Female Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology: Ovaries and Ovarian Cycle

These flashcards cover the anatomical structures of the ovaries, the stages of follicular development, and the hormonal regulation of the ovarian cycle as discussed in Chapter 28.

Ovarian ligament

A medial ligament that attaches the ovary to the uterus.

Suspensory ligament

A lateral ligament that attaches the ovary to the body wall of the pelvic cavity and contains the ovarian artery and vein.

Mesovarium

A part of the broad ligament that suspends and anchors the ovary from its superior aspect.

Broad ligament

A peritoneal membrane draped over the uterus that includes the mesometrium, mesovarium, and mesosalpinx.

Germinal epithelium

The shiny, cuboidal epithelium that covers the surface of each ovary.

Tunica albuginea

A protective, opaque layer deep to the germinal epithelium that is packed with collagen fibers.

Follicular phase

Days $1$ through $13$ of the ovarian cycle, characterized by the growth and maturation of the ovarian follicle and the oocyte.

Ovulation

Occurs on day $14$ of the cycle when a spike in $LH$ triggers the rupture of the mature follicle and the release of a secondary oocyte.

Luteal phase

Days $15$ through $28$ of the ovarian cycle, during which the corpus luteum produces estrogen and progesterone.

Primordial follicle

An immature follicle consisting of a primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of squamous follicular cells.

Granulosa cells

Cuboidal-shaped cells in a follicle that divide into multiple layers and secrete hormones such as inhibin and estrogen.

Inhibin

A hormone produced by granulosa cells that regulates and prevents excessive follicular development.

Zona pellucida

A transparent layer of glycoproteins directly surrounding the oocyte that provides nourishment and helps prevent polyspermy.

Theca cells

Cells located outside the granulosa cells in a secondary follicle that secrete androgens which are converted into estrogen.

Tertiary follicle

Also known as an antral or vesicular follicle, it is characterized by the formation of a fluid-filled cavity called an antrum.

Antrum

A cavity filled with serous follicular fluid that forms within the layers of granulosa cells in a tertiary follicle.

Cumulus oophorus

A cluster of granulosa cells that anchors the primary oocyte to the inner follicular wall.

Corona radiata

The innermost layer of the cumulus oophorus that interdigitates with the zona pellucida via microvilli.

Graafian follicle

The mature follicle that bulges against the ovary wall just before ovulation on day $14$.

Corpus luteum

The "yellow body" formed from the remains of a ruptured follicle that secretes estrogen and progesterone to maintain the endometrium.

Progesterone

A hormone produced by the corpus luteum that keeps the uterus in a quiescent state by preventing the myometrium from contracting.

Corpus albicans

A white scar tissue structure formed when the corpus luteum degenerates if fertilization does not occur.

hCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin)

A hormone produced by an embryo that signals the corpus luteum to continue producing progesterone to maintain the pregnancy.