7.3 – Physiology (Function) of the Female Reproductive System
Ovulation
Following ovulation, the Fallopian tube receives the oocyte. Oocytes lack flagella, and therefore cannot move on their own.
- High concentrations of estrogen that occur around the time of ovulation induce contractions of the smooth muscle along the length of the Fallopian tube.
- These contractions occur every 4 to 8 seconds, causing the oocyte to flow towards the uterus, through the coordinated beating of the cilia that line the outside and lumen of the length of the Fallopian tube, which pulls the oocyte into the interior of the tube.
- Once inside, the muscular contractions and beating cilia move the oocyte slowly toward the uterus.
- When fertilization does occur, sperm typically meet the egg while it is still moving through the ampulla.
Watch this video
Watch the MedLine Plus video Ovulation [Video] to observe ovulation and its initiation in response to the release of FSH and LH from the pituitary gland.
Media 7.2: Ovulation. From Betts, et al., 2013. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
The Menstrual Cycle
The menstrual cycle is a series of changes the female body goes through monthly to prepare for pregnancy. There are three phases of the menstrual cycle.
- The menses phase of the menstrual cycle is the phase during which reproductive hormone levels are low, the woman menstruates, and the lining is shed. The menses phase lasts between 2 – 7 days with an average of 5 days.
- The proliferative phase is when menstrual flow ceases and the endometrium begins to proliferate. During this phase, reproductive hormones are working in homeostasi to trigger ovulation on approximately day 14 of a typical 28-day menstrual cycle. Ovulation marks the end of the proliferative phase.
- The secretory phase is when the endometrial lining prepares for implantation of a fertilized egg. If no pregnancy occurs within approximately 10- 12 days, the endometrium will grow thinner and shed starting the first day of the next cycle.
Menopause
Menopause is the period of life when a woman will permanently stop having menstrual flows. The menopause is determined after the woman has gone 1 year with no menstruation periods. Menopause is a natural process of a woman growing older. It does not require treatment unless the woman is suffering frequent or severe symptoms. Common menopause symptoms are hot flashes, vaginal dryness, trouble sleeping, and mood changes. Symptoms may improve in the second year after menopause.
Medical Terms in Use
Female Reproductive System Terms Not Easily Broken into Word Parts
Female Reproductive System (Text version)
Practice these female reproductive medical terms that are not easily broken into word parts.
- adenomyosis
- (ad-ĕ-nō-mī-Ō-sis)
- growth of endometrium into the other muscular portion of the uterus
- anovulation
- (an-ov-yŭ-LĀ-shŏn)
- absence of ovulation
- Bartholin’s glands
- (BAR-tō-lĭns glăns)
- Also known as greater vestibular glands they are responsible to secrete mucus to keep the vestibular area moist
- breast cancer
- brest KAN-sĕr
- malignant tumor of the breast
- cervical cancer
- SĔR-vi-kăl KAN-sĕr
- malignant tumor of the cervix, which progresses from cervical dysplasia to carcinoma. Its cause is linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.
- contraception
- kon-tră-SEP-shŏn
- intentional prevention of conception (pregnancy)
- dyspareunia
- dis-pă-ROO-nē-ă
- difficult or painful intercourse
- endometrial cancer
- en-dō-MĒ-trē-ăl KAN-sĕr
- malignant tumor of the endometrium (also called uterine cancer)
- fibrocystic changes of the breast (FCC)
- fī-brō-SĬS-tĭk brest
- fibrosis, benign cysts, and pain or tenderness in one or both breasts (also called fibrocystic breasts)
- fistula
- FIS-chŭ-lă
- abnormal passageway between two organs or an internal organ and the body surface
- hormonal replacement therapy (HRT)
- replacement of hormones, estrogen, and progesterone, typically to treat symptoms associated with menopause
- menopause
- MEN-ŏ-poz
- cessation of menstruation
- oligoovulation
- ol-i-gō-ov-yŭ-LĀ-shŏn
- infrequent ovulation
- ovarian cancer
- ō-VAR-ē-ăn KAN-sĕr
- malignant tumor of the ovary
- ovulation
- ov-yŭ-LĀ-shŏn
- release of ovum from a mature Graafian follicle
- Papanicolaou smear
- păp-ă-NĒ-kă-low smēr
- PAP test – A smear method for examining cells, that is used to detect cancers of the cervix
- pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- inflammation of some or all of the female pelvic organs
- polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- pŏl-ē-SĬS-tĭk Ō-vă-rē SĬN-drōm
- condition typically characterized by hormonal imbalances, ovulatory dysfunction, and multiple ovarian cysts.
