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Reproduction NCLEX

Terms in this set (110)

External Structures - Vulva
external female genitalia including the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and vaginal opening
External Structures - Mons pubis
rounded, fatty mass over the pubic bone that prevents injury to the bone during intercourse.
External Structures - Labia majora
two large folds of fatty tissue that are covered with hair on their outer surfaces; they enclose and protect the vagina
External Structures - Labia minora
Two smaller hairless folds of tissue that are located within the labia majora
External Structures - Prepuce
a fold of skin covering the tip of the clitoris
External Structures - fourchette
area beneath vaginal opening at base of labia majora; trauma provides forensic evidence in rape trials
External Structures - Clitoris
organ of sensitive erectile tissue anterior to the opening of the female urethra
External Structures - Vestibule
the area of the vulva located inside the labia minora...It contains the openings to the urethra and the vagina
External Structures - Perineum
in females, the area between the anus and the vagina
Internal Structures - Vagina
in the human female reproductive system, a canal that leads from the uterus to the outside of the body
Internal Structures - Cervix
neck of the uterus, opening into the vagina
Internal Structures - Uterus
organ of the female reproductive system in which a fertilized egg can develop
Internal Structures - Ovarian Tubes
where egg is usally fertilized
Internal Structures - Ovaries
located one on each side of the uterus in the female pelvis, functioning to secrete estrogen and progesterone
gonads
reproductive glands-male, testes; female, ovaries
gametes
sex cells, produced by gonads (female - ovaries) (male - testes)
embryo
An organism in the earliest stage of development
fertilization
process in sexual reproduction in which male and female reproductive cells join to form a new cell
female and male reproductive systems are undifferentiated for about the first _____ weeks of gestation
8 weeks
males: during the ____th & ____th weeks, the medulla develops into a testis and the _______ regresses.
7th & 8th weeks / cortex regresses
females: by about the _____th week, the _______ develops into an ovary, and the _______ regresses.
10th / cortex / medulla regresses
No oocytes are formed after fetal development. True or false?
true.
about how many oocytes are contained in the ovaries at birth.
150,000
Spermatogenesis od mature sperm does not occur until when?
the onset of puberty.
What 2 hormones do genetic males secrete?
1. testosterone
2. Mullerian regression factor
Genetic males & females possess the same external genitals until the end of the ______th week
9th week
By the _____th week, differentiation of the external genitals is complete.
12th week
If fetal testosterone is not present, the undifferentiated external genitals are _________.
feminized.
If fetal testosterone is present, the undifferentiated external genitals become ___________ .
masculine.
phallus in females becomes the ______
clitoris
phallus in males becomes the ______
penis
Puberty
developmental period between childhood and attainment of adult sexual characteristics and functioning.

boys mature physically about 2 years LATER than girls.
puberty lasts from _____ to _____ years and involves profound physical, psychological and emotional changes.
1.5 - 5 years
Girls: Major Physical Changes
1. broadening of the hips
2. budding of the breasts
3. appearance of pubic and axillary hair
4. onset of menstruation called menarche
The average time between breast development and menarche is ______ years.
2.3 years
Boys: Major Physical Changes
1. increase in external genital size
2. appearance of pubic, axillary and facial hair
3. deepening of voice
4. nocturnal seminal emissions (wet dreams) without sexual stimulation. dont usually contain mature sperm.
puberty diversity depends on
an individual's response to hormonal stimulation
CNS releases a neurotransmitter that stimulates the hypothalamus to synthesize and release what?
GnRH - gonadotropin-releasing hormone

which is transmitted to the anterior pituitary, where it causes the synthesis and secretion of the gonadotrophins FSH & LH
FSH & LH stimulates the secretion of what tow hormones?
androgens (male sex hormones)
estrogen (female sex hormones)
Androgens and Estrogens influence the development of what?
secondary sex characteristics
FSH and LH stimulate the process of what?
spermatogenesis and maturation of ova.
Abnormal high amounts of what 3 hormones can disrupt the onset of normal puberty.
1. ACTH hormone
2. thyroid hormone
3. GH - growth hormone
what influences the size, color, shape of a women's external organs?
1. age
2. heredity
3. race
4. # of children
The female external genitals called the vulva include the following structures:
1. mons pubis
2. labia majora and minora
3. clitoris
4. urethral meatus and paraurethral opening (Skene's) glands
5. vaginal vestibule
6. perineal body
The vulva has a generous supply of blood and nerves. As a women ages, estrogen secretion __________ , causing the vulvar organs to do what?
decreases, atrophy
The labia majora
longitudinal, raised folds of pigmented skin, one on either side of the vulvar cleft.
The chief function of the labia majora is
to protect the structures lying between them
The inner surface of the labia majora in women who have not had children is
moist and looks like mucous membrane
The inner surface of the labia majora in women who have had children is
more skinlike
Because of the extensive venous network in the labia majora, what may occur during pregnancy?
varicosities
Because of the extensive venous network in the labia majora, what may occur during birth/sexual trauma?
hematomas
The labia minora
are soft skin folds within the labia majora that converge near the anus, forming the fourchette.

