Basic and female repro physiology

Question 1

What are the 2 parts which make up the inside of the ovary?

Answer 1

Cortex

Medulla

Question 2

The surface of the ovary is made from what kind of cells?

Answer 2

Connective tissue capsule covered with cuboidal epithelial cells

Question 3

What is an ovarian follicle?

Answer 3

One oocyte surrounded by single layer of cells

Question 4

What does the ovarian cortex contain?

Answer 4

Connective tissue containing ovarian follicles

Question 5

What does the ovarian medulla contain?

Answer 5

Connective tissue with blood vessels supplying the ovaries

Question 6

What are the 2 main functions of the ovaries?

Answer 6

Oocyte production

Steroid hormone production (Oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone)

Question 7

What does progesterone do?

Answer 7

Maintains endometrium/secretory uterus lining
Helps metabolise fat
Balances out adverse effects of oestrogen

Question 8

What does oestrogen do?

Answer 8

Helps to develop and maintain the female secondary sexual characteristics (Breast and hair development, body structure)
Proliferation of endometrium
Body fat distribution

Question 9

What is amenorrhoea?

Answer 9

No periods

Question 10

Why may amenorrhoea occur?

Answer 10

Problems regulating hormones
Problems with ovarian structure/function
Problems with uterus/outflow tract

Question 11

Which organs regulate hormones in menstruation?

Answer 11

Hypothalamus

Anterior pituitary

Question 12

What are some functional problems that may lead to hormonal amenorrhoea?

Answer 12

Excessive weight gain or loss
Over exercising
Stress

Question 13

Give some chronic conditions which may cause amenorrhoea?

Answer 13

Diabetes
Sarcoidosis
TB

Question 14

What kind of local pathologies could cause hormonal amenorrhoea?

Answer 14

Intracranial SOL’s
Infection e.g. meningitis
Trauma (bleeding)

Question 15

What kind of drugs could lead to amenorrhoea?

Answer 15

Glucocorticoids
Anabolic steroids
Opiates

Question 16

What are some notable hormone levels affected by hypogonadotropic hypogonadism?

Answer 16

Low FSH
Low LH
High prolactin

Question 17

What do Kallmann’s and Sheehan’s syndrome have in common?

Answer 17

Both forms of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

Question 18

What is hypergonadotropic hypogonadism?

Answer 18

High/normal FSH and LH

Hormones are there but ovaries are not functioning properly

Question 19

What could cause problems with ovarian function leading to amenorrhoea?

Answer 19

Turner's syndrome
Ageing
Autoimmune diseases
Radiotherapy
Chemotherapy
Infection (TB, mumps)

Question 20

What are some congenital problems with uterus/outflow tract?

Answer 20

Absent uterus
Lack of mallerian duct development
Transverse vaginal septum
Imperforate hymen
Androgen insensitivity syndrome

Question 21

What are the mallerian ducts?

Answer 21

Primordial anlage of the female reproductive tract

They differentiate to form the fallopian tubes, uterus, the uterine cervix, and the superior aspect of the vagina

Question 22

What are some iatrogenic problems with the uterus/outflow tract?

Answer 22

Pelvic/cervical radiotherapy

Asherman syndrome

Question 23

What is Asherman syndrome?

Answer 23

Scar tissue builds up within the uterus and can cause uterus walls to bind together
Usually presents in patients who have undergone Dilatation and Curettage operations or have suffered from infections

Question 24

What are some adverse effects of oestrogen?

Answer 24

Depression
Headache/migraine
Interferes with thyroid hormone
Increases clotting
Decreases libido
Impairs blood sugar control
Increased risk of endometrial and breast cancer