WEEK 12: 12.2 Overview of Female Reproduction

Question 1

4 main functions of the female reproductive system?

Answer 1

1. production of oocytes in the ovaries. oocytes are the gamete cells in females.
2. production of female sex hormones, which are essential to normal function of the reproductive system and reproductive behaviour
3. reception of spermatozoa from the male as well as transporting sperm to the site of fertilisation
4. nurturing the development of and providing nourishment for a new individual.

Question 2

What is the primary sex organs (gonads) in the female?

Answer 2

ovaries, which produce oocytes and female sex hormones

Question 3

What are the secondary sex organs in females?

Answer 3

uterine tubes, uterus, vagina & mammary glands

Question 4

What are the functions of secondary sex organs

Answer 4

they are essential for successful fertilisation of oocyte
implantation of a fertilized oocyte
development of the new individual
parturition (childbirth)

Question 5

What is the location of ovaries

Answer 5

they are positioned in the upper pelvic cavity, one of each lateral side of the uterus

Question 6

Describe the structure of the ovaries

Answer 6

cortex- contains ovarian follicles
medulla- contains blood vessels & nerves

Question 7

What are the 2 major functions of the ovaries

Answer 7

1. produce oocytes
2. produce & secrete female sex hormones including estrogen and progesterone

Question 8

What are ovarian follicles?

Answer 8

specialised structures in the cortex of the ovaries, an oocyte surrounded by supporting granulosa cells.

Question 9

What is the ovarian cycle

Answer 9

during a woman’s reproductive years, a handful of the most immature follicles in the ovary (primordial follicles) are activated each month to grow/develop into mature follicles.

Question 10

What are the 2 phases of the ovarian cycle?

Answer 10

1. pre-ovulatory (follicular) phase: all events occurring before ovulation (release) of an oocyte from a follicle.
2. post-ovulatory (luteal) phase: all events occurring after ovulation

Question 11

what is oogenesis?

Answer 11

the production of oocytes

Question 12

What is folliculogenesis?

Answer 12

the growth and development of ovarian follicles

Question 13

What is the location of the uterine tubes?

Answer 13

each uterine tube is a hollow muscular tube, directly connected the uterus
lies close to the ovary

Question 14

what 3 segments are the uterine tubes?

Answer 14

1. the infundibulum
2. the ampulla
3. the isthmus

Question 15

What are the walls of the uterine tubes composed of?

Answer 15

ciliated columnar epithelium with scattered mucuous-secreting cells

Question 16

What is the function of the uterine tubes?

Answer 16

to transport oocytes from the ovaries to the uterus. the site of fertilisation & sperm maturation

Question 17

What is the location of the uterus?

Answer 17

located near the floor of the pelvic cavity, anterior to the rectum & posterosuperior to the bladder

Question 18

what 3 regions is the uterus divided into?

Answer 18

1. fundus- superior to attachment point of uterine tubes
2. body - largest central region
3. cervix - projects into the vagina

Question 19

What 3 layers is the wall of the uterus made of?

Answer 19

1. endometrium: innermost layer containing epithelium & connective tissue containing glands. the endometrium is divided into the stratum functionalis & a stratum basalis
2. myometrium: thick layer of smooth muscle
3. perimetrium: external layer composed of epithelium

Question 20

What function does the uterus serve?

Answer 20

It provides mechanical protection, nutritional support & waste removal for the developing embryo. Contractions in the muscular wall of the uterus are important in ejecting the fetus at birth.

Question 21

What kind of glands are the ovaries

Answer 21

endocrine (androgens like estrogen & progesterone) and exocrine glands (oocytes)

Question 22

What capsule are the ovaries contained in?

Answer 22

the tunica albuginea

Question 23

What are the 2 regions within the capsule?

Answer 23

cortex & medulla

Question 24

Describe the function and components of the cortex

Answer 24

contains oocytes + follicular cells
site of folliculogenesis & oogenesis

Question 25

Describe the components of the medulla?

Answer 25

loose connective tissue composes of blood vessels/nerves in which hormones diffuse through

Question 26

Define folliculogenesis

Answer 26

the development of the follicle involves the maturation of oocyte + increased number of follicle cells

Question 27

What is the primordial follicle?

Answer 27

primary oocyte + single layer of flat follicle cells

Question 28

What is the primary follicle?

Answer 28

primary oocyte + 1-2 layers of cuboidal follicle cells (which secrete estrogen)

Question 29

What are secondary follicles?

Answer 29

an enlarged oocyte with multiple fluid filled spaces developing between follicle cells

Question 30

What is a tertiary follicle ?

Answer 30

mature follicle single large fluid filled space (antrum) oocyte is surrounded by specialised follicular cells (granulosa cells)

Question 31

What is ovulation?

Answer 31

when the oocyte is released from the ovary, granulosa

Question 32

What is the corpus luteum

Answer 32

Glandular structure left behind in ovary after ovulation which secretes BOTH estrogen and progesterone

Question 33

What is the corpus albicans?

Answer 33

If fertilisation doesn't occur, corpus luteum degenerates into corpus albicans

Question 34

What is oogenesis

Answer 34

the formation of oocytes from mitosis and meiotic divisions

Question 35

What are the uterine tubes

Answer 35

oviducts/fallopian tubes that connect the ovary to the uterus

Question 36

What 4 regions does the uterine tubes consist of? describe each

Answer 36

infundibulum - close to ovary, funnel shaped fimbriae - finger like projections that collect ovulated oocyte ampulla - central, widest, longest, site of fertilisation isthmus- narrowest region, site of sperm maturation

Question 37

Describe the histology of the uterine tubes

Answer 37

- simple columnar epithelium - cilia & secretory cells for mucus containing glycogen (energy source for zygote) - smooth muscle of peristalsis

Question 38

What are the 3 regions of the uterus

Answer 38

Fundus Body Cervix

Question 39

What is the function of the uterus?

Answer 39

it is the site of menstruation & development of fetus

Question 40

What are the 3 layers of tissue of the uterus, briefly highlight their function

Answer 40

1. perimetrium - outer layer, serosa 2. myometrium - middle, smooth muscle - longitudinal/oblique muscles contract during childbirth in response to oxytocin 3. endometrium - inner, vascularised - 2 layers included stratum functionalis and stratum basalis

Question 41

What is the purpose of the stratum functionalis?

Answer 41

it is a functional layer, it grows during the uterine cycle and sheds at menstruation. hence, it is always changing during the cycle

Question 42

What is the purpose of the stratum basalis

Answer 42

it is the basal layer, consists of denser connective tissue, is permanent (doesn't shed)

Question 43

What does the cervix contain

Answer 43

mucous glands, which contain water, proteins, lipids, salt.

Question 44

How does mucousal consistency vary between near/at ovulation & other times?

Answer 44

near/at ovulation: less viscous to allow sperm passage other times: thicker to impede sperm penetration

Question 45

What is the purpose of the vagina, and what does it compose?

Answer 45

it is a passageway for birth and menstrual flow it composes of stratified squamous non-keratinised epithelium

Question 46

What does decomposition producing organic acids do for the vagina?

Answer 46

it makes an acidic env which retards microbial growth but its harmful to sperm