What does the female reproductive system consist of? (6 total)

1. ovaries

2. fallopian tubes

3. uterus

4. vagina

5. vulva

6. mammary glands

- the female gonads

- paired glands that are shaped like almonds

- held in place by various ligaments

ovaries

1. The ovaries produce _____.

2. Each ovum is actually produced as part of a larger structure called an ____________.

1. ova (eggs)

2. ovarian follicle

An ovarian follicle is given different names as it develops in the ovary; these names sequentially include the _______ follicle, _______ follicle, _______ follicle, and _________ follicle.

- primordial

- primary

- secondary

- mature (Graafian)

- consists of an ovum that is surrounded by a layer of granulosa cells

primordial follicle

The ovum contains a nucleus, which is ______ (i.e. it has 23 total chromosomes: 22 autosomes and 1 X sex chromosome)

haploid

- develops from the primordial follicle

- consists of an ovum that is surrounded by several layers of granulosa cells and two layers of __________

primary follicle

- theca cells

- larger than the primordial follicle due to proliferation of the granulosa cells and the presence of the theca cells

- the primary follicle also contains a glycoprotein layer called the ________ that surrounds the ovum.

primary follicle

- zona pellucida

Secondary follicle develops from the primary follicle. What does it consist of? (4 total)

1. ovum

2. antrum

3. granulosa cells

4. theca cells

a fluid-filled cavity that forms within the secondary follicle

antrum

- there are several layers of granulosa cells found within the secondary follicle.

- the closest layer of granulosa cells that surrounds the ovum is now called the __________.

- additional layers of granulosa cells line the antrum of the secondary follicle.

granulosa cells

- corona radiata

forms the outer wall of the secondary follicle

theca cells

- develops from the secondary follicle

- this* is structurally similar to the secondary follicle; the only major difference is that this* is larger due to cell growth.

mature (Graafian) follicle

- the production of ova in the ovaries

- this* starts before birth, comes to a halt during childhood, resumes at puberty, and continues until menopause.

- before birth, the ovaries produce all of the ovarian follicles that a woman will ever have during her life

oogenesis

About ______ ovarian follicles are formed in each ovary of a female fetus.

2 million

1. However, all of these ovarian follicles are _______ follicles, which are immature.

2. The *** follicles remain _______ for the duration of fetal development and throughout childhood.

3. These* continue to develop once a female reaches ______ and thereafter until _______.

1. primordial

2. undeveloped

3. puberty; menopause

Menstrual cycle.

1. Once a month starting at puberty, one of the _______ follicles develop into a primary follicle.

2. This* then develops into a ______ follicle.

3. Then this* follicle subsequently develops into a _______ follicle.

4. #3 follicle then splits open and releases its ovum (with surrounding zona pellucida and corona radiata) from the ovary; this process is called ______. The ovum is then swept into the _________.

1. primordial

2. secondary

3. mature (Graafian)

4. ovulation; fallopian tube

Menstrual cycle.

5. The remainder of the mature (Graafian) follicle (i.e. the granulosa cells and theca cells that lined the antrum) stays in the ovary and is now called the ________________.

6. This* expands and then turns into the __________, which is yellow in color.

7. Then this* subsequently degenerates, forming a whitish mass of scar tissue called __________.

8. #7 eventually disappears due to ____ in the ovary that absorb it.

5. corpus hemorrhagicum

6. corpus luteum

7. corpus albicans

8. cells

1. Even though 2 million ovarian follicles are produced in each ovary, only about ___ total ova are actually ovulated throughout a woman’s entire reproductive life (1 ovum released every month from age 13 to about age 50).

2. The rest of the ovarian follicles gradually undergo ______ (degradation).

3. By the time a woman reaches age 45 to 55, there are no more ovarian follicles left and she enters ________.

1. 450

2. atresia

3. menopause

What are the 2 hormones that the ovaries produce?

