Women's Health Flashcards
female pelvis
characterized by a wide pubic arch, lighter, thinner bones, shallow false pelvis, wide and shallow pelvic cavity, round/oval pelvic inlet, large pelvic outlet, more flexible and straighter coccyx, more everted ischial tuberosities
male pelvis
characterized by a narrow pubic arch, heavier, thicker bones, deep false pelvis, narrow and deep pelvic cavity, heart-shaped and smaller pelvic inlet, small pelvic outlet, more curved and less flexible coccyx, and longer ischial tuberosities that face medially
components of the vulva
labia minora, labia majora, mons, clitoris, urethra, vestibular bulbs, Bartholin glands, and the vaginal opening
function of the mons
fatty mound anterior to the pubic bone that functions as a cushion during intercourse and secretes pheromones
function of the labia
protect the urethra and vaginal openings
components of the vaginal vestibule
the urethra, vestibular gland (Bartholin gland), and the external vaginal orifice
function of Bartholin glands
located below the labia minora at 4 and 8 o’clock within the vaginal vestibule and secrete mucous (lubricant) into the vaginal introitus where stimulation is increased during times of arousal - innervated by the parasympathetic nervous system
clitoris
erectile tissue extending from vaginal introitus into clitoris homologous to the glans in males which is innervated by the parasympathetic nervous system and has about 8,000 nerve endings, stimulation causes dilation of arteries as a result of the release of acetylcholine and nitric oxide and results in erection of tissue
vagina
musculomembranous structure about 7-9 cm in length which extends from the mid cervix to the vaginal orifice, typically sits in a collapsed position where lateral walls fall medially at the external orifice and will close internally in an anterior-posterior position
muscular sphincters that can compress vagina
pubovaginalis, external urethral sphincter, urethrovaginal sphincter, and the bulbospongiosus
blood supply to the vagina
uterine arteries
sympathetic innervation of the vagina
deep perineal nerve branching off the pudendal nerve which sends afferent fibers to sensory ganglia at S2-S4
cervix
a cylindrical, primarily fibrous (with some muscle) structure 2.5 cm in length with a supravaginal section and a vaginal section that is surrounded inferiorly by the vaginal fornix where the external os is the opening into the vaginal vault, it is supported by uterosacral ligaments which encase the vaginal vault and cervix attaching to the sacral vertebrae and some bands attach to the lateral aspect of the pelvic walls
uterus
a dynamic, muscular, pear-shaped organ that is typically 7.5 cm in length (non-gravid), 5 cm wide, and 2 cm thick which is made up of the body and upper cervix (uterine isthmus), lies within the layers of the broad ligament (usually anteverted in position over bladder)
3 components of the broad ligament
the mesometrium which supports the uterus, the mesosalpinx which supports the fallopian tube, and the mesovarium which supports the ovary
3 layers of the uterine wall
the perimetrium is the outermost aspect that is supported by connective tissue, the myometrium is the smooth muscle layer that makes up the bulk of the uterus and contains most of the nerves and blood vessels, and the endometrium is the layer shed during monthly menses
function of round ligament
supports the uterus posterior-inferior
function of ovarian ligament
attaches the uterus to the ovary and contains blood vessels and nerves which supply the ovary
fallopian tubes
tubes that extend posteriorly from the uterine horns which is the structure the oocyte travels along toward the uterus and beginning at the ovary
infundibulum
the area within the peritoneal cavity/fallopian tube that contains fimbriae which accept the ovary during ovulation
ampulla
the largest aspect of the fallopian tube which is the most common area of fertilization
fallopian tube isthmus
the area where the wall of the fallopian tube is the thickest
ovaries
the size/shape of an almond and are the structures that contain oocytes and produce estrogen and progesterone
monthly cycle
includes both the ovarian and uterine cycles and typically lasts 28 days, begins with the release of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary which stimulates follicular growth and estrogen secretion which causes proliferation of the endometrium, the fully developed follicle will then release the oocyte from the ovary on day 14 (at ovulation) and the corpus luteum remains in the ovary and continues to secrete estrogen and also progesterone which causes endometrial secretion, finally if no fertilization occurs, the corpus luteum stops secreting hormones and menstruation occurs (sloughing off of the endometrial lining)
oogenesis
