Female Reproductive System Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Female Reproductive System Deck (71)
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1
Q

Name the 6 main features of the Female Reproductive System

A
  • 2 ovaries
  • 2 fallopian tubes
  • uterus
  • cervix
  • vagina
  • vulva
2
Q

Describe the ovaries

A

Dull white almond shaped structure, approx 4cm long

Paired organs either side of the uterus

3
Q

Describe the positioning of the ovaries

A

Lie posteriorly and laterally relative to the body of the uterus and below the fallopian tubes, suspended within pelvis cavity by several ligaments

4
Q

What 3 ligaments are the ovaries suspended within the pelvis cavity by?

A
  • ovarian
  • suspensory
  • mesovarium
5
Q

What does the ovarian ligaments do?

A

Anchors the ovary medially to the uterus

6
Q

What does the suspensory ligaments do?

A

anchors the ovary laterally to the pelvic wall

7
Q

What does the mesovarium ligament do?

A

suspends the ovary joint with the broad ligament and keeps it in place

8
Q

The ovaries are the primary female reproductive organ. True or False?

A

True

9
Q

What is the name of the female gamete produced by the ovaries?

A

Oocyte

10
Q

What two female sex hormones do the ovaries secrete?

A

oestrogen and progesterone

11
Q

How is blood supplied to the ovaries?

A

through ovarian arteries and the ovarian branch of the uterine artery

12
Q

The ovary consists of two layer. What are they?

A

Outer layer - cortex

Inner layer - medulla

13
Q

What is embedded in the ovary cortex?

A

Ovarian follicles

14
Q

What do ovarian follicles consist of?

A

an immature egg (oocyte)

15
Q

When the follicle becomes a ‘graafian follicle’ what does this mean for the oocyte

A

This is the follicle at its most mature stage that it bulges from the surface of the ovary

16
Q

Define ovulation

A

Ejection of the oocyte from the ripening follicle

17
Q

What is corpus luteum?

A

Ruptured follicle after ovulation that remains to maintain hormone secretion

18
Q

Describe the uterine tubes (fallopian tubes)

A

Smooth muscle walls, approx 10-12cms long, lined with cilia and secretory cells

19
Q

What do the fallopian tubes do to aid fertility?

A

They expand around the ovary forming the ampulla where fertilisation usually takes place and they receive the ovulated oocyte

20
Q

Name the finger-shaped projections at the ends of the ampulla

A

Fimbriae

21
Q

What’s the role of the fimbriae?

A

The fimbriae uses cilia to create currents to carry the oocyte into the uterine (fallopian) tube from the ovaries since they have no contact

22
Q

What carries the oocyte towards the uterus with the action of fimbriae?

A

Peristalsis - wave-like muscle contractions

Ciliary action - movements of cells/organelles

23
Q

Describe a non-pregnant uterus

A

located in the pelvic cavity - hollow, thick-walled organ located in the pelvis anterior to the rectum and posterior to the bladder

24
Q

What is the fundus?

A

rounded region of the uterus superior to the entrance of the uterine tubes

25
Q

What is the isthmus?

A

narrow organ passage of tissues between the body and the cervix

26
Q

Explain the functions of the uterus

A

To provide suitable environment for the growth and development of the foetus and to assist in the expulsion of the foetus, placenta and membranes at birth

27
Q

The uterine wall is composed of 3 layers. Which are..

A

1 - endometrium
2 - myometrium
3 - perimetrium

endo - inner
myo - muscle
peri - surrounding

28
Q

What is the endometrium?

A

The mucosal lining of the uterine cavity - becomes the ‘decidua’ during pregnancy - where the embryo will implant

29
Q

Why does the endometrium has numerous uterine glands?

A

They change in length as the endometrial thickness changes - e.g during menstruation

30
Q

What happens to the endometrium during and after menstruation?

A

During - part is shed

After - a new layer is formed

31
Q

Define the myometrium

A

Middle layer of the uterine wall of smooth muscle

32
Q

Define the perimetrium

A

Outermost layer of the uterine wall, formed by peritoneum

33
Q

Describe the cervix

A

Narrow neck which projects into the vagina, approx 2.5cm long

34
Q

What is the important role of the cervix?

A

Protecting the uterus from infection

35
Q

The cervical cavity communicates with…

A

1 - the vagina via the external opening passage

2 - the uterine body via the internal opening passage

36
Q

What do the cervical glands secrete?

