Female Reproductive System Flashcards
Name the main components of the female reproductive system?
Primary sex organs (gonad):
Ovaries
Accessory structures:
Uterine tubules
Uterus
Vagina
Vulva
Describe the basic functions of the female reproductive system?
Production of gametes:
The ovaries produce oocytes.
Production of sex hormones:
The ovaries produce oestrogen and progesterone.
Facilitation of fertilisation:
The uterine tubes transport the ovulated oocyte towards the uterus, where it implants and begins to grow and develop into a foetus..
Support of foetal growth, development and delivery:
The uterus is the muscular organ that supports, protects and nourishes the embryo and the foetus that grows and develops from a fertilised oocyte.
Identify the main components of the female reproductive system?
What is the primary germ layer that the components of the female reproductive system are derived from?
The mesoderm
What is a similarity between both the male and female reproductive systems?
They both develop from the same primitive structures that differentiate into either female or male structures depending on genetic expression.
Briefly describe the embryological development of the ovaries?
- 5th week of development: paired genital (gonadal) ridges form from the mesoderm.
- During development, the gonads descend to the pelvic cavity by being guided by the gubernaculum (a thin band of connective tissue) passing through the inguinal canal.
- Gubernaculum forms the ovarian ligament & round ligament of the uterus.
Describe the location and function of the ovaries?
Location:
They are located in the pelvic cavity lateral to the uterus, where they are supported by structures including the ovarian ligament.
Function:
To produce the female gametes and sex hormones.
What type of epithelium covers each ovary?
Externally, each ovary is covered by two layers of tissue:
Germinal epithelium
- Composed of dense irregular connective tissue.
Tunica albuginea
- Simple cuboidal epithelium.
What are the regions of the ovaries called?
Outer region = cortex
Inner region = medulla
Identify the internal and external features of the ovaries?
What is the function of the ovarian ligament?
Tether the ovaries to the lateral aspects of the uterus.
Describe the location and function of the uterine (fallopian) tubes?
Location:
They extend laterally from either side of the uterus.
Function:
Transport the ovulated oocyte to the uterus.
Name & label the main parts of the uterine tube?
Infundibulum
Ampulla
Isthmus
Uterine part
Describe the function in each main part of the uterine tube?
Infundibulum:
Contains fimbriae (finger-like projections) that sweep the ovulated oocyte into the uterine tube.
Ampulla:
This is where fertilisation of an ovulated oocyte normally takes place.
Isthmus:
The narrow part of the uterine tube.
Uterine part:
Is continuous with the wall of the uterus and opens into the lumen of the uterus.
Describe the location and function of the uterus?
Location:
1. Unfertilized oocyte = the uterus is shed along with the inner lining of the uterus in the process of menstruation.
2. Fertilized oocyte = the uterus ascend from the pelvic cavity into the abdominal cavity during pregnancy.
Function:
Supports, protects and nourishes the embryo and the foetus that grows and develops from a fertilised oocyte.
Identify the generic parts of the uterus?
Name & identify the main parts of the uterus?
Fundus
Body
Isthmus
Cervix
Describe the functions of the vagina?
- Forms part of the birth canal for the delivery of the foetus during childbirth.
- Provides the passageway for menstrual fluid.
- Connects the uterus to the external environment.
- It is the female copulatory organ that receives the penis during sexual intercourse.
Identify the main components of the vulva?
