Week 8 - Lecture 1 - Female Reproductive System

Question 1

Primary sex organs are called

Answer 1

gonads - testes in males and ovaries in females

Question 2

Primary sex organs secrete steroid sex hormones such as

Answer 2

androgens in males

estrogens and progesterones in females

Question 3

role of the ovaries

Answer 3

produce female gametes (ova)
secrete female sex hormones
- estrogen, progesterone

Question 4

duct of the ovaries

Answer 4

have no contact with ovaries

• Oocyte cast into peritoneal cavity; some lost there
• ovarian cancer can easily seed into the peritoneal cavity

Question 5

the uterus

Answer 5

provides for developing embryo

mechanical protection
nutritional support
waste removal

Question 6

list the three layers of the uterus

Answer 6

perimetrium- serous layer (visceral peritoneum)
myometrium (interlacing layers of smooth muscle
endometrium -mucosal lining

Question 7

What gets shed during the menstrual cycle

Answer 7

stratum functionalis (functional layer) 
changes in response to ovarian hormone cycle

Question 8

beneath the stratum functionalis is the

Answer 8

stratum basalis (basal layer) 
forms new functionalis after menstruation 
unresponsive to ovarian hormones

Question 9

vagina characteristics

Answer 9

extends between bladder and rectum from cervix to exterior
urethra fornix - upper end of vagina surrounding cervix
posterior and anterior walls touch each other
vaginal mucosa : no glands
- lubricated from cervical mucous glands

Question 10

two consecutive phases in the ovarian cycle

Answer 10

first 1-14 days - the follicular phase - period of follicle growth
ovulation occurs mid cycle
14-28 days - luteal phase - period of corpus luteum activity

only 10-15% of women have a 28 day cycle
follicular phase varies and luteal phase is usually constant - always 14 days from ovulation to end of cycle