This chapter should help the student to:

• Name the internal organs and external genitalia of the female reproductive system and give the structure, function, and location of each.
  
• Trace female gamete (ovum) development from embryonic origin through ovulation and implantation.
  
• Describe the structural changes and the roles of FSH and LH at each step of follicle maturation.
  
• Name the cells that produce estrogen and progesterone. Describe the conditions under which these hormones are produced and explain their effects on pituitary FSH and LH production.
  
• Identify each follicle’s stage in the continuum of development and atresia, and the follicles’ component cells and structures in a micrograph of an ovary.
  
• Describe the endometrium in terms of location, structure, blood supply, and changes accompanying the menstrual cycle phases; correlate the endometrial changes with events in the ovary and with changing pituitary and ovarian hormone levels.
  
• Identify, in a micrograph, the uterine wall and its layers and components, and the uterine cervix and its characteristic structural features.
  
• Describe the changes in the structure and location of the conceptus between fertilization and implantation. Know the amount of time that typically elapses between these events.
  
• Describe implantation in terms of the structural changes in the blastocyst and endometrium.
  
• Describe the placenta in terms of fetal and maternal contributions, the steps in chorionic villus development, and the layers of the placental barrier.
  
• Identify, in a micrograph of an implanted blastocyst or embryo, the components of the developing embryo and placenta.
  
• Describe the vaginal wall in terms of its layers, response to estrogen, and innervation. Distinguish the vaginal wall from the esophagus in micrographs.
  
• Describe the vulva in terms of the structure and innervation of its components.
  
• Describe, and identify in a micrograph, the histologic structure of the mammary gland and its components in the prepubertal, resting adult, pregnant, and lactating states.
  
• Describe the synthesis and secretion of milk and name the hormones responsible for breast growth, activation and maintenance of lactation, and milk ejection.

1. Diagram and label the organs of the female reproductive system (I.A; Fig. 23–1).

2. Sketch a cross-section of an ovary (Fig. 23–2) and label the germinal epithelium, tunica albuginea, cortex, medulla, and ovarian follicles.

3. Name in order the stages—from primordial to mature (graafian)—of follicle development (II.B.1–3).

4. Distinguish between primordial and unilaminar primary follicles (II.B.1 and 2.a).

5. Distinguish between unilaminar and multilaminar primary follicles (II.B.2.a).

6. Distinguish between primary and secondary follicles (II.B.2.a and b).

7. Sketch a mature (graafian) follicle (Fig. 23–3) and label the following (II.B.2.a, b and 3):

1. 
   

   Theca externa

   
   
2. 
   

   Theca interna

   
   
3. 
   

   Antrum

   
   
4. 
   

   Liquor folliculi

   
   
5. 
   

   Follicle (granulosa) cells

   
   
6. 
   

   Oocyte

   
   
7. 
   

   Cumulus oophorus

   
   
8. 
   

   Corona radiata

8. Explain the following aspects of ovulation (II.D):

1. 
   

   Assuming menses begin on day 1 of an idealized 28-day cycle, when does ovulation occur?

   
   
2. 
   

   Name the pituitary hormone whose production surges just before ovulation

   
   
3. 
   

   Name the components of the mature follicle (II.B.1–3) carried with the ovum and those left behind after ovulation

9. Sketch a corpus luteum (Fig. 23–2; II.E) and indicate the location of the granulosa lutein cells, the theca lutein cells, and the surrounding stroma.

10. Compare the corpus luteum of menstruation with that of pregnancy (II.E.1 and 2) in terms of the length of time that they persist, the hormones they secrete, the hormones that stimulate their formation and maintain their function, and their size.

11. Name the hormone(s) with the following functions (II.F):

1. 
   

   Stimulate(s) follicle growth, oocyte maturation, and estrogen production

   
   
2. 
   

   Stimulate(s) ovulation

   
   
3. 
   

   Stimulate(s) the formation of the corpus luteum

   
   
4. 
   

   Maintain(s) the corpus luteum of menstruation and stimulate(s) progesterone production

   
   
5. 
   

   Maintain(s) the corpus luteum of pregnancy

   
   
6. 
   

   Inhibit(s) FSH production and stimulates LH production

   
   
7. 
   

   Inhibit(s) LH production

12. Compare atretic follicles (II.B.4) with corpora albicans (II.E.3) in terms of which degenerating ovarian structures they represent, their relative size, their predominant tissue types, and their persistence.

13. Name the four oviduct segments (III.B) and compare them in terms of their location (in relation to the uterus and ovaries; label the segments on your diagram for question 1), their luminal diameter, and the size of their mucosal folds. Indicate the common site of fertilization.

14. Name the two epithelial cell types that line the uterine tubes (III.C) and compare them in terms of their height, apical specializations, and secretory activity.

15. On the diagram for question 1, label the boundaries of the three parts of the uterus (IV).

16. Name the three basic layers in the uterine wall (IV.A–C).

17. Name the two layers of the endometrium (IV.A) and indicate which layer:

1. 
   

