Bio71 - Lecture 21 - Female Reproductive System Review

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering female reproductive anatomy, ligaments, oogenesis, the ovarian and uterine cycles, and related hormones.

Ovaries

Female gonads situated within the pelvic cavity that produce oocytes and hormones.

Uterine Tubes (Fallopian Tubes)

Tubes approximately $13\,cm$ long that transport oocytes from ovaries to the uterus and serve as the usual site of fertilization.

Uterus

A pear-shaped organ approximately $7.5\,cm$ long that provides the site for embryo/fetus development, protection, and nourishment.

Vagina

An elastic muscular tube $7.5-9\,cm$ long connecting the uterus to the external genitalia; serves as the birth canal and survives during menstruation.

Broad Ligament

A large, sheet-like fold of peritoneum that connects and supports the ovaries, uterine tubes, and uterus.

Mesovarium

A thickened portion of the broad ligament that specifically supports each ovary.

Ovarian Ligament

A structure connecting the lateral wall of the uterus near the uterine tube junction to the medial surface of the ovary.

Suspensory Ligament

A ligament connecting the lateral surface of the ovary to the pelvic wall, containing major blood vessels supplying the ovary.

Ovarian Hilum

The site where blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves enter and exit the ovary; also the point of attachment to the mesovarium.

Cortex (Ovary)

The outer, superficial region of the ovary where oogenesis occurs within follicles, covered by germinal epithelium.

Medulla (Ovary)

The deeper, central region of the ovary containing loose connective tissue, blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves.

Oogenesis

The production of female gametes (oocytes) which begins during fetal development, accelerates at puberty, and ends at menopause.

Oogonia

Diploid stem cells that begin the process of oogenesis during fetal development.

Primary Oocytes

Cells derived from oogonia that are arrested in meiosis I during fetal development.

FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)

Hormone from the pituitary gland that stimulates the development of ovarian follicles at puberty.

Primordial Ovarian Follicles

Structures present since fetal development consisting of a primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of flattened follicle cells.

Granulosa Cells

Cells that proliferate into multiple layers around the oocyte in primary follicles, producing estrogen and providing nutrients.

Zona Pellucida

An extracellular protein coat surrounding the developing oocyte, secreted by the oocyte itself.

Secondary Ovarian Follicles

Primary follicles that have enlarged greatly due to the production of follicular fluid while the primary oocyte continues to grow.

Tertiary Follicles (Graafian Follicles)

Follicles containing a secondary oocyte and a fluid-filled cavity called an antrum.

Antrum

The fluid-filled cavity characteristic of a tertiary follicle.

Corona Radiata

A layer of granulosa cells specifically surrounding the secondary oocyte within the tertiary follicle.

Estradiol

The dominant form of estrogen; a steroid hormone derived from cholesterol produced by granulosa cells and the corpus luteum.

Progesterone

A steroid hormone produced by the corpus luteum that prepares the uterine lining for pregnancy.

Ovulation

The release of the secondary oocyte from the tertiary follicle and ovary, triggered by a surge in Luteinizing Hormone (LH).

Corpus Luteum

A temporary endocrine gland formed from an empty follicle that secretes primarily progesterone to prepare the uterus for implantation.

Corpus Albicans

White, fibrous scar tissue formed from the degeneration of the corpus luteum approximately $12\,days$ after ovulation if no pregnancy occurs.

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections at the end of the uterine tube near the ovary that help capture the released oocyte.

Ampulla

The middle, longest, and widest part of the uterine tube; the typical site for fertilization $12-24\,hours$ after ovulation.

Endometrium

The innermost, glandular layer lining the uterine cavity consisting of a functional layer and a basal layer.

Functional Layer

The superficial layer of the endometrium that contains uterine glands and is shed during the uterine cycle.

Basal Layer

The deeper layer of the endometrium that remains during menstruation to regenerate the functional layer.

Myometrium

The thick, middle layer of smooth muscle in the uterine wall responsible for contractions during labor.

Perimetrium

The outermost layer of the uterus consisting of an incomplete serosa (visceral peritoneum).

Menstrual Phase

The phase of the uterine cycle triggered by a decrease in progestins and estrogen, leading to the shedding of the functional layer.

Proliferative Phase

The phase driven by increased estrogen where the endometrial lining thickens and a new functional layer is created.

Secretory Phase

The phase driven by progesterone and estrogen where endometrial glands grow and secrete nutrients, making the uterus ready for implantation.

Vestibule

The central space within the vulva enclosed by the labia minora, containing the openings for the urethra and vagina.

Lactation

The process of milk production involving alveolar cells within the mammary glands.

Menopause

A period characterized by a significant decline in estrogen levels, typically occurring between the ages of $45$ and $55$.