the process of development of an ovum which begins as a primordial germ cell that undergoes repeated mitosis and then migrates to the ovarian cortex becoming a primordial ovum, a primordial follicle starts to develop around it (containing one layer of granulosa cells) and the oocyte begins meiosis 1, becoming a primary oocyte and stuck in prophase of meiosis 1 (which is present at birth), stimulated by FSH, a primary follicle develops and is characterized by more layers of granulosa cells which then becomes a secondary (antral) and Graafian (mature) follicle, this stimulates an LH surge which triggers completion of meiosis 1 and the onset of meiosis 2 in primary oocytes producing a secondary oocyte which becomes stuck in metaphase of meiosis 2, the secondary oocyte is released during ovulation and fertilization triggers completion of meiosis 2 producing an ovum (zygote)
function of granulosa cells
provide nutrients to the ovum for development and release oocyte maturation inhibiting factor until triggered by FSH and LH
number of primary follicles formed each month
6-12
function of theca cells
proliferating cells within the antral follicle that produce estrogen and progesterone which make up the follicular fluid where the estrogen acts on the follicle to upregulate FSH receptors resulting in increased FSH and, consequently, the FSH along with the estrogen upregulate LH receptors resulting in increased LH, a sudden spike in LH causes an increase in proteases to the cells surrounding the Graafian follicle and the theca cells release proteolytic enzymes leading to release of the oocyte with a single layer of granulosa cells encasing it (corona radiata)
atresia
when a king primary follicle develops and becomes largest and dominating and will stop the progression of other follicles
corona radiata
a mass of granulosa cells which encases the oocyte expelled during ovulation
corpus luteum
the cells that remain in the ovary after the expulsion of the oocyte which begins to release progesterone and estrogen stimulated by LH and undergoes a process of enlargement followed by hormone secretion and degeneration over the course of 12 days
layers of the endometrium
stratum basalis and stratum functionalis
type of artery within the endometrial stratum basalis
straight arteries
type of artery within the endometrial stratum functionalis
spiral arteries which repeatedly degenerate and regenerate
proliferative phase of uterine cycle
begins after menstruation, leaving only a small layer of endometrial stromal cells, where estrogen levels increase causing the proliferation of the stromal and epithelial cells and increased blood supply, becomes 3-5 cm thick
secretory phase of the uterine cycle
begins after ovulation and is stimulated by progesterone release from the corpus luteum which causes increased glands and secretion from the endometrium and increased blood supply (spiral artery growth), becomes about 5-6 cm thick 1 week after ovulation
menstruation
begins when the corpus luteum no longer produces progesterone and there is no longer endometrial stimulation which results in decreased thickness of the endometrium and, vasospastic vessels, decreased blood flow to the endometrium, necrosis, vessel breaking, formation of hemorrhagic areas, and separation of necrotic tissue from the uterus - prostaglandins cause contraction of the uterus and expulsion of menstrual fluid (40 mL blood, 35 mL serous fluid, no clots typically because of it containing fibrinolysis)
typical GnRH release pattern
secreted in pulsatile fashion from the hypothalamus at routine intervals every 1-2 hours for 5-25 minutes, some of the neurons that control the release of GnRH are under limbic system control which may explain changes in a woman’s sexual functioning based on external stimuli
effects of FSH/LH
activate receptors on target cells within the ovary causing increased sex hormone synthesis, stimulated by the release of GnRH and negative feedback from estrogen/progesterone typically but just before ovulation, stimulated by an estrogen/progesterone positive feedback mechanism which greatly increases FSH and LH
effects of estrogen (estradiol)
primarily made in the ovaries (but also made in the zona reticularis of the adrenal gland) and promotes the development of the follicle and secondary sex characteristics, will inhibit osteoclast activity, increases metabolism and fat deposition (particularly in the thigh/buttock area), softens the skin, increases vascularity of the skin, and acts on the kidneys to retain Na and H20
effects of progesterone
preps the uterus for implantation, assists with the development of lobules and alveoli in the breast and lactation, decreases uterine contraction to promote implantation of ovum, increases mucous production within the fallopian tubes to assist with nutrition delivery to the fertilized ovum, and is broken down quickly in the liver and released as bile or urine