1. estrogen

2. progesterone

1. The ovarian follicle secretes _______ as it develops in the ovary.

2. This process involves both the __________ and the ____________ of the secondary follicle and the mature (Graafian) follicle.

1. estrogen

2. theca cells; granulosa cells

1. As a secondary follicle is developing into a mature (Graafian) follicle, the theca cells produce a steroid called ____________.

2. The granulosa cells then take up the ***, convert it to _______, and then secrete this* into the blood.

3. After ovulation has occurred, the __________ also secretes #2 and progesterone into the blood.

1. androstenedione

2. estrogen

3. corpus luteum

- also called uterine tubes or oviducts

- a woman has 2 of these; each extends laterally from the uterus and comes close to (but does not actually touch) an ovary.

fallopian tubes

A fallopian tube consists of what 3 major external regions?

1. infundibulum

2. ampulla

3. isthmus

- the part of the fallopian tube that is closest to the ovary

- contains fingerlike projections called _______ that sweep the ovulated ovum into the fallopian tube

infundibulum

- fimbriae

- the part of the fallopian tube that is between the infundibulum and the isthmus

- fertilization normally occurs here

ampulla

the narrow part of the fallopian tube that connects with the uterus

isthmus

The fallopian tubes consist of 3 layers, what are they?

1. mucosa

2. muscularis

3. serosa

- inner layer of fallopian tubes

- consists of a layer of epithelial cells that line a lumen and an underlying layer of connective tissue

mucosa

- middle layer of fallopian tubes

- consists of smooth muscle

muscularis

- outer layer of fallopian tubes

- consists of epithelial cells and connective tissue

serosa

Fertilization normally occurs in the ___________.

fallopian tubes

1. Recall that sperm are released into the ________ during sexual intercourse.

2. From the ***, sperm move into the ______, and then into the _______ of the fallopian tube.

3. From the ***, sperm move into the ______ of the fallopian tube. While in the ***, the sperm encounter the __________. Consequently, the ovum is fertilized by one of the sperm cells.

1. vagina

2. uterus; isthmus

3. ampulla; ovulated egg

1. The fallopian tubes transport the _____ into the uterus.

2. Contraction of the ________ of the fallopian tube moves the *** (whether fertilized or not) down the fallopian tube and into the uterus.

1. ovum

2. muscularis 

- also called the womb

- a pear-shaped organ located between the fallopian tube and the vagina

uterus

What are the 3 external regions of the uterus?

1. fundus

2. body

3. cervix

the superior part of the uterus

fundus

the middle and largest part of the uterus

body

the inferior part of the uterus

cervix

- Note that the cervix is continuous with the vagina

The uterus consist of what 3 internal layers?

1. endometrium

2. myometrium

3. perimetrium

1. inner layer of the uterus

2. further divided into what 2 sublayers?

1. endometrium

2. stratum functionalis; stratum basalis

1. the layer of the endometrium that lines the uterine cavity

2. In an unpregnant woman, the *** sheds (i.e. detaches from the rest of the uterus) every month as a part of a process called _________.

3. In a pregnant woman, the *** remains attached to the rest of the uterus and serves as the location where the ____________ implants and develops into a fetus.

1. stratum functionalis

2. menstruation

3. fertilized ovum

- the layer of the endometrium that is below the stratum functionalis

- a permanent layer whose cells can proliferate (divide) to form a new stratum functionalis every month after menstruation occurs

stratum basalis

What do the stratum functionalis and stratum basalis consist of? (3 total)

1. epithelial cells

2. heavily vascularized connective tissue

3. endometrial glands

1. middle layer of the uterus, consists of smooth muscle

2. During childbirth, the posterior pituitary gland secretes ______, which causes the myometrium of the uterus to contract. Consequently, the fetus moves from the uterus into the vagina and then out of the body.

