Chapter 28: Female Reproductive System Flashcards

This set of 260 vocabulary flashcards covers the comprehensive female reproductive system including anatomy, physiology, oogenesis, folliculogenesis, and the hormonal cycles of the sexual cycle based on the lecture material.

Female Reproductive System Functions

The physiological functions include producing specialized cells for sexual reproduction, producing hormones for cycle regulation, and supporting fetal development.

Specialized cells

Cells produced by the female reproductive system specifically for sexual reproduction.

Hormonal regulation

The production of hormones that manage and regulate the menstrual and ovarian cycles.

Fetal development support

The function of the female reproductive system to support the growth of the fetus and the eventual birth of the baby.

Ovaries

The female gonads responsible for producing female gametes and secreting sex hormones.

Female gonads

The primary reproductive organs in females, specifically the ovaries.

Female gametes

Specialized reproductive cells known as ova produced by the ovaries.

Ova

Another term for female gametes or eggs.

Female sex hormones

Hormones secreted by the ovaries, primarily estrogen and progesterone.

Estrogen

A female sex hormone secreted by the ovaries to regulate reproductive cycles and body changes.

Progesterone

A female sex hormone secreted by the ovaries and corpus luteum to support pregnancy and cycle regulation.

Ovarian structure location

Paired structures that are positioned to flank the uterus locally.

Ovarian ligament

A structure that anchors the ovary medially to the uterus.

Broad ligament

A ligamentous structure that supports the uterine tubes, the uterus, and the vagina.

Suspensory ligament

A portion of the broad ligament that anchors the ovary laterally to the pelvic wall.

Outer cortex (Ovary)

The outer region of the ovary where ovarian follicles develop.

Inner medulla (Ovary)

The interior portion of the ovary occupied by major arteries and veins.

Ovarian follicle

A structure containing an immature egg encased by one or more layers of cells.

Oocyte

An immature egg encased within an ovarian follicle.

Ovulation

The process defined as the bursting of the follicle and the releasing of the egg.

Uterine tubes

Also known as Fallopian tubes or oviducts, these receive the ovulated oocyte.

Fallopian tubes

A synonym for uterine tubes or oviducts.

Oviducts

The anatomical term for the tubes that transport the oocyte and are the usual site of fertilization.

Usual site of fertilization

The uterine tubes or oviducts where the egg and sperm typically meet.

Uterine tube length

The tubes are approximately $10\,cm$ ($4\,in$) long.

Uterine tube span

The tubes extend from the area of the ovary to the superior region of the uterus.

Infundibulum

The flared distal or ovarian end of the uterine tube characterized by feathery fimbriae.

Fimbriae

Feathery projections at the end of the infundibulum that create a current to carry the oocyte into the tube.

Ampulla

The middle and longest part of the uterine tube where fertilization usually occurs.

Isthmus

The narrow portion of the uterine tube located near the uterus.

Uterus

A thick muscular chamber that opens into the roof of the vagina.

Uterus function

Harbors the fetus, provides nutrition, and expels the fetus at the end of development.

Uterine nutrition

The supply of nutrients provided by the uterus to the developing fetus.

Fundus

The broad superior curvature of the uterus.

Uterine Body

The middle portion of the uterus.

Cervix

The cylindrical inferior end of the uterus.

Cervical canal

A passage that connects the lumen of the uterus to the vagina.

Lumen of the uterus

The inner cavity of the uterus connected to the vagina via the cervical canal.

Cervical glands

Glands that secrete mucus to prevent the spread of microorganisms from the vagina to the uterus.

Cervical mucus during ovulation

The mucus becomes thinner to allow for the easier passage of sperm.

Cervical cancer cause

Almost always caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

A sexually transmitted pathogen that is the primary cause of cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer global impact

Affects $450,000$ women worldwide annually, resulting in death for half of those affected.

Common age for cervical cancer

Most frequently occurs in women between the ages of $30$ and $50$.

Early detection prognosis

The prognosis for cervical cancer is good if it is detected early.

Pap smear

A test for early detection where loose cells from the cervix and vagina are microscopically examined.

