reproductive System A and P 2

Primary vs accessory female organs

Ovaries (primary)/ uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, glands
(accessory)

Main functions of ovaries

Produce oocytes + estrogen + progesterone

Cortex vs medulla

Cortex = follicles; Medulla = blood vessels + nerves

Ovary layers

Germinal epithelium (outer), tunica albuginea (connective tissue)

Ligaments of ovary (function)

Ovarian (to uterus), suspensory (to body wall + vessels), mesovarium
(attachment)

Follicle stages (in order)

Primordial → Primary → Secondary → Vesicular → Corpus luteum → Corpus
albicans

Key changes in follicle development

Cells increase, antrum forms, oocyte pushed to side

Primordial vs primary follicle

Primordial = flat cells/immature follicles; Primary = granulosa cells/mature follicles

Secondary follicle key feature

Antrum (fluid-filled space)

Vesicular follicle contains

Secondary oocyte

What happens in ovulation (2 things)

Follicle ruptures → oocyte released

Corpus luteum function

Secretes progesterone AND estrogen

Corpus albicans

Scar after corpus luteum degenerates

Oogenesis

Formation of mature oocyte

Primary vs secondary oocyte

Primary = diploid (46); Secondary = haploid (23)

When are oocytes formed

Before birth

Atresia is the

loss of follicles over time

Phases of ovarian cycle

Follicular → Ovulation → Luteal

Follicular phase what happens and time period

FSH targets follicles to develop + release estrogen, Days 1-13

Hormone that stimulates follicles

FSH

Ovulation trigger

LH surge

Luteal phase what happens and time period

follicle→corpus luteum, secretes progesterone, days 15-28

If no fertilization (ovarian cycle)

Corpus luteum degenerates → ↓progesteron→ uterine lining sheds (menstration)

Hormone pathway for female cycle

GnRH (hypothalamus) → FSH/LH (pituitary) → ovaries then release→ estrogen/progesterone

FSH function

Stimulates follicle growth

LH function

Triggers ovulation

Estrogen function

rebuilds stratum functionals of endometrium

Progesterone function

Maintains and thickens stratum functionals

Cause of LH surge

High estrogen (positive feedback)

Cause of menstruation

Drop in progesterone

Function of uterine tubes

Transport oocyte

Fimbriae function

Sweep oocyte into tube

Function of uterus

Implantation + development

Uterine layers

Endometrium (sheds), myometrium (muscle), perimetrium (outer)

Phases of uterine cycle

Menstrual → Proliferative → Secretory

Menstrual phase

Shedding of endometrium

Proliferative phase

estrogen regenerates lining

Secretory phase

Progesterone thickens lining

Ovarian–uterine phase relationship

Follicular = menstrual + proliferative, ovulation=prolifertive ; Luteal = secretory

Dominant hormone (proliferative phase)

Estrogen

Dominant hormone (secretory phase)

Progesterone

LH surge causes

Ovulation

Progesterone role (key)

Maintains uterine lining

Stratum funtionalis of Endometrium is the

layer that sheds

Corpus luteum (key role)

Produces progesterone

Vesicouterine vs rectouterine pouch

Vesicouterine = between bladder + uterus; Rectouterine = between rectum + uterus

Infundibulum

Funnel-shaped end of uterine tube with fimbriae

Ampulla

Widest part of uterine tube; site of fertilization

Isthmus (uterine tube)

Narrow region connecting tube to uterus

Fimbriae function

Sweep oocyte into uterine tube

Uterus regions

Fundus (top), body (main), cervix (lower opening)

Ovulation day

Day 14

Corpus luteum lifespan

~10–13 days if no fertilization

Primary oocyte meiosis

Completes meiosis I → secondary oocyte + polar body

Secondary oocyte meiosis

Completes meiosis II only if fertilized

Hormone negative feedback

Estrogen and progesterone decrease, inhibin inhibits GnRH, FSH, LH

Hormone positive feedback

High estrogen→ LH surge

Cilia in uterine tubes

Move oocyte toward uterus

Corpus luteum acts as a

Temporary endocrine gland