A

Mucus that covers the external opening passage and blocks sperm entry except during mid-menstruation cycle

37
Q

Describe the vagina

A

thin-walled, hollow, fibre-muscular tube lying between bladder and rectum: directed upwards and backwards

38
Q

The vagina comprises of 3 layers, which are:

A

1 - muscosa
2 - muscle
3 - fascia

39
Q

The vagina extends from the vulva to the cervix, approx ..?..cm long

A

7.5cm wall length

40
Q

The vagina is made of rugae. What is this?

A

rugae refers to series of ridges produced by folding of the wall of an organ

41
Q

Describe vaginal rugae

A

The vagina is lined by moist epithelial cells, smooth muscle layer to maintain tone and ability to stretch during times such as sexual intercourse and childbirth

42
Q

What is the urethra and where is it located?

A

The passage for urine, embedded in the anterior wall of the vagina

43
Q

Where are vaginal fornices/fornix located?

A

(latin for arch) located at the upper end of the vagina, surrounding the cervix

44
Q

What is muscosa?

A

Located near the vaginal orifice forming an incomplete division called the hymen

45
Q

What is the hymen?

A

The hymen is a thin piece of mucosal tissue that surrounds or partially covers the external vaginal opening

46
Q

What are the vaginal functions?

A

Passageway for menstrual blood flow, sexual activity and birth, prevention of ascending infection

47
Q

No glands are present in the vagina…why?

A

Secretions from the cervical glands provide moisture and transudation of serous fluid from blood vessels

48
Q

Describe the mons pubis

A

fatty pad located over pubic bone, skin and hair covered after puberty

49
Q

Describe labia majora

A

two thick (outer) folds of fatty skin covered tissue

50
Q

Describe the labia minora

A

two thinner (inner) skin fold, anteriorly encircles the clitoris, forms to prepuce and a smaller, lower fold called the frenulum just below the prepuce

51
Q

Describe the clitoris

A

highly sensitive erectile tissue that host many nerve endings for sexual pleasure

52
Q

What is the urethral meatus?

A

the external opening of the urethra which connects to the bladder

53
Q

Describe the hymen

A

Thin membrane below the vaginal orifice, ruptures easily from tampons, intercourse and at birth

54
Q

Where are the bartholin’s glands (vestibular glands) located?

A

Ducts which emerge from both sides of the vaginal orifice and inner sides of labia minora.

55
Q

What do the bartholin’s glands do?

A

Mucus secretion to lubricate vulva - increased during sexual arousal

56
Q

Where are the scene’s glands located and what do they do?

A

Located at the mouth of the urethra. Swell during arousal and play a role in female ejaculation

57
Q

Explain the vestibule

A

Extends from the clitoris to the fourchette, therefore containing urethral and vaginal orifices and vestibular glands (skenes and bartholins)

58
Q

Where is the fourchette located?

A

Where the labia minor joins posteriorly to the vaginal orifice

59
Q

Where is the perineum located?

A

Extends from the fourchette to anus, covering pelvic floor muscles. Prone to tears in labour, or cut if necessary

60
Q

What is the age range for puberty?

A

10-14

61
Q

What is the age range for menopause?

A

45-55

62
Q

What visibly appears during puberty?

A

hair and fat accumulates

63
Q

Secretory glands become less active during puberty. True or False?

A

False. Become more active, more hormones to secrete

64
Q

Labia majora and minora become pigmented with melanin during puberty. What is this?

A

Melanin is the pigment that gives hair, skin and eyes their colour

65
Q

The clitoris shrinks during puberty. True or False?

A

False, it enlarges.

66
Q

During puberty vaginal epithelium thickens and…

A

becomes responsive to oestrogen

67
Q

How does vaginal pH decrease during puberty?

A

lactobacilli metabolise vaginal epithelium

68
Q

What happens to the size of the uterus and cervix during puberty?

A

Uterus grows and cervix doubles in length

69
Q

What is meant by epithelium?

A

The thin tissue forming the outer layer of a body’s surface

70
Q

What is lactobacilli?

A

a rod-shaped bacterium which produces lactic acid which helps destroy pathogenic bacteria

71
Q

Vaginal examinations can flag up issues of sensitivity, informed consent, privacy etc. What other considerations would midwives need to be mindful of before undertaking a VE?

A
  • embarrassment/anxiety
  • have they had a VE before?
  • their age? particularly young, vulnerable?
  • experience of sexual violence?
  • childhood sexual abuse
  • FGM