Female Reproductive System – Key Exam Notes

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering anatomy, physiology, cycles, pathology, and contraception of the female reproductive system.

Female reproductive system

Organ system that produces gametes, supports fertilization, pregnancy, childbirth, and nourishment of offspring.

Internal genitalia

Ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina located within the pelvic cavity.

External genitalia

Clitoris, labia minora, and labia majora collectively visible outside the body.

Primary sex organ (female)

The ovaries, which produce ova and sex hormones.

Secondary sex organs (female)

All other internal and external genitalia besides the ovaries.

Ovary

Almond-shaped female gonad that houses follicles, produces eggs, estrogen, progesterone, and inhibin.

Tunica albuginea (ovary)

Fibrous capsule surrounding the ovary, similar to that of the testes.

Ovarian cortex

Outer region of the ovary where germ cells and follicles develop.

Ovarian medulla

Inner region of the ovary containing major blood vessels and nerves.

Follicle

Fluid-filled ovarian structure that encloses a developing oocyte.

Ovulation

Rupture of a mature follicle releasing a secondary oocyte into the peritoneal cavity.

Ovarian ligament

Fibrous cord attaching the ovary to the uterus.

Suspensory ligament (ovary)

Peritoneal fold attaching ovary to the pelvic wall and carrying ovarian vessels.

Uterine tube (oviduct, fallopian tube)

10-cm muscular tube that transports the ovulated oocyte to the uterus; lined with ciliated epithelium.

Infundibulum

Trumpet-shaped distal end of uterine tube next to the ovary.

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections on the infundibulum that sweep the oocyte into the tube.

Ampulla

Widest, longest segment of the uterine tube where fertilization usually occurs.

Isthmus (uterine tube)

Narrow medial segment of the uterine tube adjoining the uterus.

Uterus

Thick muscular organ that harbors, nourishes, and expels the fetus; normally anteverted over the bladder.

Fundus (uterus)

Broad curved superior portion of the uterus.

Body (corpus) of uterus

Central, largest region of the uterus between the fundus and cervix.

Cervix

Cylindrical inferior end of the uterus projecting into the vagina.

Cervical canal

Channel through the cervix connecting uterine cavity to vagina.

Internal os

Superior opening of the cervical canal into the uterine cavity.

External os

Inferior opening of the cervical canal into the vagina.

Cervical glands

Glands that secrete mucus to impede microbial ascent from the vagina.

Perimetrium

External serous layer of the uterine wall (visceral peritoneum).

Myometrium

Middle smooth-muscle layer of the uterus responsible for labor contractions.

Endometrium

Inner mucosal lining of uterus where embryo implants; site of menstrual changes.

Stratum functionalis

Superficial half of endometrium shed during menstruation.

Stratum basalis

Permanent basal layer of endometrium that regenerates the functionalis each cycle.

Arcuate arteries

Circular branches of the uterine artery within the myometrium.

Spiral arteries

Coiled arteries that supply the endometrium and undergo cyclic constriction–dilation.

Vagina

8–10 cm distensible muscular canal for menstrual flow, intercourse, and childbirth.

Transudation

Serous fluid seepage through vaginal walls providing lubrication ('vaginal sweating').

Metaplasia (vaginal)

Estrogen-induced change of vaginal epithelium from simple cuboidal to stratified squamous at puberty.

Vulva (pudendum)

Collective term for female external genitalia.

Mons pubis

Fatty mound anterior to pubic symphysis bearing pubic hair.

Labia majora

Paired thick folds of skin and adipose tissue forming lateral boundaries of the vulva.

Labia minora

Thin hairless folds medial to labia majora that bound the vestibule.

Vestibule

Space between labia minora containing urethral and vaginal openings.

Prepuce (clitoral hood)

Anterior union of labia minora forming a fold over the clitoris.

Clitoris

Erectile, highly innervated organ and primary center of female sexual stimulation.

Breast

Mound of tissue over pectoralis major consisting of adipose, collagen, and (when active) mammary gland.

Mammary gland

Milk-producing gland that develops during pregnancy and lactation.

Areola

Pigmented circular zone surrounding the nipple containing sensory nerves and areolar glands.

Areolar glands

Sebaceous glands in areola whose secretions protect nipple during nursing.

Axillary tail

Extension of breast tissue toward the armpit; pathway for metastasis.

Lactiferous duct

Duct draining a breast lobe toward the nipple.

