lesson 2 - Reproductive system

Uterus

A hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ that serves as the site of menstruation, implantation, fetal development, and childbirth.

Endometrium

The uterine layer that forms the inner lining of the uterus.

myometrium

The uterine layer composed primarily of smooth muscle.

Perimetrium

The outermost covering of the uterus.

Basal layer

The layer of the endometrium that lies closest to the uterine wall and remains relatively intact during menstruation.

Functional layer

The endometrial layer that responds to estrogen and progesterone, thickens during the cycle, and is shed during menstruation.

Myometrium

The main muscular layer responsible for uterine contractions during labor.

Myometrium

The muscle layer composed of interwoven smooth muscle fibers arranged longitudinally, transversely, and obliquely.

Fundus

The upper rounded portion of the uterus.

Corpus

The main or largest portion of the uterus.

Isthmus

The narrow portion between the corpus and cervix of the uterus.

Cervix

The lower narrow portion of the uterus that connects with the vagina.

Lower uterine segment

The lower uterine segment commonly involved in the incision made during a cesarean delivery.

Uterus

The female organ where menstrual shedding occurs.

Uterus

The organ that provides a site for implantation and nourishment during fetal growth.

Uterus

The organ whose muscular contractions help expel the fetus at maturity.

Vagina

The muscular canal that connects the cervix with the outside of the body.

Vagina

The female reproductive structure that acts as the organ of copulation

Vagina

The structure that conveys sperm toward the cervix after intercourse.

Vagina

The structure that expands to serve as the birth canal.

Rugae

The folds found in the vaginal wall that allow it to stretch and expand.

Fornices

The recesses located around the cervix at the upper end of the vagina

Fornices

The vaginal recesses that may serve as a site where semen pools following coitus.

Bulbospongiosus (bulbocavernosus)

The muscle around the vaginal opening that can be strengthened through Kegel exercises.

Hypothalamus

The brain structure that initiates hormonal control of the female reproductive cycle.

GnRH

The hormone released by the hypothalamus that stimulates the anterior pituitary to release FSH and LH.

Anterior pituitary gland

The gland stimulated by GnRH to release FSH and LH.

FSH

The gonadotropic hormone primarily responsible for ovarian follicle growth and maturation.

LH

The gonadotropic hormone that produces the surge responsible for ovulation.

Estrogen

The hormone that increases as the ovarian follicle matures.

Estrogen

The hormone that stimulates growth and regeneration of the endometrium during the proliferative phase.

Estrogen

The hormone that increases myometrial contractility.

Estrogen

The hormone that increases uterine sensitivity to oxytocin.

Estrogen

The hormone that inhibits FSH production during most of the cycle through negative feedback.

Estrogen

The hormone that, when sustained at a high level before ovulation, stimulates the LH surge.

Progesterone

The hormone primarily produced by the corpus luteum after ovulation

Progesterone

The hormone that decreases uterine motility and contractility.

Progesterone

The hormone that causes cervical mucus to become thick and viscous after ovulation.

Progesterone

The hormone that prepares the endometrium for implantation.

Progesterone

The hormone that increases glandular tissue in the breasts in preparation for breastfeeding.

Prostaglandin

The substances associated with uterine contractions and menstrual cramping that increase during the reproductive cycle.

Prostaglandins

The chemical mediators that contribute significantly to menstrual pain through uterine contractions.

Ovarian cycle

The cycle referring to the periodic changes that occur in the ovaries during the reproductive years.

FSH and LH

The two anterior pituitary hormones responsible for cyclic ovarian changes.

Follicular phase

The first phase of the ovarian cycle, generally occurring from day 1 to day 13 in a 28-day cycle.

Follicular phase

The ovarian phase characterized by growth and maturation of ovarian follicles.

Follicular phase

The phase primarily controlled by FSH.

Ovulatory phase

The ovarian phase in which the mature follicle ruptures and releases the ovum.

Ovulatory phase

The phase that normally occurs around day 14 of a 28-day cycle.

Luteal phase

The ovarian phase that follows ovulation and generally occurs from approximately day 15 to day 28.

Luteal phase

The ovarian phase in which the ruptured follicle develops into the corpus luteum

Ovulation

The process in which a mature ovarian follicle ruptures and releases the ovum

LH surge

The hormonal event that directly triggers ovulation.

Graafian follicle

The mature ovarian follicle that ruptures during ovulation.

Corpus luteum

The structure that forms from the ruptured follicle after ovulation.

Corpus luteum

The yellow body formed from the ruptured ovarian follicle.

Corpus albicans

The white fibrous scar that remains after degeneration of the corpus luteum.

Day 14

The approximate day of ovulation in an ideal 28-day menstrual cycle.

Approximately 14 days before the next menstruation

The general rule used to estimate the day of ovulation in cycles of different lengths.

Mittelschmerz

The term for mild pelvic pain that may occur around ovulation.

Spinnbarkeit

The term describing the stretchability of cervical mucus around ovulation.

Uterine cycle

The cycle referring to the changes occurring in the uterine lining.

Menstrual, proliferative, secretory, ischemic

The four phases of the uterine cycle.

Menstrual phase

The first phase of the uterine cycle, characterized by shedding of the endometrial lining.

1–5 days

The approximate duration of the menstrual phase in the provided notes.

Proliferative phase

The uterine phase in which the endometrium regenerates and thickens under the influence of estrogen.

Proliferative phase

Another name for the estrogen-dominant phase in which the endometrium grows.

Secretory phase

The uterine phase that follows ovulation and is primarily influenced by progesterone.

Secretory phase

The uterine phase in which the endometrium becomes rich in nutrients and vascularity in preparation for implantation

Ischemic phase

The uterine phase in which the corpus luteum degenerates and estrogen and progesterone levels fall