Female Reproductive System (STUDY OR DIE)

Flashcards about the female reproductive system and related topics, based on lecture notes.

What are the primary organs and structures of the female reproductive system?

Ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, external genitalia (vulva), and mammary glands.

What are the two main functions of the ovaries?

To store and release ova (egg cells) and to produce estrogen and progesterone.

What are the two main regions of the ovary's histology?

Cortex (containing follicles with oocytes) and medulla (composed of connective tissue, blood vessels, and lymphatics).

What is an ovum/ova?

The female reproductive cell; the largest cells in the female body.

What are the functions of the estrogens secreted by ovarian follicles?

Growth and repair of uterine lining, regulation of the monthly female cycle, female sexual characteristics, and maintenance of bone and muscle.

What are the stages of follicular development?

Primordial, primary, secondary, and Graafian follicle.

What hormones and substances does the corpus luteum secrete?

Progesterone, estrogens, relaxin, and inhibin.

What is the corpus albicans?

A white scar tissue left after the corpus luteum dies.

What are oögonia?

Potential egg cells formed from germ cells that migrate to the ovary.

What are the results of oögenesis?

One large fertilized egg (zygote) and possibly three small polar bodies.

What is the function of the fallopian tubes (oviducts)?

To carry egg cells toward the uterus and sperm cells toward the egg cell; fertilization takes place here.

What are the four regions of the uterine or fallopian tubes?

Infundibulum, fimbriae, ampulla, and isthmus.

What is the main function of the uterus?

To protect and nourish a fetus.

What are the three layers of the uterus?

Endometrium, myometrium, and perimetrium.

What are the two sublayers of the endometrium?

Functional layer (shed during menstruation) and basal layer (replaces functional layer each month).

What is the function of the vagina?

Passageway for birth, menstrual flow, and intercourse.

What is the function of the mammary glands?

To produce milk (lactation).

Which hormones are involved in milk production and secretion?

Estrogens, Progesterone, Prolactin, and Oxytocin.

What controls the female reproductive cycle?

Hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, and ovary.

What is the ovarian cycle?

Changes in the ovary during and after maturation of the follicle and oocyte.

What is the uterine (menstrual) cycle?

Preparation of the uterus to receive fertilized ovum; if implantation does not occur, the functional layer of endometrium is shed during menstruation.

What is the role of Estrogen?

Estrogen spurs the onset of puberty and is responsible for ovulation.

What is the role of Progesterone?

Progesterone builds up the lining of the uterus called the endometrium in preparation for the fertilized ovum.

Describe the Follicular Phase.

FSH from anterior pituitary stimulates follicle growth, follicles grow into Graafian (mature) follicle, Granulosa cells of follicle secrete estrogens and inhibin.

Describe Ovulation.

LH stimulates rupture of the Graafian follicle and release of oöcyte from ovary into the pelvic cavity, Fimbriae of Fallopian tube pick up the ovulated oöcyte.

Describe the Luteal phase (postovulatory phase).

LH stimulates development of Corpus luteum from ovulated or ruptured follicle, Corpus luteum secretes mostly progesterone & some estrogens, Progesterone prepares endometrium for possible pregnancy.

Describe the Proliferative phase.

Rising estrogen levels from the growing follicle stimulates growth of the functional layer of endometrium to 4-10 mm thickness.

Describe the Secretory phase.

Corpus luteum of ovary secretes progesterone, Progesterone stimulates increased thickening of the functional layer of endometrium to 12-18 mm, Increased blood supply into the endometrium. Growth of endometrial glands and secretion of uterine milk.

Describe the Menstruation phase (menses).

Decline in progesterone levels causes functional layer of endometrium to discharge resulting in vaginal bleeding called menstruation, Mark the beginning of the next cycle.

Describe the negative feedback controls on the menstrual cycle if no pregnancy.

Increasing levels of progesterone cause negative feedback that inhibits LH secretion, After about two weeks corpus luteum atrophies to corpus albicans (white body), Progesterone and estrogen levels decline, Functional layer of endometrium discharged into first five days of next cycle

Describe starting the next cycle for the menstual cycle.

