Reproductive System: Female

Question 1

Primary sex organs of the female reproductive system:

Answer 1

Ovaries
◦ Produce ova gametes & secrete sex hormones (estrogens & progesterone)

Question 2

Internal genitalia of the female reproductive system (located in pelvic
cavity):

Answer 2

ovaries & duct system
(uterine tubes, uterus, & vagina)

Question 3

External genitalia of the female reproductive system

Answer 3

Vulva – external
sex organs

Question 4

Ovarian follicles are

Answer 4

Sac-like structures: oocyte (immature egg), encased
by one or more layers of different cells

Question 5

Stages of ovarian follicle development:

Answer 5

◦ Primordial follicles
◦ Primary follicles
◦ Secondary follicles
◦ Antral (Graafian) follicles

Question 6

Ovulation is

Answer 6

1 maturing follicle ejecting its oocyte from the ovary (approx. each month)

Question 7

A ruptured follicle that transforms into a glandular structure which eventually degenerates is

Answer 7

Corpus luteum
◦ Continues to release hormones
◦ Can play important role during pregnancy before placenta forms

Question 8

Functions of the uterine tubes (fallopian tubes or oviducts)

Answer 8

◦ Form beginning of uterine duct system
◦ Receive the ovulated oocyte, & provide a site for fertilization
◦ Does not have direct contact with the ovaries

Question 9

Fimbriae are

Answer 9

Ciliated projections at end of tube closest to the ovary
◦ Create a current to move the ovulated oocyte from the peritoneal cavity into uterine tube

Question 10

The uterus is

Answer 10

A hollow, thick-walled muscular organ that functions to receive, retain, & nourish a fertilized ovum

Question 11

The major part of uterus is

Answer 11

Body

Question 12

Narrow outlet of the uterus projecting into the vagina is

Answer 12

Cervix

Question 13

3 layers of the uterine wall:

Answer 13

◦ Perimetrium – serous, outermost
◦ Myometrium – bulky, smooth muscle
◦ Endometrium – mucosal lining

Question 14

Layer of endometrium that changes in response to ovarian hormone cycles

Answer 14

Functional layer
◦ Shed during menstruation in response to ↓progesterone from ovaries

Question 15

Layer of endometrium that forms the new functional layer after menstruation

Answer 15

Basal layer
◦ Unresponsive to ovarian hormones

Question 16

The vagina is a passageway for:

Answer 16

◦ Delivery of an infant & menstrual blood
◦ Receiving the penis & semen during sexual intercourse

Question 17

The 3 layers of the vaginal wall are:

Answer 17

◦ Adventitia – outer, fibroelastic
◦ Muscularis – middle, smooth muscle
◦ Mucosa – inner, ridged (epithelial cells produce a glycogen-rich fluid that
is metabolized by bacteria into lactic acid to produce an acidic environment of pH 4.5 for protection)

Question 18

An adipose-rich rounded area overlying the pubic symphysis

Answer 18

Mons pubis

Question 19

2 elongated folds of skin that extend posteriorly from mons pubis (homologous to scrotum)

Answer 19

Labia majora (singular labia majus)

Question 20

2 thin folds of skin enclosed by labia majora (homologous to spongy urethra)

Answer 20

Labia minora

Question 21

Recess enclosed by labia minora, containing vaginal & urethral openings

Answer 21

Vestibule

Question 22

Paraurethral glands or female prostate

Answer 22

Skene’s glands
◦ Homologous to penile prostate

Question 23

Produce lubricating fluid

Answer 23

Bartholin’s glands (greater vestibular glands)
◦ Homologous to male bulbourethral glands

Question 24

Highly innervated erogenous zone of erectile tissue anterior to the vestibule

Answer 24

Clitoris
◦ Homologous to the penis

Question 25

The ovarian cycle is

Answer 25

Set of events that occur in the ovaries in relation to development, maturation, & ovulation of an oocyte

Question 26

At the same time as the ovarian, the uterine (menstrual) cycle prepares

Answer 26

The endometrium for a fertilized ovum that can result in pregnancy

Question 27

Female reproductive cycle refers to both

Answer 27

The ovarian & uterine cycles, & hormonal changes that occur throughout body

Question 28

Follicular phase:

Answer 28

Follicle develops & oocyte within it undergoes meiosis ◦ Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) promotes growth of dominant follicle

Question 29

During follicular phase, ovulation occurs when

Answer 29

The ovary wall ruptures & a secondary oocyte is expelled ◦ following a peak in luteinizing hormone (LH)

