Female Reproductive Anatomy Quiz

Study Notes

The uterus is a muscular organ where the fetus develops during pregnancy, composed of three layers: endometrium, myometrium, and perimetrium.
Ovaries produce eggs (ova) and hormones like estrogen and progesterone.
Fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus, serving as the site of fertilization where sperm meets egg.
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina, dilating during childbirth to allow the baby to pass through.
The vagina is the birth canal through which the baby passes during delivery.

The posterior pituitary produces oxytocin, a hormone that promotes uterine contractions for induction or to prevent postpartum hemorrhaging, and has a role in sexual activity, lactation, and labor process.
The anterior pituitary produces prolactin, a hormone that stimulates milk letdown.
The ovaries produce estrogen, which is responsible for fat distribution in the breast and thickens the endometrium.
The corpus luteum produces progesterone.

The menstrual phase involves vasoconstriction, resulting in the shedding of ⅔ of the endometrium (basal layer stays).
The proliferative phase occurs due to estrogen stimulation, leading to rapid growth starting from Day 5 to ovulation.
The secretory phase is characterized by a progesterone increase, making the endometrium soft and velvety to prepare for a possible pregnancy.
The ischemic phase involves the implantation of the ovum, taking around 7-10 days, and if no fertilization occurs, menses occur.

Gametogenesis is the formation of gametes (sex cells), including oogenesis and spermatogenesis.
Oogenesis is the formation of eggs, which are all present at birth, and usually stops around menopause.
Spermatogenesis is a continuous process of sperm production, with the availability of ovum decreasing with age.
Sperm determines the sex of the fetus, and capacitation involves the removal of the protective coating, while the aerosome is a capsule of sperm.

The menstrual cycle is a complex interaction of events that occur in the hypothalamus, pituitary, ovaries, and endometrium, preparing the uterus for pregnancy.
The average cycle is usually 28 days, but various factors such as age, physical and emotional status, and environment can influence it.
There are two types of cycles: anovulatory cycles, where no ovum is released, and ovulatory cycles, where an ovum is released.
The first half of the cycle is estrogen dominant, while the second half is progesterone dominant.

IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction) occurs when the fetus does not grow to the proper weight during pregnancy, caused by maternal infection, AMA (Advanced Maternal Age), or other factors.