Female Reproductive System

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to the female reproductive system, anatomy, physiology, pregnancy, and childbirth.

Parietal peritoneum

The lining of the abdominal cavity; forms pelvic spaces such as the vesicouterine and rectouterine pouches.

Vesicouterine pouch

Peritoneal space between the bladder and uterus.

Rectouterine pouch

Peritoneal space between the uterus and rectum (pouch of Douglas).

Uterus

Hollow, muscular organ where implantation and development occur; regions include fundus, body, and cervix.

Fundus (of uterus)

Upper dome-like part of the uterus above the openings of the fallopian tubes.

Body (of uterus)

Central, main portion of the uterus between fundus and cervix.

Cervix

Inferior part of the uterus opening into the vagina; contains the internal and external os.

Internal os

Opening of the cervical canal into the uterine cavity.

External os

Opening of the cervical canal into the vagina.

Cervical canal

Passage through the cervix connecting the uterine cavity with the vagina.

Uterine tube

Tube that carries the oocyte from the ovary to the uterus; components include infundibulum, fimbriae, ampulla, and isthmus.

Infundibulum

Funnel-shaped, lateral end of the fallopian tube near the ovary.

Fimbriae

Finger-like projections at the end of the infundibulum that capture the ovulated oocyte.

Ovaries

Gonads that produce oocytes and secrete estrogen and progesterone.

Broad ligament

Large peritoneal fold anchoring uterus and other reproductive structures; includes mesometrium, mesosalpinx, and mesovarium.

Mesometrium

Part of the broad ligament over the uterus.

Mesosalpinx

Part of the broad ligament surrounding the fallopian tubes.

Mesovarium

Part of the broad ligament attaching to the ovary.

Ovarian ligament

Fibrous band connecting the ovary to the uterus.

Suspensory ligament (of the ovary)

Attaches the ovary to the lateral abdominal wall; contains vessels.

Cardinal ligament

Pelvic support ligament containing blood vessels to the uterus.

Uterosacral ligament

Ligament anchoring the uterus to the sacrum.

Round ligament

Connects the uterus to the labia majora and helps maintain anteversion.

Uterine artery

Major artery supplying the uterus.

Ovarian artery

Artery supplying the ovaries and part of the uterus.

Internal iliac artery

Major pelvic artery giving rise to vaginal and uterine branches.

Ovarian vein

Drains the ovaries; right drains to the IVC, left to the renal vein.

Vaginal artery

Branch of the internal iliac supplying the vagina.

Spiral arteries

Coiled arteries in the endometrium supplying the functional layer.

Medulla (ovary)

Inner region of the ovary containing vessels and stroma.

Cortex (ovary)

Outer region containing follicles and developing oocytes.

Tunica albuginea

Dense connective tissue capsule surrounding the ovary.

Endometrium

Mucosal lining of the uterus with functional and basalis layers; thickens and sheds during cycle.

Myometrium

Thick muscular middle layer of the uterus responsible for contractions.

Perimetrium

Outer serous layer of the uterus.

Primordial follicle

Early follicle: primary oocyte with a single layer of squamous follicular cells.

Primary follicle

Follicle with one or more layers of cuboidal granulosa cells around the oocyte.

Secondary follicle

Follicle with multiple granulosa layers and theca interna; starts forming antrum.

Theca folliculi

Connective tissue around the follicle; gives rise to the theca interna and externa.

Theca interna

Internal theca layer that produces androgens under LH.

Theca externa

Outer theca layer surrounding the follicle.

Granulosa cells

Follicle cells that convert androgens to estrogens and secrete estrogen.

Zona pellucida

Glycoprotein coat around the oocyte.

Antrum

Fluid-filled cavity that forms within a tertiary follicle.

Cumulus oophorus

Cluster of granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte within the antrum.

Graafian (preovulatory) follicle

Mature follicle ready to ovulate; leads to ovulation.

Corpus luteum

Remnant of the follicle after ovulation that secretes progesterone and estrogen.

Corpus albicans

Fibrous scar formed when the corpus luteum degenerates.

Ovum

Mature egg released during ovulation.

Oogonia

Germline stem cells that multiply to form oocytes during fetal life.

Primary oocyte

Oocyte that begins meiosis I during fetal life and is arrested until puberty.

Meiosis I

First meiotic division producing a secondary oocyte and first polar body.

Meiosis II

Second meiotic division that completes only if fertilization occurs.

First polar body

Byproduct of meiosis I; typically degenerates.

Second polar body

Byproduct of meiosis II; typically degenerates.

Atresia

Degeneration of ovarian follicles/oocytes.

Ovulation

Release of the oocyte from the dominant follicle.

Follicular fluid

Fluid within the antrum of the developing follicle.

Dominant follicle

The most responsive follicle that matures and ovulates.

Capacitation

Final maturation step of sperm in the female tract enabling fertilization.

Corona radiata

Layer of cumulus cells surrounding the oocyte prior to fertilization.

Acrosome

Sperm cap containing enzymes required to penetrate the zona pellucida.

Cortical reaction

Egg plasma membrane response preventing polyspermy after sperm entry.

Zygote

Fertilized egg; nuclei of sperm and egg fuse to form a single nucleus.

Embryo

Early developmental stage after fertilization, up to about 8 weeks gestation.

HCG

Human chorionic gonadotropin; maintains corpus luteum in early pregnancy.

Estrogen

Steroid hormone; rises during cycle; initially from follicles, later from placenta; supports endometrium and pregnancy.

Progesterone

Hormone produced by corpus luteum and placenta; maintains uterine lining and inhibits GnRH/LH/FSH.

Inhibin

Hormone from granulosa cells that inhibits FSH production.

AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone)

Indicator of ovarian reserve; inhibits excessive follicle development.

GnRH

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus; stimulates FSH and LH release.

FSH

Follicle-stimulating hormone; stimulates follicle growth and estrogen production.

LH

Luteinizing hormone; triggers ovulation and corpus luteum formation.

Prolactin

Pituitary hormone that stimulates milk production.

Oxytocin

Hormone that stimulates milk ejection and uterine contractions.

Lactation

Milk production and secretion by mammary glands.

Capacitation (revisited)

Biochemical changes sperm undergo to gain fertilization capability.

Corona radiata (revisited)

The outermost layer of cumulus cells around the oocyte.

Fertilization window

Time frame (roughly 24 hours post-ovulation) when fertilization can occur.

Gestation length

Approximately 266 days of pregnancy; 280 days from the first day of the last menstrual period.

Placenta

Maternal–fetal organ that exchanges nutrients and secretes hormones during pregnancy.

Secretory phase

Endometrium thickening and glycogen secretion driven by progesterone in early pregnancy.

Dilation stage

First stage of childbirth; cervix dilates and becomes effaced.

Expulsion stage

Second stage of childbirth; baby is delivered.

Placental stage

Third stage of childbirth; placenta and membranes are delivered.