Question 30

Luteal phase:

Answer 30

Formation of corpus luteum that secretes progesterone & some estrogens

Question 31

If a pregnancy occurs in luteal phase:

Answer 31

Corpus luteum persists until matured placenta takes over its hormone-producing role (~ 3 months)

Question 32

If a pregnancy doesn't occur in luteal phase:

Answer 32

Corpus luteum starts degenerating into corpus albicans & hormone release ends

Question 33

During childhood release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is inhibited by

Answer 33

Growing ovaries secreting small amounts of estrogens

Question 34

At puberty release GnRH is stimulated by

Answer 34

◦ Hypothalamus becoming less sensitive to estrogens ◦ Begins to release GnRH in a rhythmic manner ◦ Once the adult pattern of hormone cycles is established – the first menstrual cycle, menarche, occurs

Question 35

Effects of LH in the female reproductive system:

Answer 35

Initially stimulates androgen release from thecal cells (converted to estrogen by granulosa cells)

Question 36

Effects of FSH in the female reproductive system:

Answer 36

Main effects on granulosa cells of maturing follicles to release estrogens

Question 37

In females release of GnRH & FSH is inhibited by

Answer 37

Moderate levels of estrogen in the blood plasma ◦ exerts negative feedback on hypothalamus & anterior pituitary

Question 38

Function of inhibin in females:

Answer 38

◦ Inhibits FSH release ◦ Released by granulosa cells

Question 39

Effect of high levels of estrogen from the mature follicle just before ovulation:

Answer 39

Briefly exerts positive feedback on the anterior pituitary; leading to ↑LH

Question 40

LH surge just before ovulation:

Answer 40

◦ Triggers secondary oocyte maturation & ovulation ◦ Stimulates formation of corpus luteum from ruptured follicle & its secretion of progesterone & some estrogens (important for endometrium maintenance)

Question 41

In ovulation secretion of progesterone, estrogen, & inhibin by corpus luteum inhibits

Answer 41

Release of GnRH, LH, & FSH via negative feedback

Question 42

LH levels fall & corpus luteum degenerates leading to ↓estrogen/progesterone if

Answer 42

Fertilization does not occur

Question 43

The uterine menstrual cycle is a series of cyclic changes that the uterine endometrium goes through each month in response to

Answer 43

Changing levels of ovarian hormones in the blood ◦ Coordinated with ovarian phases

Question 44

During the Menstrual phase of the uterine cycle (Days 1–5):

Answer 44

◦ Endometrium is shed from uterus ◦ Ovarian hormones are at their lowest levels, & gonadotropins are beginning to rise

Question 45

During the Proliferative (preovulatory) phase of the uterine cycle (Days 6–14):

Answer 45

◦ Endometrium is rebuilt: rising estrogen levels generate new functional layer of endometrium (thickens as the glands enlarge & spiral arteries increase in number) ◦ Cervical mucous thins to facilitate sperm entry into uterus ◦ Ovulation occurs at day 14

Question 46

During the Secretory (postovulatory) phase of the uterine cycle (Days 15–28):

Answer 46

◦ Endometrium prepares for implantation of an embryo ◦ Rising progesterone (from corpus luteum) acts on estrogen-primed endometrium: spiral arteries convert functional layer to secretory mucosa (produces nutrients to sustain embryo until implantation) ◦ Cervical mucous thickens: forms cervical plug to block entry of sperm/pathogens

Question 47

End of uterine cycle if fertilization doesn't occur:

Answer 47

◦ Corpus luteum degenerates leading to ↓progesterone: spiral arteries kink & spasm (cutting off oxygen & nutrients); functional endometrium dies and sloughs off ◦ ~2/3 of endometrium is reabsorbed, rest is shed in menstruation

Question 48

During puberty, rising estrogen levels promote:

Answer 48

◦ Oogenesis & follicle growth in ovary ◦ Growth & function of female reproductive tract ◦ Growth spurts in puberty

Question 49

Estrogen-induced secondary sex characteristics:

Answer 49

◦ Breast development ◦ ↑deposition of subcutaneous fat in hips & breasts ◦ Widening & lightening of pelvis ◦ Metabolic effects: ↓blood cholesterol; facilitate bone Ca2+ uptake

Question 50

Function of progesterone

Answer 50

Works with estrogens to establish & regulate uterine cycle & promote changes in cervical mucous