Female Sex Organs

What are gonads?

Reproductive organs (testes and ovaries)

What are gametes?

Sex cells produced by gonads (spermatozoa and ova)

What are the two types of gametes?

Spermatozoa and ova

What are ovarian follicles?

Sacs in the ovaries containing immature developing ovum/oocyte

What is ovulation?

Process by which a developing ovum is ejected from the ovary; happens every 28 days

What is the corpus luteum?

The ruptured follicle left behind after ovulation; temporary endocrine organ

What hormones does the corpus luteum secrete?

Progesterone, estrogen, and Inhibin A

What is the corpus albicans?

The scar left on the ovary surface after the corpus luteum degenerates (white body)

What is the shape and size comparison for ovaries?

Size and shape of almonds

What are the fallopian (uterine) tubes?

Tubes that receive the oocyte and provide the most common site for fertilization; extend from ovary to uterus

How does the ovum move through the fallopian tube?

By peristalsis

What is the uterus?

Receives the fertilized egg and provides the maturation site for the developing fetus

What are the three layers of the uterus?

Endometrium, myometrium, perimetrium

What is the endometrium?

Inner mucosal layer; site of implantation or shed monthly if no fertilization

What is the myometrium?

Thick middle layer of smooth muscle; plays active role in delivery

What is the perimetrium?

Outer layer; visceral layer of serous membrane

What are the fornixes?

Recesses created where the cervix invaginates the vagina (anterior and posterior)

What are the labia?

Two elongated skin folds (minora and majora) running from mons pubis toward posterior; enclose the external urethral opening

What determines a female's total egg supply?

It is determined at birth

When does a female's reproductive ability begin and end?

Puberty to the fifties (or earlier); males can reproduce throughout their life

What two pituitary hormones control oogenesis?

FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone)

What is an oogonium?

Female stem cell (2n) that divides by mitosis to produce primary oocytes

What is a primary oocyte?

2n cell pushed into ovarian connective tissue to form primary follicles; arrested in Prophase I of Meiosis I until puberty

At birth, what stage are oocytes arrested in?

Prophase I of Meiosis I

What triggers primary follicles to grow and mature each month?

FSH released by the anterior pituitary gland at puberty

What happens during Meiosis I of oogenesis?

One primary oocyte completes Meiosis I producing two very different daughter cells: a secondary oocyte and a first polar body

What is a polar body?

Smaller daughter cell from Meiosis I; tiny with little cytoplasm; degenerates

What is a secondary oocyte?

Larger daughter cell from Meiosis I; arrested at Metaphase II; ovulated; contains lots of nutrients

When does the secondary oocyte complete Meiosis II?

Only if penetrated by sperm

What does the secondary oocyte produce after completing Meiosis II?

A mature ovum (fertilized egg) and a second polar body

What is menarche?

The first menstrual cycle/period a woman has

What are the days and events of the menstrual phase?

Days 1-5; endometrium is sloughed off; bleeding for 3-5 days; FSH and LH at lowest normal levels; estrogen produced by follicles; no progesterone

What are the days and events of the proliferative phase?

Days 6-14; endometrium regenerates and thickens with increased blood supply; FSH/LH rise and spike on day 14 then drop; estrogen rises and peaks day 14; progesterone starts to rise near end

What are the days and events of the secretory phase?

Days 15-28; endometrium prepares for implantation; if no embryo, endometrium starts to self-digest on day 28

What happens hormonally in the secretory phase if fertilization occurs?

LH stimulates corpus luteum to continue producing hormones until the placenta takes over at 3 months

What happens hormonally in the secretory phase if no fertilization occurs?

Both estrogen and progesterone decline; progesterone peaks then both drop

What takes over hormone production after 3 months of pregnancy?

The placenta

What is the LH surge and what does it trigger?

A spike in LH on day 14 that triggers ovulation and corpus luteum formation

What is estrogen produced by?

Ovarian follicles

What does estrogen cause?

Development of secondary female sex characteristics

What is progesterone produced by?

The corpus luteum (as long as LH is present); placenta during pregnancy

What does progesterone do?

Works with estrogen to establish the menstrual cycle, helps maintain pregnancy, prepares breasts for milk production

What are the secondary female characteristics caused by estrogen?

Enlargement of accessory organs, breast development, axillary and pubic hair, increased fat deposits at hips and breasts, widening of pelvis, onset of menses

What is menstruation (menses)?

Monthly discharge of blood from the uterus; sloughing off of the endometrium

What is menopause?

End of menstrual periods; occurs between approximately 46-54 years of age

What is human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)?

Hormone produced by a new embryo; detected by urine pregnancy tests

What is beta HCG?

A blood test for HCG; more sensitive; used to determine age of fetus

What type of HCG shows up in urine pregnancy tests?

Alpha HCG

What is the infundibulum?

Funnel-shaped opening of the fallopian tube near the ovary

What are fimbriae?

Finger-like projections at the infundibulum that help sweep the oocyte into the fallopian tube

What is the rectouterine pouch?

Space between the rectum and uterus (posterior)

What is the vesicouterine pouch?

Space between the bladder and uterus (anterior)

What is the suspensory ligament of the ovary?

Ligament that anchors the ovary to the pelvic wall

What is the round ligament?

Ligament that helps hold the uterus in its forward position

What is the uterosacral ligament?

Ligament connecting the uterus to the sacrum for support

What is the zona pellucida?

Glycoprotein layer surrounding the oocyte inside the follicle

What are granulosa cells?

Cells surrounding the oocyte in the follicle that support its development

What is the theca folliculi?

Layer of cells surrounding the granulosa cells; involved in hormone production

What is the antrum?

Fluid-filled cavity in a mature (vesicular/Graafian) follicle

What is a vesicular (Graafian) follicle?

The mature follicle just before ovulation; contains a fluid-filled antrum

What is the corona radiata?

Layer of granulosa cells that remain attached to the oocyte after ovulation

What is the tunica albuginea of the ovary?

Fibrous outer covering of the ovary

What is the germinal epithelium?

Epithelial layer on the surface of the ovary

What is the medulla of the ovary?

Inner region of the ovary containing blood vessels and connective tissue

What is the cortex of the ovary?

Outer region of the ovary where follicles are found

What are primordial follicles?

The earliest stage of follicle development; contain primary oocytes arrested in Prophase I