Female reproductive system
63) Proliferative phase of the uterine cycle
circulating estrogens (from secondary/tertiary follicle), cause the basilar layer to divide and new cells spread across the surface to completely restore the functional layer. growth is accompanied by invasion of spiral arteries from the basilar layer.
corpus luteum
formed by the remaining cells of the follicle after ovulation. It creates and releases progesterone
59) Perimetrium uterine wall
incomplete serous layer found at fundus and anterior/posterior surfaces of uterus
58) Functional layer of endometrium
inner layer (faces the uterine cavity) contains ducts from the uterine glands. changes its structure dramatically over the course of a uterine cycle.
56) Endometrium of uterine wall
inner, glandular wall 10% of the mass of uterus) produce glandular secretions during pregnancy to support fetus. 2 parts: Basilar and Functional layer
47) Ampulla of fallopian tubes
intermediate portion of Fallopian tubes made of thick smooth muscle that is responsible for peristalsis of ovum
88) Implantation
is when zygote buries itself in the endometrial wall induces the formation of the placenta, which produces HCG, causing the corpus luteum to continue functioning for several months. induces enlargement of the mammary glands causes the production and storage of milk in the lactiferous sinuses at the end of the sixth month of pregnancy.
81) Vestibular glands
keep vestibule moist, lubricated during intercourse
51) Body of uterus
largest portion of uterus
65) Menopause
last uterine cycle age 45-55
73) 2 skeletal muscle bands
lie on either side of the vaginal entrance can restrict entry to vaginal canal
85) Lactiferous sinus
lobes come together to form the lactiferous sinus just before emptying to the surface of the nipple. Approx. 15-20 lactiferous sinuses open onto the surface of each nipple.
80) External urethral opening
located between clitoris and vaginal entrance
71) Urethra
located on superior wall to opening in vestibule
76) Labia minora
outer boundary of vaginal vestibule
57) Basilar layer of endometrium
outer layer, connected to the myometrium contains many uterine glands
77) Mons pubis and labia majora
outer limits of vulva, defined by subcutaneous fat deposits
44) Fallopian/Uterine tubes
pair of hollow, muscular tubes connecting each ovary with the uterus. ovum is moved along the Fallopian tubes by both ciliary movement and peristalsis. mucosa secretes nutrient-rich material to support both sperm and the developing pre-embryo. fertilization occurs when the ovum encounters spermatozoa during the first 12-24 hours following ovulation
progesterone
prepares the uterus for pregnancy
49) Uterus
provide mechanical protection, nutritional support and waste removal for the developing embryo/fetus. muscular walls are essential for ejecting the fetus during birth.
82) Mammary glands
provides nutrients to newborns through process called lactation. Paired mammary glands lie within pectoral fat pads and are held by many suspensory ligaments
corona radiata
radiating crown found in Tertiary Follicle. It encircles the zona pelucida, which encircles the secondary oocyte. Immediately outside this crown, encircling it, is the antrum, followed by the granulosa cells, then the thecal cells.
86) Areola
ring of darker skin that surrounds the nipple contains numerous sebaceous glands
52) Fundus of uterus
rounded portion superior to the attachment of fallopian tubes
estrogens (Intro book p. 571)
secreted by the dominant follicle before ovulation secreted by the corpus luteum (along with progesterone) after ovulation
48) Isthmus of fallopian tubes
short segment leading to uterus.
70) Vestibule
surrounded by external genitalia, passage from vestibule to canal partially blocked by hymen.
83) Suspensory ligament
that form partitions that hold the lobes of the mammary glands.
4) oocytes
the female gametes
menarche
the first ovarian/uterine cycle of puberty age 11-12
84) Lactiferous duct
the glands within the lobes release milk into ducts that combine into a single lactiferous duct from each lobe.
follicular phase
the menstrual phase combined with the preovulatory phase, when ovarian follicles are growing and developing
ovarian cycle
the monthly cycle of oocyte/folicular maturation and ovulation
luteal phase
the postovulatory phase, between ovulation and the next menses. It lasts from day 15-28 in a 28 day cycle
12) Oogenesis
the process of making an ovum
What do thecal and granulosa cells do?
they secrete estrogen, especially estradiol
9) function of ovarian ligament
to connect the ovary to the uterus
8) 2 functions of suspensory ligament
to give lateral stability to house the ovarian artery, vein, and nerves
5) 2 functions of ovaries
to produce and store ova to secrete hormones
7) 3 functions of broad ligament
to stabilize the ovary, the uterus and the oviducts
60) Blood supply of uterine wall
uterine artery has branches that encircle the border between the myometrium and endometrium called arcuate arteries. Radial arteries branch off arcuate arteries to supply the straight arteries of the basilar layer and the distinct spiral arteries of the functional layer.
