Reproductive System Quiz

Reproductive System

• Hormones that Regulate Cycles:

  • FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone): Stimulates ovarian follicle growth in females and spermatogenesis in males.
  • LH (Luteinizing Hormone): Triggers ovulation in females and testosterone production in males.
  • Estrogen & Progesterone: Regulate female reproductive cycles, including menstruation and pregnancy.
  • Prolactin: Stimulates milk production in females postpartum.
  • Oxytocin: Stimulates uterine contractions during labor and milk ejection during breastfeeding.
  • Testosterone: Promotes male secondary sexual characteristics and spermatogenesis.
  • hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin): Maintains the corpus luteum during early pregnancy.

• Cycles of the Reproductive System:

  • Follicular Phase: Development of ovarian follicles; estrogen levels rise.
  • Ovulation: Release of the mature egg from the ovary.
  • Luteal Phase: Corpus luteum forms and secretes progesterone.
  • Menstrual Phase: Shedding of the uterine lining.
  • Pregnancy: Hormonal changes to support fetal development.

Menopause

• Cessation of menstruation due to decreased hormone levels.

Process of Fertilization

• Oocyte Pathway: Released from the ovary, travels through the fallopian tube, and awaits fertilization.
• Spermatocyte Pathway: Sperm travels through the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tube to meet the oocyte.

Fetal Stages of Development

• Weeks 9-12:
  • Ossification centers appear in bones.
  • Differentiation of external genitalia.
  • Limb movement and brain enlargement (head size ~68mm).
  • Weight ~28g.
• Weeks 13-16:
  • Rapid body growth and continued ossification.
  • Brain and skull enlargement (head size ~123mm).
  • Weight ~170g.
• Weeks 17-20:
  • Stronger muscle movements.
  • Lanugo (fine hair) and vernix caseosa (protective skin coating) appear.
  • External genitalia distinguishable on ultrasound (head size ~174mm).
  • Weight ~454g.
• Weeks 21-38:
  • Significant weight gain (2.5-4.5 kg)
  • Subcutaneous fat deposition.
  • Eyebrows and eyelashes appear.
  • Blood cells form in red bone marrow (head size ~335mm)

Diseases

• Ovarian Cancer: Cancer that begins in the ovaries, often undetected until spread within the pelvis and abdomen. Symptoms include bloating, pelvic pain, abdominal swelling, and changes in bowel habits.
• Ectopic Pregnancy: Fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. Symptoms include sharp abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and dizziness. A medical emergency.
• Cervical Cancer: Cancer of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus. It's commonly caused by HPV. Symptoms include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, and pain during intercourse.
• Endometriosis: Tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. Symptoms include severe menstrual cramps, chronic pelvic pain, pain during intercourse

STIs

• Chlamydia: Bacterial infection of the genital tract (often asymptomatic). Symptoms include painful urination, lower abdominal pain, and discharge.
• Genital Herpes: Viral infection causing sores on genitals or mouth. Symptoms include painful blisters/ulcers, itching, and flu-like symptoms.
• Gonorrhea: Bacterial infection affecting the genital tract, rectum, and throat. Symptoms include painful urination, pus-like discharge, and pelvic pain.

Other Diseases

• Breast Cancer: Cancer in breast tissue. Symptoms include lumps, changes in breast shape, nipple discharge, and skin dimpling.
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland in men (often older adults). Symptoms include frequent urination, difficulty starting urination, weak urine stream, and nighttime urination.
• Gestational Diabetes: Form of diabetes developing during pregnancy, affecting how cells use sugar (glucose). Symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue.
• Preeclampsia: Pregnancy complication with high blood pressure and organ damage (often liver or kidneys). Symptoms include high blood pressure, protein in urine, severe headaches, and swelling in hands and feet.

Endocrine System

• Functions: Regulates development, growth, metabolism, homeostasis, digestive processes, and reproductive activities.
• Endocrine Glands and Hormones:
  • Hypothalamus: Controls the pituitary.
  • Pituitary Gland: Anterior (TSH, PRL, FSH, LH, ACTH, GH)
  • Pineal Gland: Melatonin.
  • Thyroid: Thyroid hormones (T3, T4), calcitonin.
  • Parathyroid: PTH (raises blood calcium).
  • Adrenal Cortex: Cortisol, aldosterone, DHEA.
  • Adrenal Medulla: Epinephrine/Norepinephrine.
  • Pancreas: Insulin (lowers blood sugar), glucagon (raises blood sugar).
  • Gonads: Testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, inhibin.
  • Other organs: Heart (ANP), kidneys (EPO, renin), liver.
• Endocrine Disorders: Hyper/hypo conditions (e.g., hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism), Acromegaly, Graves' Disease, Cushing Syndrome, Addison Disease, Diabetes Mellitus.

Blood

• Functions: Transportation of nutrients, gases, and waste; regulation of pH, temperature, and fluid balance; protection against infections and blood loss.
• Components:
  • Plasma (55%): Carries nutrients, hormones, proteins, waste, and helps blood volume.
  • Buffy coat (1%): White blood cells and platelets (part of the immune system, help in blood clotting).
  • Erythrocytes (45%): Transport oxygen and carbon dioxide.
• Blood Values: Hematocrit (percentage of red blood cells in blood volume); Glucose (blood sugar level); Triglycerides; Cholesterol (HDL and LDL).
• Blood Types and WBC Functions:
  • Blood types (A, B, AB, O), Rh factor.
  • WBC functions: Neutrophils (first responders to infections), Lymphocytes (includes T and B cells), Monocytes (become macrophages), Eosinophils (combat parasites), Basophils (release histamine).
• Hemostasis Phases: Vascular spasm, platelet plug formation, coagulation (blood clotting).

Cardiovascular System

• Circulation Types: Pulmonary (lungs), systemic (rest of the body).
• Heart Anatomy: Details of heart parts are not summarized here but should be covered in another section of study.
• Cardiovascular Diseases:
  • Heart failure: Inability to pump blood efficiently (affecting left, right, or both sides of the heart). Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in the legs/ankles/abdomen, and/or persistent cough.
  • Pericarditis: Inflammation of the pericardium (the membrane surrounding the heart). Symptoms include sharp chest pain, fever and a pericardial friction rub.
  • Cardiac arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeats.
  • Valvular diseases: Stenosis (narrowing) or insufficiency (leakage) of heart valves. Symptoms include chest pain, fainting, shortness of breath, and fatigue
• Vascular Diseases:
  • Atherosclerosis: Fatty deposits build up in artery walls, leading to narrowed and hardened arteries.
    • Symptoms: Narrowed or blocked arteries, chest pain (angina), and leg pain.
  • Aneurysm: Bulging or weakened area in a blood vessel wall.
    • Symptoms: Sudden severe pain, dizziness, or loss of consciousness.
  • Varicose veins: Swollen, twisted veins, often in the legs. Symptoms: Aching, pain, heaviness, itching, and swollen veins.

Lymphatic System

• Functions: Drainage of excess tissue fluid, transport of lipids, and houses immune cells.
• Lymphatic Organs: Red bone marrow, thymus, spleen, tonsils, and MALT.
• Lymphatic Disorders: Lymphedema, lymphomas, tonsillitis, and tonsillectomy.

Vessels and Circulation

• Vessel Types: Arteries, veins, capillaries
• Blood Pressure Regulation: Factors influencing blood pressure like blood viscosity, vessel radius, autonomic reflexes

Test your knowledge on the hormones that regulate the reproductive system and the cycles involved. This quiz covers essential aspects such as FSH, LH, estrogen, and the phases of the reproductive cycle. Dive into intricate details about human reproduction and hormonal functions.