L25 - Female Reproductive system

• What is the primary sex organ in the female reproductive system?

  Ovaries
• What do the ovaries produce and secrete?

  Ova gametes and sex hormones
• What are the internal genitalia of the female reproductive system?

  • Ovaries
  • Duct system (uterine tubes, uterus, vagina)
• What are the external genitalia of the female reproductive system called?

  Vulva
• What is the function of fimbriae in the uterine tubes?

  They create a current to move oocytes
• What happens during ovulation?

  A maturing follicle ejects its oocyte
• What is the corpus luteum?

  A glandular structure from a ruptured follicle
• What are the three layers of the uterine wall?

  • Perimetrium: outermost layer
  • Myometrium: smooth muscle layer
  • Endometrium: mucosal lining
• What is the functional layer of the endometrium?

  It changes in response to ovarian hormones
• What is the pH of the vaginal environment?

  4.5
• What are the components of the vulva?

  • Mons pubis
  • Labia majora
  • Labia minora
  • Vestibule
  • Clitoris
• What do Skene's glands produce?

  Lubricating mucous
• What is the ovarian cycle?

  A set of events in the ovaries
• What are the phases of the ovarian cycle?

  1. Follicular phase
  2. Ovulation
  3. Luteal phase
• What triggers ovulation?

  A peak in luteinizing hormone (LH)
• What happens to the corpus luteum if there is no pregnancy?

  It degenerates into corpus albicans
• What is the role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)?

  • Stimulates production of gonadotropins
  • Increases release of FSH and LH
• How does estrogen affect the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary?

  It exerts negative feedback inhibiting GnRH and FSH
• What is the main effect of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)?

  Promotes growth of dominant follicle
• What occurs during the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle?

  • Formation of corpus luteum
  • Secretion of progesterone and estrogens
• What are the differences between the ovarian cycle and the uterine cycle?

  • Ovarian cycle: events in ovaries
  • Uterine cycle: changes in the uterus
• What do granulosa cells release during follicle maturation?

  Estrogens
• How does GnRH travel to the anterior pituitary?

  Via portal blood
• What hormones are released by the anterior pituitary?

  FSH and LH
• What do thecal cells produce?

  Androgens
• What is the role of granulosa cells in hormone production?

  Convert androgens to estrogens
• What effect do slightly elevated estrogen and rising inhibin levels have?

  Inhibit FSH secretion
• What happens during the early and mid follicular phases?

  Estrogens stimulate and inhibit FSH
• What occurs just before ovulation regarding estrogen levels?

  High levels exert positive feedback on LH
• What triggers the LH surge?

  High estrogen levels from the mature follicle
• What does the LH surge trigger?

  Secondary oocyte maturation and ovulation
• What does the corpus luteum secrete?

  Progesterone and some estrogens
• What is the role of progesterone, estrogen, and inhibin from the corpus luteum?

  Inhibit GnRH, LH, and FSH release
• What happens if fertilization does not occur?

  LH levels fall and corpus luteum degenerates
• What is the uterine cycle?

  A series of cyclic changes in the endometrium
• What phase occurs during days 1-5 of the uterine cycle?

  Menstrual phase
• What happens to ovarian hormones during the menstrual phase?

  They are at their lowest levels
• What occurs during the proliferative phase?

  Endometrium is rebuilt as estrogen rises
• What happens to cervical mucus during the proliferative phase?

  It thins to facilitate sperm entry
• What occurs during the secretory phase?

  Endometrium prepares for embryo implantation