Female Reproductive System

Question 1

5 differences between M + F

Answer 1

1. More complex
2. Foetal development
3. Give birth + nourish
4. Cyclic physiology
5. Complex hormone secretion

Question 2

Female gonads
Produce?
Structure?

Answer 2

Ovaries

Produce egg cells & sex hormones

Capsule, outer cortex, inner medulla

Question 3

Ovaries:

Capsule

Answer 3

Tunica albuginea

Question 4

Ovaries: outer cortext is where…

Answer 4

Germ cells develop

Question 5

Ovaries: inner medulla

Contains

Answer 5

Major arteries & veins

Question 6

Oogenesis

+ location

Answer 6

Production of secondary oocyte

in the outer cortex

Question 7

Fertilised oocyte

Answer 7

Zygote

Question 8

Oocyte develops..

Answer 8

within follicle

Question 9

Follicle - after ovulation

Answer 9

= corpus luteum which secretes progesterone & oestrogen -> corpus albicans

Question 10

Oogenesis (diagram)

Answer 10

Oogonium -> primary oocyte -> 2 oocyte = meosis 1

Ovulation -> fertilisation -> ovum -> zygote = meosis 2

Question 11

Contents of 2 follicle (6)

Answer 11

Oocyte
Zona pellucida; layer of glycoprotein 
Granulosa cells
Thecal cells; in ovarian stroma, form layer around follicle. +granulosa cell to produce oestrogen
Primordial follicles
An atretic follicle

Question 12

Uterine/fallopian tubes/oviducts

Answer 12

Ampulla = middle part of tube

Narrow passage near uterus

SMC wall

Convoluted mucosa

Ciliated & secretory cells

Question 13

Uterus

Answer 13

Fundus (top), body, cervix
Cervical canal to vagina
Cervical glands secrete mucus

3 layers - endometrium, myometrium, perimetrium (outer)

Question 14

Pap smears + cervical cancer
Causes…
Develops…
Class…

Answer 14

Smoke, early sexual activity, STDs
Begins in lower cervix epithelial cells
Develops slowly
Invasive = spread to subepithelial connective tissue -> hysterectomy

Pap smear test

• class 1 = no abnormal cells
• class 5 = invasive cancer

Question 15

Vagina

Answer 15

Wall has outer smooth muscular layer

Inner mucous membrane - lubricating secretions

Hymen at opening (thin mucous membrane)

Question 16

Menarche

Answer 16

First bleeding

Question 17

Puberty

Answer 17

Hypothalamus -> GnRH -> ovaries -> increased FSH + LH -> increased oestrogen + progesterone -> puberty

Question 18

Menstrual cycle
Days..
Controlled by…

Answer 18

28 days

Controlled by hormones + hypothalamus + pituitary

Question 19

1st day of menstrual cycle

Answer 19

Menses

Question 20

Day 14 menstrual cycle

Answer 20

Ovulation

Question 21

Follicular/proliferation phase

Answer 21

Phase 1

Follicles rapidly develop

Uterine mucosa rapid proliferation

Question 22

Luteal/secretory phase

Answer 22

Phase 2

Corpus luteum/maturation
Secretion uterine glands

Question 23

Ovarian cycle

Answer 23

Anterior pituitary -> FSH -> development of 1 follicles
Enlarge -> secrete oestrogen -> +ve feedback -> FSH + LH secretion -> LH surge -> ovulation
Granulosa cells of empty follicle -> luteal cells -> secrete progesterone -> -ve feedback -> decreased FSH + LH
Decreased oest + prog as corpus luteum atrophies = menses

Question 24

Uterine cycle

Answer 24

Menses
Oest -> rapid division basal layer epithelial cells
Synthesis of prog receptors
After ovulation: prog from corpus luteum -> cellular enlargement
C.L degenerates -> low oest + prog -> lining degenerates -> spiral arteries constrict -> inadequate blood supply -> death tissue = menses

Question 25

If egg fertilised

Hormone?

Answer 25

Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) secreted

Prevents degeneration of corpus luteum -> oest + prog levels dont fall -> menses doesn’t occur

Question 26

The pill

Answer 26

Synthetic oestrogen + progesterone
Negative feedback on pituitary
Prevents LH surge so no ovulation