Female Reproductive System Flashcards
(182 cards)
1
Q
Why is female reproductive system more complex?
A
Due to pregnancy
2
Q
Female gonads
A
Ovaries
3
Q
What is the role of ovaries?
A
- Produce female gametes
2. secrete female sex hormones
4
Q
What are the female sex hormones?
A
- Estrogens (estradiol, estrone, and estriol)
2. progesterone
5
Q
Another name for female gametes
A
Ova
6
Q
Located in pelvic cavity
A
Internal genitalia
7
Q
What does internal genitalia consist of?
A
Ovaries and duct system (uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina)
8
Q
What are the ligaments that hold each ovary in place?
A
- Ovarian ligament
- suspensory ligament
- mesovarium
9
Q
Ligament that anchors ovary medially to uterus
A
ovarian ligament
10
Q
Ligament that anchors ovary laterally to pelvic wall
A
suspensory ligaments
11
Q
Ligament that suspends ovary
A
Mesovarium
12
Q
What forms the broad ligament?
A
Suspensory ligament and mesovarium
13
Q
Ligament that supports uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina
A
broad ligament
14
Q
What is contained in the ovary’s blood supply?
A
Ovarian arteries and ovarian branch of the uterine arteries
15
Q
What do ovarian vessels travel through?
A
Through suspensory ligament and mesovarium
16
Q
Ejection of oocyte from ripening follicle
A
ovulation
17
Q
What develops from ruptured follicle after ovulation?
A
corpus luteum
18
Q
What is included in the tube system of female duct system?
A
uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina
19
Q
Each ovary is surrounded by fibrous __________
A
tunica albuginea
20
Q
What covers tunica albuginea?
A
Germinal cuboidal epithelium outer layer, which is a continuation of the peritoneum
21
Q
What are the two poorly defined regions of ovary? What do they contain?
A
- outer cortex - houses forming gametes
2. inner medulla - contains large blood vessels and nerves
22
Q
Tiny saclike structures embedded in cortex
A
ovarian follicles
23
Q
What is contained in ovarian follicles?
A
Immature egg surrounded by follicle cells or granulosa cells
24
Q
Immature egg
A
Oocyte
25
Ovarian follicle is considered to have ______ cells if only 1 cell layer is present
follicle
26
Ovarian follicle is considered to have ______ cells if more than 1 cell layer is present
Granulosa
27
Single layer of follicle cells plus oocyte
primordial follicle
28
More mature follicles contain several layers of _____ cells plus oocyte
granulosa cells
29
Fully mature follicle, with fluid-filled antrum that forms, then follicle bulges from ovary surface
vesicular (antral or tertiary) follicle
30
Uterine tube system (does, does not) have direct contact with ovaries
Does not
31
How does ovulated oocyte get from ovary to fallopian tube?
Ovulated oocyte is cast into peritoneal cavity where some oocytes never make it to the tube system
32
What are 2 other names for uterine tubes?
1. fallopian tubes
| 2. oviducts
33
_______ receive ovulated oocyte and are usual site of fertilization
Fallopian tubes
34
Length and location of uterine tubes
Each tube ~10 cm (4 inch) long and extends from area of ovary to superolateral region of uterus
35
What are the regions of uterine tube?
1. isthmus
2. ampulla
3. infundibulum
36
Region of uterine tube that is a constricted area where tube joins uterus
Isthmus
37
Distal end of uterine tube that curves around ovary
ampulla
38
distal expansion of uterine tube near ovary
infundibulum
39
What does the infundibulum contain?
Contains ciliated fimbriae that creates current to move oocyte into uterine tube
40
How is oocyte carried along toward uterus?
By smooth muscle peristalsis and ciliary action
41
What is the function of non-ciliated cells of uterine tube?
Function to nourish oocyte and sperm
42
Externally uterine tubes are:
1. covered by peritoneum
| 2. supported by a short mesentery called mesosalpinx
43
What supports uterine tubes externally?
Short mesentery called mesosalpinx
44
Oocyte is fertilized in peritoneal cavity or distal uterine tube and begins developing there
ectopic pregnancy
45
What is the result of ectopic pregnancy?
Normally aborts naturally with substantial bleeding
46
Spread of infection from reproductive tract to peritoneal cavity
pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
47
What is the result of pelvic inflammatory disease?
may cause scar tissue and lead to infertility
48
Hollow, thin-walled muscular organ
Uterus
49
What is the function of the uterus?
To receive, retain, and nourish fertilized ovum
50
What are the two possible positions of the uterus?
1. Anteverted (normal)
| 2. Retroverted
51
Position of uterus when it's inclined forward
anteverted
52
Position of uterus when it's inclined backwards
Retroverted
53
What are the regions of the uterus?
