherosclerosis by affecting plasma cholesterol, blood vessels, and blood clotting.
Q: What is the effect of progesterone on the endometrium?
Q: How does progesterone affect cervical mucus?
Q: What is the effect of progesterone on the fallopian tubes and myometrium?
Q: How does progesterone affect vaginal epithelial cells?
Q: What is the effect of progesterone on breast growth?
Q: How does progesterone affect prolactin’s milk-inducing effects?
Q: What are the feedback effects of progesterone on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary?
Q: How does progesterone affect body temperature?
A: Progesterone converts the oestrogen-primed endometrium into an actively secreting tissue suitable for embryo implantation.
A: Progesterone induces thick, sticky cervical mucus.
A: Progesterone decreases contractions of the fallopian tubes and myometrium.
A: Progesterone decreases the proliferation of vaginal epithelial cells.
A: Progesterone stimulates breast growth, particularly the glandular tissue.
A: Progesterone inhibits the milk-inducing effects of prolactin.
A: Progesterone has feedback effects on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary.
A: Progesterone increases body temperature.
Q: What does the hypothalamus secrete in the female reproductive system?
A: The hypothalamus secretes GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone).
Q: What does the anterior pituitary release in response to GnRH?
A: The anterior pituitary releases FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinizing Hormone).
Q: What is the effect of FSH and LH on the ovaries?
A: FSH and LH stimulate the ovaries to produce oestrogen and progesterone.
Q: What is the menstrual cycle?
A: The menstrual cycle refers to regular changes in the uterine lining, resulting in monthly bleeding.
Q: What is menarche?
A: Menarche is the first menstrual period.
Q: What is menopause?
A: Menopause is the termination of the menstrual cycle due to the normal aging of the ovaries.
Q: What does the anterior pituitary release first during the reproductive cycle?
A: The anterior pituitary first releases FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone).
Q: What does the anterior pituitary release after FSH?
A: After FSH, the anterior pituitary releases LH (Luteinizing Hormone).
Q: What happens to the ovarian follicle during the reproductive cycle?
A: The ovarian follicle matures and secretes oestrogen.
Q: How does oestrogen affect the reproductive cycle?
A: Oestrogen triggers ovulation and causes the uterine lining to thicken, becoming more vascular and glandular.
Q: What happens to the follicular cells after ovulation?
A: The follicular cells become the corpus luteum, which secretes progesterone.
Q: What controls the uterine (menstrual) cycle?
A: The uterine (menstrual) cycle is controlled by hormones from the ovary.
Q: What is the role of estrogens in the uterine cycle?
A: Estrogens promote the growth of the endometrium.
Q: What is the role of progesterone in the uterine cycle?
A: Progesterone supports the endometrium for implantation.
Q: What is the combination of the ovarian and uterine cycles called?
A: The combination of the ovarian and uterine cycles is called the reproductive cycle.
Q: What does the hypothalamus secrete to start the reproductive process?
A: The hypothalamus secretes GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone).
Q: How does GnRH reach the anterior pituitary?
A: GnRH travels through the hypothalamo-pituitary portal vessels to reach the anterior pituitary.
Q: What does the anterior pituitary secrete in response to GnRH?
A: The anterior pituitary secretes LH (Luteinizing Hormone).
Q: What happens during the LH surge?
A: The LH surge triggers ovulation.
Q: What occurs in the ovary after ovulation?
A: The corpus luteum forms in the ovary and starts secreting large amounts of estrogen and progesterone.
Q: What does the hypothalamus secrete during the luteal phase?
A: The hypothalamus secretes GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone).
Q: How does GnRH reach the anterior pituitary?
A: GnRH travels through the hypothalamo-pituitary portal vessels to the anterior pituitary.
Q: What does the anterior pituitary secrete in response to GnRH during the luteal phase?
A: The anterior pituitary primarily secretes FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinizing Hormone).
Q: What does the ovary secrete during the luteal phase?
A: The ovary secretes inhibin, progesterone, and estrogen.
Q: What happens to the corpus luteum during the luteal phase?
A: The corpus luteum forms and begins secreting progesterone and estrogen.
