female reproductive system Flashcards
(46 cards)
what is the reproductive system?
a system compromised of the glands and organs responsible for the reproduction of an animal
what is fertilisation
when sperm from the male united with an ovum of the female
what is a zygote
a fertilised egg that comprises the dna from both parents
what are the structures of the female reproductive tract
2 ovaries 2 oviducts uterus cervix vagina vulva
functions of the female reproductive tract
- produce ova (eggs)
- produce hormones
- house & allow development of foetus
functions of the ovaries
- produces ova
- produces hormones (oestrogen & progesterone)
functions of the fallopian tubes (oviducts)
- transport fertilised ova from ovaries to uterus
- fertilisation occurs here
functions of the cervix
- tough muscular structure that opens & closes
- protects opening to uterus
functions of the vagina
- where urine flows into
- sperm is deposited during mating
- foetus passes through vagina during birth
external genitalia (vulva) functions
- seals opening of vagina
- consists of labia and clitoris
anatomy of the ovaries
- small oval shaped organs caudal to kidneys
- attached to abdominal wall by ovarian ligament
- ovarian artery & ovarian vein responsible for blood
what are hormones
- chemical messengers released to blood stream
- produces a responses which may be fast & short lived or slow & long acting
how is oestrogen produced
during oestrus, fluid filled follicles develop inside the ovary, these follicles produce oestrogen
function of oestrogen
- a hormone that prepares the uterus for fertilisation
- causes behavioural readiness to mate
- releases pheromones to attract males
what is ovulation
when follicles mature completely, they rupture and release an ovum
what is the corpus luteum
after follicle rupture, it is the cavity that remains that becomes lined with different tissue to form the corpus luteum
- produces progesterone
function of progesterone
prepares and maintains uterus for developing embryo and resultant foetus
FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) & LH (luteinizing hormone) are produced by what gland?
the pituitary gland
what does FSH do
stimulates the follicle containing the ovum to mature
how is LH (luteinizing hormone) released
oestrogen travels to brain & stimulates pituitary gland to release LH
anatomy of the oviducts (fallopian tubes)
- lined with microscopic hairs called cilia
- collects ovulated ova after the follicle ruptures & transports it towards the uterus
anatomy of the uterus
- different in species
- two long branches of uterus called horns in animals who have litters
- consists of 3 layers
- endometrium
- myometrium
- perimetrium
what is the endometrium
the inner mucosal membrane with glandular tissue that secretes mucus & is under hormonal control
what is the myometrium
the middle layer of smooth muscle & connective tissue
