Reproductive System - Ob

Front 1

what does the female and male reproductive system consist of?

Back 1

the female reproductive system consist of an organ called the uterus which functions as a housing for the fetus. the female reproductive system produces sex cells called eggs or ovas.

the male reproductive system consist of the of an organ called a penis which functions in ejecting the male reproductive sex cells called sperm into the female organism to produce a fetus.

Front 2

what are the external features of the female reproductive system?

Back 2

the whole external female reproductive system is called the vulva. the vulva functions by protecting the urethral and vaginal openings.

external features of the female reproductive system:

mons pubis: the mons pubis is the fleshy covering over the symphysis pubis. it functions by protecting the symphysis pubis during sexual intercourse. it becomes hairy after puberty.

labia: the labia is divided into two sections: labia majora and labia minora. the labia majora are the larger lips that are covered in hair after puberty. its function is to protect the vaginal opening. the labia minora are the smaller lips, they are hairless. they surround both the urethral and vaginal openings and provide protection to both openings as well as lubricate the vulva.

clitoris: is a cylinder-like mass of erectile tissue. it sits on top of the labia minora. the clitoris is covered by a the prepuce; a hood-like covering. the clitoris a very sensitive organ, just like the penis, when stimulated or touched it erects; thus becomes swollen and firm with blood. the function of the clitoris is sexual stimulation.

vestibule: the vestibule is an oval shaped enclosure within the labia minora. the vestibule consist of six openings: urethral, vaginal, and two sets of glands. one set of glands are found in the vaginal opening (introitus) called Bartholin's gland, its function is to secrete lubricate for sex. the next set of glands is located on the outside of the urethral openings called Skene's gland, its function is to secrete a small amount of mucus to keep the urethral opening moist and lubricated for urine.

perineum: the perineum is an external region of the vulva. it is made up of skin, muscle, and fascia (band of connective tissue) located between the vulva and anus. during labor and delivery if more room is required perineum is lacerated (an accidental tear of the skin) or incised (a purposeful tear of the skin). the procedure to intentional tear the perineum is called episiotomy.

Front 3

what are the internal organs of the female reproductive system?

Back 3

the organs of the internal female reproductive systems develop and function according to specific hormonal influences that affect fertility and childbearing.

vagina: the vagina is a canal structure made of muscle. the vagina connects the external genitals to the uterus. it functions as a exit passageway for menstrual blood and childbirth.

uterus: the uterus is a pear-like shaped organ at the top of the vagina. it lies between the bladder (behind it) and the rectum (in front of it). hence the uterus is laying on top of the bladder. the uterus is the site for menstruation, implantation of a fertilized ovum, development of a fetus during pregnancy and labor.

cervix: the cervix is shaped like a doughnut with an opening. the cervix located in the lower part of the uterus (the entrance of the uterus). the opening of the cervix, called the external os, allows sperm to enter into the uterus as well as menstrual blood to exit out of the uterus and through the vagina.

fallopian tubes: the fallopian tubes are cylindrical structures that extend 2 to 3 inches from the upper edges of the uterus. at the end of each tube there is a large finger-like shape opening for mature eggs to to enter into from the ovaries during ovulation. the function of the fallopian tube is to carry the matured egg or ovum from the ovary to the uterus and the sperm from the uterus to the ovary this action is done through the process of the perstialsis and movement of the cilia (hair-like structures that line the fallopian tubes to allow movement of the egg to the uterus). if the sperm meets the matured egg in the fallopian tube then it will fertilize the egg and the zygote will then slowly but surely travel down to the uterus.

ovaries: the ovaries are almond-shaped organs that are held and thus suspended nearby the fallopian tubes by several ligaments. the two primary functions of the ovaries is the development and release of mature eggs or ovums and secretion of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Front 4

what occurs in the ovarian cycle of the female reproductive cycle?

Back 4

menstruation: menstruation is the absences of fertilization. it is a monthly process of shedding the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium).

ovarian cycle: the ovarian cycle is the development of a matured egg or ovum within the ovaries. the ovarian cycle is divided into three phases: follicular phase, ovulation, and luteal phase.

follicular phase: during this phase the "chosen oocyte" is housed in a shell-like structure called the follicle. the follicle cell matures into an ovum. the follicular phase starts on day 1 of menstruation and continues until ovulation, thus 10-14 days later. during the maturation of the follicle cell into an ovum, the follicle cell secretes estrogen which causes for the thickening of the endometrium of the uterus in preparation for fertilization and thus pregnancy. this process is called the proliferation phase of the endometrial cycle. once the oocyte in the follicle has matured it ruptures the follicle and breaks free as a matured ovum. thus ovulation begins.

ovulation: ovulation is the rupture of the follicle and release of an ovum from the ovaries into the fallopian tube. this process is a result of a spike or sudden increase of luteinizing hormones (LH). as LH spike estrogen drops.

luteal phase: the luteal phase begins at ovulation and last til the menstrual phase of the next cycle. during the luteal phase the ruptured follicle, that once housed the chosen oocyte that has now matured and broke free from the follicle, closes up and forms a corpus luteum. the corpus luteum secretes the hormone progesterone which stimulates the endometrium for the preparation of implantation.

IN THE ABSENCE OF FERTILIZATION, THE CORPUS LUTEUM BEGINS TO DEGENERATE AND OVARIAN HORMONES I.E. ESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE DECREASE. THE ENDOMETRIUM THEN BEGINS TO BREAKDOWN. MENSTRUATION THEN OCCURS.

Front 5

what occurs in the endometrial cycle of the female reproductive cycle?

Back 5

the endometrial cycle occurs in response to cyclic hormonal changes. there are four phases of the endometrial cycle: proliferative, secretory, ischemic, and menstrual phase.

proliferative phase: the proliferative phase is the enlargement of the endometrium in response to estrogen release from the matured follicle. the endometrium thickens in order to prepare the uterus for implantation of the fertilization ovum.

secretory phase: during the secretory phase the progesterone, released from the corpus luteum, causes for the endometrium to thicken and become more vascular (growth of spiral arteries) and glandular (secretion of more glycogen and lipids). this aids in the preparation for implantation.

ischemic phase: if fertilization does not occur ischemia phase occurs. during this phase estrogen and progesterone drops as the corpus luteum degenerates. this causes for spasms in the endometrium resulting in ischemia. ischemia leads to the breakdown of the endometrium, thus menstruation begins.

menstrual phase: the menstrual phase begins when the spiral arteries in the endometrium rupture due to ischemia thus releasing blood in the uterus and the breakdown of the edometrial lining begins.

Front 6

what are the menstrual hormones involved in the female reproductive cycle?

Back 6

gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH): is a hormone secreted by the hypothalamus to stimulate the release of FSH and LH, by the anterior pituitary gland, to aid in ovulation.

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): is a hormone released from the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates the ovary to produce more immature follicles.

lutenizing hormone (LH): is a hormone released from the anterior pituitary gland that aids in finalizing the maturation of the ovum prior to rupture and luteinization of the ruptured follicle (making the rupture follicle into the corpus lutuem).

estrogen: estrogen is secreted from the ovaries and is used for the development and maturation of follicles.

progesterone: is a hormone secreted by the corpus luteum. progesterone stimulates swelling and secretion of the endometerium creating large lumens in the endometerium.

prostaglandins: are mediators of the body's inflammatory processes that are secreted by the endometrium and aid in the rupturing of the follicle to release the matured ovum.