Flashcards: Unit 17 - Reproductive systems (pt. 2 Female)

—  located in pelvic cavity on lateral sides of uterus and connected to body wall by ligaments that are continuous with the peritoneum

- 4 layers (from superficial to deep): surface (germinal) epithelium, tunica albuginea, ovarian cortex, ovarian medulla

layer of cuboidal epithelial cells (modified visceral peritoneum lacking connective tissue)

– dense connective tissue

—  contains ovarian follicles and connective tissue

o   follicle = layer(s) of cells surrounding each developing oocyte that supports and protects it through its development

—  contains blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and connective tissue

- infundibulum

- ampulla = middle: site where fertilization usually occurs

- isthmus: connects to uterus

- a section of the fallopian tube

- suspended over each ovary,

- opening of uterine tube into peritoneal cavity,

- has finger-like projections called fimbriae that cover the ovary during ovulation. They help capture and move the oocyte into the uterine tube

- mucosa: simple columnar epithelium (two cells types)

- muscularis externa: smooth muscle (contraction helps move oocyte/cell mass along the tube)

- serosa: visceral peritoneum

- ciliated cells: help move oocyte/zygote/morula along the tube

- non-ciliated secretory cells with microvilli: secretes fluid that provides nutrients to oocyte/cell mass

- Hollow, muscular organ located superior to bladder

- 3 parts:

- fundus: superior to isthmus of uterine tubes

- body: main portion, space within = uterine cavity, site where most embryo implantation and growth occur

- cervix: inferior, narrow passageway that opens into vagina

- it has 3 layers: endometrium, myometrium (muscularis externa), and perimetrium (serosa)

- smooth muscle

- mucous membrane composed of a simple columnar epithelium that lines the inner surface of the uterus

- specialized lamina propria that consists of 2 highly vascularized layers: Functional layer (stratum functionalis) and Basal layer (stratum basalis)

—  permanent layer attached to myometrium

—  undergoes mitosis to replace the stratum functionalis and the simple columnar epithelium

—  superficial layer

—  develops at puberty and is shed monthly (menstruation) along with the simple columnar epithelium

—  contains endometrial glands (epithelial tissue) that secrete a nutritive fluid for the embryo prior to formation of the umbilical cord

—  connects uterus to external genitalia

—  female organ of copulation

- mucosa: thick stratified squamous epithelium, has rugae

- muscularis externa: smooth muscle

- adventitia: fibroelastic connective tissue

mons pubis, labia majora/minora, clitoris, a vestibule (vagina and external urethral orifice) and greater vestibular glands

—  adipose tissue that overlies and cushions pubic symphysis

—  the labia majora are two large skin folds that surround the labia minora

—  the labia minora are small inner folds of skin that surround the vestibule

—  secrete mucus to lubricate the vestibule

—  mainly internal, with small external portion at anterior junction of labia minora

—  contains erectile tissue

—  derived from the same embryonic tissue as the penis

forms 1 ovum and 2 or 3 polar bodies

discarded nuclear material

- diploid stem cells that multiply by mitosis during fetal development

- differentiate into primary oocytes

- ~ 1 million in ovaries at birth

- enter meiosis I before birth, but arrested in prophase I

- at puberty less than half of oocytes remain

o   begins meiosis II and arrests in metaphase II

o   this is ovulated (usually 1/month)

o   ~ 500 ovulated from puberty to menopause

migrate to the developing gonads where they differentiate into oogonia

—  Oogonia begin to proliferate in the embryonic period until several million are formed, at which point proliferation ends

—  Oogonia begin to differentiate into primary oocytes during the early fetal period: Meiosis I begins, but stops in prophase I, Meiotic arrest continues until puberty

- they form, Primary oocytes become surrounded by a single layer of flat pre-granulosa (follicular) cells

- Most primordial follicles with primary oocytes begin to degenerate over time, such that there are fewer at birth.

—  some of the primordial follicles develop into primary follicles: the single layer of flat pre-granulosa cells becomes cuboidal – now called granulosa cells

—  however, in the absence of reproductive hormones, primordial and primary follicles also continue to degenerate such that there is less than half a million primary oocytes are left at puberty

- Each month, primary follicles continue to form and reproductive hormones selectively stimulate some of these follicles to continue their development in the ovarian cortex.

- They pass through one or more of the following stages: secondary follicle, vesicular (antral) follicle, preovulatory (graafian) follicle, corpus luteum, corpus albicans

- one of the follicles the primary follicles can stimulate to develop each month

- during the transition from primary to secondary follicle, hormone secreting theca cells form from surrounding connective tissue cells

- granulosa cells proliferate (become stratified) and start to secrete fluid and estrogen

- fluid-filled spaces between granulosa cells start to develop as fluid accumulates

- one of the follicles the primary follicles can stimulate to develop each month

—  the fluid filled spaces unite into a single large antrum

—  granulosa cells that still surround oocyte = corona radiata

—  usually, only one dominant vesicular follicle will continue development from this point per ovarian cycle

- one of the follicles the primary follicles can stimulate to develop each month

—  the follicle grows significantly in size and protrudes from the surface of ovary

- formation of a secondary oocyte – completion of Meiosis I; enters Meiosis II and arrests in Metaphase II

- ovulation: release of secondary oocyte (surrounded by corona radiata) from follicle into peritoneal cavity (follicle remains in ovary)

if fertilization occurs, the acrosome of a single sperm will penetrate the corona radiata

- one of the follicles the primary follicles can stimulate to develop each month

—  follicle that remains after ovulation

—  produces high levels of hormones that support fetal development

—  if there is no pregnancy, it degenerates into the corpus albicans

- one of the follicles the primary follicles can stimulate to develop each month

- scar-like structure on surface of ovary

- does not release any hormones

surgical procedure on the uterine tube that prevents passage of gametes through the uterine tube (does not affect ovarian/menstrual cycles)

- relatively minor procedure that prevents sperm passage through the vas deferens (ejaculation still occurs, but the semen does not contain sperm or testicular fluid)

—  complication of pregnancy in which the embryo implants outside of the body of the uterus (mostly in the uterine tube, and to a lesser extent in the peritoneal cavity, cervix, ovarian surface)

—  in most cases the developing fetus is unable to survive

—  can lead to rupture of uterine tube (which can be life-threatening) and impaired fertility in future