Female Reproductive System

alveoli

(of the breast) milk-secreting cells in the mammary gland

ampulla

(of the uterine tube) middle portion of the uterine tube in which fertilization often occurs

antrum

fluid-filled chamber that characterizes a mature tertiary (antral) follicle

areola

highly pigmented, circular area surrounding the raised nipple and containing areolar glands that secrete fluid important for lubrication during suckling

Bartholin’s glands

(also, greater vestibular glands) glands that produce a thick mucus that maintains moisture in the vulva area; also referred to as the greater vestibular glands

body of uterus

middle section of the uterus

broad ligament

wide ligament that supports the uterus by attaching laterally to both sides of the uterus and pelvic wall

cervix

elongate inferior end of the uterus where it connects to the vagina

clitoris

(also, glans clitoris) nerve-rich area of the vulva that contributes to sexual sensation during intercourse

corpus albicans

nonfunctional structure remaining in the ovarian stroma following structural and functional regression of the corpus luteum

corpus luteum

transformed follicle after ovulation that secretes progesterone

endometrium

inner lining of the uterus, part of which builds up during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle and then sheds with menses

fimbriae

fingerlike projections on the distal uterine tubes

follicle

ovarian structure of one oocyte and surrounding granulosa (and later theca) cells

folliculogenesis

development of ovarian follicles from primordial to tertiary under the stimulation of gonadotropins

fundus

(of the uterus) domed portion of the uterus that is superior to the uterine tubes

granulosa cells

supportive cells in the ovarian follicle that produce estrogen

hymen

membrane that covers part of the opening of the vagina

infundibulum

(of the uterine tube) wide, distal portion of the uterine tube terminating in fimbriae

isthmus

narrow, medial portion of the uterine tube that joins the uterus

labia majora

hair-covered folds of skin located behind the mons pubis

labia minora

thin, pigmented, hairless flaps of skin located medial and deep to the labia majora

lactiferous ducts

ducts that connect the mammary glands to the nipple and allow for the transport of milk

lactiferous sinus

area of milk collection between alveoli and lactiferous duct

mammary glands

glands inside the breast that secrete milk

menarche

first menstruation in a pubertal female

menses

shedding of the inner portion of the endometrium out though the vagina; also referred to as menstruation

menses phase

phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrial lining is shed

menstrual cycle

approximately 28-day cycle of changes in the uterus consisting of a menses phase, a proliferative phase, and a secretory phase

mons pubis

mound of fatty tissue located at the front of the vulva

Müllerian duct

duct system present in the embryo that will eventually form the internal female reproductive structures

myometrium

smooth muscle layer of uterus that allows for uterine contractions during labor and expulsion of menstrual blood

oocyte

cell that results from the division of the oogonium and undergoes meiosis I at the LH surge and meiosis II at fertilization to become a haploid ovum

oogenesis

process by which oogonia divide by mitosis to primary oocytes, which undergo meiosis to produce the secondary oocyte and, upon fertilization, the ovum

oogonia

ovarian stem cells that undergo mitosis during female fetal development to form primary oocytes

ovarian cycle

approximately 28-day cycle of changes in the ovary consisting of a follicular phase and a luteal phase

ovaries

female gonads that produce oocytes and sex steroid hormones (notably estrogen and progesterone)

ovulation

release of a secondary oocyte and associated granulosa cells from an ovary

ovum

haploid female gamete resulting from completion of meiosis II at fertilization

perimetrium

outer epithelial layer of uterine wall

polar body

smaller cell produced during the process of meiosis in oogenesis

primary follicles

ovarian follicles with a primary oocyte and one layer of cuboidal granulosa cells

primordial follicles

least developed ovarian follicles that consist of a single oocyte and a single layer of flat (squamous) granulosa cells

proliferative phase

phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrium proliferates

rugae

(of the vagina) folds of skin in the vagina that allow it to stretch during intercourse and childbirth

secondary follicles

ovarian follicles with a primary oocyte and multiple layers of granulosa cells

secretory phase

phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrium secretes a nutrient-rich fluid in preparation for implantation of an embryo

suspensory ligaments

bands of connective tissue that suspend the breast onto the chest wall by attachment to the overlying dermis

tertiary follicles

(also, antral follicles) ovarian follicles with a primary or secondary oocyte, multiple layers of granulosa cells, and a fully formed antrum

theca cells

estrogen-producing cells in a maturing ovarian follicle

uterine tubes

(also, fallopian tubes or oviducts) ducts that facilitate transport of an ovulated oocyte to the uterus

uterus

muscular hollow organ in which a fertilized egg develops into a fetus

vagina

tunnel-like organ that provides access to the uterus for the insertion of semen and from the uterus for the birth of a baby

vulva

external female genitalia