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54 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What are the functions of the female reproductive system?
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• Makes female gametes→ oocytes
• Supports development of the embryo and fetus • Produces female sex hormones o Estrogen o Progesterone |
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How do female gametes develop during gametogenesis?
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• All oogonia enter meiosis before birth
• Oocytes are arrested in prophase of meiosis I as primary oocytes and arrest is released just before ovulation • Meiosis is then complete in uterine tube following fertilization |
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What female sex hormones are produced?
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• Estrogen
o Helps germ cells mature o Develop secondary sex characteristics o Repairs and grows the uterine lining • Progesterone o Prepares uterine lining to receive and support embryo o Stimulates maturation of the secretion thing in mammary glands |
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What is the microscopic structure of an ovarian follicle?
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• Cortex
o Has developing germ cells • Medulla o Has no germ cells but lots of connective tissue |
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What is the structure of an ovarian cortex?
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• Covered with simple cuboidal epithelium which is atypical and known as germinal epithelium (no germ cells)
• Tunica albuginea o (thin, fibrous capsule) • Stroma o Spindle shaped fibroblasts embedded in matrix of fine collagen fibers • Follicles |
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What is the structure of a follicle?
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• Primordial Follicles
o Majority of follicles o Found beneath tunica albuginea o Have a single primary oocyte with a germinal vesicle o Have follicular epithelial cells • Growing Follicles o Primary • Become cuboidal and are now called granulosa cells • Unilaminar primary follicle- one layer of granulosa cells • Multilaminar primary follicle- more than one layer of granulosa cells • Stroma cells recruit and form theca folliculi • These follicles are FSH independent o Secondary (Antral) • Early Also called Vesicular and Antral Follicles Form granulosa layers Theca layer differentiaties into • Theca Interna o Make Andro o Aromatase converts Andro into estrogen • Theca Externa (follicle capsule) • Late Lakes coalesce into single antrum Granulosa cells press against follicle wall (stratum granulosa) Oocytes attach to one spot along the wall • Sit on an egg cloud (cumulus oophorus) • Secondary follicles growth is dependent on FSH • FSH has two effects Stimulates development of follicles Induces synthesis of estrogen o Tertiary (Mature; Graafian) • One follicle becomes dominant • Final maturation and ovulation is triggered by presence of LH which leads to Lots of follicular fluid accumulating Separation of oocyte from cumulus oophorus Completion of meiosis I and progression to Metaphase of Meiosis II |
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What changes occur as a follicle moves from primordial to growing follicle?
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• The follicular cells become taller (cuboidal)
• Follicular cells acquire FSH receptors • Primary oocytes enlarge and acquire a zona pellucida • Oocytes become metabolically more active |
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What is a secondary oocyte?
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• An oocyte that enters meiosis II
• It is covered by a few layers of granulosa cells known as corona radiate |
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Where does fertilization normally occur?
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• In the ampulla of the uterine tube
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What are atretic follicles?
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• Dying follicles that did not have enough levels of FSH and LH
• Fibroblasts invade and replace dying follicular tissue with connective tissue • Some theca internal cells may persist as interstitial cells→ source of testosterone in females |
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After ovulation, what happens to the remaining granulosa and theca cells?
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• They are transformed into Lutein cells
• They form a new organ called→ Corpus Luteum |
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What is a corpus luteum?
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• Produces both estrogen and progesterone
• Highly vascularized • If pregnancy occurs it increases in size to become the corpus luteum of pregnancy • Produces relaxin which softens the pubic symphysis and cervix o Also inhibits uterine contraction |
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What is the corpus albicans?
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• Regressed form of the corpus luteum
• White body |
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What is the function of the uterine tube?
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o Transport of the Ovum o Maintain the ovum o Site for fertilization |
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What are the four parts of the uterine tube?
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• Infundibulum
o Funnel shaped distal segment o Has fimbrae- fingerlike extensions • Ampulla o Widest and longest segment of the tube o Common site of fertilization o Thin wall and extensively branched mucosal folds • Isthmus o Thick walled segment o Stellate shaped lumen o Next to uterus o Has few mucosal folds • Interstitial part o Shortest segment o Enclosed by uterine wall o Opens into uterine cavity |
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What is the microscopic structure of the uterine tube?