Uterine wall layers

Consists of three layers: the perimetrium, myometrium, and endometrium.

Perimetrium

The outermost layer of the uterine wall.

Myometrium

The middle muscular layer of the uterine wall composed mainly of smooth muscle.

Myometrium smooth muscle

The primary component of the myometrium responsible for labor contractions.

Labor contractions

Produced by the myometrium to expel the fetus during birth.

Endometrium

The inner mucosa of the uterus where a fertilized egg burrows and resides during development.

Stratum functionalis

The functional layer of the endometrium that changes in response to ovarian hormone cycles.

Menstruation shedding

The process where the stratum functionalis is shed from the uterine wall.

Stratum basalis

The basal layer of the endometrium that forms a new stratum functionalis after menstruation.

Ovarian hormone unresponsiveness

A characteristic of the stratum basalis, which does not change in response to ovarian cycle hormones.

Vagina description

A thin-walled tube $8-10\,cm$ ($3-4\,inches$) long.

Vagina functions

Serves as the birth canal, a passageway for menstrual flow, and the organ of copulation.

Birth canal

One of the primary functions of the vagina during labor.

Organ of copulation

A primary reproductive function of the vagina during sexual intercourse.

Urethra location

Runs parallel to the vagina anteriorly.

External genitalia

Collectively called the vulva or pudendum.

Vulva

The collective term for the external female genitalia.

Pudendum

Another name for the vulva or external female genitalia.

Mons pubis

The fatty area over the pubic symphysis which bears most of the pubic hair.

Labia majora

A pair of thick folds of skin and adipose tissue inferior to the mons pubis.

Labia minora

Thin, hairless folds located medial to the labia majora.

Vestibule

The space between the labia minora containing the urethral and vaginal openings.

Urethral opening location

Located within the vestibule of the external genitalia.

Vaginal opening location

Located within the vestibule between the labia minora.

Clitoris

An erectile, sensory organ that is the primary center for sexual stimulation.

Sexual stimulation effect

Causes changes in vaginal blood flow that promote fertilization.

Vestibular bulbs

Erectile tissue located deep to the labia majora.

Greater vestibular glands

Also called Bartholin glands, they open into the vestibule to provide lubrication.

Bartholin glands

Another name for the greater vestibular glands.

Vulva lubrication

Provided by the greater vestibular glands to keep the vulva moist.

Breast anatomy

A mound of tissue overlying the pectoralis major.

Puberty breast change

The breast enlarges at puberty and remains enlarged for life.

Mammary gland development

Develops within the breast specifically during pregnancy.

Mammary gland classification

Modified sweat glands clustered in lobules.

Mammary lobules

Clusters within the breast where mammary glands are located.

Lactating breast

The state in which the mammary gland remains active to provide milk.

Nursing cessation

Causes the mammary gland to atrophy.

Mammary atrophy

The wasting away of the mammary gland when a woman ceases to nurse.

Leading female cancer

Breast cancer is the world's leading and most deadly cancer in women.

BRCA1 and BRCA2

Two specific breast cancer genes associated with hereditary risk.

Hereditary breast cancer

Most breast cancer cases are nonhereditary despite the existence of BRCA genes.

Breast cancer risk factors

Includes aging, ionizing radiation, carcinogenic chemicals, alcohol, fat intake, and smoking.

Alcohol and fat intake

Excessive consumption is considered a risk factor for breast cancer.

Risk factor identification

Over $70\%$ of breast cancer cases lack identifiable risk factors.

Tumor discovery

Usually occurs during breast self-examination (BSE).

Breast self-examination (BSE)

A method for women to discover tumors manually.

Mammograms

Breast X-rays used to detect tumors too small to be noticed by a physical examination.

Lumpectomy

The surgical removal of the tumor only.

Simple mastectomy

The surgical removal of the breast tissue only.

Radical mastectomy

The surgical removal of the breast, underlying muscle, and lymph nodes.

Post-surgery treatment

Breast cancer surgery is often followed by radiation or chemotherapy.

Oogenesis

The process of egg production.

Oogenesis products

Produces haploid gametes by means of meiosis.

Cyclic release

Oogenesis normally releases one egg each month.