Female Physiology (First Midterm)

What are the female parts?

(Vagina)
- Muscular and elastic passageway
- Extends from the uterus to the outside of the body (birth canal)
- Has ridges/folds to extend
- Self cleaning (female reproductive organ)

(Cervix)
- neck of the uterus
- opens discharge during menstrual cycle
- protects fetus + seals uterus during pregnancy
- changes firmness

(Labia Majora)
- the larger outer folds of the vulva

(Labia Minora)
- the smaller inner folds of the vulva

(Ovaries)
- Glands that produce the egg cells and hormones

(Pubes)
- the hairs growing over the pubic region

(Urethra)
- duct through which urine is discharged

(Uterus)
- female organ of reproduction used to house the developing fetus

(Follicles)
- clusters of cells surrounding a single egg

(Fimbria)
- finger-like projection at the free end of the uterine tube

(Corpus luteum)
- empty ovarian follicle that secretes progesterone after release of the egg cell

(Fallopian tubes)
- tubes which carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus

(Endometrium)
- inner, mucous membrane lining of
the uterus

(Myometrium)
- Muscle layer of the uterus

(Bartholin's Glands)
- produce a mucus secretion to lubricate the vagina

(Clitoris)
- female erectile tissue between the labia

1 in 5 women have what?

Retroverted uterus (tilted towards spine)

ph balance of the vagina

4

What are the 1st + 2nd inch of the vagina?

Most nerve endings/pleasure receptive

Travel path of an egg

Follicle -> Ovary -> Fallopian Tube -> Uterus -> Vagina

What is Latin for vagina and penis?

- Latin for vagina = Sheath for sword
- Latin for penis = Tail

What are the parts of the male anatomy?

(Penis)
- Male reproductive organ
- develops from same embryonic origin as clitoris

(Baculum)
- Bone in penis
- bony and non-bony penises can break!

(Seminal vesicle)
- male organ that produces seminal fluid/semen for sperm cells (fructose + prostaglandins)

(Prostate)
- Gland in males that controls the release of urine
- Secretes fluid that enhances mobility and fertility of sperm

(Scrotum (male))
- External sac that contains the testes

(Vas deferens (ductus deferens))
- transports sperm from the epididymis (conduit to urethra)

(Urethra)
- common passageway for sperm + urine

(Corpus cavernosum + corpus spongiosum)
- Erectile tissue (3 columns)

(Epididymis)
- A long, coiled duct on the outside of the testis in which sperm mature and are stored

(Seminferous tubules)
- Narrow, coiled tubules that produce sperm in the testes

(Glans penis)
- the conical mass of erectile tissue that forms the head of the penis

(Bulbourethral glands)
- A pair of exocrine glands near the male urethra
- secrete fluid into the urethra
- Cowper glands

(Ejaculatory duct)
- tube through which semen enters the male urethra

(Prepuce)
- lose foreskin casing that covers the glans penis
- removed by circumcision

(Pubic bone)
- protects male reproductive organs

(Glans penis)
- bulging structure at the distal end of the penis (head)

(Erectile tissue of penis)
- corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum

(Rectum)
- Stores feces

Sperm production

1-2 degrees C BELOW body temperature
- Impaired if warm

Where are sperm and the eggs made?

(Sperm) - Seminiferous tubules of the testes (between Sertoli cells)

(Eggs) - In ovaries

What is semen and where is it made?

- Fluid made out of fructose and prostaglandins
- Seminal vesicles

travel path of sperm

Seminiferous tubules (in testes) -> epididymis -> vas deferens -> ejaculatory duct -> urethra

travel path of semen/seminal fluid

Testis -> epididymis -> ductus deferens -> seminal vesicle -> ejaculatory duct -> prostate gland -> bulbourethral gland -> urethra

chromosome

A threadlike, gene-carrying structure found in the nucleus w/ DNA + proteins (46 total; 23 pairs from each parent)

(DNA)
- Deoxyribonucleic acid
- A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes (helix)

What is a gene and sex chromosome?

(Gene)
- A segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait (unit of heredity)

(Sex chromosome)
- Specific chromosomes associated w/ male + female sex determination; XX-girl + XY-boy

What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis

(Mitosis)
- Cells replicate all chromosomes then divide; each cell gets FULL set of chromosomes
(Meiosis)
- Cells replicate all chromosomes then divide TWICE; each cell gets half a set of a chromosomes

What is oogenesis and spermatogenesis?

