Female Reproductive System Flashcards

  1. What layer of thin dense connective tissue is found deep to the visceral peritoneum of the ovary?
/ Tunica albuginea.
  1. Deep to the tunica albuginea is the___ and what can be found here?
/ Internal to that is the ovarian cortex, which is where the developing eggs (oocytes) are found.
  1. What layer is deep to the ovarian cortex, and what structures does it contain?
/ Internal to that is the ovarian medulla, which is loose connective tissue with veins, arteries, nerves, and lymphatics.
  1. What is the medical term for an egg cell?
/ Oocyte
  1. The oocyte is surrounded by what type of cells?
  1. What is the whole structure called?
/ The oocyte is surrounded by a group of cells called follicular cells.
The whole structure is called the primary follicle.

  1. What hormone influences the development of female secondary sex characteristics?
/ Estrogen
  1. The average ovarian cycle is how many days?
  1. When does the ovarian cycle begin and what occurs?
/ The average ovarian cycle is 28 days.
Day 1
The ovarian cycle begins on the first day of menstruation. The primary follicle begins to develop.
  1. The primary follicle develops into a ______
/ Secondary follicle
  1. What hormone is secreted by the secondary follicle?
/ Estrogen
  1. What is it called when a follicle is fully mature, and on what day does this occur?
/ Day 14: a fully mature follicle is called a Graafian follicle.
  1. What is the ring that surrounds the oocyte?
/ The oocyte is surrounded by a ring called the corona radiata
  1. What is the function of the corona radiatia?
/ Provides nutrients for the ovum as it travels down the fallopian tube
  1. What is the name of the space in the graafian follicle that contains a clear fluid?
/ The antrum
  1. On the day of ovulation, the adenohypophysis secretes what hormone?
  1. What effect does that hormone have?
  1. What is this process called?
/ LH (luteinizing hormone).
LH causes fluid to rapidly flow into the antrum, which then expands and pops the blister on the ovary. The egg and corona radiata are released into the peritoneum.
This process is called ovulation; there might be some noticeable discomfort from this.
  1. What is the corpus luteum?
  1. After a pregnancy the corpus luteum will turn into dead tissue; a white scar called what? Does it secrete hormones?
/ The corpus luteum is the leftover follicle cells that remain in the ovary after the oocyte leaves.
After a pregnancy the corpus luteum disintegrates into a white scar called the corpus albicans. It does not secrete hormones.In autopsy, you can see how many of these scars are present to determine how many pregnancies she had.
  1. What hormone is secreted by the corpus luteum?
/ Progesterone
  1. Ovary diagram
/
  1. What is occurring days 14-21 during the ovarian cycle?
/ The egg takes a few days to make its ways down to the uterus. The follicular cells continue to grow and make estrogen, which continues to build the uterus lining so it’s ready for the egg by the time it gets there.
  1. What happens to the egg on day 23 if there is no fertilization?
/ If no fertilization, the egg starts to break down.
  1. What happens around day 27 during the ovarian cycle?
/ Estrogen levels have dropped significantly
  1. What happens on day 28 during the ovarian cycle?
/ Menstruation starts and the uterine lining breaks down this is the start of a new ovarian cycle. (day 1)
  1. Can women get pregnant while they are having a period?
/ A woman is only fertile when the egg is released, but there is an ovarian reflex which is ovulation in response to sex (not necessarily with orgasm). There is no safe time to have unprotected sex, even during menstruation (sperm can live up to ten days in the female.
  1. What is one of the most common causes of infertility in women?
/ One of the most common causes of infertility in women is STD (sexually transmitted disease).
  1. In breast cancer, the cancer cells usually originate from where?
/ Cancer cells usually originate from the milk ducts.
  1. What are the 3 parts of the fallopian tube?
/ Infundibulum (funnel), the ampulla (most of the tube), and the isthmus (the part of the tube closest to the uterus).
  1. What part of the fallopian tube is usually the area where fertilization occurs?
/ The ampulla is where fertilization usually occurs.
  1. What occurs when there is an ectopic pregnancy?
/ If the egg implants outside of the uterus or on the external surface of the wall of the uterus, it is called an ectopic pregnancy.
  1. Where is the most common area for an ectopic pregnancy to occur?
/ The most common location for an ectopic pregnancy is the fallopian tubes.
  1. What is a tubal pregnancy?
/ A tubal pregnancy is a type of ectopic pregnancy where the egg implants in the lining of the fallopian tube.
  1. What is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) caused by?
/ Any STD (sexually transmitted disease)
  1. What organs are not affected by PID?
/ It could then continue to all organs in the pelvis except those organs which are retroperitoneal (kidney, ureter, and urethra).
  1. What is the most common cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)?
/ Sexually transmitted disease (std), usually chlamydia or gonorrhea.
  1. What are four characteristics of pelvic inflammatory disease?
/ 1) it can lead to sterility.
2) it is usually caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea.
3) it includes salpingitis (inflamed fallopian tube).
4) it does not inhibit ovulation.
  1. What happens during a tubal ligation?
/ A permanent way to prevent pregnancy by surgically removing a piece of the fallopian tube so the sperm cannot reach the egg. Only 1 in a million does not work.
  1. What is the least effective method of birth control?
/ Withdrawing the penis before ejaculation. Statistics say that there is a 30% chance of pregnancy with this method.
  1. What are the 5 parts of the uterus?
/ Fundus, body, cervix, cervical canal, and vagina.
  1. Uterus diagram
/
  1. Most support of the uterus is provided by what two structures?
/ It is held in place by the round ligament and by mesentery; the broad ligament.
  1. What are the 2 layers of the endometrium?
  1. Which of these two layers can divide and replace itself?
  1. What layer goes through changes during menses?
/ Endometrium (two layers)
  1. Stratum functionale
  2. Stratum basale
The stratum basale is the inner layer, and can divide and grow to replace itself.
On top of it is the stratum functionale, which undergoes the changes during menses.
  1. What is endometriosis and how does it occur?
/ Pieces of the endometrium are supposed to fall down the vagina, but sometimes its cells go up the fallopian tube and enter the peritoneal cavity.
  1. What are fibroids and where are they found?
/ These are benign tumors like scar tissue in the myometrium.
  1. What is the female homologue (equivalent) of the male’s scrotum?
/ Labia majora
  1. What is the purpose of an episiotomy?
/ A purpose of an episiotomy during childbirth is to minimize tearing of the central tendon and muscles of the pelvic floor.
  1. What cells does breast cancer usually arise from?
/ Cells in the milk ducts.
  1. What causes the dimpling when the skin is dimpled from breast cancer?
/ The suspensory ligaments of the breast.

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