Biology: Female Reproductive System, Prenatal Period, and Pregnancy

Functions:
- Produce gametes (oocytes)
- Produce reproductive hormones
- Support, protect, and nourish a developing embryo/fetus
- Deliver fetus at the end of pregnancy
- Shed uterine lining if fertilization does not occur

Vulva: Collective term for external female reproductive structures.
- Mons pubis: Fat pad over the pubic bone.
- Labia majora: Outer folds.
- Labia minora: Inner folds.
Clitoris: Female erectile tissue containing nerves.
Vestibule: Space between the labia minora, containing vestibular glands that secrete mucin.

Primary Reproductive Organ: Produces oocytes.
Oogenesis: Gametogenesis in females, involves two main stages:
- Before birth: Oogonia undergo mitosis, leading to primary oocytes (2n).
- After puberty: Primary oocyte undergoes meiosis; arrested at metaphase II until fertilization.
After sperm penetration, meiosis completes, resulting in a mature ovum (n).
Folliculogenesis: Development of ovarian follicles, consists of:
- Primordial, primary, secondary, tertiary follicles, and corpus luteum.

Predictable changes occur in oocytes and ovarian follicles:
- Follicular phase: Growth of the follicle.
- Ovulation: Release of the secondary oocyte.
- Luteal phase: Activity of the corpus luteum, involved in hormone secretion.
Hormonal regulation demonstrated:
- Hypothalamus releases GnRH.
- Anterior pituitary releases FSH and LH, triggering follicle maturation and corpus luteum formation.

Functions: Nourishes and supports the growing embryo.
Cervix: Narrow inferior portion leading to the vagina.
Uterine cycle: Changes to the uterine lining, includes:
- Menstrual phase: Shedding of the uterine lining.
- Proliferative phase: Regrowth of endometrium.
- Secretory phase: Hormonal support of the endometrium due to corpus luteum secretions.

Condition where endometrial tissue grows in external areas.
Symptoms include pain and infertility, often treated by hormone therapy or surgery.

Occurs when sperm and ovum combine to form a zygote.
Key processes: Capacitation of sperm, penetration through corona radiata and zona pellucida, and fusion of genetic material.

Typically, only one oocyte is released. ~<1% of cycles release 2 eggs, leading to fraternal twins if both are fertilized.
Identical twins result from a zygote splitting during the blastocyst phase.

Lasts 2 weeks post-fertilization, involving rapid division and forming the blastocyst.
Process includes cleavage and implantation into the endometrium.
The blastocyst organizes into layers (bilaminar germinal disc).

Gastrulation: Formation of a three-layered disc (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm), establishing the germ layers that form various tissues and organs.

Structure formed from both embryonic and maternal tissues, facilitating nutrient and waste exchange.

Typically occurs within a week of due date, consists of:
- Dilation stage: Cervical dilation and effacement.
- Expulsion stage: Fetus enters the birth canal.
- Placental stage: Delivery of the placenta.

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