effects of female orgasm
helps with fertilization of the ovum through perineal muscle contraction which improves the transport of sperm, the cervix dilates for about 30 minutes after orgasm, and also thought to promote oxytocin release from the posterior pituitary which may cause uterine contractions
physiologic changes during sexual arousal
stimulated by the parasympathetic nervous system through the sacral plexus which causes dilation of the erectile tissue within the clitoris and vestibular bulb, increased acetylcholine and nitric oxide resulting in tightening of the introitus, and increased mucus secretion from the Bartholin glands for lubrication
menopause
typically begins around 40-50 years old when all primordial follicles have been used up and starts with irregular ovulation with progression to anovulation resulting in decreased sex hormones and unopposed FSH/LH, eventually there will be no estrogens made in the ovaries
perimenopause
the transition time from typical menstruation to cessation which typically lasts 1-8 years, causes decreased length of monthly cycles because of a decrease in the follicular phase and irregular ovulation, may have thickened endometrium due to lack of shedding and/or dysfunctional uterine bleeding with metrorrhagia and irregular menses
true menopause
cessation of menses for 12 months where the patient has high FSH/LH and low estrogen/progesterone
systemic effects of menopause
lack of estrogen will cause vaginal, cervical, and uterine atrophy and fewer secretions, the tissue becomes more friable and pH increases due to lack of secretions making patients more susceptible to infections such as UTIs, dyspareunia, and pruritis, osteoporosis can develop, amount of circulating LDL will increase and tunica media pliability decreases leading to increased CVD risk, and breast tissue will atrophy
menopause symptoms
hot flashes, irritability, fatigue, anxiety, and increased osteoclastic activity
site of uterine implantation
within the stromal cells of the endometrial lining
function of round ligament
attaches to the uterus superiorly and the groin inferiorly and supports the uterus posteriorly and inferiorly - can cause a lot of pain during 2nd trimester of pregnancy
ovulation
when the developed haploid ovum, which is surrounded by the corona radiata, is expelled from the ovary into the abdomen, taken up by the fimbriae of the fallopian tubes, and transported toward the uterus by cilia movement in the fallopian tubes (stimulated by estrogen)
steps of fertilization
the sperm is first released into the vaginal vault and is transported to the ampulla of the fallopian tube where it migrates through the corona radiata binding to receptors in the zona pellucida of the ovum, the binding induces capacitation of the sperm releasing hyaluronidase and proteolytic enzymes into the zona pellucida, breakdown of the zona pellucida by these enzymes allows the sperm to reach the plasma membrane of the ovum, the nucleus and other components of the sperm enter the ovum, this depolarizes the ovum and cortical granules form a barrier called fertilization membrane which functions to block other sperm from getting in, calcium increases and meiosis II is completed
pH of semen
7.5 - 8
pH of vagina
4.0 - 4.5
location where sperm is formed
vas deferens
half-life of sperm
24-48 hours at body temperature
what makes up the bulk of semen?
seminal fluid is the bulk which is made in the seminal vesicles and helps to push the sperm from the ejaculatory duct into the vaginal vault and forms a mucoid consistency, prostatic fluid causes semen to have a white color
capacitation
when the acrosome of the sperm is lost after coming into contact with the zona pellucida of the ovum, must occur for fertilization to take place
corona radiata
remaining follicular cells after the release of the ovum from the Graafian follicle which contain glucose and hyaluronic acid for the ovum
zona pellucida
the layer of glycoproteins around the ovum that prevents multiple sperm from binding, initiates sperm capacitation
fusion
the process of genetic material from mom and dad coming together during fertilization of an ovum (46 chromosomes) where the ovum will become impenetrable to other sperm during this process
uterine implantation
the zygote formed during fertilization begins to divide becoming a morula and then a blastocyst which implants in the uterus about 6 days after fertilization (typically superior and posterior wall), the blastocyst contains the wall and embryonic pole which is the thickest area and will become the embryo, the blastocyst adheres to the endometrial layer and invades the stromal layer deepening implantation between day 16-22 of normal cycle, blastocyst loses zona pellucida
gene responsible for embryonic development of male sex characteristics
