Female Reproductive System Anatomy and Physiology

A collection of vocabulary flashcards defining the structures, organs, and functional processes of the female reproductive system based on anatomy and physiology lecture notes.

Essential organs

The paired ovaries (gonads) which produce gametes (ova).

Accessory organs

Structures including the internal genitals (uterine tubes, uterus, vagina), external genitals (vulva), and additional sex glands (mammary glands).

Perineum

The skin-covered region between the vaginal orifice and the rectum.

Ectopic pregnancy

The development of the fetus in a place other than the uterus.

Germinal epithelium

The layer that covers the surface of the ovaries.

Ovarian follicles

Structures within the ovaries that contain the developing female sex cells.

Ovum

An oocyte released from the ovary.

Oogenesis

The process that results in the formation of a mature egg.

Fundus

The bulging upper part of the body of the uterus.

Endometrium

The inner mucous membrane layer of the uterine wall.

Myometrium

The middle smooth muscle layer of the uterine wall.

Perimetrium

The outer, incomplete layer of the uterine wall composed of parietal peritoneum.

Internal os

The apex of the uterine body cavity that opens into the cervical canal.

External os

The constricted lower end of the cervical canal that opens into the vagina.

Placenta

An organ that permits the exchange of materials between the mother’s blood and the fetal blood but keeps the two circulations separate.

Menstruation

A cyclical event where the outer layers of the endometrium are shed to renew itself if conception does not occur.

Salpingitis

Inflammation of the uterine tubes that may lead to scarring and partial or complete closure of the lumen.

Rugae

Arrangement of the mucous membrane lining the collapsible tube of the vagina.

Hymen

A mucous membrane that typically forms a border around the vagina in young premenstrual girls.

Vulva

The term for female external genitals, also known as the pudendum.

Infertility

The failure to conceive after $1\,\text{year}$ of regular unprotected intercourse.

Alveoli

Pouches of milk-secreting cells located within the lobules of the breast.

Lactiferous ducts

A system of ducts that carries milk from the mammary glands to the nipple.

Prolactin

The hormone that stimulates lactation after the shedding of the placenta causes a decrease in estrogens.

Colostrum

A fluid produced by the breasts that contains antibodies providing passive immunity to the offspring.

Fertility window

The period of a few days each month when a woman is fertile, as fertilization typically occurs within $24\,\text{hours}$ after ovulation.