Female Reproduction System

Question 1

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Answer 1

• Develop as a result of hormonal stimulation
• Enlarged breasts, Hair growth, Wider at hips than shoulders, fat deposits around buttocks and hips, more fat than men, hands and feet smaller and narrower than men

Question 2

Vagina

Answer 2

• Muscular, elastic thin walled tube
• 8-10 cm long
• between bladder and rectum, extends from cervix to outside of body
• called birth canal bcs passageway for delivery
• passageway for menstrual flow to leave body
• acidic pH that can be harmful to sperm

Question 3

Cervix

Answer 3

• end of uterus that opens to vagina
• dilates during birthing process to allow delivery
• Secretes mucus to encourage or prevent sperm entry

Question 4

Uterus

Answer 4

• Hollow, Muscular organ that receives, retains, and nourishes fertilized egg n holds and provides nutrients for developing embryo/fetus
• not preg= size inverted pear
• preg=very big
• 3 major tissues: Perimetrium, Myometrium, Endometrium

Question 5

Endometrium

Answer 5

• Innermost layer where implantation occurs

- Supplies nutrients to embryo and is sloughed off periodically in non-preg woman (menstruation)

Question 6

Fallopian Tube

Answer 6

• Oviducts or uterine tubules
• Carry eggs to uterus by cilia movement or muscle contraction
• Site of fertilization
• 10 cm long, 3-8 days for egg to travel thru tubes

Question 7

Tubal Pregnancy (ecotopic pregnancy)

Answer 7

Occurs when implantation occurs in fallopian tube.

• Not enough nutrients or space to support developing embryo

Question 8

Ovaries

Answer 8

• Size of almond
• Eggs produced in follicles in ovary
• Female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) produced in ovaries

Question 9

Estrogen

Answer 9

• Causes mitosis (cell division) to occur in endometrial layer leading to buildup of soft, spongey area for embryo to implant in uterus

Question 10

Progesterone

Answer 10

• Maintains the lining of uterus

- Stop uterine contractions

Question 11

Egg cells (ovum)

Answer 11

• Gametes produced before birth in embryonic female fetus

Question 12

Oogenesis

Answer 12

• Production of egg cells by meiosis
• Occurs in follicles in ovaries
• start w/ primary oocyte (46 chromosomes)
• end w/ 1 egg (23 chromosomes) and 3 polar bodies

Question 13

Follicle cells

Answer 13

• cells that surround the eggs
• Help nourish developing egg
• Produce estrogen and later progesterone

Question 14

Follicle contains 2 types of cells and functions

Answer 14

• Primary oocyte: precursor to mature egg
• Granulosa: layer of cells that form follicle wall
• provide nutrients for developing oocytes

Question 15

Pathway of Oogenesis

Answer 15

1. Follicle cells surrounding primary oocyte (46 chromosomes) begin to divide
2. Oocyte undergoes meiosis to form secondary oocyte (23 chromosomes)
3. Follicle cells surrounding oocyte divide, fluid filled cavity forms
4. Eventually mature follicle pushes outward, ballooning outer wall of cavity
5. Outer surface of ovary wall bursts and secondary oocyte is released (ovulation)
6. Follicle cells turn into corpus lutem which secretes hormones needed for pregnancy. ( if no preg corpus lutem degenerates after 10 days after ovulation > menstruation)

Question 16

Ovulation

Answer 16

• Release of egg from follicle when it is mature (day 14)

- Egg enters fallopian tube

Question 17

Corpus Lutem

Answer 17

• Empty follicle after ovulation
• yellow
• induced by LH to produce progesterone for 10 days after ovulation
• no fertilization occurs after 10 days, corpus luteum breaks down and progesterone lvls drop > endometrium shed (menstruation)

Question 18

Corpus Albicans

Answer 18

• Scar remaining when corpus luteum degenerates

Question 19

FSH

Answer 19

• causes maturation of follicle with egg
• Stimulates secretion of estrogen from egg
• too much estrogen, neg feedback to pit. and inhibits secretion of more FSH

