Anatomy Of The Female Reproductive System.

Front 1

primordial follicles

Back 1

egg cell (primary oocyte surrounded by granulosa cells. These secrete progesterone, oestrogen and some inhibin.

Front 2

Primary follicles

Back 2

Next stage in the development over the 14 days. The zona pellucida forms between the primary oocytes and the granulosa cells.

Front 3

Gap junctions

Back 3

Are used to provide nutrients to the primary oocyte through the zona pellucida and granulosa cells.

Front 4

pre antral follicle

Back 4

The granulosa cells astart to divide in this stage and are greater in number so it becomes bigger.

Front 5

theca

Back 5

forms around the outside of the cell and has receptors for leutinising hormone. When it binds, it produces androstenodione which stimulates the granulosa cells to produce oestrogen. Therefore the oestrogen levels rise in the blood.

Front 6

ANtrum

Back 6

The granulosa cells produce fluid which fills the middle cavity meaning the cell becomes bigger and pushes outwards

Front 7

Dominant follicle

Back 7

The one egg out of 28 days that gets ovulated from the antrum

Front 8

atresia

Back 8

All of the other eggs in the cycle are lost (around 15-20)

Front 9

Mature follicle

Back 9

The antrum still increases in size and therefore pushes against the wall. Enzymes then breakdown this wall and this is how the eggs is ovulated. This is what causes pain. When there is more than one egg going into the philopian tube, it can bring triplets and twins.

Front 10

corpus luteum

Back 10

The granulosa cells produce more oestrogen, inhibin and progesterone

Front 11

Inhibin

Back 11

Reduces the amount of follcile stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary gland therefore stopping follicle maturation

Front 12

No fertilisation

Back 12

The corpus luteum degenerates by apoptosis

Front 13

What happens if there is fertilisation?

Back 13

The corpus luteum keeps alive so it can keep producing more progesterone and oestrogen

Front 14

lutenising hormone

Back 14

Produced by the anterior pituitary gland and is used to produce androstendione from thecal cells during the follicular phase which in turn produces oestrogen by the granulosa cells

Front 15

proliferation phase

Back 15

The oestrogen makes the endometrium lining increase.

Front 16

inhibin

Back 16

stops the anterior pituitary from producing FSH.

Front 17

HOrmonal changes during the follicular phase.

Back 17

FSH and LH rise at the start of the phase due to GnRH. FSH and LH stimulate the release of oestrogen from the follicle. Oestrogen inhibits the release of FSH but not LS so there is a LH surge.

Front 18

Luteal surge

Back 18

High Oestrogen levels cause the inhibition of FSH but not of LUteunising hormone and therefore there is a surge. This causes Ovulation.

Front 19

Hormonal changes during the luteal phase.

Back 19

The corpus luteum produces a lot of progesterone which inhibits the production of FSH and LH which means after 10 days the corpus luteum degenerate. FSH and LH are no longer inhibited by progesterone and therefore a new cycle begins.

Front 20

What is the function of the corpus luteum?

Back 20

the oestrogen that is released is responsible for the endometrium lining thickening and progesterone is responsible for endometrium development and maintenance. Progesterone, as previously described, also inhibits FSH and LH release from the anterior pituitary gland.

Front 21

After the muteal phase and the new cycle begins, what happens on around day 4?

Back 21

The endometrium lining disintigrates and bleeding occurs due to ruptured blood vessels from the endometrium and expelled as menstrul fluid.

Front 22

what is the site of fertilisation?

Back 22

the oviduct.

Front 23

what hormone tells the corpus luteum to keep producing progesterone?

Back 23

hCG. (means the endometrium is maintained).

Front 24

Corpus albicans

Back 24

What the corpus luteum degenerates into

Front 25

The placenta

Back 25

Is an endocrine organ as it produces hCG which maintains the secretion of progesterone which maintains the endometrium.

Front 26

During parturition, what causes contractions?

Back 26

Oxytocin positive feedback.

Front 27

Lactation

Back 27

Oestrogen and progesterone cause the development of ducts and a;veoli in mammary glands. Suckling triggers the release of oxytocin and prolactin which causes milk ejection and synthesises more milk.