Female Reproductive System, Ch 3

Question 1

what is another word that the female reproductive organs are referred to?

Answer 1

Vulva

Question 2

Whats the purpose of Mons Pubis?

Answer 2

fatty pad over anterior symphysis pubis. covered with hair after puberty. Purpose: protect pelvic bones during coitus.

Question 3

Labia Majora

Answer 3

Rounded mounds of tissue that originate in the mons pubis and terminate in the perineum. They form the lateral boundaries of the vulva and are covered with hair (after puberty). Purpose= protect inner vulvar structures.

Question 4

Labia Minora:

Answer 4

Two folds of tissue visible when the labia majora are separated. They do not have hair but contain sebaceous follicles and sweat glands. At the top, the labia minora fuse to form the prepuce (hood over the clitoris) and frenulum (fused area under clitoris). Function= house sebaceous gland that lubricate and waterproof vulvar skin and give bactericidal secretions.

Question 5

Clitoris:

Answer 5

located under prepuce and contain two erectile cavernous bodies with many nerve endings. Function= enhance sexual arousal.

Question 6

Vestibule

Answer 6

boat-shaped area bordered by labia minora laterally, by urethra, Skene’s glands and clitoris anteriorly, and by the vaginal opening posteriorly. Contains introitus (vaginal opening).

Question 7

Skene’s glands:

Answer 7

(paraurethral glands) on either side of urethra. Function= produce mucus to aid lubrication of the vagina.

Question 8

Hymen:

Answer 8

connective tissue membrane surrounding the vaginal opening

Question 9

Introitus:

Answer 9

the vaginal opening

Question 10

Bartholin’s glands:

Answer 10

located posteriorly on either side of the vaginal opening. Function= secrete lubricating fluid during sexual arousal to lubricate the vaginal introitus.

Question 11

Perineum:

Answer 11

smooth skin and muscular covering of the pelvic structures (pelvic organs are held in a sling of muscles and ligaments- the perineal body).

Question 12

Vagina

Answer 12

a strong muscular canal from the uterus to the vestibule of the external genitalia that lies between the bladder and rectum. It has a mucosal lining and rugae (folds). Purpose of rugae= allows vagina to expand during childbirth.
When there is a lack of estrogen (after childbirth, during lactation, after menopause), drying and thinning of the vaginal walls occurs and the rugae disappear as the vaginal walls become smooth.

Question 13

Cervix

Answer 13

cervix of the uterus projects into the upper portion of the vagina and forms a cul-du-sac around the cervix, called “fornix.” There are four regions of the fornix (1 anterior, 1 posterior, 2 lateral). The posterior fornix serves as a place to collect vaginal fluid (called the “vaginal pool”). The fornix also serves as a collection basin for semen if the woman lies on her back during intercourse. (see figure 3-2 in Ladewig, p. 28)

Question 14

Uterus

Answer 14

Uterus: a pear-shaped (upside down pear), muscular, thick-walled organ between the base of the bladder and the rectum.

Question 15

What holds the uterus in place?

Answer 15

broad ligament.

Question 16

Whats connected to the fundus of the uterus also assist in keeping the uterus in place.?

Answer 16

Round ligaments

Question 17

What are the three layers in the uterine wall?

Answer 17

o Endometrium- inner layer, highly vascular, shed during menses, serves as implantation site of fertilized ovum
o Myometrium- layers of smooth muscle that extend in three directions and form a figure-eight around blood vessels (ligate blood vessels from the placental site)
o Perimetrium- covering over the uterus