Question 20

LH

Answer 20

• Stimulates secretion of progesterone and some estrogen

- Causes formation of corpus luteum

Question 21

4 Phases of Menstrual Cycle

Answer 21

1. Menstrual Phase/ Flow Phase (Day 1-5)
2. Follicular Phase/ Proliferative Phase (Day 6-14)
3. Ovulatory Phase (Day 14)
4. Luteal Phase/ Secretory Phase (Day15-28)

Question 22

Menstrual Phase/ Flow Phase

Answer 22

• Menses/Menstruation (Day1-5)
• Periodic discharge of blood, fluids and tissue
• Uterine lining (endometrium) is shed
• Blood loss: 50-150mL over 3-5 day period
• All hormone lvls r low

Question 23

PMS (Premenstrual syndrome)

Answer 23

• Irritable, emotional, cramping, headaches, nausea caused by low hormone lvls
• Cramping caused by low lvls of progesterone which allows uterus to contract to expel endometrial lining

Question 24

Follicular Phase/ Proliferative Phase

Answer 24

• Day 6-14
• FSH stimulates follicles within ovaries to grow
• Growing follicle secretes estrogen
• When estrogen lvls high enough, estrogen signals AP to turn off FSH secretion (neg.feed)
• Inc in estrogen also stimulates LH release from AP (pos feed)= more estrogen =more LH
• Hormonal increases cause endometrial lining to thicken n develop

Question 25

Ovulatory Phase

Answer 25

- Day 14 - Inc of estrogen in follicle causes sudden surge of LH called “LH surge” - LH surge causes ovulation > release of secondary oocyte from ovary - Empty follicle called corpus luteum (CL)

Question 26

Luteal Phase/Secretory Phase

Answer 26

- Day 15-28 - LH stimulates CL to secrete progesterone n estrogen - Progesterone :Prevents further ovulation, prevents uterine contractions, promotes thickening n maintenance of endometrium, firms cervix to prevent expulsion of fetus - Progesterone n Estrogen turn off LH n FSH release (neg feed) - Endometrial glands begin receiving nutrients to prepare for embryo

Question 27

If fertilization occurs:

Answer 27

- Embryo produces HCG causing CL to continue progesterone production past 10 regular days until placenta is big enough n ready to take over - HCG hormone present in urine when females take home pregnancy tests

Question 28

If no fertilization occurs:

Answer 28

1. CL degenerates 2. Causes decreased lvls of progesterone n estrogen 3. low lvls of LH and FSH 4. Stimulates uterine contractions 5. Endometrial lining sheds 6. Menstrual cycle begins again

Question 29

Ovarian Cycle

Answer 29

- changes in ovaries - Under influence of Gonadotropic hormone LH n FSH 2 Phases: Follicular phase n Luteal Phase

Question 30

Follicular Phase

Answer 30

- FSH stimulates ovum to mature in follicle - Growing follicle secretes estrogen - Estrogen stimulates LH to be secreted - LH causes mature follicle to release the ovum > ovulation

Question 31

Luteal Phase

Answer 31

- Ruptured follicle called CL - CL secretes estrogen n progesterone which causes endometrium to thicken n prepare for fertilized egg - If no fertilization > hormone lvls drop > menstruation (all hormone lvls low)

Question 32

Uterine Cycle

Answer 32

- Has to do w/ uterine lining Includes: 1. Menses: shedding of uterine lining 2. Proliferative Phase: tissue regeneration 3. Secretory Phase: Progesterone stimulates glands in uterus to secrete substances that maintain endometrium n keep it from breaking down

Question 33

Menopause

Answer 33

- Starts age 45 - Menstrual cycle becomes irregular n eventually stops - Few viable follicles remain - Hormone lvls drop causing physiological changes like mood swings, anxiety, hot flashes, irritability - Reproductive organs and breast atrophy, vagina becomes dry n prone to infection, skin thins, bone mass lost, blood cholesterol lvls rise

Question 34

Estrous Cycle

Answer 34

- Same hormones involved in other mammals, undergo estrous cycle - Bodies reabsorb endometrium instead of shedding - Females usually sexually active during estrous phase