(Oogenesis)
- Formation of eggs/female gametes

(Spermatogenesis)
- Formation of sperm/male gametes

Hormone

Chemical signal (molecule) secreted by cell + influences behaviors of other cells/itself

What is the difference between the negative and positive feedback loops?

(Negative)
- Brings body back to equilibrium if one of the processes go above/below the limit

(Positive)
- Presence of something enhances the process of the body

How to tell if a fetus is XX (girl) or XY (boy)?

(Girl)
- MIS hormone NOT present
- Testosterone NOT high in concentration
- Mullerian ducts develop into female structures

(Boy)
- Testosterone high in concentration
- Wolffian ducts develop into male structures
- MIS hormone present

*MIS hormone = Mullerian inhibiting substance hormone

When do female and male glands form?

Female = 12 weeks

Male = 36 weeks

SRY (sex determining region Y) gene

determines the sex of the offspring; if the y chromosome is not present, the baby develops into a girl; if present, a boy; found in Y chromosome

When are primary oocytes made?

Before birth; development pauses; finishes during monthly cycle (puberty)

What hormones are released during oogenesis?

- Hypothalamus produce GnRH stimulating FSH+LH hormones
- LH+FSH stimulate ovaries (granulosa cells) to make estrogen

What does oogenesis produce?

1 egg and 3 polar bodies

How long does oocytes stay in prophase for?

Until/after puberty

How long do oocytes pause at metaphase II in meiosis II?

Till fertilization

When and how long does sperm form?

Throughout the life of a male/ 64-74 days

How much sperm is produced each ejaculation?

80-300 million

How many sperm cells are formed in a lifetime?

More than 500 billion sperm cells

When are spermatogonia formed?

Before birth/sperm made continuously after puberty

What is produced per diploid spermatocyte?

4 sperms

blood-testis barrier

prevents antibodies in the blood from getting to the germ cells (protects sperm cells)

What chromosome does the egg have?

X chromosome

Why do polar bodies die?

because of unequal division of cytoplasm (egg needs cytoplasm)

When does mitosis occur?

throughout life/before birth

Purpose of menstrual cycle

to prepare the body for pregnancy + carry a fetus

Endocrine system

All of the tissues, adipose fat, + organs that secrete hormones

What two cycles are in menstrual cycle?

Ovarian + uterine cycle

How long does a normal and average cycle last?

Normal = 21-35 days
Average = 28 days

What if there is no pregnancy?

Uterine lining/endometrium sheds = period/bleeding

What happens to egg and uterine lining in menstrual cycle?

Egg finishes development + uterine lining thickens

Where is estrogen(estradiol) secreted and what is its function?

- Ovary (follicles)
- Thickens endometrium; stimulates LH; decreases FSH (pre-ovulatory)

Where is luteinizing hormone (LH) secreted and what is its function?

- Anterior pituitary gland
- Ovulation + development of corpus luteum; causes testes to make testosterone for sperm production

Where is gonadtropin secreted and what is its function?

Hypothalamus
- Releases FSH + LH from pituitary gland; begins start of menstruation at puberty

Where is follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) secreted and what is its function?

- Anterior pituitary gland
- Initiates follicular growth (egg maturation)

Where is progesterone secreted and what is its function?

- Corpus luteum of ovary
- Maintains uterine lining for pregnancy/stimulates endometrial growth

When does puberty start for girls?

Age 9-10 (gets earlier)

What is thelarche and what hormones trigger it?

(First stage) beginning of breast development
- Estrogen, progesterone, + prolactin

What is pubarche and what hormones trigger it?

(Second stage) growth of pubic hair, axillary + sebaceous glands
- Androgens (testosterone); F - 0.5 mg + M - 6-8 mg

Menarche

the first menstrual period

Why is average age for menstruation lowering?

Weight, stress, more food + resources; BPA (Bisphenol A) + Endocrine disrupting chemicals (acts like estrogen)

Order of puberty

Thelarche, Pubarche, Menarche, Perimenopause, Menopause

What phases are in the uterine cycle?

(Proliferative)
- The phase of the menstrual cycle during which the ovarian follicles mature (cells are multiplying + spreading)
- Rebuilding of endometrium through cell division (rising estrogen)

(Secretory)
- Continued proliferation of endometrium through fluid secretion

(Premenstrual phases)
- Endometrium breaks down (drop in progesterone)

proliferative phase

the phase of the menstrual cycle during which the ovarian follicles mature (cells are multiplying + spreading)

What happens in the ovarian cycle?

Maturing of the egg + ovulation (oogenesis) driven by anterior pituitary hormones

What days are the follicular phase?

days 1-14 (also known as pre-ovulatory phase)

What day is the menstrual phase?