1. Body
2. Fundus
3. Isthmus
4. Cervix
5. Cervical canal
54
Major portion of uterus
body
55
Rounded superior region of uterus
Fundus
56
Narrowed inferior region of uterus
isthmus
57
Narrow neck or outlet of uterus that projects into vagina
cervix
58
Area of uterus that communicates with vagina via external os and uterine body via internal os
Cervical canal
59
What area does uterus communicate with vagina through?
External os
60
What are does uterus communicate with uterine body through?
Internal os
61
Glands that secrete mucus that blocks sperm entry except during midcycle
Cervical glands
62
What are the ligaments that support the uterus?
1. mesometrium
2. cardinal (lateral cervical) ligaments
3. uterosacral ligaments
4. round ligaments
63
Lateral support of broad ligament
mesometrium
64
Ligament support from cervix and superior vagina to pelvic lateral walls
cardinal (lateral cervical) ligaments
65
Ligaments that secure uterus to sacrum
uterosacral uterus
66
Ligaments that bind uterus to anterior wall
Round ligaments
67
What are the three layers of the uterine wall?
1. perimetrium
2. myometrium
3. endometrium
68
Outermost serous layer of uterine wall (visceral peritoneum)
perimetrium
69
Bulky middle layer of uterine wall consisting of interlacing layers of smooth muscle
myometrium
70
What happens to myometrium during childbirth?
It contracts rhythmically
71
Mucosal lining of uterine wall
Endometrium
72
What does endometrium consist of?
Simple columnar epithelium on top of a thick lamina propria
73
What happens to fertilized egg in endometrium?
It burrows into endometrium and resides there during development
74
What are the two chief layers of the endometrium?
1. Stratum functionalis (functional layer)
| 2. Stratum basalis (basal layer)
75
What is another name for layers?
Strata
76
Layer of endothelium that changes in response to ovarian hormone cycles and sheds during menstruation
Stratum functionalis (functional layer)
77
Layer of endothelium that forms new stratum functionalis after menstruation and is unresponsive to ovarian hormones
Stratum basalis (basal layer)
78
Arteries that arise from internal iliacs and branch into arcuate arteries
Uterine arteries
79
Arteries in myometrium that branch into radial arteries
Arcuate arteries
80
Arteries in endometrium that branch into straight arteries in stratum basalis and spiral arteries in stratum functionalis
Radial arteries
81
Function of straight arteries of stratum basalis and spiral arteries of stratum functionalis
They degenerate and regenerate with each menstrual cycle; spasms of these arteries cause shedding of functionalis layer during menstruation
82
What kind of arteries are found in stratum basalis?
Straight arteries
83
What kind of arteries are found in stratum functionalis?
Spiral arteries
84
Thin-walled tube that is 8-10 cm (3-4 inches) in length that extends between bladder and rectum from cervix to enterior
vagina
85
What is the function of the vagina?
1. Birth canal
2. passageway for menstrual flow
3. organ of copulation
86
Where does urethra run in female?
Runs parallel to vagina anteriorly
87
What are the layers of the vaginal wall?
1. Fibroelastic adventitia
2. Smooth muscle muscularis
3. Stratified squamous mucosa with rugae
88
_______ cells in _______ may provide route for HIV transmission
Dendritic; mucosa
89
Vaginal secretions are ______ in adults females, but _____ in adolescents
acidic; alkaline
90
Mucosa near vaginal orifice forms incomplete partition called _____ that ruptures with intercourse
Hymen
91
Upper end of vagina surrounding cervix
vaginal fornix
92
Another name for female external genitalia
Vulva or pudendum
93
What are parts of the female external genitalia?
1. mons pubis
2. labia majora
3. labia minora
4. vestibule
5. clitoris
6. perineum
7. greater vestibular glands
94
Fatty area overlying pubic symphysis
mons pubis
95
hair covered fatty skin folds; counterpart of male scrotum
labia majora
96
skin folds lying within labia majora
labia minora
97
recess within labia minora
vestibule
98
ridge formed by joining of posterior vestibule and labia minora
fourchette
99
Flank vaginal opening that is homologous to bulbo-urethral glands in males
greater vestibular glands
100
What do greater vestibular glands do?
release mucus in vestibule for lubrication
101
Where is clitoris located?
Anterior to vestibule
102
What is the exposed portion of the clitoris?
glans of the clitoris
103
part of the clitoris that hoods glans; counterpart to penis
prepuce of the clitoris
104
Diamond-shaped region between pubic arch and coccyx that is bordered by ischial tuberosities laterally
perineum
105
Modified sweat glands present in both male and females, but normally function only in females
mammary gland
106
What is main function of mammary glands?
milk production to nourish newborn
107
How many lobes are usually present in mammary glands?
