Chapter 8 Vocab

gonads

ovaries in women, secrete sex hormones during puberty (estrogen and progesterone)

structures of the vulva

mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris

mons pubis

mound of skin and adipose tissue overlying the symphysis pubis, covered in pubic hair for mature women

labia majora

a pair of thick folds of skin, connective tissue, and adipose tissue, inner surface has sweat and sebaceous glands

labia minora

pair of thin folds of hairless skin immediately internal to the labia majora, sebaceous glands and melanocytes give the folds dark pigmentation, anteriorly join together to form to prepuce (hood) of the clitoris, posteriorly merge with the labia majora

clitoris

erectile organ of the vulva

greater vestibular gland (Bartholin gland)

pea-sized glands on the posterolateral walls of the vagina that secrete mucus

gynecology

medical specialty for the care of the female reproductive system

labium (labia)

fold of the vulva

majus (major)

bigger or greater

minus (minora)

smaller or lesser

obstetrics

medical specialty for the care of women during pregnancy and the postpartum period

perineum

area between the thighs, extending from the coccyx to the pubis

pubis (pubic bone)

bony front arch of the pelvis of the hip

vestibule

space at the entrance of a canal

vestibular bulb

structure on each side of the entrance to the vagina, fill with blood and become more sensitive during sexual intercourse

vulva

female external genitalia

functions of the vagina

discharge of menstrual fluid, receipt of penis and semen, birth of a baby

vagina (birth canal)

connects the vulva with the uterus, contains paraurethral glands, rugae, and the hymen

fornix (fornices)

arch-shaped, blind-ended part of the vagina behind and around the vervix

hymen

thin membrane partly occluding the vaginal orifice

paraurethral glands (Skene glands)

glands in the anterior wall of the vagina that secrete mucin to lubricate the vagina

ruga (rugae)

a fold, ridge, or crease

vagina

female genitalia canal extending from the uterus to the vulva

vulvovaginal

pertaining to the vulva and vagina

ovaries

female primary sex organ

female internal accessory organs

pair of uterine (fallopian) tubes, a uterus, and a vagina

estrogen and progesterone

involved in menstruation and pregnancy

ovary

almond-shaped organ located in a shallow depression in the lateral wall of the pelvic cavity, held in place by ligaments that attach it to the pelvic wall and uterus

tunica albuginea

capsule that encloses the ovary

uterine (fallopian) tube areas

infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus, uterine

infundibulum

ovarian end, the outer 1/3 flares out into a funnel-shape with finger-like folds called fimbriae, at ovulation the fimbriae enclose the ovary

ampulla

widened area of the fallopian tube, usually the site of fertilization

isthmus

inner 1/3 of each fallopian tube approaching the uterus

uterine

in the fallopian tube, extends from the isthmus to the uterus

adnexa of the uterus

uterine tubes, broad ligaments, and the ovaries

three regions of the uterus

fundus, body, cervix

fundus

the broad, curved upper region of the uterus between the lateral attachments of the uterine tubes

body

the midportion of the uterus

cervix

cylindrical inferior portion of the uterus that projects into the vagina

internal os (internal orifice)

opening of the cervical canal from the lumen

external os (external orifice)

cervical opening into the vagina

three wall layers of the uterus

perimetrium, myometrium, endomertium

perimetrium

continuation of the broad ligament, the covering of the uterus, part of the peritonium

myometrium

thick layer of smooth muscle in the uterus

endometrium

the inner lining of the uterus that sheds during menstruation

adnexum (adnexa)

parts accessory to an organ or structure

anteverted

tilted forward

fimbria (fimbriae)

a fringe-like structure on the surface of a cell or microorganism

fundus

part furthest from the opening of a hollow organ

infundibulum

funnel-shaped structure

isthmus

part connecting to larger parts, in this case, the uterus to the uterine tube

os

opening into a canal, for example, the cervix

ovary

one of the paired female egg-producing glands

uterus

organ in which an egg develops into a fetus

uterine tubes (fallopian tubes)