1. myometrium

2. oxytocin

- outer layer of the uterus

- consists of epithelial cells and connective tissue

perimetrium

1. In an _________ woman, menstruation occurs in the uterus.

2. In a pregnant woman, the uterus is the location where the fertilized ovum implants and develops into a _____.

3. During childbirth, the _____ contracts in order to push the fetus out of the woman’s body.

1. unpregnant

2. fetus

3. uterus

a tube-shaped organ that extends inferiorly from the uterus

vagina

1. Externally, the vagina opens up to the exterior of a woman’s body at a region called the ____________.

2. In a virgin woman, the vaginal orifice is partially covered by vascularized connective tissue called _____.

1. vaginal orifice

2. hymen (After a woman’s first sexual intercourse, this* is usually torn and is no longer present from that point on.) 

What are the 3 internal layers of the vagina?

1. mucosa

2. muscalaris

3. adventitia

- inner layer of vagina

- consists of a layer of epithelial cells that line a lumen and an underlying layer of connective tissue

mucosa

1. The epithelial cells of the mucosa are involved in the formation of __________, which is released into the vaginal lumen.

2. This* is _____ and, consequently, reduces the growth of microbes in the vagina.

1. vaginal fluid

2. acidic

- middle layer of vagina

- consists of smooth muscle

- the relaxation of this smooth muscle allows the vagina to stretch tremendously during sexual intercourse and during childbirth

muscularis

- outer layer of vagina

- consists of connective tissue

adventitia

1. The vagina is the female organ of ____________.

2. The vagina is a passageway for the release of ____________ from the uterus to the outside environment during menstruation.

3. The vagina serves as the ________, allowing the fetus to move from the uterus to the outside environment during childbirth.

1. sexual intercourse

2. menstrual fluid

3. birth canal

a collective name that refers to the external genitalia of a woman

vulva

What does the vulva consist of? (4 total)

1. mons pubis

2. labia majora

3. labia minora

4. clitoris

a region of adipose tissue covered by skin and pubic hair that is located anterior to the pubic bone

mons pubis

- large folds of skin that are inferior to the mons pubis

- usually covered by pubic hair

labia majora

- small folds of skin that are between the labia majora

- lack pubic hair

labia minora

The labia minora surrounds the ________, which is a space that contains the _____________ and the ___________.

- vestibule

- external urethral orifice

- vaginal orifice

- formed at the superior junction of the labia minora

- consists of erectile tissue that fills with blood and becomes erect when a woman is sexually aroused

clitoris

- Hence, the clitoris is similar to, but much smaller than, the penis of a male.

Note that deep to the vulva is the __________________.

bulbospongiosus muscle

1. During sexual intercourse, the rhythmic contraction of the bulbospongiosus muscle causes a woman to have an _______.

2. Recall that in a male, the bulbospongiosus muscle surrounds the _____________.

3. Nevertheless, the contraction of this muscle in a male also causes an _______.

1. orgasm

2. root of the penis

3. orgasm

1. Each breast consists of a ____________ and surrounding ____________.

2. The *** are modified ___________ that produce milk (a process called _______) in a woman that has just given birth.

1. mammary gland; adipose tissue

2. sweat glands; lactation

What are the major female reproductive hormones? (5 total)

1. Gonadaltropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH)

2. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

3. Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

4. Estrogen

5. Progesterone

secreted by the hypothalamus in a pulsatile fashion

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH)

causes the anterior pituitary gland to secrete FSH and LH

Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH)

- secreted by the anterior pituitary gland

- stimulates the growth and development of the ovarian follicle

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

1. stimulates the ovarian follicle to produce estrogen

2.  achieves this goal by causing the granulosa cells of the secondary follicle and mature (Graafian) follicle to take up ____________ from the theca cells, convert it to estrogen, and then to secrete the estrogen into the blood

1. Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

2. androstenedione

LH is secreted by the _________________.

anterior pituitary gland

Functions of LH.

1. stimulates the growth and development of the __________

2. stimulates this* to produce ________

3. achieves this goal by causing the _______ of the secondary follicle and the mature (Graafian) follicle to secrete __________.

