Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the function of the uterus in the female reproductive system?
What is the function of the uterus in the female reproductive system?
What type of epithelium covers the surface of the ovaries?
What type of epithelium covers the surface of the ovaries?
What is the region of the ovary that contains loose connective tissue and blood vessels?
What is the region of the ovary that contains loose connective tissue and blood vessels?
What is the function of the oviducts in the female reproductive system?
What is the function of the oviducts in the female reproductive system?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the structure that separates the ovarian follicle from surrounding tissue?
What is the structure that separates the ovarian follicle from surrounding tissue?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the function of the ovaries in the female reproductive system?
What is the function of the ovaries in the female reproductive system?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the structure that consists of the germinal epithelium and a layer of dense connective tissue?
What is the structure that consists of the germinal epithelium and a layer of dense connective tissue?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the region of the ovary that contains highly cellular connective tissue and many ovarian follicles?
What is the region of the ovary that contains highly cellular connective tissue and many ovarian follicles?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the characteristic of follicular cells in primordial follicles?
What is the characteristic of follicular cells in primordial follicles?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of the basal lamina in primordial follicles?
What is the role of the basal lamina in primordial follicles?
Signup and view all the answers
What happens to the oocyte during follicular growth?
What happens to the oocyte during follicular growth?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the name of the structure that forms between the oocyte and the innermost layer of granulosa cells?
What is the name of the structure that forms between the oocyte and the innermost layer of granulosa cells?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of aromatase in granulosa cells?
What is the role of aromatase in granulosa cells?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the composition of follicular fluid?
What is the composition of follicular fluid?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the difference between a unilaminar primary follicle and a multilaminar primary follicle?
What is the difference between a unilaminar primary follicle and a multilaminar primary follicle?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the name of the process that involves programmed cell death?
What is the name of the process that involves programmed cell death?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of the theca interna?
What is the role of the theca interna?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the structure that forms between the graulosa cells in growing follicles?
What is the structure that forms between the graulosa cells in growing follicles?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of the tunica albuginea in the ovary?
What is the primary function of the tunica albuginea in the ovary?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main component of the ovarian cortex?
What is the main component of the ovarian cortex?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the function of the germinal epithelium in the ovary?
What is the function of the germinal epithelium in the ovary?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the structure that separates the ovarian follicle from the surrounding tissue?
What is the structure that separates the ovarian follicle from the surrounding tissue?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the region of the ovary that contains highly cellular connective tissue and many ovarian follicles?
What is the region of the ovary that contains highly cellular connective tissue and many ovarian follicles?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the function of the oviducts in the female reproductive system?
What is the function of the oviducts in the female reproductive system?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main component of the ovarian medulla?
What is the main component of the ovarian medulla?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the structure that consists of the germinal epithelium and a layer of dense connective tissue?
What is the structure that consists of the germinal epithelium and a layer of dense connective tissue?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main function of the zona pellucida?
What is the main function of the zona pellucida?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of the theca externa?
What is the primary function of the theca externa?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the distinguishing feature of a multilaminar primary follicle?
What is the distinguishing feature of a multilaminar primary follicle?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the composition of follicular fluid?
What is the composition of follicular fluid?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the name of the process by which primordial follicles undergo growth and development?
What is the name of the process by which primordial follicles undergo growth and development?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the function of the aromatase enzyme in granulosa cells?
What is the function of the aromatase enzyme in granulosa cells?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the name of the structure that forms between the graulosa cells in growing follicles?
What is the name of the structure that forms between the graulosa cells in growing follicles?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the characteristic of the oocyte in primordial follicles?
What is the characteristic of the oocyte in primordial follicles?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of the basal lamina in primordial follicles?
What is the role of the basal lamina in primordial follicles?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the name of the process that involves programmed cell death in the ovary?
What is the name of the process that involves programmed cell death in the ovary?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Components of the Female Reproductive System
- The system consists of ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and external genitalia.
- The ovaries are paired organs located on each side of the uterus.
- The Fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus and provide a site for fertilization.
- The uterus is a muscle organ located in the pelvic cavity.
- The vagina is a muscular canal that connects the cervix of the uterus to the external genitalia.
Functions of the Female Reproductive System
- Production of female gametes (oocytes) by the ovaries.
- Provision of a fertilization environment in the oviducts.
- Support for the embryo and fetus throughout development until birth.
- Hormone production by the ovaries to control the reproductive system and influence other organs.
Ovaries
- The surface of the ovaries is covered by simple cuboidal epithelium called germinal epithelium.
- The epithelium is continuous with the mesothelium.
- Beneath the epithelium is a dense layer of CT called tunica albuginea.
- The ovary is divided into two parts: stroma and parenchyma.
- The stroma consists of the tunica albuginea, germinal epithelium, and a layer of dense CT.
- The parenchyma is made up of the cortex and medulla.