carry the ovum from the ovary to the uterus, tubes connected from the uterus to the abdominal cavity

follicles

a layer of cells surrounds the primary oocyte, many degenerate, around 2 million in the ovarian cortex

primary oocytes

contain 23 pairs of chromosomes

secondary oocytes

contain 23 single chromosomes

oogenesis

begins in the fetal period and ends at menopause

granulosa cells

secrete estrogen, surround the oocyte and line the fluid-filled antrum of the follicle

ovulation

by the midpoint of the menstrual cycle, the mature follicle bulges out on the surface of the ovary and ruptures

menarche

cannot occur until at least 17& of a girl’s weight is body fat

high levels of estrogen and progesterone

inhibit the secretion of GnRH

first phase of endometrium cycle

5 days, shedding of the endometrial lining

Second phase of endometrial cycle

endometrial lining begins to rebuild in preparation to protect and noourish the fertilized egg

final stage of endometrium cycle

the endometrium becomes rich in blood supply and in the development of glands

estrogens

hormone produced in the ovarian follicles

estrogen functions

convert girls into sexually mature women, participate in the menstrual cycle, participate in pregnancy

progesterone

hormone produced by the corpus luteum of the ovary and by the adrenal glands

progesterone functions

prepare the lining of the uterus for implantation of the egg, inhibit lactation during pregnancy, produce menstrual bleeding if pregnancy does not occur

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

from the pituitary gland, stimulates the synthesis and secretion of estrogen

gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

controls FSH and LH

luteinizing hormone (LH)

stimulates progesterone production

antrum

a nearly closed cavity or chamber

corpus albicans

an atrophied corpus luteum

corpus luteum

yellow structure formed at the site of a ruptured ovarian follice

estrogen

generic term for hormones that stimulate female secondary sex characteristics

follicle

spherical mass of cells containing a cavity, in this case holding an oocyte

gonadotropin

hormone capable of promoting gonad function

granulosa cell

cell lining the ovarian follice

involution

a decrease in size or vigor

menopause

permanent ending of menstrual periods

menses

monthly uterine bleeding

oocyte

female egg cell

oogenesis

development of female egg cell

ovulation

release of an oocyte from a follicle after it ruptures

progesterone

a steroid hormone released by the corpus luteum and involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and the development of an embryo

bacterial vaginosis

most common cause of vaginitis, different types of invading bacteria outnumber the normal bacteria of the vagina, main symptom is abnormal discharge with fishlike odor

toxic shock syndrome

caused by toxins circulating in the bloodstream produced by rare strains of bacteria

vulvovaginal candidiasis

common cause of genital itching or burning, cottage-cheese vaginal discharge, caused by overgrowth of yeast fungus candida and can occur after taking antibiotics, associated with vitamin D deficiency

vulvovaginitis

allergic and irritative causes can be caused by vaginal hygiene products, spermicides, detergents, and synthetic underwear

vulvodynia

chronic, lasting, severe pain around the vaginal orifice which feels raw, dyspareunia is common, vulva may look normal or slightly swollen, etiology unknown

bacterial vaginosis

associated with increased risk of gonorrhea and HIV infection

vaginal cancer

uncommon, comprising 1% to 2% of gynecologic malignancies, can be effectively treated with surgery and radiation therapy

dyspareunia

pain during sexual intercourse

vulvodynia

chronic vulvar pain

vulvovaginitis

inflammation of the vagina and vulva

chalmydia

known as the “silent” disease because there are no symptoms, common signs include a vaginal or penile discharge and irritation with dysuria, can be passed onto a newborn during childbirth, causing eye infections or pneumonia

gonorrhea

can be passed on to a baby in childbirth, causing a serious eye infection, symptoms may not be present, in the female they can include a vaginal discharge, bleeding, and dysuria, a cause of PID