- premenstrual syndrome
- prē-MĔN-stroo-ăl SĬN-drōm
- syndrome involving physical and emotional symptoms occurring up to 10 days before menstruation. Symptoms include nervous tension, irritability, mastalgia, edema, and headache.
- prolapse
- PRŌ-laps
- displacement of an organ or anatomic structure from its normal position
- speculum
- SPEK-yŭ-lŭm
- instrument for opening a body cavity to allow visual inspection
- toxic shock syndrome
- severe illness characterized by high fever, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, and myalgia followed by hypotension and, in severe cases, shock and death. Typically occurs in women using tampons and caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes
- tubal ligation
- TOO-băl lī-GĀ-shŏn
- surgical closure of the fallopian tubes for sterilization
- uterine fibroid
- ŪT-ĕ-rīn FIB-royd
- benign tumor of the uterine muscle
- uterine prolapse
- ŪT-ĕ-rīn PRŌ-laps
- downward displacement of the uterus into the vagina
- vaginal fistula
- VAJ-ĭn-ăl FIS-chŭ-lă
- abnormal opening between the vagina and another organ, such as the urinary bladder, colon, or rectum
Activity Source: Female Reproductive System terms not built from word parts from Medical Terminology by Grimm et al., licensed under CC BY 4.0./Some H5P audio re-recorded by Tania Deane and David McCuaig and text version added.
Medical Terms in Context 1
Medical Terms in Context (Text Version)
Use the words below to fill in the medical report:
- Transvaginal
- Laparoscopy
- Dysmenorrhea
- Pain
- Endometrial
- Tissue
- Cysts
- Pelvic
- Endometriosis
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM – MEDICAL REPORT
PATIENT NAME: Stacey ROBERTS
AGE: 28 Sex: Female
DOB: October 27
DATE OF ASSESSMENT: July 22
ADMITTING PHYSICIAN: Adam Vance, MD, Gynecology
DIAGNOSIS: Endometriosis
HISTORY: This 28-year-old white female came to me with symptoms of _____ [Blank 1]. She presented with _____[Blank 2], menorrhagia, and pain with intercourse.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: During a _____[Blank 3] exam, abnormalities were felt. A _____[Blank 4] ultrasound was performed, and _____[Blank 5] were identified.
TREATMENT: I have discussed the results of the ultrasound and have recommended a laparoscopy to provide more information on the location, extent, and size of the _____[Blank 6] implants. A _____[Blank 7] sample will be sent for further testing. If possible, the endometriosis implants will be removed.
PLAN: Ms. Roberts has agreed to the laparoscopy. I have prescribed Orilissa to help with the ________[Blank 8]. My office will set up an appointment for the ________[Blank 9].
___________________________
Adam Vance, MD, Gynecology
Check your answers: [1]
Activity source: Female Reproductive System – Medical Report by Heather Scudder, licensed under CC BY 4.0./Text version added.
Medical Terms in Context 2
Medical Terms in Context (Text Version)
Use the words below to fill in the medical report:
- Edema
- Blood Pressure
- Ovarian
- Menorrhagia
- Auscultation
- Murmur
- Spotting
- Chronic
- Oophoritis
- Urination
- Abdominal
- RLQ
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM – MEDICAL REPORT
PATIENT NAME: Megan WESTOVER
AGE: 29
SEX: Female
DOB: November 22
DATE OF ASSESSMENT: June 4
ATTENDING PHYSICIAN: Adam Vance, MD, Gynecology
HISTORY: A 29-year-old woman complains of right _____[Blank 1] pain. She has fever with chills, nausea, and pain during _____[Blank 2] for 3 days. She is in the 4th day of her menstrual cycle and has _____[Blank 3]. She has had intermenstrual _____[Blank 4] for the last 3 menstrual cycles. She had a hysterectomy due to a breast cancer 9 years ago. She has no other history of _____[Blank 5] illness.
PHYSICAL AND EXAMINATION: VITAL SIGNS: Temperature 102.2, _____[Blank 6] 115/75, and pulse 92, regular. Respiratory rate 16. LUNGS: Normal breath sounds. HEART: No _____[Blank 7], regular rhythm. ABDOMEN: There is a tenderness to deep palpation in the _____[Blank 8]. Pain triggers when the patient bends forward. Normal to _____[Blank 9]. BACK: No flank tenderness. EXTREMITIES: Normal with no _____[Blank 10].
