Chapter 16: The female reproductive system (copy)

ovary

female sex organ in which ova (eggs) are produced and female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone)

estrogens

hormones that stimulate female secondary sex characteristics and cause the oocyte to mature in the follicle and the endometrium to thicken

progesterone

ovarian hormone produced by the corpus luteum and later the placenta; responsible for maintaining the uterine lining during pregnancy, inhibiting contraction of uterine muscle, and helping to prepare the breasts for lactation

oocyte

an immature egg

Vesicular (Graafian) follicle

a mature ovarian follicle

ovulation

the release of an ovum (oocyte) from the ovary

uterine (fallopian) tubes

the duct through which the ovum is transported to the uterus (fertilized or unfertilized)

fimbriae

fingerlike projections that line the distal end of each uterine tube that create fluid currents to wave the oocyte inside after ovulation

uterus

hollow pelvic organ of the female reproductive system that functions to receive, retain and nourish the fertilized egg

cervix

the inferior neck-like portion of the uterus leading to the vagina

endometrium

the mucus membrane lining of the uterus (innermost)

myometrium

the thick uterine musculature

perimetrium

outermost layer of the uterus

vagina

the female copulatory organ that runs from the cervix to the outside of the body

hymen

a vascular thin fold of mucosa (mucous membrane) found at the distal (towards the outside) end of the vagina

embryo

an organism in its early stages of development; in humans, the first 2 months after conception

vulva

female external genitalia

mons pubis

fatty rounded area overlying the pubic bone joint

labia majora

elongated, hair covered skin folds behind the mons pubis

labia minora

delicate, hair free folds within the vulva

vestibule

area within the labia minora, contains the external openings of the urethra and vagina

clitoris

a small, protruding structure that corresponds to the male penis, contains sensitive erectile tissue that becomes swollen with blood during sexual arousal

greater vestibular glands

mucus-producing glands found on either side of the vagina, lubricate the distal end of the vagina during intercourse

perineum

that region of the body extending from the anus to the scrotum in males and from the anus to the vulva in females

oogenesis

the process of formation of the ova

oogonia

stem cells that can give rise to primary oocytes by mitosis

primary oocyte

an immature reproductive cell capable of undergoing meiosis

ovarian cycle

the monthly cycle of follicle development, ovulation and corpus luteum formation in an ovary

secondary oocyte

An oocyte in which the first meiotic division is completed. The second meiotic division usually stops short of completion unless fertilization occurs

polar body

a minute (tiny) cell produced during meiosis that does not become an ovum

ovum

an egg

mammary gland

present in both sexes, only function in females, modified sweat glands that produce milk

areola

central pigmented area of the breast

nipple

protruding central area of the areola

alveolar gland

produce milk when a woman is lactating, found in clusters within the lobules of the breast

lactating

producing milk in the alveolar glands

lactiferous ducts

connects the alveolar glands to the nipple

luteinizing hormone (LH)

secreted by the pituitary gland, spike causes ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate estrogen production which causes the maturation of the oocyte in the ovary