34 Female Reproductive System - Flashcards

Flashcards covering the female reproductive system, oogenesis, follicle development, ovarian and uterine cycles, hormonal interactions, and puberty/menopause.

Oogonia

Mitotic divisions are completed before birth.

Primary Oocytes

Begins between months 3 and 7 of fetal development, stops at prophase I.

Primary oocytes during childhood

Remain in prophase I until puberty.

First polar body

Smaller cell produced during the first meiotic division of a primary oocyte.

Secondary oocyte

Larger cell produced during the first meiotic division of a primary oocyte.

Secondary oocyte

Continues to metaphase II and then development stops until fertilization.

Fertilized ovum

Meiosis II finishes to form this and a second polar body if the secondary oocyte is fertilized.

Primordial follicles

First follicles formed in a female fetus, each contains one primary oocyte.

Primary follicles

Develop from primordial follicles as primary oocytes enlarge during childhood to puberty.

Secondary follicles

Develop from primary follicles with each containing an arrested primary oocyte.

Vesicular or Tertiary follicle

Matures from one secondary follicle about once a month; contains a secondary oocyte stopped in metaphase II.

Ovarian cycle

Monthly events associated with oocyte and follicle maturation.

Follicular phase

Follicle grows and develops.

Primordial follicle

Single layer of squamous follicular cells surrounds primary oocyte.

Primary follicle

Follicular cells become cuboidal granulosa cells.

Secondary follicle

Follicle wall thickens and granulosa cells secrete follicular fluid.

Vesicular (Tertiary) follicle

Pockets of fluid merge forming cavity called an antrum.

Ovulation stage

Ovary expels secondary oocyte and associated granulosa cells.

Corona radiata

Ovary wall and vesicular follicle rupture and expels secondary oocyte, granulosa cells around the egg are called this.

Corpus luteum

Ruptured follicle becomes endocrine organ.

Corpus albicans

Macrophages invade corpus luteum and fibroblasts lay down collagen.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

Hypothalamus releases this hormone.

Estrogen and progesterone

Stimulate female sex characteristics.

Uterine (Menstrual) Cycle

Cyclic changes in uterine endometrium.

Stratum functionalis

Outer (superficial) layer of the endometrium.

Stratum basalis

Inner (deeper) layer of the endometrium.

Menstrual phase

Uterus sheds stratum functionalis during menstruation.

Proliferative (Preovulatory) phase

New stratum functionalis develops with spiral arteries and veins.

Secretory (Post-ovulatory) phase

Stratum functionalis converted to secretory mucosa; endometrial glands secrete uterine milk.

Menarche

First menstrual bleeding.

Menopause

Stopping of menstruation for more than one year due to age.