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• Mucosa
o Simple columnar epithelium which are ciliated o The nonciliated secretoy part is called peg cells (responsible for capacitation) • Muscularis o Has inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle • Serosa |
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What is the structure of the uterus?
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• Parturition (birth)
• Has 3 anatomical divisions o Fundus o Corpus (Body) o Cervix |
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What is the structure of the body?
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• Made of three layers
o Endometrium • Made of simple columnar epithelium (both secretory and ciliated) • Has a vascular lamina propria with simple tubular glands • Has two layers Stratum functionale • Thick spongy superficial layer that is removed during menstruation Stratum bassale • Thin deeper, permanent layer • Prvides the epithlium and lamina propria to regenerate the lost lining o Myometrium • Has 3-4 layers of smooth muscle • Grows by hypertrophy and hyperplasia • Effected to relax via relaxin and progesterone • Effected to contracted via oxytocin • Layers 1 and 3 run parallel to long axis • Layer 2 is circular o Perimetrium • Outer surface of fundus and posterior corpus • Has tunica serosa uteri • Lower region of uterus is covered by adventitia |
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How do the arteries in the uterus divide?
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• Go from uterine artery→ arcuate ateries→ radial arteries→ straight arteries and spiral arteries→ anastomosing arteries
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What is the structure of the cervix?
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• Simple columnar, mucus-secreting but changes to stratified swuamous nonkeratinized epithelium at external os
• Ectocervix- extends into vaginal canal |
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How does the secretion of the cervix change?
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• Early: small amounts of thin serous mucus
• Middle: Lots of mucus secretions under influence of estrogen • Late: becomes thick under progesterone • Pregnancy: develops semi-solid plug |
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What are the three phases that capture the cyclic changes in endometrium?
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• Menstrual phase
o Functional layer is sloughed removed o Bleeding o See effects of Declining corpus luterum • Proliferative Phase o Base of glands spread out to cover raw surface o Glandular epithelium and connective tissue rebuild the functional layer • Secretory Phase o Starts after ovulation o Depends on progesterone o Uterine glands begin secreting mucus (have saw toothed appearance) o Without LH Corpus luteum begins to decline o Progesterone declines o Smooth muscles in spiral arteries contract and the vessls break down and blood leaks into tissue→ leads to the detachment of the functional layer |
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What are anovulatory cycles?
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• There is no corpus luteum and no increase in progesterone
• The uterine lining continues to grow due to estrogen • The lining breaks down on its own |
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What is the structure of the vagina?
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• Mucosa
o Stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium o Has rugae • Muscularis o Mostly longitudinal smooth muscle • Adventia |
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How do hormones influence the vagina?
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• Thickens under the influence of estrogen
• Cells make and accumulate glycogen • Under progesterone the epithelium shrinks back |
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What are the structures that make up female external genitalia?
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• Have meisnner’s and pacinian corpuscles
• Clitoris o Corpus Cavernosae • Labia Minora o Two thin folds of thin skin o No fat, but sweat and sebaceous glands o Hair follicles are here • Labia Majora o Two folds that overly core of subcutaneous fat and smooth muscle • Vestibular glands o On both side of vaginal opening |
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What is the structure of mammary glands?
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• Made of compound tubuloalveolar glands
• Each gland is characterized as resting or lactating • Each lobe is drained by a single lactiferous duct |
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What is the difference between a resting and lactating mammary gland?
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• Resting is smaller and doesn’t have a well developed alveoli
• The lactating mammary gland have the terminal ortions of ducts branching and growing. |
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What is the structure of the alveoli?
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• Made of cuboidal cells that are surrounded myoepithelial cells
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How are lipids and proteins secreted in the mammary gland?
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• Lipids are secreted by apocrine method
• Proteins are secreted by merocrine method |
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How does the mammary gland increase?
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By hypertrophy of stroma and engorgement with colostrum
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When does milk secretion occur and what is it controlled by?
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• Milk secretion is controlled by prolactin and milk secretion occurs after several days when estrogen and progesterone levels fall
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What is the function of areola?
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• Function is to protect delicate breast skin from injury during breast feeding
• Has Montgomery glands that secrete stuff to lubricate the areola |
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What is the structure of the nipple?
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• Covered by thin skin
• Has opening of lactiferous ducts • Has two layers of smooth muscle |
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What are the mammary gland secretions?
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• Colostrum: Yellowish fluid and has high protein content
• Milk: provides passive immunity |
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What is the milk ejection reflex?
