A&P Female Reproductive System

Primary function of female reproductive system

Produce oocytes support fertilization and fetal development

Female reproductive organs

Ovaries uterine tubes uterus vagina external genitalia

Ovaries function

Produce oocytes and hormones

Oogenesis definition

Production of female gametes

Follicle structure

Contains developing oocyte and supporting cells

Primary follicle

Early stage follicle development

Secondary follicle

Growing follicle with fluid filled space

Graafian follicle

Mature follicle ready for ovulation

Ovulation definition

Release of secondary oocyte

Corpus luteum function

Produces progesterone after ovulation

Uterine tubes function

Transport oocyte and site of fertilization

Fimbriae function

Sweep oocyte into uterine tube

Uterus function

Houses and nourishes developing embryo

Endometrium function

Inner lining that thickens for implantation

Myometrium function

Smooth muscle layer for contractions

Menstrual cycle phases

Menstrual proliferative secretory

Menstrual phase

Shedding of uterine lining

Proliferative phase

Estrogen stimulates rebuilding of lining

Secretory phase

Progesterone prepares lining for implantation

Hormonal regulation of cycle

FSH LH estrogen progesterone

FSH function

Stimulates follicle growth

LH function

Triggers ovulation

Estrogen function

Promotes endometrial growth

Progesterone function

Maintains uterine lining

Fertilization definition

Fusion of sperm and oocyte

Zygote definition

Fertilized egg

Implantation definition

Embedding into uterine lining

Vagina function

Receives sperm and acts as birth canal

External genitalia role

Protection and sexual arousal

Puberty changes female

Development of reproductive organs onset of menstruation

Menopause definition

Cessation of menstrual cycles

Mammary glands function

Produce milk for infant nourishment

Contraception definition

Methods preventing fertilization

Infertility definition

Inability to conceive

STIs definition

Infections transmitted through sexual contact

Oocyte chromosome number

Haploid with 23 chromosomes

Meiosis in females outcome

One viable ovum and polar bodies

Oogenesis timeline

Begins before birth pauses resumes at puberty

Primary oocyte arrest stage

Prophase I

Secondary oocyte arrest stage

Metaphase II

Zona pellucida function

Protective glycoprotein layer around oocyte

Corona radiata function

Surrounding follicle cells supporting oocyte

Fertilization location

Ampulla of uterine tube

Cortical reaction definition

Prevents polyspermy after fertilization

Cleavage definition

Rapid mitotic divisions of zygote

Morula stage

Solid ball of cells

Blastocyst stage

Hollow structure ready for implantation

Trophoblast function

Forms part of placenta

Inner cell mass function

Develops into embryo

Human chorionic gonadotropin function

Maintains corpus luteum early pregnancy

Placenta function

Exchange of nutrients gases and wastes

Umbilical cord contents

Two arteries and one vein

Amniotic fluid function

Cushions and protects fetus

Estrogen source during pregnancy

Placenta after first trimester

Progesterone role in pregnancy

Maintains uterine lining

Parturition definition

Process of childbirth

Oxytocin role

Stimulates uterine contractions

Lactation control hormones

Prolactin and oxytocin

Prolactin function

Milk production

Oxytocin in lactation

Milk ejection

Menstrual cycle average length

About twenty eight days

Ovulation timing

Around midpoint of cycle

Basal body temperature change

Slight increase after ovulation

Cervical mucus change

Becomes thinner during ovulation

Endometriosis definition

Growth of endometrial tissue outside uterus

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Hormonal disorder affecting ovulation

Hypothalamic control of female cycle

Pulsatile GnRH release regulates secretion of FSH and LH from anterior pituitary

Anterior pituitary hormones in females

FSH stimulates follicle development LH triggers ovulation and supports corpus luteum

Follicular phase hormonal dynamics

Rising FSH promotes follicle growth and estrogen production from developing follicles

Estrogen feedback mechanism

Moderate levels inhibit FSH while high sustained levels trigger LH surge leading to ovulation

Luteal phase hormonal control

Corpus luteum secretes progesterone to maintain endometrium for potential implantation

Endometrial cycle coordination

Structural changes in uterus correspond to hormonal fluctuations of ovarian cycle

Menstrual shedding mechanism

Drop in progesterone leads to breakdown and shedding of functional layer of endometrium

Proliferative phase cellular changes

Rapid mitosis rebuilds endometrial lining under estrogen influence

Secretory phase preparation

Progesterone increases vascularization and glandular activity to support embryo

Oocyte developmental competence

Requires proper cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation for successful fertilization

Polyspermy prevention mechanisms

Fast electrical block and slower cortical reaction ensure only one sperm fertilizes oocyte

Hormonal maintenance of pregnancy

hCG preserves corpus luteum early until placenta assumes hormone production

Placental endocrine function

Produces estrogen progesterone and other hormones to sustain pregnancy

Physiological changes during pregnancy

Increased blood volume cardiac output and metabolic demand support fetal growth

Integration of maternal and fetal systems

Placenta mediates exchange while maintaining separation of blood supplies

Neuroendocrine control of parturition

Positive feedback loop involving oxytocin enhances uterine contractions until delivery