The Female Reproductive System Lecture Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the anatomy, physiology, oogenesis process, and clinical correlates of the female reproductive system based on the lecture notes.

Gestation Period

The duration of pregnancy, typically spanning $38-42$ weeks until term.

Normal Infant Birth Weight

The weight range of a delivered infant, specified as $2.5-3.9\,kg$.

Internal Genitalia

Divisions of the reproductive system including the Vagina, Cervix, Uterus, Fallopian tubes, and Ovaries.

External Genitalia (Vulva)

Structural components including the Mons pubis, Labia minora, Labia majora, Clitoris, Vestibule of the vagina, and Vestibular glands.

Primary Organs of Reproduction

The Ovaries.

Vagina

An elastic muscular passage between the cervix and external genitalia, measuring $8-10\,cm$ in length, with a mucosa composed of stratified squamous epithelium.

Lactobacilli

Resident bacteria in the vagina that produce lactic acid to maintain a low pH and prevent pathogen colonization.

Cervix

The lower, narrow neck of the uterus measuring $3-4\,centimetres$ long, leading to the top of the vagina at the external os.

Cervical Glands

Glands in the cervical mucosa that secrete thick mucus to prevent the ascension of pathogens.

Uterus

A hollow, thick-walled muscular organ located between the rectum and bladder, primarily composed of smooth muscle.

Endometrium

The innermost layer of the uterus consisting of glandular mucosa/simple columnar epithelium over a thick lamina propria that sheds during menstruation.

Myometrium

The middle layer of the uterus composed of smooth muscle cells, crucial for labor.

Perimetrium

The outermost thin layer of the uterus, also known as the visceral peritoneum.

Fallopian Tube

A muscular length lined with ciliated columnar epithelial and mucin-secreting cells that opens into the abdominal cavity via the oviduct.

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections at the end of the fallopian tube that control the movement of the oocyte into the tube.

Ampulla

The second part of the fallopian tube and the specific site where fertilization occurs.

Isthmus

The third part of the fallopian tube that connects to the uterus.

Ovarian Hormones

Secretions including female steroidal sex hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) and the peptide hormone inhibin.

Germinal Epithelium

The simple cuboidal epithelium layer derived from the peritoneum that surrounds the ovaries.

Tunica Albuginea

The dense and condensed tissue layer of the ovary located beneath the germinal epithelium.

Ovarian Cortex

The region of the ovary containing the oocyte and surrounding granulosa cells, which are the source of sex hormones.

Ovarian Medulla

The inner part of the ovary containing blood vessels and nerve fibres.

Oogonia

Stem cells with $46$ chromosomes that undergo mitosis during fetal life.

Primary Oocyte

A cell with $46$ chromosomes present at birth that is arrested in prophase I of meiosis.

Secondary Oocyte

A cell with $23$ chromosomes that is arrested in metaphase II and is released during ovulation.

Ovarian Reserve

The remaining $400,000-500,000$ primordial follicles present at puberty, out of the original $2-4\,million$ at birth.

Zona Pellucida

A gelatinous layer that forms between the oocyte and the inner granulosa cells as the follicle increases in size.

Graafian Follicle

Also known as a vesicular ovarian follicle; the stage almost ready to release a secondary oocyte.

Corpus Luteum

The structure left after the oocyte is released from the follicle; it primarily secretes progesterone.

Corpus Albicans

The degenerate form of the corpus luteum.

LH Surge

A high concentration of Luteinizing Hormone that triggers ovulation.

Uterine Prolapse

The protrusion of the uterus through the vaginal opening caused by damage to supporting ligaments.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

An acute ascending polymicrobial infection of the genital tract, involving the endometrium, fallopian tubes, or adjacent pelvic structures.

Primary Infertility

The inability of a reproductive-aged woman ($15-49\,years$) to conceive after $12\,months$ of sexually active life.

Secondary Infertility

The inability to conceive after a previous pregnancy.