sebaceous cysts commonly occur in this area.

composed of erectile tissue, sebaceous gland, involuntary muscle tissue.
Vulvovaginitis in the labia minora areaa is
very irritating because the labia minora have many tactile nerve endings.
the clitoris is located
ABOVE the urethral meatus

has a very rich blood supply and secretes smegma, which has a unique odor that may be sexually stimulating to males.

in some cultures, the clitoris is removed.
Paraurethral glands or Skene's glands
open into the posterior wall of the urethra close to its opening. their secretions help lubricate the vaginal vestibule, facilitating sexual intercourse.
Vaginal Vestibule
boat shaped depression enclosed by the labia majora and visible when they are separated.
hymen
thin elastic collar or semicollar of tissue surrounds the vaginal opening

avascular

surrounds the vaginal opening and can be torn not only through sexual intercourse but also through strenuous physical activity, masturbation, menstruation, tampon use.
external to the hymen are 2 small papular elevations containing the openings of the ducts of the vulvovaginal (Bartholin's) glands
secrete clear, thick, alkaline mucus that enhances the viability and motility of sperm deposited in the vaginal vestibule.
these gland ducts can harbor what bacteria?
Neisseria gonorrhoea and others

which can cause suppuration and abscesses in the Bartholin's glands.
Perineal body
wedge shaped mass of fibromuscular tissue between the anus and the vagina referred to as the perineum

allows a remarkable amount of stretching

the tissue is often the site of an episiotomy or lacerations during childbirth.
Female internal reproductive organs
1. vagina
2. uterus
3. fallopian tubes
4. ovaries

target organs for estrogenic hormones and they play a unique part in the reproductive cycle.
vagina
muscular and membranous tube that connects the external genitals with the uterus.

extends from the vulva to the uterus in a position nearly parallel to the plane of the pelvic brim.

aka birth canal - because it forms the lower part of the axis through which the fetus must pass during birth.
When a woman lies on her back after intercourse, the space in the __________ permits the pooling of semen
fornix
The collection of a large # of sperm near the cervix at or near the time of ______________ increases the chances of pregnancy
ovulation
The walls of the vagina are covered with
ridges or rugae crisscrossing each other.

they allow the vaginal tissues to stretch enough for the fetus to pass during childbirth and intercourse.
which muscle is the principle muscle that closes the vagina?
levator ani
the vaginal environment is normally acidic or basic?
acidic, pH 4-5

maintained by a relationship btw/ lactic acid producing bacilli and the vaginal epithelial cells that contain glycogen, broken down by bacilli into lactic acid.

the amount of glycogen is regulated by OVARIAN HORMONES.

Any interruption of this process can destroy normal self cleansing action of the vagina.
Interruption of the lactic acid producing bacilli and the vaginal epithelial cells symbiotic relationship can be caused by:
1. antibiotic therapy
2. douching
3. vaginal sprays / deodorants
What is the pH like from infancy until puberty and after menopause?
neutral 7.4
3 functions of the vagina
1. passageway for sperm during intercourse or for fetus during childbirth.

2. passage for the menstrual blood flow from uterine endometrium to outside of body.

3. protection against trauma from intercourse and infection of uterus, ovary and pelvic from patho organisms.
Uterus
hollow, musclar thick walled organ shaped like an upside down pear.

lies in the center of the pelvic cavity btw the base of the bladder and rectum, above the vagina.
Women exposed to DES in utero have structural variations of _______ , ________ , & _________ . These women have increased incidence of ____________ , _______ __________ , _______ __________ , & _______ ________ .
cervix, uterus, & vagina.

miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, cervical incompetency, & preterm births.
Position of the uterus can vary depending on
1. women's posture
2. # of children born
3. bladder and rectal fullness
4. normal respiratory patterns
4 pairs of ligaments support the uterus
1. cardinal
2. uterosacral
3. round
4. broad

also single anterior and posterior ligaments
The isthmus takes on importance in pregnancy because it becomes the lower uterine segment.
at birth, this thin lower segment, situated behind the bladder, is the site for lower C-section births.
function of uterus
provides a safe environment for fetal development
nidation
Implantation of the fertilized ovum (zygote) in the uterine endometrium ( lining of the uterus ).