69) Vaginal canal
walls have layers of smooth muscle, moistened partially by cervical secretions
68) Fornix
where cervix protrudes into vagina
oocyte - definition (1) and process (2)
1) An immature egg cell of the ovary. 2) One oocyte develops and matures during the ovarian cycle. {It first becomes an ootid, and then an ovum. Several other oocytes begin to develop but then disintegrate.- from Dictionary.com}
50) 3 parts of the uterus
1) Body 2) Fundus 3) Cervix
Formation of tertiary ovarian folllicle - 8 points
1) Day 8-10: only 1 secondary follicle remains 2) Over the next 2-4 days, it develops into a tertiary follicle 3) All of the follicle's fluid pockets merge to form 1 large, fluid-filled antrum 4) the oocyte remains attached to the inside crescent of the antrum by a ring of granulosa cells called the corona radiata. 5) during this follicle's formation, the primary oocyte completes the first phase of meiosis. 6) In meiosis, it produces a non-functional polar body, 7) This polar body contains little cytoplasm and organelles; these stayed with the oocyte. 8) After meiosis, it is still diploid (full chromosome pairs), but it has now matured to a secondary oocyte
atresia
A process whereby about 80% of primary oocytes degenerate between the mother's birth and her first menses, or menarche
11) gamete
A reproductive cell or sex cell that contains the haploid set of chromosomes. are developed in ovarian follicles Example: sperm cell and egg cell or ovum, that is, male/female reproductive cells
What triggers the ovarian and uterine cycles and when? How long do these cycles last?
FSH triggers the cycles at puberty, which results in menarche. Both cycles then recur monthly until menopause
46) Infundibulum of fallopian tubes
Fingerlike fimbrae over the surface of the ovary that receives the ovum.
type TERMs OR PHRASEs ONLY
RECORD Quizlet saying term and me reading definition from handout After listening repetively to recording, only type defs that I can't memorize from recording!
zona pelucida
a glycoprotein membrane surrounding the plasma membrane of an oocyte. a thick clear girdle surrounded by the cells of the corona radiata (from Wikipedia)
55) Myometrium of uterine wall
- outer, muscular wall, most (90%) of the mass of uterus. Smooth muscle is arranged in longitudinal, circular and oblique layers
zona pelucida shown in primary follicle
...
67) 6 components of the vagina
1) Fornix 2) Vaginal canal 3) Vestibule 4) Urethra 5) Hymen 6) 2 skeletal muscle bands
What 2 events define puberty?
1) Increasing levels of FSH trigger the start of ovarian/uterine cycles 2) The 2 cycles begin now and recur monthly until she reaches menopause
45) 3 parts of the fallopian tubes
1) Infundibulum 2) Ampulla 3) Isthmus
61) 3 phases of Uterine cylcle
1) Menses 2) Proliferative phase 3) Secretory phase
54) 4 components of uterine wall
1) Myometrium 2) Endometrium 3) Perimetrium 4) Blood supply
74) 7 components of external genitalia
1) Vulva 2) Labia minora 3) Mons pubis and labia majora 4) Clitoris 5) Prepuce of clitoris 6) External urethral opening 7) Vestibular glands
whole ovarian cycle summarized in lecture
1) all primary oocytes are frozen 2) during each cycle, a few begin developing under the influence of FSH and LH. ???true? 3) They (FSH and LH or the cells?) enlarge the follicle, start producing estrogen, so the follicle gets larger (how exactly?) 4) They start to form a space around the ovum, filling the follicle with fluid 5) the ovum divides and enlarges; it expels a polar body so its got more material to create a developing embryo. 6) You develop a tertiary follicle with lots of fluid in it and a little layer of cells on the ovum itself (called ______?____) 7) Then, finally, about 1/2way thru the cycle, a spike in LH causes follicle to burst and you have ovulation, releasing the egg onto the surface of the ovary. 8) that egg will be swept into the oviduct by the fimbriae 9) fertilization will occur or not occur 10) Left behind in the ovary is the remainder of follicle with no ovum: the corpus luteum (yellow body). This corpus luteum enlarges even further and starts producing progesterone and estrogen, getting ready for implantation in order to support a developing embryo 11) If fertilization doesn't happen, it will die of atresia or just degenerate. It becomes a corpus albicans (a white body of scar tissue that will disappear in ~6 ovarian cycles.
