Female reproductive system

What are the main functions of the female reproductive system?

Produce oocytes, allow fertilisation, support embryo/fetal development, childbirth, and lactation.

What are the main organs of the female reproductive system?

Ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, accessory glands, and external genitalia.

What are the female gametes called?

Oocytes (ova).

What is the site of oocyte development?

Ovaries.

What is the site of fertilisation?

Ampulla of the uterine tube.

What is the site of embryo/fetal development?

Uterus.

What are the 3 main functions of the vagina?

Birth canal, intercourse, and menstruation pathway.

What are the ovaries?

Paired oval organs that produce oocytes.

Are ovaries intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal?

Intraperitoneal.

What covers the ovaries?

Tunica albuginea.

Do ovaries directly connect to uterine tubes?

No.

What ligaments anchor the ovaries?

Broad ligaments.

What is the mesovarium?

Part of the broad ligament supporting the ovary.

What happens during ovulation regarding the ovary and uterine tube?

Smooth muscle contractions bring the ovary closer to the uterine tube opening.

What are primordial follicles?

Immature oocytes in the ovary.

Approximately how many primordial follicles exist at the 5th month of gestation?

About 6 million.

Approximately how many oocytes are present at birth?

1-2 million.

Approximately how many remain at puberty?

About 300,000.

Approximately how many oocytes are ovulated in a lifetime?

About 400-500.

What are uterine tubes also called?

Fallopian tubes or oviducts.

What is the function of uterine tubes?

Transport oocyte to uterus and provide site of fertilisation.

Where does fertilisation usually occur?

Ampulla of the uterine tube.

What happens to unfertilised oocytes?

They degenerate.

Are uterine tubes intraperitoneal?

Yes.

What are fimbriae?

Finger-like projections that help guide the oocyte into the uterine tube.

What is the infundibulum?

Funnel-shaped opening of the uterine tube.

What is the ampulla?

Dilated middle region where fertilisation usually occurs.

What is the isthmus of the uterine tube?

Narrow region connecting to the uterus.

What is the uterine part of the uterine tube?

Section passing through the uterine wall.

What are plicae in uterine tubes?

Mucosal folds inside the tube.

What shape is the uterus?

Pear-shaped.

Where is the uterus located relative to the bladder?

Posterior to the bladder.

What is the function of the uterus?

Site of embryo and fetal development.

What structure attaches to the uterine wall to nourish the embryo?

Placenta.

What are the 3 major regions of the uterus?

Fundus, body, and cervix.

What is the fundus of the uterus?

Superior rounded portion connected to uterine tubes.

What is the body of the uterus?

Middle region where the fetus develops.

What is the cervix?

Inferior narrow region projecting into the vagina.

What is the internal os?

Opening between uterus and cervical canal.

What is the external os?

Opening of cervix into vagina.

What is the isthmus of the uterus?

Narrow region between body and cervix.

What are the 3 layers of the uterine wall?

Endometrium, myometrium, and perimetrium.

What is the endometrium?

Inner mucosal layer of the uterus.

What is the function of the endometrium?

Embryo implantation and menstruation.

Which layer is shed during menstruation?

Stratum functionale of the endometrium.

What is the myometrium?

Thick smooth muscle layer of uterus.

What is the function of the myometrium?

Contractions during labour.

What is the perimetrium?

Outer serous layer covering the uterus.

What is the stratum basalis?

Deep layer of endometrium that regenerates tissue.

What is the stratum functionale?

Hormone-responsive layer shed during menstruation.

Where is the vagina located relative to the bladder and urethra?

Posterior to them.

Where is the vagina located relative to the rectum?

Anterior to the rectum.

What is the fornix of the vagina?

Crevice around the cervix.

What are the types of vaginal fornices?

Anterior, posterior, and lateral fornices.

Where is the vaginal opening located?

Posterior to urethral opening and anterior to anus.

What are the main functions of the vagina?

Menstruation, intercourse, sperm reception, and childbirth.

What is the pH of adult vaginal secretions?

Acidic.

What is the pH of adolescent vaginal secretions?

More alkaline.

What happens to sperm in the vagina?

They are temporarily stored before entering uterus.

What is the collective term for the female external genitalia?

Vulva.

What is the mons pubis?

Fatty mound over pubic symphysis.

What are the labia majora?

Outer thickened skin folds.

What are the labia minora?

Inner vascular folds surrounding vestibule.

What is the clitoris?

Small erectile organ anterior to labia minora.

What is the prepuce of the clitoris?

Fold of skin covering the clitoris.

What is the vestibule?

Space between the labia minora.

What openings are found in the vestibule?

Urethral and vaginal openings.

What is the function of the female accessory glands?

Produce mucus for lubrication.

What is another name for the greater vestibular gland?

Bartholin's gland.

Where do Bartholin's glands open?

Either side of the vaginal opening.

What is another name for the lesser vestibular gland?

Skene's gland.

Where do Skene's glands open?

Either side of the urethral opening.

What additional role may Skene's glands have?

Antimicrobial protection of urethra.

What happens during sexual arousal in female erectile tissue?

Clitoris and vestibular bulbs become engorged with blood.

What are the parts of the clitoris?

Glans, body, crus, and prepuce.

What erectile tissue does the clitoris contain?

Corpora cavernosa.

What is the vestibular bulb equivalent to in males?

Corpus spongiosum.

What is the clitoral hood another name for?

Prepuce.

What is the fourchet?

Posterior meeting point of the labia minora.

What can happen to the fourchet during childbirth?

It may tear.

What is an episiotomy?

Surgical cut to reduce uncontrolled tearing during childbirth.

What is the perineum?

Diamond-shaped region between pubis and coccyx.

What are the two triangles of the perineum?

Urogenital triangle and anal triangle.

What structures are in the female urogenital triangle?

Clitoris, urethral opening, and vaginal opening.

What structure is located in the anal triangle?

Anus.

What type of gland is the mammary gland?

Compound tubuloalveolar exocrine gland.

Where are mammary glands located?

Anterior thoracic wall.

What are alveoli in mammary glands?

Milk-producing structures.

What do lactiferous ducts do?

Drain milk toward nipple.

What are lactiferous sinuses?

Expanded regions storing milk before release.

What hormone stimulates milk production?

Prolactin.

What hormone causes milk ejection?

Oxytocin.

What are suspensory ligaments of the breast?

Ligaments supporting gland tissue.

What surrounds the nipple?

Areola.

What structure contains openings for milk release?

Nipple.