4. As mentioned earlier, FSH then causes the __________ to take up the ***, convert it to estrogen, and then to secrete the estrogen into the blood.

1. ovarian follicle

2. estrogen

3. theca cells; androstenedione

4. granulosa cells

Functions of LH.

5. causes _______ to occur

6. causes the __________ to form (Hence the name “luteinizing hormone”)

7. stimulates the *** to secrete _______ and __________ into the blood

5. ovulation

6. corpus luteum

7. estrogen; progesterone

Depending on the stage of the female reproductive cycle, ________  is secreted by the secondary follicle, mature (Graafian) follicle, or corpus luteum of the ovary.

estrogen

1. Estrogen causes the development of female ______ sex characteristics (i.e. growth of female reproductive organs).

2. Estrogen causes the development of female ______ sex characteristics (high pitched voice, fat distribution in the breasts and hips, and reduced body hair).

3. Estrogen causes the __________ of the uterus to proliferate in order to form a new ____________ every month after menstruation occurs.

1. primary 

2. secondary

3. stratum basale; stratum functionalis

Estrogen secretion is ultimately regulated by the hypothalamus via a _______________.

negative feedback system

Estrogen Regulation.

1. The _________ secretes GnRH in a pulsatile fashion.

2. The release of GnRH causes the ____________ to secrete FSH and LH.

3. The FSH and the LH stimulate the development of an ________.

4. While the *** develops, ______ is released and the blood concentration of estrogen increases.

1. hypothalamus

2. anterior pituitary

3. ovarian follicle

4. estrogen

Estrogen Regulation.

5. A high blood estrogen concentration, however, inhibits the secretion of ____ from the hypothalamus and the secretion of FSH and LH from the anterior pituitary.

6. Without FSH and LH, the __________ does not develop; therefore, no more estrogen is secreted and the blood concentration of estrogen decreases.

5. GnRH

6. ovarian follicle

secreted by the corpus luteum of the ovary

progesterone

causes the endometrium of the uterus to become secretory in order to prepare for the possible implantation of a fertilized ovum

progesterone

1. Progesterone stimulates the ____________ to secrete various nutrients (sugars, proteins, and lipids) into the surrounding endometrial tissue and the uterine cavity.

2. Once the fertilized ovum implants, it can feed on these nutrients until the ______ develops.

1. endometrial glands

2. placenta

Progesterone secretion is also regulated by a _________________.

negative feedback system

1. As in the case with estrogen, a high blood concentration of progesterone inhibits the secretion of ____, ___, and ___.

2. Without ___ and ___, an ovarian follicle does not develop and the corpus luteum never forms.

3. Without the ____________, no more progesterone is secreted, and the blood concentration of progesterone decreases.

1. GnRH, FSH, and LH

2. FH and LH

3. corpus luteum

1. The ____________________ is a sequence of events that involve fluctuations of reproductive hormones as well as physical changes in the ovaries and uterus that occur on a monthly basis.

2. A typical female reproductive cycle has a duration of about ___ days.

1. female reproductive cycle (menstrual cycle)

2. 28

What are the 4 phases of the female reproductive cycle?

1. menstrual phase (days 1-5)

2. preovulatory phase (days 6-13)

3.  ovulation (day 14)

4. postovulatory phase (days 15-28)

Menstrual phase (days 1 - 5).

1. The ____________ of the endometrium sheds (i.e. detaches from the rest of the uterus) due to a low blood concentration of estrogen and progesterone.

2. The detached *** and the blood that comes along with it is called _____ or menstrual fluid.

3. On average, a woman releases about ___ mL of *** during this phase each month.

1. stratum functionalis

2. menses

3. 50 mL

Preovulatory phase (days 6-13).

1. The __________ increases its secretion of GnRH, which stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to increase its release of FSH and LH.

