A&P II: Chapter 27 - Female Reproductive System

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts from the female reproductive system lecture, designed for exam preparation.

What are the five main goals of the female reproductive system?

Produce gametes, receive male gametes, provide environment for fetal development, give birth, nourish infant after birth.

What are the primary sex organs of the female reproductive system?

The ovaries.

What is the role of hormones in the female reproductive system?

Hormones are secreted in a complex cyclical sequence.

What are the major components of the external female anatomy (vulva)?

Mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and several glands.

What structure protects the developing oocyte in the ovaries?

Follicular cells.

What is the process of egg production called?

Oogenesis.

What occurs during ovulation?

The mature follicle bursts to release the egg.

What hormones does the corpus luteum secrete?

Estrogen, progesterone, inhibin, and a small amount of androgen.

What do the uterine tubes connect?

The ovaries to the uterus.

What is the function of the uterus?

Site of implantation of fertilized egg, nourishes developing fetus, production of labor contractions during birth.

What are the major regions of the uterus?

Fundus, body (corpus), and cervix.

What is the role of the broad ligament in the female reproductive system?

Supports the uterus and other pelvic structures.

What do the uterine arteries supply?

Blood supply to the uterus and ovarian arteries.

What is the function of the vagina?

Discharge menstrual fluid, receipt of sperm, and birth canal.

What layers make up the wall of the vagina?

Outer adventitia, middle muscularis, and inner mucosa.

How do mammary glands develop?

They develop during pregnancy and are stimulated by frequent nursing.

What hormonal changes occur at the onset of puberty in females?

The hypothalamus releases GnRH, stimulating the anterior pituitary.

What hormone does the anterior pituitary release in response to GnRH?

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

What is the first noticeable sign of puberty in females?

Thelarche - breast development.

What is menarche?

The first menstrual period.

What is menopause?

Midlife change in hormone secretion accompanied by cessation of menstruation.

What occurs during the premenstrual phase?

Endometrial degeneration and preparation for menstruation.

What is the menstrual cycle?

The buildup of the endometrium, its breakdown, and vaginal discharge.

What triggers menstruation?

Cessation of hormone secretion leading to breakdown of the endometrium.

How long does the menstrual phase typically last?

From day 1 to day 5 of the cycle.

What is the average length of a female sexual cycle?

28 days.

During which phase of the sexual cycle does ovulation occur?

During the follicular phase.

What stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles?

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

What is the function of estrogen during the sexual cycle?

Stimulates growth of ovaries and secondary sex organs.

What occurs during the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle?

Corpus luteum secretes high levels of progesterone.

What hormone is involved in suppressing FSH secretion?

Inhibin.

What type of cells surround the primary oocyte in primordial follicles?

Squamous follicular cells.

What does the zona pellucida do?

Forms a gel-like layer around the oocyte.

What role does theca folliculi serve?

Provides a hormone-secreting layer around the follicle.

How many primary oocytes remain at birth?

About 2 million.

What happens during meiosis I for primary oocytes?

Each primary oocyte divides into a secondary oocyte and a polar body.

What does LH secretion promote in the female reproductive cycle?

Ovulation.

What happens if fertilization occurs?

The fertilized egg completes meiosis II.

What is a polar body?

A small cell that results from meiosis that degenerates.

What significant change occurs in the hormonal levels during menopause?

Decrease in estrogen and progesterone secretion.

What is the role of progesterone after ovulation?

Prepares the uterus for possible pregnancy.

What are the three phases of the menstrual cycle?

Proliferative phase, secretory phase, and menstrual phase.

What hormone is measured in pregnancy tests?

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).

How does progesterone affect the uterine lining?

It thickens the endometrium to prepare for implantation.

What is the first day of the menstrual cycle defined as?

The first day of noticeable vaginal discharge.

What major events characterize the follicular phase?

Development of follicles and final maturation of one dominant follicle.

What is the role of inhibin in the hormonal feedback loop?

It selectively suppresses FSH secretion.

What changes occur in the endometrial layer during the secretory phase?

Thickening of the endometrium in response to progesterone.

