Female Reproductive System

Question 1

components of female reproductive system

Answer 1

• ovaries
• uterine tubes
• uterus
• vagina
• external genetalia
  
  • labia minora and majora

Question 2

ovaries composed of:

Answer 2

1. outer cortex that contains follicles

2. inner medulla that contains blood vessels

Question 3

composition of follicle

Answer 3

female germ cell, “oocyte,” that is surrounded by an epithelium layer

Question 4

ovary oocyte production: Oogenesis

Answer 4

1. begins from oogonia (oocyte stem cells)

2. oogonia undergo mitosis to produce oocytes before birth

Question 5

primordial follicle

Answer 5

• contained in ovaries from birth until puberty

- composed of simple squamous epithelium surrounding the oocyte

Question 6

primary follicle

Answer 6

each month, in response to FSH, primordial follicles mature into primary follicles
-epithelial cells now called granulosa cells enlarge, divide to form stratified epithelium, and begin to produce estrogen

Question 7

secondary follicle

Answer 7

matured primary follicles

-epithelial cels continue to produce estrogen and begin to secrete fluid that creates a space around oocyte

Question 8

tertiary follicle

Answer 8

1 mature secondary follicle

• small spaces fuse to create larger cavity (antrum)
• oocyte:
  
  1. bulges into antrum
  2. separates from follicle
  3. floats freely in antrum
• epithelial cells produce a lot of estrogen, leading to an estrogen surge

Question 9

steps of ovulation

Answer 9

1. estrogen surge from tertiary follicle leads to LH surge
2. LH surge leads to ovulation: release of oocyte from tertiary follicle
3. empty follicle develops into corpus luteum

Question 10

function of corpus luteum

Answer 10

its epithelial cells start to produce progesterone in order to prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy

Question 11

if fertilization does not occur…

Answer 11

the corpus luteum degenerates and fills with scar tissue to become the corpus albicans

Question 12

review of hormonal regulation of ovary (FELP)

Answer 12

(F)- FSH causes follicles to mature
(E)- estrogen is produced by follicles
(L)- LH is produced
        -ovulation occurs
(P)- progesterone is produced by corpus luteum

Question 13

FSH causes…

Answer 13

follicle maturation

Question 14

LH causes…

Answer 14

ovulation and corpus luteum formation

Question 15

follicular phase of ovarian cycle

Answer 15

• primordial thru tertiary follicles
• stimulated by FSH
• primary sex hormone produced is estrogen

Question 16

luteal phase of ovarian cycle

Answer 16

• corpus lutuem and albicans are formed
• LH production
• primary sex hormone produced is progesterone

Question 17

uterine tubes

Answer 17

aka fallopian tubes

• hollow, muscular tubes
• transport oocyte from ovary to uterus
• where fertilization occurs

Question 18

components of uterus

Answer 18

1. body

2. cervix (neck)

Question 19

function of uterus

Answer 19

provides protection, nutrition, and waste removal for a developing fetus

Question 20

perimetrium

Answer 20

• outer layer of uterine wall
• made of epithelium and CT
• continuation of broad ligament

Question 21

myometrium

Answer 21

• middle layer of uterine wall
• very thick, smooth muscle
• provides force to move fetus out of uterus into vagina

Question 22

endometrium

Answer 22

• inner layer of uterine wall
• glandular and vascular
• supports growing fetus
• growth of this layer is stimulated by estrogen and progesterone each month

Question 23

uterine cycle

aka menstrual cycle period

Answer 23

a repeating series of changes in the endometrium

• lasts 21 to 35 days
• responds to hormones of the ovarian cycle
• consists of 3 phases

Question 24

menses

Answer 24

• 1st phase of uterine cycle
• consists of destruction of outer layer of endometrium
• results in release of blood and tissues
• stimulated by decr. in progesterone

Question 25

proliferative phase

Answer 25

- 2nd phase of uterine cycle - results in repair and regeneration of endometrium - stimulated by estrogen secretion by follicles

Question 26

secretory phase

Answer 26

- 3rd phase of uterine cycle - begins at ovulation - results in secretion by glands in the endometrium and rapid growth of arteries - stimulated by progesterone secretion by corpus luteum

Question 27

relationship between menstrual and proliferative phases of uterine cycle and follicular phase of ovarian cycle

Answer 27

both phases of uterine cycle occur during follicular phase

Question 28

relationship between secretory phase of uterine cycle and luteal phase of ovarian cycle

Answer 28

secretory occurs during luteal

Question 29

vagina

Answer 29

- elastic, muscular tube - extends from cervix to vestibule - functions as a passageway for menstrual fluids, spermatozoa, and birth canal

Question 30

clitoris

Answer 30

erectile tissue | equivalent to penis in males

Question 31

labia majora

Answer 31

- adipose tissue - protects inner structures - covered with pubic hair

Question 32

labia minora

Answer 32

- medial to labia majora | - not covered with pubic hair

Question 33

vestibule

Answer 33

space between the flaps of the labia minora | -contains openings for urethra and vagina

Question 34

mammary glands

Answer 34

- lie in pectoral fat of boobs - composed of lobes - each contains secretory lobules - which drain milk into lactiferous ducts - nipple contains openings of lactiferous ducts - areola is skin around nipple - milk secretion is controlled by oxytocin

Question 35

female sexual arousal

Answer 35

- parasympathetic activation leads to - engorgement of clitoris - incr. secretion of mucus in cervix and vestibule - orgasm is accompanied by: - sympathetic activation - contractions of uterus - somatomotor activation - contractions of skeletal muscles surrounding clitoris