Lactiferous sinus

Dilated segment of lactiferous duct that stores milk just deep to areola.

Acinus (breast)

Milk-secreting sac ending each duct; surrounded by myoepithelial cells.

Myepithelial cells

Contractile cells around acini that eject milk in response to oxytocin.

Breast cancer

Malignancy of mammary ducts; affects 1 in 8–9 women and spreads via lymphatics.

Lumpectomy

Surgical removal of only the breast tumor.

Simple mastectomy

Removal of breast tissue and possibly some axillary nodes.

Radical mastectomy

Extensive removal of breast, underlying muscles, and nodes (rare today).

Puberty (female)

Period beginning ~8–10 yr when GnRH, FSH, and LH rise, initiating ovarian hormone production.

Thelarche

Onset of breast development—the first visible sign of female puberty.

Pubarche

Appearance of pubic/axillary hair and sebaceous glands driven by androgens.

Menarche

First menstrual period; requires ~17 % body fat in girls.

Amenorrhea

Abnormal absence of menstruation.

Estradiol

Most abundant estrogen; drives secondary sex characteristics and growth spurt.

Progesterone

Hormone primarily preparing uterus for pregnancy during second half of cycle.

Inhibin

Ovarian hormone that selectively suppresses FSH release.

Climacteric

Midlife decline in reproductive hormones leading to menopause.

Menopause

Permanent cessation of menstruation, usually between 45–55 yr.

Hot flash

Sudden vasodilatory episode causing warmth during climacteric.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Low-dose estrogen±progesterone regimen to relieve menopausal symptoms.

Oogenesis

Cyclic process of producing haploid eggs via meiosis.

Reproductive cycle

Sequence from fertilization to birth and return to fertility.

Sexual cycle

Monthly ovarian and uterine changes when pregnancy does not occur.

Ovarian cycle

Follicular, ovulatory, and luteal events in the ovaries over ~28 days.

Menstrual cycle

Cyclic endometrial changes—proliferative, secretory, premenstrual, menstrual.

Atresia

Degeneration of follicles or oocytes that do not reach ovulation.

Primary oocyte

Diploid oocyte arrested in prophase I from before birth until puberty.

Secondary oocyte

Haploid oocyte arrested in metaphase II; ovulated cell.

Polar body

Small haploid cell produced during oocyte meiosis that degenerates.

Folliculogenesis

Maturation of ovarian follicles alongside oogenesis.

Primordial follicle

Primary oocyte with single layer of squamous cells; 90–95 % of ovarian follicles.

Primary follicle

Follicle with larger oocyte and single layer of cuboidal follicular cells.

Secondary follicle

Follicle with multilayered granulosa cells, zona pellucida, and theca folliculi.

Zona pellucida

Glycoprotein gel surrounding the oocyte inside the follicle.

Theca folliculi

Fibrous outer sheath of follicle derived from ovarian stroma.

Tertiary (antral) follicle

Follicle with a fluid-filled antrum and cumulus oophorus.

Antrum

Single fluid-filled cavity within a tertiary follicle.

Cumulus oophorus

Granulosa cell mound anchoring the oocyte to follicle wall.

Corona radiata

Innermost granulosa layer encasing oocyte; protective barrier.

Mature (Graafian) follicle

Dominant preovulatory follicle ready to ovulate.

Corpus luteum

Yellow endocrine structure formed from ruptured follicle that secretes progesterone and estrogen.

Corpus albicans

Scar tissue remnant of involuted corpus luteum.

Follicular phase

Day 1–14 of cycle when follicles grow and estradiol rises.

Luteal phase

Day 15–28 when corpus luteum functions; progesterone peaks.

LH surge

Abrupt rise in luteinizing hormone triggering ovulation.

Stigma (ovary)

Nipple-like protrusion on ovarian surface before follicle rupture.

Mittelschmerz

Mid-cycle abdominal twinge signaling ovulation.

Proliferative phase

Endometrial rebuilding (days ~6–14) driven by estrogen.

Secretory phase

Endometrial thickening via glycogen secretion (days 15–26) under progesterone.

Premenstrual phase

Endometrial ischemia and degeneration just before menses (days 27–28).

Menstrual phase (menses)

Shedding of functional layer with blood (≈5 days; day 1 of cycle).

Endometriosis

Ectopic growth of endometrial tissue causing pain/infertility.