15-25 lobes
108
Pigmented skin surrounding nipple
Areola
109
Ligaments that attach breast to underlying muscle
suspensory ligaments
110
lobules within the lobes contain glandular ______ that produce milk
alveoli
111
Milk is passed into _____ ducts, then into _______ sinuses that open to outside at nipple
lactiferous ducts; lactiferous sinuses
112
In non-nursing women, _______ structure is undeveloped
glandular structure
113
What determines size of breasts?
The amount of fat deposits
114
New evidence suggests that _______ cells can arise from epithelial cells at ovary surface, when it was previously believed that females' total supply of eggs was determined at _______
stem; birth
115
Production of female games that begins in fetal period and takes years to completed
oogenesis
116
2n ovarian stem cells that multiply by mitosis and store nutrients
oogonia
117
______ develop in primordial follicles that become surrounded by follicle cells
primary oocytes
118
Primary oocytes begin meiosis but stall in ________
prophase I
119
At birth, female presumed to have lifetime supply of _________
primary oocytes
120
Functional gamete
ovum
121
Large cell with almost all of mother cell cytoplasm and organelles
secondary oocyte
122
primary oocyte "selected" that resumes meiosis I
dominant follicle
123
Small cell almost devoid of cytoplasm
first polar body
124
If dominant follicle is penetrated by sperm, second oocyte completes meiosis II yielding:
1. ovum
| 2. second polar body
125
Describe oogenesis after puberty
1. each month, a few primary oocytes are activated
2. one from this group becomes dominant follicle that resumes meiosis I
3. after division of meiosis I is completed, 2 haploid cells of different sizes are produced (secondary oocyte and first polar body)
4. secondary oocyte arrests in metaphase II and becomes ovulated ovum
126
What happens if ovum is not penetrated by sperm?
It deteriorates
127
What does oogenesis produce?
1 viable ovum and 3 polar bodies
128
Why are # of functional gametes different?
Unequal divisions ensure oocyte has ample nutrients for 6- to 7-day journey to the uterus, then polar bodies degenerate and die
129
What is the differences in error rate for oogenesis and spermatogenesis?
1. oogenesis has an error rate of 20%
| 2. spermatogenesis has an error rate of 3-4%
130
Monthly (~28 day) series of events associated with maturation of egg
ovarian cycle
131
Two consecutive phases with ______ occurring midcycle between phases
ovulation
132
Period that consists of vesicular follicle growth; days 1-14 of ovarian cycle
follicular phase
133
Period that consists of corpus luteum activity; days 14-28 of ovarian cycle
luteal phase
134
Only __ to __ percentage of women have a 28-day ovarian cycle
10-15%
135
______ phase varies, but _____ phase is always ___ days from ovulation to end of cycle
follicular; luteal; 14
136
Stages of follicle development
1. primordial follicle becomes primary follicle
2. primary follicle becomes secondary follicle
3. secondary follicle becomes vesicular follicle
137
What happens when primordial follicle becomes a primary follicle?
Squamous-like cells surrounding primary oocyte becomes cuboidal and oocyte enlarges
138
How long does it take for a primordial follicle to become a primary follicle?
Process can take about 1 year
139
What happens when primary follicle becomes a secondary follicle?
Follicular cells proliferate forming stratified epithelium around oocyte
140
When more than 1 layer of cells are present, follicular cells are called ______ cells
granulosa
141
Granulosa cells and oocyte guide one another's development via ________ connections
gap junction connections
142
Thick glycoprotein-rich membrane secreted by oocyte, encapsulating it
zona pellucida
143
Large cavity that is formed when fluid coalesces
antrum
144
What happens when secondary follicle becomes a vesicular follicle
1. Theca folliculi forms
2. Zona pellucida encapsulates the theca folliculi
3. antrum is formed and continues to expand with fluid isolating oocyte
4. when follicle is full size it bulges from external ovary surface and is ready to be ovulated
145
What cells condense to form theca folliculi?
Connective tissue and granulosa cells
146
When is early vesicular follicle formed?
when clear fluid begins to accumulate between granulosa cells
147
The _____ distinguishes vesicular follicle from previous follicles
antrum
148
Isolated oocyte with its surrounding granulosa cells are called _______
corona radiata
149
Where does corona radiata sit?
On stalk on one side of follicle
150
How big is follicle when it is full-size?
2.5 cm or 1 inch
151
What happens during follicular phase of ovarian cycle?
1. Several vesicular (antral) follicles are stimulated to grow
2. FSH levels drop around middle of follicular phase
3. primary oocyte of dominant follicle completes meiosis 1 to form secondary oocyte and polar body
4. granulosa cells then send signal to oocyte, causing it to stop at metaphase II
152
What triggers follicular phase to begin?
Triggered by rising levels of FSH
153
What does drop in FSH in middle of follicular phase ause?
