female reproductive system Flashcards

1
Q

what is The only human organ system significantly different between female and males

A

human reproductive system

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2
Q

what in both sexes is designed to facilitate the continuation of the species

A

anatomy and physiology

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3
Q

wheres the uterus located

A

between bladder & rectum.

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4
Q

what are the 2 female gonads and their function

A

Female gonads
Two ovaries; produce egg cells (ova) & sex hormones

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5
Q

whats the shape of the ovaries

A

almond-shaped organs (3x1.5x1cm)

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6
Q

what is within the capsule of the ovaries

A

tunica albuginea

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7
Q

what happens in the outer cortex of the ovaries

A

germ cells develop

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8
Q

what is found in the inner medulla of the ovaries

A

major arteries & veins

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9
Q

what is oogenesis

A

production of secondary oocyte

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10
Q

what is ovulation

A

release of secondary oocyte

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11
Q

what the name of the fertilised oocyte

A

zygote

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12
Q

what happens after ovulation

A

After ovulation, follicle still has important function:
- transformed into glandular structure ‘corpus luteum’: secretes progesterone (& oestrogen), lasts through pregnancy, otherwise 10-12 days then degenerates (corpus albicans)

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13
Q

where does your life as an egg actually start

A

Your life as an egg actually started in your mother’s developing ovary, before she was born; you were wrapped in your mother’s foetal body as it developed within your grandmother.

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14
Q

explain the process of oogenesis when oogonium develops into a zygote

A

during foetal development meiosis 1 begins

then

after puberty, primary oocytes complete meiosis 1, which produces a secondary oocyte and a first polar body that may or may not divide again

then

secondary oocyte begins meiosis 2

then

a secondary oocyte (and first polar body) is ovulated

then

after fertilisation, meiosis 2 resumes. the oocyte splits into a ovum and a second polar body

then finally

the nuclei of the sperm cell and the ovum unite, forming a diploid (2n) xygote

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15
Q

what is oogenesis for and when does it occur

A

Development of oogonium to mature ovum

Occurs at different stages of female life

eg:
- pre natal -> mitosis and growth, forming primary oocyte from oogonium.
- puberty -> meiosis 1, forming secondary oocyte
- fertilization -> meiosis 2 , forming ovum

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16
Q

name the 9 stages of the ovarian cycle

A

1 = primordial follicle;
2 = primary follicle;
3 & 4 = growing primary follicle;
5 = secondary follicle with antrum forming;
6 = mature follicle;
7 = ruptured follicle, ovulation; 8 = corpus luteum;
9 = corpus albicans.

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17
Q

name the secondary follicles

A

Oocyte

Zona pellucida = layer of glycoprotein

Granulosa cells

Thecal cells = = cells adjacent to granulosa cells but in the ovarian stroma, form a layer around the follicle;

Primordial follicles

An atretic (degenerating) follicle (single arrow)

both the zona pellucida and thecal cell types work together to produce oestrogens.

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18
Q

how many oviducts are there and whats another name for them

A

2
fallopian tubes

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19
Q

whats the length of the uterine tubes and where do they branch from and to

A

10cm long from ovary to uterus

20
Q

explain the shape of the uterine tubes

A

Trumpet-shaped infundibulum at ovary with feathery projections (fimbrae)

21
Q

explain some of the arts to the uterine tubes

A

Ampulla = middle part of tube

Narrow isthmus near uterus

SMC ( smooth muscle cell) wall

convoluted mucosa

Ciliated & secretory cells

22
Q

what do Ciliated cells of oviduct do

A

Sweep the egg along the oviduct towards the uterus

23
Q

describe the uterus shape

A

Pear-shaped
size (7 x 4 x 2.5 cm)

24
Q

what does the uterus do

A

Harbours embryo, provides nutrition, expels foetus at end of development

25
Q

whats the the main parts of the uterus

A

Fundus (top), body, cervix

Cervical canal to vagina

Cervical glands secrete mucus

26
Q

how many layers does the uterus have and name them

A

3
endometrium
myometrium
perimetrium

27
Q

what ages are at rick of cervical cancer

A

20-60 years

28
Q

what causes an increased risk of obtaining cervical cancer

A

smoker, early sexual activity, STIs & cervical inflammation begins lower cervix epithelial cells

