Female Reproductive system Flashcards
(20 cards)
Function of the Female reproductive system? (5)
Ova formation
Reception of spermatozoa
Provision of suitable environments for fertilisation and foetal development
Parturition (childbirth)
Lactation
What is the Labia majora? (1)
Two large folds forming the boundary of the vulva
What is the Labia majora made of?
Skin, fibrous tissue and fat containing large numbers of sebaceous and exocrine sweat glands
What is the Labia minora?
Two folds of skin between labia majora, contains numerous subaceous and exocrine sweat glands
What is the Clitoris for?
Corresponds to penis and contains sensory nerve endings and erectile tissue
What is the Bartholin’s Gland?
A gland that Secrete mucus that keeps the vulva moist
How many and location of Bartholin’s Gland? (2)
One on each side near the vaginal opening
Size of a small pea and their ducts open into the vestibule immediately lateral to the attachment of the hymen
What is the Perineum? (2)
Roughly triangular area extending from the base of the labia minora to the anal canal.
Gives attachment to the muscles of the pelvic floor
What is the Perineum made of?
Connective tissue, muscle and fat.
What is the Vagina? (2)
Receptor for penis which provides an elastic passageway during childbirth.
Fibromuscular tube opening into the vestibule at its distal end with the uterine cervix protruding into its proximal end
What is the Hymen?
Thin layer of mucous membrane that partially occludes the opening of the vagina.
Facts about the Hymen? (2)
Incomplete to allow passage of menstrual flow
Stretched or completely torn away by sexual intercourse, insertion of tampon or childbirth
What is the Uterus?
Hollow muscular pear-shaped organ, flattened anteroposteriorly.
Location of the Uterus?
In pelvic cavity between bladder and rectum.
Consists of fundus, body and cervix.
What are the 3 layers of the Uterus?
peri-metrium,
myo-metrium
endo-metrium
Function of the uterus? (4)
After puberty endometrium goes through a regular monthly cycle of changes
If Ovum is fertilised the zygote embeds itself in the uterine wall
Uterine muscle grows to accommodate the developing baby
Placenta attached to uterus wall provides route for foetus to receive O2 and nutrients whilst expelling waste
During labour expels the baby with powerful rhythmical contractions
Uterine tubes are? (4)
Approx.10cm long extending from side of the uterus between body and fundus
Covered with peritoneal tissue, have middle layer of smooth muscle and lined with ciliated epithelium
Propel ovum from ovary to uterus by peristalsis and ciliary movement
Fertilisation of ovum takes place here and zygote is propelled into uterus for implantation
Ovaries are? (4)
Female gonads
Lie in a shallow fossa on the lateral walls of the pelvis
2.5-3.5cm long, 2cm wide and 1cm thick
Where female gametes are stored and develop prior to ovulation
The Reproductive cycle Occurs? (1)
every 26-30 days between menarche and menopause
The Reproductive cycle is? (3)
Series of changes taking place in ovaries and uterus lining, stimulated by changes in blood concentrations of hormones
Days numbered from beginning of the menstrual phase
Followed by proliferative (approx. 10 days) and secretory (approx. 14 days)