Causes only one antral follicle (dominant follicle) to be selected to continue on
154
What causes ovary wall to rupture, expelling secondary oocyte with its corona radiata to peritoneal cavity?
Rising levels of LH
155
Twinge of pain sometimes felt at ovulation by some women
mittelschmerz
156
What results in fraternal twins? How often?
1-2% of ovulation release more than one secondary oocyte
157
What results in identical twins?
from fertilization of one oocyte, then separation of daughter cells
158
What happens in luteal phase of ovulation?
1. Ruptured follicle collapses and antrum fills with clotted blood
2. Corpus luteum is formed
3. Degenerates into corpus albicans in 10 days if no pregnancy occurs
159
Ruptured follicle collapses and fills with clotted blood, referred to as ________, and will eventually be reabsorbed
corpus hemorrhagiam
160
What forms corpus luteum?
Remaining granulosa cells and internal thecal cells enlarge to form it
161
What does corpus luteum secrete?
Progesterone and some estrogen
162
What is corpus albicans?
Scar that forms in 10 days if no pregnancy occurs and corpus luteum degenerates
163
Last 2-3 days of luteal phase when endometrium begins to erode
Leukolytic (or ischemic) phase
164
What happens to corpus luteum if pregnancy occurs?
Corpus luteum produces hormones that sustain pregnancy until placenta takes over, at about 3 months
165
Before puberty, ovaries secrete small amounts of estrogens, which _____ hypothalamic release of GnRH
inhibits
166
As puberty nears, if ____ levels are adequate, hypothalamus becomes ____ estrogen-sensitive, so GnRH is released, stimulating ____ and ____ release by pituitary that then acts on ovaries
leptin; less; FSH and LH
167
Events of ovarian cycle continue until adult cyclic patter is achieved and ____ occurs
menarche
168
Hormone interaction during ovarian cycle
1. GnRH stimulates FSH and LH secretion
2. FSH and LH stimulate follicles to grown, mature, and secrete sex hormones
3. Negative feedback inhibits gonadotropin release
4. Positive feedback simulates gonadotropin release
5. LH surge triggers ovulation and formation of corpus luteum
6. Negative feedback inhibits LH and FSH release
169
FSH stimulates _____ cells to release _____; LH prods ____ cells to produce ____, which granulosa cells converts to estrogens
granulosa; estrogen - thecal cells; androgens
170
How does negative feedback inhibit gonadotropin release?
1. Increased levels of plasma estrogen levels exert negative feeding back inhibition of FSH and LH release
2. Inhibin from granulosa cells also inhibit FSH release
3. Only dominant follicle can withstand this dip in FSH and other developing follicles deteriorate
171
How does positive feedback stimulate gonadotropin release?
1. Estrogen levels continue to rise as a result of continued release by dominant follicle
2. When levels reach a critical high value, a brief positive feedback occurs on brain and anterior pituitary
172
High _____ levels trigger release of stored ____, and some ____, by anterior pituitary at midcycle
Estrogens: LH; FSH
173
____ surge triggers primary oocyte to complete _____ to become secondary oocyte; secondary oocyte then enters _____, continuing onto metaphase II
LH; meiosis I; meiosis II
174
What happens shortly after ovulation?
Estrogen levels decline and LH transforms ruptured follicle into corpus luteum
175
What does LH also stimulate that lead to ovulation?
1. Increased local vascular permeability
| 2. Trigger inflammatory response that promotes release of metalloproteinase enzymes that weaken the ovarian wall
176
What happens when ovarian wall is weakened prior to ovulation?
1. Stops blood flow to protruding follicle wall, causing wall to thin and bulge, rupturing and forming a hole
2. Oocyte with corona radiata exits, accomplishing ovulation
177
Why does LH stimulate corpus luteum to secrete progesterone and some estrogen almost immediately after ovulation?
1. progesterone helps maintain stratum functionalis
| 2. maintains pregnancy if it occurs
178
How does negative feedback inhibit LH and FSH release?
Inhibin, from corpus luteum and granulosa cells enhance inhibitory effect; declining LH ends luteal activity and inhibits follicle development
179
When is oocyte actually activated? When does it mature?
Oocyte is actually activated 12 months prior to ovulation, but matures 14 days before ovulation
180
What happens if no fertilization occurs?
Corpus luteum degenerates when LH levels start to fall; causes a sharp decrease in estrogen and progesterone which in turn ends blockage of FSH & LH secretion, causing cycle to start over again
181
Cyclic series of changes in endometrium that occur in response to fluctuating ovarian hormone levels
Uterine (menstrual) cycle
182
What are the 3 phases of the uterine (menstrual) cycle?
1. Days 1-5: menstrual phase
2. Days 6-14: proliferative (preovulatory) phase
3. Days 15-28: secretory (post-ovulatory) phase
