female reproductive system

• ovarian cortex


  contains ovarian follicles (with oocytes/eggs)
• follicles + oocytes 


  present before birth, mature in puberty till menopause
• ovarian medulla

  support (contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and nerves)
• ovaries


  produce mature 2° oocytes (female gametes), release one (ovulation) during each monthly ovarian cycle. secret the female hormones estrogen, progesterone, inhibit, and relaxin
• uterine tubes

  provides a site for fertilization, 2° oocyte enters the infundibulum
• uterus

  site of implantation of fertilized ovum (fundus, body, cervix)
• what layer does the fetus implant into

  endometrium
• oocyte maturation takes place in the ___ and estrogen production takes place in the ___

  ovarian cortex; ovarian cortex
• the egg is often fertilized in a structure known as the

  uterine tube
• the egg develops in a structure known as the

  follicle
• what portion of the uterus opens into the vagina

  cervix
• vagina


  passageway for menstrual flow, receives sperm, form the lower birth canal
• vulva

  clitoris: erectile tissue
• breast/mammary glands

  produces milk, contain 15-20 lobes divided into lobules
• lobules

  composed of milk secreting glands called alveoli
• what hormone causes uterine lining to thicken

  estrogen
• progesterone

  secreted by ovaries and the placenta during pregnancy. matures/maintains uterine endometrium, stimulates breast development. inhibits GnRH and LH through negative feedback loop
• oogenesis

  formation of gametes in the ovaries
• estrogen

  secreted by ovaries and the placenta during pregnancy. thickens the endometrium
• inhibin

  released by granuloma cells and then in large amount by the corpus luteum; it inhibits FSH and LH
• what hormones triggers ovulation

  LH
• what hormone triggers follicle maturation

  FSH
• which hormone is produced by the corpus luteum and most strongly prevents further eggs from developing

  progesterone
• the breakdown of ___ and the loss of hormones (progesterone and estrogen) causes the shedding of the uterine lining

  corpus luteum
• anterior pituitary gland secretes

  FSH and LH
• the egg develops in a structure known as the

  follicle
• ovulation is directly triggered by a spike in which hormone

  LH
• sexual response involves the ___ nervous system

  parasympathetic initially, sympathetic for completion
• female reproductive organs

  secrete female hormones, produce gametes (ova), facilitate fertilization and sustain growth of the embryo and fetus
• gonads

  ovaries
• ducts

  fallopian tubes
• supporting structures

  uterus