Female Reproductive System Quiz

Female Reproductive System

• Clitoris is composed largely of erectile tissue

Oogenesis

• Oogenesis is the process of producing ova (eggs)
• Ova production begins before birth and continues until menopause
• Each month, several oocytes are released, but usually only one enters meiosis I
• Secondary oocyte: the larger cell containing nearly all the cytoplasm of the primary oocyte after division in meiosis I
• First polar body: the smaller cell after meiosis I
• Secondary oocyte pauses in Metaphase II, and if not penetrated, it deteriorates; if penetrated, it quickly completes meiosis II, producing one large ovum

Ovarian Cycle

• Follicle phase: primordial follicle → primary follicle → secondary follicle → late secondary follicle → vesicular follicle → ovulation
• Ovulation: release of the secondary oocyte, marks the end of the follicular phase and the start of the luteal phase
• Luteal stage: granulosa cells of the vesicular follicle form an endocrine structure called the corpus luteum
• Corpus luteum secretes progesterone and some estrogen
• If no pregnancy, the corpus luteum starts degenerating

Hormone Regulation

• Estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate during the ovarian cycle
• Pituitary hormone controls the ovarian cycle

Female Sexual Response

• Similar to male response, but without ejaculation
• No latent period in women, unlike men
• Orgasm is not required for reproduction

Menopause

• Fertility in females peaks in the late 20s and declines slowly until 35, then rapidly declines
• After a full year without menses, a woman is said to have completed menopause
• Reduced estrogen and progesterone levels lead to symptoms during menopause
• Post-menopause, lowered estrogen can lead to other health issues in females

Puberty and Sexual Determination

• Genetic determination: one pair of chromosomes are the sex chromosomes (X or Y)
• Females = XX, Males = XY
• If fertilized with X from Mom and X from Dad = female, X from Mom and Y from Dad = male
• Y has SRY gene, the sex-determining region on the Y chromosome, which initiates testes development
• Reproductive system differentiation:
  • 5-6 weeks: Sexually indifferent
  • 7-8 weeks: XY individuals begin to show male parts
  • 8-9 weeks: XX individuals begin to show female parts

Female Internal Genitalia

• Ovary: primary female reproductive organ, produces gametes (ova) and sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone)
• Ovarian follicles: each follicle consists of an immature egg called an oocyte
• Number of eggs are determined at birth, with 7 million oocytes at birth, and about 250,000 remaining at puberty
• Duct system:
  • Uterine tubes (fallopian tubes or oviducts) receive ovulated oocyte, with no direct contact with ovary
  • Oocyte moved to uterus by currents of peritoneal fluid caused by movement of fimbriae
  • Nonciliated cells produce secretions to keep oocyte and sperm (if present) moist and nourished
• Uterus: hollow, thick-walled, muscular organ
  • Functions: retain, receive, and nourish a fertilized ovum
  • Three layers: perimetrium (outermost serous layer), myometrium (middle smooth muscle layer), and endometrium (mucosal lining of the uterine cavity)
• Vagina: birth canal
  • Functions: passageway for delivery of infant and menstrual flow
  • Resident bacteria make the vagina acidic, keeping it healthy and free from infection

External Genitalia

• Vulva: includes mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, vestibule, and clitoris
• Mammary glands: produce milk to newborn, present in both males and females