primary oocytes - 3 characteristics
1) diploid female gametes which are formed before the mother's birth 2) They are held in suspended animation inside primordial ovarian follicular cells 3) 2 million primary oocytes at birth, but only 400,000 left by puberty
formation of corpus albicans
1) if fertilization doesn't occur, progesterone and estrogen levels drop because 2) the corpus luteum, which produces progesterone and estrogens, starts to degenerate ~12 days after ovulation 3) the remaining follicular tissue becomes a knot of scar tissue ("white body") 4) Its formation signals the start of the next ovarian cycle
What 2 points should I know about primordial ovarian follicles?
1) it holds PRIMARY oocytes 2) The primary oocytes that it holds are formed before the mother's birth. The follicle holds these oocytes in suspended animation till puberty or later.
3) 3 structural characteristics of ovaries
1) small paired organs 2) located at the upper angles of each broad ligament triangle 3) stabilized by 3 connective tissue ligaments
10) 4 layers of ovary (superficial to deep)
1) the superficial germinal epithelium, also called the visceral peritoneum 2) the tunica albuginea, made of dense, irregular connective tissue 3) the cortex, where gametes are produced 4) the medulla, in the middle: it is a passageway for blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerves
5 functions of estrogen
1) to maintain the functioning of reproductive glands and organs 2) to repair and develop the uterine lining to support a fetus 3) to maintain female secondary sex characteristics such as more fat storage than males, higher voices, finer features, body hair sites and amounts 4) to stimulate bone and muscle growth 5) to stimulate sex drive, sex behaviors to fuel procreation
66) Vagina
An elastic, highly distensible muscular tube extending from cervix to the vestibule bounded by the external genitalia
formation of the primary ovarian follicle: 7 steps -
Day 1 thru ~ Day 4 1) an increase in FSH from the pituitary signals several primordial follicles to develop into primary follicles 2) during this process, follicle cells surrounding the primary oocyte divide repeatedly 3) this dividing process increases the thickness of the follicle 4) this dividing process creates a narrow space between the oocyte and follicle cells called the zona pellucida 5) follicle cells are now called granulosa cells 6) An additional layer of thecal cells forms outside the follicle 7) the primary oocyte is still diploid at this stage
menstrual phase - Intro book p. 572
Days 1-5 OVARIAN EVENTS: 1) primordial follicle matures into Primary follicle 2) Primary follicle begins transition into Secondary follicle UTERINE EVENTS: 1) declining levels of progesterone and estrogen 2) The lack of these hormones makes uterine arteries constrict, 3) When the arteries constrict, they cut off the O2 supply to functional layer cells, which are now oxygen-deprived and cannot survive. 4) Functional layer cells start dying off and progressively, they all die 6) Eventually, the whole functional layer of the endometrium sloughs off 6) menstrual flow of 50-150 ml of [endometrium functional layer?] tissue cells and [spiral artery or spiral and radiate artery] blood 7) menstrual flow passes from uterine cavity to cervix, through vagina
significance of polar body
To enlarge the ovum, to give the ovum the raw materials it needs to make an embryo. It needs all those organelles as it isn't getting any from the father
polar body (per lecture)
When the ovum is enlarging, it has tetrads which are getting ready to divide (in meiosis). However, when it does divide, it doesn't divide evenly. Normally, when body cells divide, each of the 2 cells gets its own full set of organelles&cell components, so both cells are equally sized. But in this case, the ovum retains almost all of the cell components (meiosis), and the much polar body contains little beyond the other set of chromosomes which aren't needed anymore. After division (meiosis) the polar body just gets expelled, destroyed (eaten by macrophages).
2) Anatomy (Gross) of Female Reproductive Tract
acronym: O FEM, U.V.! 1) Ovaries 2) Fallopian tubes or oviducts 3) External vaginal folds 4) Mammary glands or breasts 5) Uterus 6) Vagina
1) 4-part Organization of Reproductive System
acronym: from the REAR 1. Reproductive Organs or gonads which make gametes and hormones 2. External Genitalia which are parts of the genitals visible from the outside 3. Accessory Glands and Organs which secrete fluids into reproductive ducts 4. Reproductive Tract, made of ducts and tubes that receive, move, and store gametes
64) Secretory phase of the uterine cycle
after ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum, the combination of estrogens/progesterone causes a massive enlargement of uterine glands and an increase in the thickness of the endometrium, due to increased glandular activity. continues for 12 days without fertilization, the functional layer begins to degenerate again.
