MED TERM 7: anatomy & physiology

mons pubis

anterior, fatty tissue pad over the pubic bone

labia majora

outer, hair-covered skin folds

labia minora

inner hairless folds protecting the urethra and tract entrance

clitoris

highly innervated erectile tissue homologous to the male penis

vestibule

recess housing urethral/vaginal openings, lubricated by mucus from Bartholin’s glands

Bartholin’s glands

outlets to vestibular glands that secret mucus to moisten perineum

perineum

region spanning between vaginal opening and anus

vagina

10 cm muscular tube lined with mucosa; maintained at acidic ph of 4.5 by normal flora called lactobacillus

cervix

uterus division 1: inferior segment that connects uterus and vagina

uterus

uterus division 2: central portion (body)

fundus

uterus division 3: superior rounded portion

ovary

female reproductive gland located in pelvic cavity (creates eggs and hormones)

perimetrium

uterine wall layer 1: outer serous layer that surrounds uterus

myometrium

uterine wall layer 2: smooth muscle middle layer with uterine contractions

endometrium

uterine wall layer 3: inner mucosal layer that acts as implantation site & sheds

mammary glands

milk-producing glands also known as lobules

alveoli

tiny sacs inside the mammary glands

lactiferous ducts

milk travels to the nipple via the

28 days

average length of the menstrual cycle

30 mL

average menstrual cycle blood loss

follicular phase (menses)

pituitary releases FSH (follicle stimulating) and LH (lutenizing) to stimulate follicle/egg growth; developing follicles secrete estrogen; dominant follicle = Graffion

Graafion follicle

dominant follicle in follicular phase

ovulatory phase (proliferative)

high estrogen triggers an LH surge, releasing the egg around day 14

luteal phase (secretory)

wall of ruptured follicle transforms into the corpus luteum, secreting progesterone to prepare the uterine lining

adnexa

accessory structures of the uterus (tubes and ovaries)

dyspareunia

painful sex

fistula

abnormal passageway between two organs

menarche

first period

metrorrhagia

bleeding from the uterus between menstrual periods

corpus luteum

temporary, hormone-producing gland involved in ovulation and early pregnancy

mastitis

inflammation of breast that tends to occur when woman is lactating

menorrhagia

excessive menstrual bleeding

ovum (egg)

the female gamete is

APGAR score

Activity, Pulse, Grimace, Appearance, Respiration

APGAR score

used to measure homeostasis in newborns