2. FSH and LH stimulate the development of a new __________.

3. During this process, the *** secretes ______ into the blood.

4. Once in circulation, *** is transported to its _________ to promote female primary and secondary sexual characteristics.

5. In addition, estrogen causes the __________ to proliferate in order to form a new stratum functionalis.

1. hypothalamus

2. ovarian follicle

3. estrogen

4. target cells

5. stratum basalis

Ovulation (day 14).

1. The ____________ suddenly releases a huge amount of LH into the blood.

2. This LH surge causes the mature (Graafian) follicle to undergo ________.

3. The released ovum is then swept into the fallopian tube by the ________.

1. anterior pituitary

2. ovulation

3. fimbriae

Postovulatory phase (days 15-28).

1. At the beginning of this phase, LH causes the ____________  to develop into the corpus luteum.

2. In addition, LH stimulates the ___________ to secrete estrogen and progesterone into the blood.

3. The progesterone causes the _________ to become secretory in order to prepare for the possible implantation of a fertilized ovum.

4. If the ovum has not been fertilized, then the corpus luteum degenerates into the __________, and there is no more production of estrogen and progesterone.

1. corpus hemorrhagicum

2. corpus luteum

3. endometrium

4. corpus albicans

Postovulatory phase (days 15-28).

5. Consequently, the blood concentrations of estrogen and progesterone become very low and the ____________ sheds (i.e. the menstrual phase of a new female reproductive cycle occurs).

6. _________, however, should not occur if a woman is pregnant.

7. If the ovum has been fertilized and subsequently implants into the stratum functionalis, then chorion surrounding the developing embryo secretes a hormone called __________________ into the blood.

5. stratum functionalis

6. Menstruation

7. human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)

Postovulatory phase (days 15-28).

8. HCG keeps the corpus luteum functional for about ________.

9. Consequently, estrogen and progesterone continue to be produced, which keeps the stratum functionalis attached to the __________ to maintain pregnancy.

10. The placenta forms by the third month of pregnancy; at that point, the placenta starts to secrete __________ and _______ and continues to do so for the remainder of the pregnancy.

11. Since the __________ is no longer needed, it degrades at this time.

8. 3 months

9. stratum basalis

10. progesterone; estrogen

11. corpus luteum

- affects 1 in 8 women

- cancer that forms in the cells of the breasts

breast cancer

- cancer that begins in the female organs that produce eggs

- 6th most common form of cancer in women

ovarian cancer

- carcinoma of the cervix of the uterus that affects 12,000 women/year

- malignant tumor of the cervix, the lowermost part of the uterus

cervical cancer

- yeast-like fungus that commonly grows on mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tracts

- most common form is vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina)

vulvovaginal candidiasis

disease that is spread by sexual contact

sexually transmitted diseases

removal, inactivation, or destruction of the gonads; commonly used in reference to removal of the testes only

castration

procedure in which a culdoscope (endoscope) is inserted through the posterior wall of the vagina to view the rectouterine pouch in the pelvic cavity

culdoscopy

pain associated with menstruation; the term is usually reserved to describe menstrual symptoms that are severe enough to prevent a woman from functioning normally for one or more days each month

dysmenorrhea

procedure in which the cervix is dilated and the endometrium of the uterus is scraped with a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette, commonly called a D and C

endocervical curettage

the presence of both ovarian and testicular tissue in one individual

hermaphroditism

a common congenital abnormality in which the urethral opening is displaced

hypospadias

a whitish (non-bloody) vaginal discharge containing mucus and pus cells that may occur at any age and affects most women at some time

leukorrhea

removal of the ovaries

oophorectomy

collective term for any extensive bacterial infection of the pelvic organs, especially the uterus, uterine tubes, or ovaries

pelvic inflammatory disease

removal of the uterine (fallopian) tube

salpingectomy

the secretion, consisting principally of desquamated epithelial cells, found chiefly around the external genitals and especially under the foreskin of the male

smegma