What structures are involved in the secretion of estrogen during the follicular phase?

Ovarian follicles.

What are tertiary follicles?

Follicles that secrete fluid, leading to the formation of antrum.

What is the function of the cumulus oophorus?

Secures the oocyte to the follicular wall.

What happens to a secondary oocyte if it's not fertilized?

It degenerates and dies.

What processes occur simultaneously during the sexual cycle?

Ovarian cycle and menstrual cycle.

What does FSH do after ovulation?

Promotes the development of new primordial follicles.

What distinguishes primary follicles from primordial follicles?

Primary follicles have larger oocytes and multiple layers of granulosa cells.

What is the main physiological role of the endometrium?

Site of implantation for a fertilized egg.

What is the primary function of the corpus luteum?

Secreting hormones to maintain the uterine lining.

What occurs during the last two days of the menstrual cycle?

Endometrial degeneration and preparation for menstruation.

What is the average blood loss during a menstrual period?

About 40 mL of blood and 35 mL of serous fluid.

What physiological change is experienced during menopause?

Hot flashes due to hormonal changes.

What do ovarian arteries supply?

Blood supply to the ovaries.

What specific ovarian event occurs around day 14 of the cycle?

Ovulation.

What is the role of the myometrium?

Provides muscle contraction during labor.

What change occurs in the blood vessels during premenstrual phase?

Contractions of spiral arteries leading to ischemia.

What happens to hormone levels during the menstrual phase?

Progesterone and estrogen levels fall sharply.

What is the role of lutein cells?

Secrete progesterone in the luteal phase.

What is the duration of the luteal phase in the ovarian cycle?

Day 15 to day 28.

How does estrogen influence the menstrual cycle?

It promotes growth of the uterine lining.

What happens during the menstrual phase?

Discharge of menstrual fluid.

What hormones are often involved in hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

Estrogen and progesterone.

What is granulosa cells' role in the ovarian cycle?

They support oocyte and secrete hormones.

What is the tunica albuginea?

A layer covering the surface of the ovary.

What is cervical canal?

The canal connecting the uterine cavity to the vagina.

What characterizes the myometrium during pregnancy?

It undergoes hypertrophy in preparation for labor.

What is the first event following fertilization in the oocyte?

Completion of meiosis II.

What occurs during the proliferative phase?

Regrowth of the stratum functionalis of the endometrium.

What is the significance of the corpus albicans?

It is the remnant of the corpus luteum after it degenerates.

What are the primary hormones associated with the menstrual cycle?

Estrogen and progesterone.

How does follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) affect the ovarian follicles?

Stimulates their growth and maturation.

What initiates the feedback loop for the secretion of LH?

Increased levels of estrogen from the follicles.

What is the effect of negative feedback from progesterone?

Inhibition of LH and FSH secretion.

During which phase do spiral arteries undergo rapid constriction?

During the premenstrual phase.

What anatomical feature is essential for connecting the ovaries to the uterus?

Uterine tubes (fallopian tubes).

How are menses related to the endometrial cycle?

Menses marks the shedding of the endometrium when pregnancy does not occur.

What is the role of the menstrual fluid?

Removes shed endometrial tissue.

What does the term 'atresia' refer to in oogenesis?

Degeneration of the primary oocytes.

What do hormonal changes during menopause lead to?

Increased risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.

What does the term 'thelarche' signify?

Onset of breast development in puberty.

What is the average total time frame for the complete sexual cycle?

About 28 days.

What occurs in the ovaries during each cycle?

Development of follicles and periodic ovulation.

What impacts the cyclic nature of oogenesis?

Changes in levels of FSH and LH.

How do hormones regulate the menstrual cycle?

They control the growth, maintenance, and shedding of the endometrial lining.

What effect does estrogen have on the pituitary gland?

Promotes secretion of LH & FSH during the first half of the cycle.

What are the consequences of prolonged low estrogen levels during menopause?

Atrophy of reproductive tissues and other systemic changes.

What biological event signifies the transition from adolescence to adulthood in females?

Menarche.

Which hormone peaks just before ovulation?

Luteinizing hormone (LH).