LABORATORY: No UTI, urinalysis done in the clinic negative.
ASSESSMENT: Rule out _____[Blank 11]. No evidence of UTI currently.
PLAN
- CBC lab testing.
- Pelvic ultrasound focused on _____ [Blank 12]structures, transvaginal ultrasound.
- Begin treatment empirically with Ampicillin 500 mg daily.
- Follow up with the patient after the blood and ultrasound results.
___________________________________
Adam Vance, MD, Gynecology
Check your answers: [2]
Activity source: Female Reproductive System – Medical Report by Heather Scudder and Sheila Bellefeuille, licensed under CC BY 4.0./Text version added.
Medical Terms in Context 3
Medical Terms in Context (Text Version)
Using the words below fill in the consultation report:
- Cyanosis
- Mastectomy
- Chemotherapy
- Breast
- HEENT
- Murmurs
- Weight
- Distended
- Erythema
- Lesion
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM – CONSULTATION REPORT
PATIENT NAME: Abigail LANGMAN
AGE: 51
SEX: Female
DOB: July 27
DATE OF CONSULTATION: October 8
CONSULTING PHYSICIAN: Adam Vance, MD, OB/GYN
REASON FOR CONSULTATION: Possible breast cancer.
HISTORY: Patient is a 51-year-old woman here for a check-up because of a suspicious lump that was found on her yearly mammogram. Patient is worried about possible _____[Blank 1] cancer.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: GENERAL: No acute distress. VITAL SIGNS: Temperature is 98.1°F. Pulse is 72, BP is 110/72 mm Hg. Respirations 16. _____[Blank 2] is 186 pounds, height is 5 feet, 8 inches. _____[Blank 3] : Eyes are equal and responsive. Ears are normal, no discharge. Nose is normal. Throat is normal and without _____[Blank 4]. LUNGS: Clear to auscultation. CARDIOVASCULAR: Regular rate and rhythm, no _____[Blank 5]. ABDOMEN: Palpation is soft, not _____[Blank 6], nontender. BREAST: RIGHT: Tender to the touch on right side and has a hard lump about the size of a golf ball near the axilla. LEFT: Normal to the touch, no discomfort. EXTREMITIES: Without edema, _____[Blank 7], or clubbing.
SOCIAL HISTORY: Mother had breast cancer at the age of 48 and had a _____[Blank 8] to remove the left breast. Patient has been scheduled for yearly mammograms since the age of 45 to check for possible signs of early breast cancer. Father has a history of stage 1 rectal cancer treated with 3 rounds of _____[Blank 9]. The patient does not smoke or use recreational drugs, she does like a glass of wine 3-4 nights a week.
Patient states she is quite worried since scheduling an appointment to follow up her mammogram results. Patient has experiencing anxiety which is affecting her eating and sleeping routine.
ASSESSMENT: Patient is a 51-year-old woman here for a check-up because a suspicious lump found on her yearly mammogram. Patient is otherwise healthy and is not currently on any medications.
PLAN
- 1. Ultrasound of the right breast.
- 2. Biopsy of the _____[Blank 10] for pathology. Avoid overexertion or lifting of arms above shoulder height after the biopsy
- Follow-up appointment in 2-3 weeks for results.
________________________
Adam Vance, MD, OB/GYN
Check your answers:[3]
Activity source: Female Reproductive System – Medical Report by Heather Scudder and Sheila Bellefeuille, licensed under CC BY 4.0./Text version added.
Attribution
Except where otherwise noted, this chapter is adapted from “Female Reproductive System” in Building a Medical Terminology Foundation by Kimberlee Carter and Marie Rutherford, licensed under CC BY 4.0. / A derivative of Betts et al., which can be accessed for free from Anatomy and Physiology (OpenStax). Adaptations: dividing Female Reproductive System chapter content into sub-chapters.
- 1. Endometriosis 2. Dysmenorrhea 3. Pelivc 4. Transvaginal 5. Cysts 6. Endometrial 7. Tissue 8. Pain 9. Laparoscopy ↵
- 1. Abdominal 2. Urination 3. Menorrhagia 4. Spotting 5. Chronic 6. Blood Pressure 7. Murmur 8. RLQ 9. Auscultation 10. Edema 11. Oophoritis 12. Ovarian ↵
- 1. Breast, 2. Weight, 3. HEENT 4. Erythema, 5. Murmurs, 6. Distended, 7. Cyanosis, 8. Mastectomy, 9. Chemotherapy, 10. Lesion ↵
reproduce rapidly
biological process that results in stable equilibrium