Female Reproductive System

Question 1

The female reproductive organs include

Answer 1

1. External genital organs (vulva & mammary glands)

2. Internal genital organs (or vary, uterine tube, uterus, vagina)

Question 2

What consists in the external genitalia ?

Answer 2

1. Mons pubis
2. Labia majora
3. Labia minora
4. Hymen
5. Bartholin’s glands
6. Clitoris
7. Perineum

Question 3

What is Mons Pubis ?

Answer 3

• triangular mound of fatty tissue that covers pubic bone

- protects the pubic symphysis

Question 4

What is Labia Majora ?

Answer 4

• 2 longitudinal folds of skin that forms the outer border of vulva
• contains fat, smooth muscle, areolar tissue, sebaceous glands and sensory receptors

Question 5

What is Labia Minora ?

Answer 5

-smaller fold of skin that lies between labia majora
-contains numerous sebaceous glands
The labia merge at the top to form clitoris

Question 6

What is Hymen ?

Answer 6

-a mucous membrane that normally covers the opening into the vagina

Question 7

What is Bartholin’s glands ?

Answer 7

• located posterior to vaginal opening
• size of small pea and have ducts
• secret mucus that keeps the vulva moist

Question 8

What is Clitoris ?

Answer 8

• small erectile organ at the upper end of vulva below mons pubis, where the 2 folds of labia minora meet
• contains many nerve endings

Question 9

What is Perineum ?

Answer 9

• muscle and tissue located between vaginal opening and anal canal
• supports and surrounds the lower parts of the urinary and digestive tracts
• contains abundance of nerve endings

Question 10

What consists of the Internal Genitalia ?

Answer 10

1. Vagina
2. Uterus
3. Uterine tube
4. Ovaries

Question 11

What is a Vagina ?

Answer 11

• fibro muscular lines tube located between bladder and rectum
• uterus angle 90°
• made up of 3 layers
• acidic environment bcs of fermentation of Lactobacillus acidophilus

Question 12

What are the layers in the Vagina ?

Answer 12

1. Inner mucosal: made of vaginal rug are that stretch and allow penetration to occur
2. Mid muscularis: has glands that secrete acidic mucus (pH4.9-3.5)
3. Outer fibrous: important with delivery of foetus and placenta

Question 13

What are the functions of Vagina ?

Answer 13

1. Passageway for menstrual flow
2. For uterine secretions to pass down the introitus
3. As birth canal during labour
4. For sexual intercourse with lubrication from Bartholin’s glands

Question 14

What is the Uterus ?

Answer 14

• hollow muscular pear-shaped organ
• position of uterus: anteflexion
• has 3 parts
• walls have 3 layers

Question 15

What are the 3 parts of the Uterus

Answer 15

1. Fundus: upper, dome shaped
2. Body: tapering middle portion
3. Cervix(neck): the body terminate into narrow portion

Question 16

What are the 3 layers of the Uterus ?

Answer 16

1. Perimetrium: outermost layer, serosa/adventitia
2. Myometrium: mid layer, thickest layer of tissue in uterine wall
3. Endometrium: inner layer, lined with simple columnar epithelium with thick lamina propria

Question 17

What are the 2 sub-layers of Endometrium ?

Answer 17

1. Stratum functionalis: superficial, responds to ovarian hormones and is shed during menstruation
2. Stratum basilis: thinner and deeper, does not respond to ovarian hormones and forms new stratum functionalis after menstruation ends

Question 18

What are the supporting structures of uterus ?

Answer 18

1. Broad ligaments
2. Round ligaments
3. Uterosacral ligaments
4. Transverse cervical ligaments
5. Pubocervical fascia

Question 19

What are Broad Ligaments ?

Answer 19

• formed by double fold of peritoneum, one on each side of uterus
• uterine tube penetrates the posterior wall and open into peritoneal cavity
• ovaries are attached to posterior wall, one on each side

Question 20

What are Round Ligaments ?

Answer 20

-bands of fibrous tissue between 2 layers of broad ligaments, one on each side of the uterus

Question 21

What are the functions of the Uterus ?

Answer 21

1. Organ of uterine cyclic changes that occur in the structure of the endometrium (shed every 21-40 days)
2. Functions as a place for the protection and nourishment of foetus during pregnancy
3. Muscular uterine wall contracts rhythmically and powerfully during labour

Question 22

What are the Uterine Tubes ?

Answer 22

• pair of tubes on each side of the uterus
• conveys oocyte to the uterus
• 10cm long and not directly connected to ovaries
• opens in abdominal cavity close to ovaries
• 3 portions

Question 23

What are the 3 portions in the Uterine Tube ?

Answer 23

1. Infundibulum: funnel shaped, near the ovary
2. Ampulla: thin walled mid portion
3. Isthmus: opens into the uterus

Question 24

What are the functions of Uterine Tubes ?

Answer 24

1. Leads ovaries to the uterus
2. Flier like projections line in the tubes, to catch and move ovum along the uterus
3. Most common site of fertilisation, and zygote is propelled into uterus for implantation

Question 25

What are ovaries ?

Answer 25

- female gonads that produce ova and female hormones - located in pelvic cavity, one each side of uterus - attached by mesentery called mesovarium - 2 areas

Question 26

What are the 2 areas of Ovaries ?

Answer 26

1. Medulla: inner portion that contains connective tissue, reveals, blood and lymphatic vessels 2. Cortex: surrounds the medulla, contains follicles. Follicles are centre for oogenesis

Question 27

What are the functions of Ovaries ?

Answer 27

1. Controlled by anterior lobe of pituitary gland, which produce gonadotropic hormones, FSH and LH 2. Production of hormones: estrogen and progesterone 3. Production of ova

Question 28

What is the term when menstrual cycle begins ?

Answer 28

Menarche