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• Suckling stimulates sensory nerves → Hypothalamus to stop releasing prolactin inhibiting factor
o Prolactin is released from adenhypophysis (anterior pituitary) and stimulate milk production for next feed • Sensory nerve stimulation also lead to the release of oxytocin from posterior pituitary o Leads to contraction of myoepithelial cells o Leads to ejection of already present milk |
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What is the milk ejection reflex?
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• High prolactin levels suppress LH secretion
• Low LH leads to suppression of ovulation • When suckling decreases, prolactin levels decline and LH levels increase and ovulation resumes |
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What is a lactational amenorrhea?
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• High prolactin levels suppress LH secretion
• Low LH leads to suppression of ovulation • When suckling decreases, prolactin levels decline and LH levels increase and ovulation resumes |
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What is the function of the testes?
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• Reproduction
o To make and develop male germ cells • From Spermatogonium to spermatozoa • Endocrine o Make testosterone • Regulates germ cell development and secondary sex characteristics • Induces differentiation of the mesonephric duct (gives rise to genitals and other ducts) o Anti-Mullerian Hormone • Induces degeneration of the mullerian duct which normally gives rise to female parts o Inhibin • Inhibits FSH synthesis and secretion |
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What is the structure of the testes?
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• Tunica vaginalis – covering of the testis
• Capsule o Tunica albuginea- fibrous covering of the testes o Tunica Vasculosa – plexus of blood vessels • Hilum o Mediastinum Testis – fibrous connective tissue • Lobules • Seminferous Tubules o Rete Testis (tubules located in the hilum) |
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What cells are found in the seminiferous tubules?
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• Myoid cells which are found in the tunica propria
• Sertoli cells which are nonproliferating support cells (found in germinal epithelium) • Germ cells which are proliferative reproductive cells (found in germinal epithelium) |
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What are the phases of spermatogenesis?
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• Spermatocytogenesis
o Spermatogonia → spermatocytes • Meiosis o Spermactocytes→ Spermatids • Spermiogenesis o Spermatids→ Spermatozoa • Describes the sequence of development from diploid stem cell to haploid germ cell |
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What is the structure of sertoli cells?
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• They are tall, columnar, nonproliferating cells
• Have an irregular shape • Many functions regulated by FSH |
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What are the functions of sertoli cells?
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• Provide support and nutrition of germ cells
• Convert steroids into testosterone • Phagocytose Residual bodies • Forms Blood-testis barrier • Secrete bulk of testicular fluid o Transferrin, Androgen-Binding Protein and Inhibin |
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What are spermatogonia?
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• They are stem cell precursors found along the basement membrane
• They are diploid and divide mitotically |
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What are primary spermatocytes?
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• Largest of the developing cells
• Live in the center of the germinal epithelium • Initiate Meiosis • They are diploid |
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What are secondary spermatocytes?
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• They are in meiosis II
• Smaller than primary spermatocytes and paler with granular chromatin • They are haploid |
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What are spermatids?
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• Haploid cells that become spermatozoa
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What occurs during spermiogenesis?
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• When the spermatozoa becomes mature by :
o Elaboration of the acrosome o Shed the excess cytoplasm (residual body) o Formation of the flagellum |
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What are spermatozoa?
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• Mature, male germ cells
• Released by sertoli cells into tubule lumen • Not functionally mature o Immotile and incapable of fertilizing an egg o Capacitation occurs in female reproductive tract |
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What is normal range for sperm density?
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• 20-250 million cells per ml
• Infertile male is less than 15 million per ml • 3mm/min= swim rate |
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How do the testes stay cool?
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• Descend into scrotum which is outside the body
o If not→ Cryptochidism • Pampiniform Plexus • Dartos Muscle: smooth muscle • Cremaster Muscle: skeletal muscle |
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What are Leydig cells?
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• Principle endocrine cells of the testis that secrete testosterone
• Regulated by LH (Binding of LH starts the synthesis and excretion of testosterone) • Found outside the seminiferous tubules |
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How is testicular function regulated hormonally?
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• FSH made in the anterior pituitary binds to Sertoli cells → Makes Androgen Binding Protein
• ABP binds to testosterone and keeps it high near developing germ cells • LH is produced in the anterior pituitary→ LH activates synthesis of testosterone in Leydig cells • LH in males is also known as ICSH |