the SRY gene which is on the Y chromosome (causes Mullerian ducts to regress and Wolffian ducts to develop after week 5 of gestation)
effects of fertilization on the corpus luteum
hormones (hCG) produced by the fertilized ovum keep the corpus luteum active for the first trimester of pregnancy instead of degenerating as in a normal cycle
uterine invasion
once implanted, the blastocyte will differentiate into the embryo and placenta (trophectoderm) and decidualization of stromal cells will occur causing an inflammatory response resulting in increased blood flow and adhesion, the trophoblast (cells that will become placenta) will cause destruction and rebuilding of the spiral arteries so that blood flow can be maintained from mom to fetus during development and will secrete human chorionic gonadotropin hormone, uterine secretions will provide glucose and cellular nutrients to dividing blastocyst
cells supplying nutrients to the growing fetus for the first 8 weeks
decidua cells
components of trophoblast
the inner layer is the amnion, the outer layer is the chorion (consisting of the cellular trophoblast and mesoderm, and the syncytiotrophoblast which secretes hCG stimulating progesterone secretion from the corpus luteum during the first trimester
stages of implantation
apposition, adhesion, invasion, and decidualization
placenta releases
hCG, growth hormone, corticotropin-releasing hormone, vascular endothelial growth factor, glucocorticoids, estrogen, and progesterone
gestational age when fetal hypothalamus and pituitary develop
by 12 weeks - GnRH produced resulting in FSH and LH production which will be elevated in female fetuses to produce ova
gestational age when fetal heart begins to contract
21 days or 3 weeks (no oxygen exchange through the lungs though, mom supplies oxygen to fetus through placental diffusion)
fetal hemoglobin oxygen-carrying capacity
can carry 20-50% more oxygen than adult hemoglobin, has a higher affinity for oxygen and a lower affinity for carbon dioxide which increases oxygen delivery to fetal tissues (left shift)
blood flow rate in placenta
625 mL of blood exchanged every minute during last week of pregnancy
effect of progesterone during pregnancy
initially secreted by the corpus luteum but later is secreted by the placenta and develops uterine endometrium, helps with nutrition, helps keep uterine contractions low throughout pregnancy, and increases the development of the functional cells that line acini to prepare for lactation
effect of estrogen during pregnancy
secreted by the syncytial trophoblastic cells of the placenta and allows for appropriate enlargement of the uterus, increases breast fat deposition and lobular ductal development, increases the size of the external genitalia, increases tissue laxity, increases sodium and water retention in the kidneys leading to fluid retention, and causes vasodilation to prepare for the required demand of uterine contractions
amniotic fluid
fluid that the fetus floats in which is about 500-1,000 mL normally where much of it is from fetal renal function - fluid is exchanged every 3 hours and key electrolytes are exchanged every 15 hours
effect of pregnancy on pituitary gland
increases in size by up to 50% and increases the release of ACTH, thyrotropin, and prolactin, decreases the release of FSH/LH due to negative feedback from increased progesterone/estrogen from placenta
effect of pregnancy on adrenals
increase glucocorticoid release to increase amino acid levels available to be used by fetal tissues, increase aldosterone secretion causing sodium and water retention
effect of pregnancy on thyroid/parathyroid
thyroid gland enlarges by 50% during pregnancy due to hCG and placental demand for thyroid hormone, increased calcium demand from the fetus will cause increased PTH release and increased osteoclastic activity if calcium is not maintained through the diet
relaxin
a hormone secreted by the placenta and ovaries toward the end of pregnancy which will cause relaxation of ligaments, widening of the pubic symphysis, and softening of the cervix
effect of pregnancy on mother’s uterus, vagina, and breasts
uterus will increase 22X from baseline (from 10 mL - 5 L), vaginal canal unfolds, the introitus enlarges becoming more rapid after week 20, breasts double in size
effect of pregnancy on mother’s blood/circulation
cardiac output increases 30-60% in first trimester (may hear more murmurs or cardiac pathology during this time), systemic vascular resistance decreases resulting in decreased BP, plasma volume increases leading to relative dilutional anemia, clotting factors VII-X increase, blood volume increases 30% during third trimester
effect of pregnancy on mother’s lungs
the uterus will elevate the diaphragm and reduce lung mobility, this will decrease TLC by 5%, minute ventilation increases, progesterone will increase sensitivity to CO2