Structure of Ovarian Follicle
- An ovarian follicle consists of an oocyte surrounded by one or more layers of epithelial cells within a basal lamina.
- The basal lamina separates the follicle from surrounding tissue.
- Primordial follicles are formed during fetal life and consist of a primary oocyte enveloped by a single layer of flattened follicular cells.
- The oocyte in the primordial follicles has a large nucleus containing chromosomes in the first meiotic prophase.
Follicular Growth and Development
- Follicular growth begins at puberty, triggered by the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
- A small group of primordial follicles undergo growth and development each month.
- Growth involves the growth of the oocyte, proliferation and changes in the cells surrounding the oocyte, and proliferation and differentiation of the stroma fibroblasts.
- Selection of which follicles will undergo growth and which will ovulate involves complex hormonal balances and subtle differences among follicles.
Oocyte Differentiation
- Growth of the cell and nuclear enlargement.
- Increase in mitochondria.
- Rough endoplasmic reticulum becomes more extensive.
- Golgi complexes enlarge and move peripherally.
- Formation of specialized secretory granules called cortical granules.
Follicular Development
- Primordial follicle: contains an oocyte surrounded by a single layer of squamous cells.
- Unilaminar primary follicle: simple cuboidal epithelium around the oocyte, zona pellucida starts forming.
- Multilaminar primary follicle: granulosa cells around the oocyte, zona pellucida formed, and theca interna develops.
- Secondary follicle: contains an antrum, follicular theca, and granulosa cells.
- Mature follicle: contains a fully developed antrum, corona radiata, and cumulus oophorus.
Atresia
- Involves programmed cell death.
- During each menstrual cycle, one follicle becomes dominant and releases an oocyte, while other follicles undergo atresia.
- Stages of atresia include granulosa cells detaching, the oocyte undergoing self-digestion, zona pellucida collapsing, and macrophages invading the degenerating follicle to phagocytose apoptotic material and debris.
Components of the Female Reproductive System
- The system consists of ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and external genitalia.
- The ovaries are paired organs located on each side of the uterus.
- The Fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus and provide a site for fertilization.
- The uterus is a muscle organ located in the pelvic cavity.
- The vagina is a muscular canal that connects the cervix of the uterus to the external genitalia.
Functions of the Female Reproductive System
- Production of female gametes (oocytes) by the ovaries.
- Provision of a fertilization environment in the oviducts.
- Support for the embryo and fetus throughout development until birth.
- Hormone production by the ovaries to control the reproductive system and influence other organs.
Ovaries
- The surface of the ovaries is covered by simple cuboidal epithelium called germinal epithelium.
- The epithelium is continuous with the mesothelium.
- Beneath the epithelium is a dense layer of CT called tunica albuginea.
- The ovary is divided into two parts: stroma and parenchyma.
- The stroma consists of the tunica albuginea, germinal epithelium, and a layer of dense CT.
- The parenchyma is made up of the cortex and medulla.
Structure of Ovarian Follicle
- An ovarian follicle consists of an oocyte surrounded by one or more layers of epithelial cells within a basal lamina.
- The basal lamina separates the follicle from surrounding tissue.
- Primordial follicles are formed during fetal life and consist of a primary oocyte enveloped by a single layer of flattened follicular cells.
- The oocyte in the primordial follicles has a large nucleus containing chromosomes in the first meiotic prophase.
Follicular Growth and Development
- Follicular growth begins at puberty, triggered by the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
- A small group of primordial follicles undergo growth and development each month.
- Growth involves the growth of the oocyte, proliferation and changes in the cells surrounding the oocyte, and proliferation and differentiation of the stroma fibroblasts.
- Selection of which follicles will undergo growth and which will ovulate involves complex hormonal balances and subtle differences among follicles.
Oocyte Differentiation
- Growth of the cell and nuclear enlargement.
- Increase in mitochondria.
- Rough endoplasmic reticulum becomes more extensive.
- Golgi complexes enlarge and move peripherally.
- Formation of specialized secretory granules called cortical granules.
Follicular Development
- Primordial follicle: contains an oocyte surrounded by a single layer of squamous cells.
- Unilaminar primary follicle: simple cuboidal epithelium around the oocyte, zona pellucida starts forming.
- Multilaminar primary follicle: granulosa cells around the oocyte, zona pellucida formed, and theca interna develops.
- Secondary follicle: contains an antrum, follicular theca, and granulosa cells.
- Mature follicle: contains a fully developed antrum, corona radiata, and cumulus oophorus.
Atresia
- Involves programmed cell death.
- During each menstrual cycle, one follicle becomes dominant and releases an oocyte, while other follicles undergo atresia.
- Stages of atresia include granulosa cells detaching, the oocyte undergoing self-digestion, zona pellucida collapsing, and macrophages invading the degenerating follicle to phagocytose apoptotic material and debris.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz covers the different parts of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, and external genitalia. Learn about the functions of each component and how they work together.