Day one

How many primary oocytes are stimulated in menstrual phase?

20-25 primary oocytes

What rises in the end of previous menstrual cycle?

FSH hormone

What happens to the follicles during the menstrual phase?

It beings to develop + thicken around the oocytes; becomes fibrous on the outside

What happens to the granulosa cells during the menstrual phase?

It matures + begins making estrogen

What are the cells of the follicle?

(Theca cells) - outer cells of the follicle
(Granulosa cells) - inner cells of the follicle

Why does the follicle rupture and what hormones causes it?

- To release the egg at ovulation
- Egg rupture caused by the LH + FSH hormones

Why do the follicle cells secrete hormones?

To sustain uterine lining for pregnancy after ovulation

What is the name of the dominant follicle and what size does it reach?

- Graafian follicle
- The size of a nickel

What days are the pre-ovulatory phase and what happens?

- Days 6-14
- Follicles secrete more estrogen as they grow larger
- Maturing of the egg + follicle
- Ends when ovulation occurs

What does the largest/dominant/mature follicle do, what does estrogen do to it and how many eggs would mature due to estrogen?

- Reduces FSH to other follicles + becomes more sensitive to FSH
- Makes it more sensitive to FSH
- 20 or 25 eggs

What does estrogen do to FSH?

Reduces amount of FSH secreted by the anterior pituitary gland

What day is ovulation?

day 14

Mittelschermz

pain between menstrual periods (German for middle pain)

Fraternal twins

Release of two fertilized eggs

How long does ovulation last and where does it happen?

- 2-3 mins
- One side at a time

What hormones spike before ovulation?

FSH + LH hormones

What does estrogen + FSH cause the follicle to do?

Make receptors for the LH hormone

What hormone makes FSH + LH spike?

Estrogen

What happens before ovulation?

High estrogen -> hypothalamus releases GnrH -> stimulates anterior pituitary to release FSH + LH

What hormone causes moodswings?

Progesterone

What happens with low levels and high levels of estrogen?

(Low)
- It inhibits the FSH + LH release

(High)
- It stimulates the LH + FSH release

What are the anterior pituitary and ovarian hormones?

(Anterior Pituitary)
- LH + FSH hormones

(Ovarian)
- Estrogen + progesterone

What happens in the negative feedback loop and positive feedback loop?

(Negative)
- Estrogen spikes in follicular phase (first)
- LH + FSH decreases while progesterone spikes in luteal phase (second)

(Positive)
- LH + FSH hormones spike from estrogen (between first + second)

What happens in day 0?

- Menstruation/growing follicle

What goes on in the follicular phase?

- Proliferative phase
- Estrogen spike
- Growing follicle

What happens in day 14?

- Ovulation
- Egg ovulates
- LH + FSH spikes

What goes on in the luteal phase till day 28?

- Secretory phase
- Progesterone spikes
- LH + FSH declines
- Corpeus Luteum forms; then corpus albicana

What causes the follicle to rupture?

LH hormone increase blood flow to follicle + causes it to swell w/ fluid + the outside gets thin

How does the egg move?

Protrudes from one side till it bursts; swept into fallopian tube by current

What surrounds the ovary?

Fimbria (tiny hairs) in a rhythmic fashion in time w/ the heartbeat

What days are the post-ovulatory phase?

Days 15-28

What happens to the corpus luteum if there is no pregnancy?

It withers + dies

What happens after the follicle rupture and what hormones are secreted?

- The follicle becomes the corpus luteum
- Corpus luteum secretes progesterone + a little estrogen

When does the luteal phase happen, for how long, and what hormones inhibit it?

- Starts day 15
- Lasts for 12 days
- GnrH, FSH, + LH hormones

What is the purpose of the uterine cycle?

Development of the endometrium in preparation for a pregnancy

Why does the body temperature rise with ovulation?

The increase of progesterone causes the temp. to rise in ovulation

When is the cervix fertile and what is the fertile window?

When it has thinner + watery mucus; 6 days before to one day after ovulation

How long does sperm and egg live for?

(Sperm) = 3-5 days; 6-7 days under ideal condition
(Egg) = 24 hours

When is the best time to do sex?

- Before body temp. rises
- After ovulating, it can depend on when spikes/running. a day late

Prostanglandins

Hormones that cause contraction of smooth muscle in uterus to discharge endometrium; affects smooth muscle in the bowel

What is a disease and a disorder?

(Disease) - Pathophysiological response to internal/external factors

(Disorder) - Disruption to regular bodily structure + function

itis

inflammation

osis

abnormal condition/state