With the decline in progesterone, estrogens and inhibin secretion:- Inhibition of GnRH, FSH and LH stops, Renewed secretion of these hormones starts a new cycle of growth and preparation in ovaries and uterus

Discuss the roles of the spermatogonia and Sertoli cells that line the seminiferous tubules of the testes.

Describe the process of spermatogenesis.

Describe the structure of a mature, human sperm.

Identify the hormones and their effects that initiate male puberty.

List the components of semen and identify the origin and function of each.

Trace the path of sperm from the seminiferous tubules where they are produced to their release from the body by ejaculation.

Contrast the anatomical location of the male reproductive tract with that of the female.

Discuss ways in the production of female sex (ova) differs from the production of male sperm.

Contrast eggs and sperm.

Identify the hormones their origins and effects that regulate the female reproductive system.

Explain how the hormones FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone interact to control the female menstrual cycle.

Give examples of positive and negative feedback controls that operate during the menstrual cycle.

Describe the steps from intercourse to implantation that human sex cells must follow to achieve pregnancy.

Describe how pregnancy interrupts the normal menstrual cycle.

Describe the role of Oxytocin in labor.

Relate 2 male methods of contraception to the structure of the man’s reproductive tract.

Relate 2 female methods of contraception to the structure of the woman’s reproductive tract.

What percentage of seminal fluid is secreted by the seminal vesicles, and what components does it contain?

The seminal vesicles secrete 60% of clear, alkaline seminal fluid containing fructose sugar, ATP, and prostaglandins.

What is the function of the interstitial cells, and where are they located?

Interstitial cells, located in between tubules, secrete testosterone.

Describe the process of emission.

During emission, muscle contractions close the sphincter at the base of the bladder; fluids are propelled through ducts into the bulb of the penis; prostatic fluid is secreted into the urethra.

Explain the process of ejaculation.

Ejaculation is a sympathetic nervous system reflex where skeletal muscles squeeze semen out through the urethra.

What produces new individuals in sexual reproduction?

Gametes (sperm & egg) formed by testes and ovaries.

What produces gametes and secretes sex hormones?

Gonads.

What is the study of the female reproductive system?

Gynecology.

What is the study of the urinary and male reproductive system?

Urology.

Where does sperm formation occur?

Testis.

Where does sperm maturation occur?

Epididymis.

What structure cools the testis?

Scrotum.

What gland contributes to semen?

Prostate.

What gland also contributes to semen?

Seminal vesicle.

What temperature is needed for normal sperm growth and development?

Cooler-than-body temperature.

Approximately how many sperm cells are produced each month?

Four to five billion.

What is the main function of the scrotum?

Temperature regulation of testes.

Sperm survival requires what temperature compared to core body temperature?

2-3 degrees lower.

What does muscle in the scrotum do when exposed to cold?

Elevates testes.

What forms the compartments called lobules in the testes?

Septa.

Where are sperm formed in the testes?

Seminiferous tubules.

What is the function of Sertoli cells?

Form blood-testis barrier and support developing sperm cells.

What cells secrete testosterone?

Interstitial cells.

What is sperm morphology adapted for?

Reaching and fertilizing the egg.

What part of sperm contains enzymes for penetrating the egg?

Acrosome.

What sperm structure contains mitochondria?

Midpiece

How many single-stranded chromosomes do spermatids have after the second meiotic division?

23.

Which hormone causes secondary sex characteristics, production of sperm, and sexual urge?

Testosterone.

What hormone does the hypothalamus secrete?

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH).

What hormones does the anterior pituitary gland secrete?

FSH and LH.

What do ABP and testosterone stimulate?

Spermatogenesis.

Which male gland secretes 60% of seminal fluid?

Seminal Vesicles.

Which male gland secretes 30% of seminal fluid?

Prostate.

Which gland secretes alkaline mucus to buffer and lubricate the urethra?

Cowper's Glands.

What is the function of the fluid secreted by Cowper's gland?

Neutralize the acidity of the urethra.