Female Reproductive System

Flashcards for key terms related to the female reproductive system and its physiology.

Ovaries

Female gonads that produce ova and secrete female sex hormones.

Estrogen

A group of hormones responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sexual characteristics.

Progesterone

A hormone produced by the corpus luteum that regulates various functions in the menstrual cycle and maintains pregnancy.

Fallopian tubes

Also known as uterine tubes, they transport oocytes from the ovaries to the uterus.

Uterus

A hollow, muscular organ that receives, retains, and nourishes a fertilized ovum.

Vagina

A thin-walled tube extending from the cervix to the exterior, serving as the birth canal and passageway for menstrual flow.

Menstrual cycle

The monthly cycle of changes in the female reproductive system, including the ovarian and uterine cycles.

Endometrium

The mucosal lining of the uterus, which thickens in preparation for a possible pregnancy.

Ovulation

The release of a secondary oocyte from the mature graafian follicle in the ovary.

Corpus luteum

A temporary endocrine structure involved in the menstrual cycle and early pregnancy, producing progesterone.

Tubal ligation

A surgical procedure for female sterilization that involves cutting or sealing the fallopian tubes.

Acrosome

A cap-like structure on the head of the sperm that contains enzymes to penetrate the zona pellucida of the oocyte.

Primary oocyte

An immature egg cell in a female that has begun the first meiotic division but is halted in prophase.

Menarche

The first occurrence of menstruation in a female.

Endometriosis

A condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often causing pain.

Cervix

The narrow neck of the uterus that projects into the vagina.

Myometrium

The middle layer of the uterine wall, composed of smooth muscle that contracts during childbirth.

Mammary glands

Glands located within the breasts responsible for milk production.

Oogenesis

The process of female gamete (ova) development.

Menopause

The time in a woman’s life, typically in their late 40s to early 50s, when menstrual cycles cease.

Fertilization

The union of a sperm cell with an oocyte to form a zygote.

What is the uterine cycle?

The uterine cycle refers to the monthly series of changes in the endometrium (uterine lining) in response to hormonal fluctuations, typically lasting about 28 days.

What are the phases of the uterine cycle?

The uterine cycle consists of three main phases: the menstrual phase, the proliferative phase, and the secretory phase.

What occurs during the menstrual phase?

The menstrual phase involves the shedding of the uterine lining when fertilization does not occur, resulting in menstrual bleeding.

What occurs during the secretory phase?

The secretory phase follows ovulation, where the endometrium becomes thicker and more vascular in preparation for potential implantation of a fertilized egg.

How does estrogen affect the uterine cycle?

Estrogen promotes the thickening of the endometrium during the proliferative phase, preparing it for possible pregnancy.

What hormone triggers ovulation?

Luteinizing hormone (LH) is responsible for triggering ovulation, which occurs at the end of the proliferative phase.