Lab Manual Chapter 39 - Female Reproductive System Structure and Function

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary related to the structure and function of the female reproductive system.

Ovaries

Paired, oval-shaped gonads that produce oocytes (eggs) and hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.

Uterine tubes (Fallopian tubes)

Paired tubes that transport oocytes from the ovaries to the uterus; usual site of fertilization.

Ovulation

The process of releasing a secondary oocyte from the ovary.

Oogenesis

The formation and maturation of oocytes from primordial germ cells, resulting in haploid ova.

Endometrium

The inner vascular layer of the uterus that thickens in preparation for implantation and sheds during menstruation.

Myometrium

The thick, muscular middle layer of the uterus, aiding in contractions during childbirth.

Vagina

A muscular tube lined with a mucous membrane extending from the cervix to the external body, serving as the passage for childbirth and menstruation.

Vulva (Pudendum)

Collective term for the external female genitalia, including the labia majora, labia minora, and clitoris.

Corpus luteum

A structure formed from the ruptured follicle after ovulation that secretes progesterone.

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections at the end of the infundibulum that help guide the oocyte into the uterine tube.

Secondary follicle

A mature ovarian follicle that contains a secondary oocyte and an antrum filled with fluid.

Mensuration

The shedding of the endometrium if fertilization does not occur.

Alveoli (Mammary glands)

Milk-producing structures in the mammary glands.

Hormones estrogen and progesterone

Hormones produced by the ovaries that regulate the female reproductive cycle and maintain pregnancy.

Cervix

The lower narrow part of the uterus that opens into the vagina.