53) Cervix of uterus
an inferior, tubular portion that extends from the uterine isthmus (at the internal os) through the narrow cervical canal and projects a short distance into the vagina to form the external os (mouth)
62) Menses of the uterine cycle
begins with the destruction of the enlarged functional layer of the endometrium. Without fertilization, progesterone/estrogen levels drop and cause spiral arteries in the functional layer to constrict, which starves the tissue. spiral arteries degenerate and rupture, and blood/degenerated tissue slough away from the basilar layer of the endometrium and exit the uterus via the cervix/vagina. process continues until the entire functional layer is lost. During this time a new secondary follicle forms
6) 3 ligaments that stabilize ovaries
broad, suspensory & ovarian ligaments
ovulation - Intro book p. 572
day 14 1) The high levels of estrogens secreted at end of preovulatory phase caused hypothamus to release more GnRH, which made adenohypophosis produce more LH. This surge of LH causes: 2) rupture of Graafian follicle 3) release of secondary oocyte into pelvic cavity
postovulatory phase - Intro book p. 572-3
days 15-28 OVARIAN EVENTS (in one ovary): 1) after ovulation, the remaining follicle cells, stimulated by LH, enlarge to form the corpus luteum 2) corpus luteum secretes progesterone, estrogen [plus relaxin and inhibin]. IF OOCYTE IS UNFERTILIZED: 3) , hormonal secretions decline, so the corpus luteum dies after 2 weeks; it turns into corpus albicans 4) Decreasing levels of progesterones, estrogen, and inhibins stimulate release of GnRH, FSH, and LH, which stimulates follicular growth, beginning a new ovarian cycle IF OOCYTE IS FERTILIZED BY SPERM: 3) the corpus luteum lives on, rescued from degeneration by hCG procuced by the embryo implanted in uterus 8 days after fertilization. 4) Like LH, hCG stimulates secretory activity of corpus luteum. hCG in blood or urine always proves pregnancy and is basis for tests. UTERINE EVENTS: 1) progesterone and estrogens produced by living corpus luteum prepare the uterus for pregnancy by promoting growth of endometrial glands, thickening and vascularizing the endometrium
preovulatory phase - Intro book p. 572
days 6-13 OVARIAN EVENTS: 1) Due to increased FSH, continual follicle development. 2) By day 6, one follicle has outgrown all others dominant - it is the dominant follicle. It secretes estrogens and inhibin which decreases FSH level, causing all other follicles to die. 3) This follicle becomes the mature Graafian follicle. It continues to enlarge and to increase its production of estrogens under the influence of an increasing level of LH. UTERINE EVENTS: 1) estrogens secreted into the blood by growing ovarian follicles stimulate the repair of the [functional layer of?] the endometrium 2) as the endometrium thickens, the short, straight glands [called ?] develop, and the arterioles coil and lengthen.
72) Hymen
elastic epithelial fold that restricts partial or complete entry to vaginal canal may be torn during penetration or birth Unknown function
75) Vulva
encloses the external genitalia
78) Clitoris
erectile organ that is analagous to corpus cavernosum in males
79) Prepuce of clitoris
extensions of labia minora that encircles the clitoris subject to female circumcision in some cultures
87) Fertilization/ Pregnancy
fertilization causes the zygote to divide repeatedly as it moves to the uterine cavity
Formation of a secondary ovarian follicle in 5 steps
~ Day 5 thru ~ Day 7 1) many primordial follicles form primary follicles, but only a few form secondary follicles 2) the walls of the follicle thicken and produce follicular fluid which fills pockets in the zona pelucida 3) because of this fluid increase, the follicle grows much larger 4) the oocyte grows in diameter but remains diploid 5) only 1 follicle transitions into a secondary follicle, while all the others degenerate
ovulation
~ day 14 of a 28 day cycle 1) spikes in LH, FSH, and estrogens cause the ovum's expulsion from the follicle 2) the ovum, surrounded by a shell of granulosa cells (the corona radiata) moves across mucous-coated surface of ovary until it is swept into the Fallopian tube. 3) ovulation causes fimbriae to swell and cover a portion of the ovary. 4) cilia on the fimbriae help direct the ovum toward the Fallopian tube 5) ovum moves along the Fallopian tube towards the uterus 6) Upon fertilization, the oocyte goes thru a 2nd assymetric [meiotic?] division, resulting in a large haploid ovum and another polar body. 7) the DNA from the ovum and the sperm then combine to form a diploid zygote