   Includes the uterine epithelium

   
   
2. 
   

   Undergoes cyclic thickening and shedding

   
   
3. 
   

   Remains unchanged during the menstrual cycle

   
   
4. 
   

   Is more responsive to ovarian hormones

   
   
5. 
   

   Provides the epithelial cells that cover the uterine surface after menstruation

   
   
6. 
   

   Contains only straight arteries

   
   
7. 
   

   Contains coiled arteries

18. Describe the myometrium (IV.B) in terms of:

1. 
   

   The type of muscle fibers it contains

   
   
2. 
   

   The location(s) and names of its major vessels

   
   
3. 
   

   The two mechanisms responsible for increasing muscle mass during pregnancy

   
   
4. 
   

   Its response to oxytocin during copulation and childbirth (20.IV.A.1)

19. Compare the proliferative, secretory, and menstrual phases of the menstrual cycle (IV.D; Table 23–1) in terms of the:

1. 
   

   Relative thickness of the stratum functionale

   
   
2. 
   

   Appearance of the endometrial glands in histologic section

   
   
3. 
   

   Degree of coiling of the arteries and their proximity to the epithelial surface

20. Draw a coronal section of the uterine cervix (Fig. 23–1) and indicate the location of the simple columnar and stratified squamous epithelia and the cervical glands (IV.E).

21. Describe fertilization (V) in terms of:

1. 
   

   Where it typically takes place

   
   
2. 
   

   Whether it occurs before or after the production of the second polar body

   
   
3. 
   

   The change in chromosome number in the ovum

   
   
4. 
   

   The name applied to the fertilized ovum

22. Compare the zygote, morula, and blastocyst (V; VI) in terms of:

1. 
   

   Relative size

   
   
2. 
   

   Relative number of component cells

   
   
3. 
   

   Size of component cells

   
   
4. 
   

   The presence of a fluid-filled cavity

   
   
5. 
   

   The stage at which the embryo reaches the uterus

   
   
6. 
   

   The stage at which the inner cell mass and trophoblast initially form

   
   
7. 
   

   The stage at which the zona pellucida disappears, allowing direct contact between the embryo and uterine wall and leading to implantation

23. Name the structures formed by the inner cell mass and by the trophoblast (VI.A).

24. Distinguish between the syncytiotrophoblast and the cytotrophoblast in terms of location and structure (VI.A). Which disappears during the later stages of development (VII.A)?

25. Describe decidual cells (VI.B) in terms of structure, function, location, and origin.

26. Distinguish among the decidua basalis, decidua capsularis, and decidua parietalis (VI.B).

27. Distinguish between the chorion frondosum and the chorion laeve (VI.A) in terms of location.

28. Describe the lacunae of the developing placenta (VII.A) in terms of:

1. 
   

   How these cavities in the endometrium originate

   
   
2. 
   

   How they become filled with blood

   
   
3. 
   

   The tissue that forms their lining

29. Name the types of chorionic villi (VII.A) and distinguish between them on the basis of the presence or absence of the syncytiotrophoblast, cytotrophoblast, extraembryonic mesenchyme, and fetal blood vessels.

30. Distinguish between the fetal and maternal parts of the placenta (VI.A and B; VII.A and B) in terms of the specific structures and regions from which they originate, the hormones they secrete, and the location of the fibrinoid.

31. Sketch a chorionic villus extending into a lacuna (Fig. 23–4) and label the six layers of the placental barrier (VII.B.1) present during the first trimester of pregnancy. Which layer is absent during the last trimester?

32. Name the three layers of the vaginal wall and the tissue type(s) in each layer (VIII.A–C).

33. Explain the acidic pH of the vagina and the increase of fluid in the vagina during sexual arousal despite the lack of glands in the vaginal wall (VIII.A).

34. List the major components of the vulva and the structures that border the vestibule (IX.A–D).

35. Compare the glandulae vestibulares majores (Bartholin’s glands) with the glandulae vestibulares minores (vestibular glands) in terms of their size, number, location, secretory product, and their developmental counterparts in the male (IX.B).

36. Compare the clitoris and the penis (IX.A) in terms of the presence of a glans and prepuce and the number of erectile bodies.

37. Compare the labia majora and minora (IX.C and D) in terms of their location; the thickness of the stratum corneum on their external and internal surfaces; the presence of sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and coarse hairs; and their developmental counterparts in the male.

38. Compare the prepubertal, resting adult, pregnant, lactating, and senile mammary glands (X.B–G) in terms of the presence and abundance of:

1. 
   

   Lactiferous sinuses and ducts

   
   
2. 
   

   Plasma cells

   
   
3. 
   

   Adipose tissue

   
   
4. 
   

   Lobules

   
   
5. 
   

   Alveoli

   
   
6. 
   

   Fat droplets and secretory vesicles in alveolar cells

   
   
7. 
   

   Alveolar lumens distended with secretory product (milk)

39. Compare the mode of secretion of milk proteins with that of milk lipids (X.F).

40. List the steps in the milk ejection reflex (X.F.3).