once the embryo is implanted, the developing fetus is protected until expelled.
the sphincters at the fallopian tubes prevent what from flowing backward into the fallopian tubes from the uterus?
menstrual blood
the uterine contractions during labor are responsible for what?
dilation of the cervix and provide major force for passage of the fetus through the pelvic and vaginal canal at birth
endometrium
innermost layer of the uterine corpus (muscle)
- mucosal layer

from menarche to menopause, it undergoes monthly renewal and degeneration in the absence of pregnancy.
endometrial milk
- helps sperm travel to fallopian tubes
- nourishes developing embryo before it implants in the endometrium
cervix
distal end of the uterus

provides a protective portal for the body of the uterus.
what is the cheif characteristic of the uterus?
elasticity

its ability to stretch is due to the high fibrous and collagenous content of the supportive tissues and also to the vast number of folds in the cervical lining
the cervical mucosa has 3 functions
1. provide lubrication for the vaginal canal
2. act as a bacteriostatic agent
3. provide an alkaline environment to shelter deposited sperm from acidic vaginal secretions
at ovulation, cervical mucus is
clearer, thinner and more alkaline than at other times
round ligament
keeps the uterus in place
broad ligament
keeps the uterus centrally placed and provides stability within the pelvic cavity.

enlarge during pregnancy

steady the uterus during labor
ovarian ligaments
Anchors the ovaries to the uterus

helps the fimbriae of the fallopian tubes to catch the ovum as its released each month
cardinal ligaments
The chief uterine supports, suspending the uterus from the side walls of the true pelvis.

prevent uterine prolapse and support the upper vagina
infundibulopelvic ligament
Ligament that suspends and supports the ovaries.
uterosacral ligament
from cervix to sacrum (lateral to the rectum) support the uterus
fallopian tube isthmus
straight and narrow, with a thick muscular wall and an opening.

its the site of tubal ligation (surgery to prevent pregnancy)
fallopian tube ampulla
which comprises the outer 2/3 of the tube.

fertilization of secondary oocyte by a spermatozoon usually occurs here.

ends at the fimbria
fimbria
funnel like enlargement with many moving fingerlike projections reaching out to the ovary.
Any malformation and malfunction of the fallopian tubes could result in
infertility, ectopic pregnancy or even sterility
Fallopian tubes have 3 functions:
1. provide transport for the ovum from the ovary to the uterus (transport time varies from 3-4 days)

2. site for fertilization

3. serve as a warm, moist, nourishing environment for the ovum or zygote (fertilized egg)
ovaries
2 almond shaped glandular structures just below the pelvic brim.

one on each side of pelvic cavity

size varies among women and according to the stage of the menstrual cycle.
ovaries change appearance from smooth-surface, dull, white organs to pitted gray organs as _________
the woman ages
cortex of the ovaries
main functional part, containing ova, graafian follicles, corpora lutea, degenerated corpa lutea degenerated follicles.
ovaries are the primary source of 2 important hormones
1. estrogen
2. progesterone
estrogens are associated with feminity including
- breast alveolar lobule growth and duct development

the ovaries secrete large amounts of estrogens
estrogen production sites
1.the ovaries secrete large amounts of estrogens

2. adrenal cortex in nonpregnant women secretes minute amounts of estrogen

3. fat cells produce a secondary estrogen
progesterone
aka hormone of pregnancy

inhibits uterine contractions and relaxes smooth muscle to cause vasodilation, allowing pregnancy to be maintained.
what is the primary source of progesterone during pregnancy?
placenta
progesterone also inhibits the action of ________ in ________________ synthesis, thereby preventing lactation during pregnancy.
prolactin in a-lactalbumin
what is responsible for the cyclic changes that allow pregnancy to occur?
the interplay btw/ the ovrian hormones and other hormones such as FSH and LH
Female Bony Pelvis has 2 functions
1. support and protect contents
2. form the relatively fixed axis of the birth passage
Pelvis is made of up of 4 bones
2 innominate bones
sacrum
coccyx (tailbone)

resembles a bowl / basin
the 4 bones join at the symphisis pubis
the ischial spines
serve as a reference point during labor to evaluate the descent of the fetal head into the birth canal.
FHR
fetal heart rate
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