Chapter 28: The Reproductive Systems - Female Reproductive System

Practice vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy, histology, and hormonal regulation of the female reproductive system based on Chapter 28 of the Tortora principles of anatomy and physiology.

Gonads

The ovaries, which serve as the primary reproductive organs in the female.

Ovaries

Paired glands homologous to the testes that produce gametes (secondary oocytes) and hormones including progesterone, estrogens, inhibin, and relaxin.

Broad ligament

A part of the parietal peritoneum that helps hold the ovaries in place.

Ovarian ligament

A ligament that anchors the ovaries to the uterus.

Suspensory ligament

A ligament that attaches the ovaries to the pelvic wall.

Ovarian follicles

Clusters located in the ovarian cortex consisting of oocytes in various stages of development plus surrounding cells that nourish them.

Mature (graafian) follicle

A large, fluid-filled follicle ready to expel a secondary oocyte during ovulation.

Corpus luteum

Remnants of a mature follicle after ovulation that produces progesterone, estrogens, relaxin, and inhibin.

Corpus albicans

The fibrous tissue that remains after the corpus luteum degenerates.

Oogenesis

The formation of gametes in the ovaries, which begins before females are born.

Oogonia

Diploid ($2n$) stem cells that differentiate from primordial germ cells during early fetal development.

Atresia

The process by which most germ cells degenerate before birth.

Primary oocytes

Cells that enter meiosis I during fetal development; there are about $200,000$ to $2,000,000$ at birth.

Primordial follicle

A primary oocyte covered by a single layer of flat follicular cells.

Uterine (fallopian) tubes

Also known as oviducts, these provide a route for sperm to reach an ovum and transport secondary oocytes and fertilized ova to the uterus.

Infundibulum

The distal end of the uterine tube that ends in finger-like fimbriae.

Ampulla

The widest and longest portion of the uterine (fallopian) tube.

Peg cells

Non-ciliated cells in the uterine tube mucosa that provide nutrition to the ovum.

Perimetrium

The outer layer of the uterus, which is part of the visceral peritoneum.

Myometrium

The middle layer of the uterus consisting of three layers of smooth muscle that contract in response to oxytocin.

Endometrium

The inner, highly vascularized layer of the uterus.

Stratum functionalis

The layer of the endometrium that lines the uterine cavity and sloughs off during menstruation.

Stratum basalis

The permanent layer of the endometrium that gives rise to a new stratum functionalis after menstruation.

Spiral arterioles

Blood vessels supplying the stratum functionalis that change markedly during the menstrual cycle.

Cervical mucus

A secretion produced by secretory cells of the cervix mucosa containing water, glycoproteins, lipids, enzymes, and inorganic salts.

Vulva

Also known as the pudendum, it refers to the external female genitalia including the mons pubis, labia, and clitoris.

Clitoris

Two small erectile bodies (corpora cavernosa) homologous to the glans penis.

Mammary gland

A modified sudoriferous gland that produces milk.

Alveoli

Milk-secreting glands within the mammary glands.

GnRH

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that controls the ovarian and uterine cycles.

FSH

Follicle-stimulating hormone which initiates follicular growth and stimulates ovarian follicles to secrete estrogens.

LH

Luteinizing hormone which stimulates further development of follicles, triggers ovulation, and promotes the formation of the corpus luteum.

Progesterone

A hormone secreted mainly by the corpus luteum that prepares and maintains the endometrium for implantation.

Relaxin

A hormone produced by the corpus luteum that relaxes the uterus and increases the flexibility of the pubic symphysis during pregnancy.

Inhibin

A hormone secreted by granulosa cells and the corpus luteum that inhibits the secretion of FSH and LH.

Menstrual phase

Roughly the first $5$ days of the cycle where the stratum functionalis is sloughed off.

Pre-ovulatory phase

The period between the end of menstruation and ovulation (days $6$ to $13$ in a $28$ day cycle) where the endometrium proliferates.

Ovulation

The rupture of the mature (graafian) follicle and release of the secondary oocyte, typically occurring on day $14$.

Postovulatory phase

The most constant phase of the cycle, lasting for $14$ days (days $15$ to $28$), characterized by the luteal phase in the ovary and secretory phase in the uterus.

hCG

Human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced by the chorion of the embryo that stimulates the corpus luteum to persist.