29
Q

how fast does cervical cancer develop

A

Develops slowly
- local lesion –> years

30
Q

does cervical cancer spread

A

Invasive
- spread to subepithelial connective tissue leading to hysterectomy

31
Q

how can cervical cancer be detected early

A

Detect early by cervical smear
- moving from solely cytology to additional HPV testing

32
Q

what happens in a cervical smear

A

scrapes loose cells (epithelial cells) form the cervix to be microscopically examined via a 5-point scale:
- Class 1 = no abnormal cells
- Class 5 = invasive cancer

33
Q

what do cervical cancer cells look like compared to normal cells when analysed in a smear test

A

large darker staining nuclei with irregular shapes

normal cells have small , regular nuclei

34
Q

explain the vagina

A

10cm long tube from uterus to outside

Receives penis during intercourse

Allows menstrual flow & childbirth

Wall has outer smooth muscular layer

Inner mucous membrane produces lubricating secretions

Hymen at vaginal opening (thin mucous membrane)

35
Q

the female reproductive system is under the control of what

A

of hormonal & nervous regulation (as in males)

36
Q

the Development of reproductive organs & normal function depends on what

A

on relative levels of a number of hormones

37
Q

what happens in females during puberty

A

1st menstrual bleeding = menarche

Enlargement of:
- Vagina
- Uterus
- Uterine tubes
- External genitalia

Breasts deposit fat, develop ducts

Pubic & axillary hair grows

Voice changes

Development of sexual drive

38
Q

what causes puberty to occur

A

increased oestrogen & progesterone by ovaries

Due to increased FSH & LH (cyclic secretion)

Due to GnRH (Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone) from the hypothalamus

39
Q

how long does the menstrual cycle last

A

Typically 28 days long

40
Q

explain the day 1 of the menstrual cycle

A

= menses = mild haemorrhage when uterine epithelium sloughed off & expelled (lasts 4-5 days)

  • Follicular/Proliferative Phase (follicles rapidly develop/uterine mucosa rapid proliferate)
41
Q

explain day 14 of the menstrual cycle

A

= ovulation (timing varies between & within individual)

  • Luteal/Secretory Phase (corpus luteum/maturation, secretion uterine glands)
42
Q

what controls the menstrual cycle events

A

Hormones:
Oestrogen
Progesterone
FSH
LH

43
Q

explain the hierarchy of control

A

ovaries –> pituitary
uterus –> hypothalamus

feedback control

44
Q

explain the process of the ovarian cycle

A

FSH from anterior pituitary
- initiates development of 1o follicles

25 folicles mature
- But only one develops, the rest degenerate

As folicles enlarge
- begin to secrete oestrogen

High levels
- cause +ve feedback to anterior pituitary so rapid FSH & LH secretion= LH surge
- initiates ovulation

Once egg released
- granulosa cells of empty follicle become luteal cells & secrete progesterone

High progesterone
– negative feedback on GnRH from hypothalamus, so decreases FSH & LH from anterior pituitary

Rapid fall in oestrogen & progesterone
- as corpus luteum atrophies, results in menses

45
Q

explain the process of the uterine cycle

A

Oestrogen causes epithelial cells of basal layer to rapidly divide to replace cells of functional layer which were sloughed

Stimulates synthesis of progesterone receptors on uterine cells

Low cuboidal & columnar endometrial cells form folds
- spiral glands with spiral arteries

After ovulation
- progesterone from corpus luteum results in cellular hypertrophy

As corpus luteum degenerates
- low oestrogen & progesterone causes lining to degenerate

Spiral arteries constrict

Ischaemic then necrotic
- menses

Myometrial SMC contraction to expel menstrual fluid

The cycle begins again

46
Q

what happens if the egg is fertilised

A

Developing embryonic mass secretes human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)

HCG prevents degeneration of corpus luteum

Thus oestrogen & progesterone levels do not fall & so menses not occur.

47
Q

how does the pill prevent pregnancy

A

Birth control pill
- oral contraceptives

Synthetic oestrogen & progesterone

Negative feedback on pituitary

Prevents LH surge, so no ovulation