Ovaries
This is known as the female gamete
What is an ova or egg?
Containing only 23 chromosomes—half the standard human genetic code—a mature human ova has this type of chromosome set.
What is Haploid?
Fertilization normally occurs in this part of the female reproductive tract.
What is the fallopian tube?
This fluid-filled sac that surrounds and cushions the embryo that forms within one month
What is the amniotic sac?
Held in place by specialized ligaments, these almond-shaped female gonads reside in the pelvic cavity on either side of the uterus
What are the ovaries?
The phase where bleed occurs for a few days and the uterine lining starts shedding.
What is the Menstrual Phase?
These two hormones, essential for female reproduction, are secreted directly by the ovaries into the bloodstream.
What is estrogen and progesterone?
This is the process of producing ova (eggs) in a female
What is Oogenesis?
This term describes the rapid cell divisions that begin approximately 36 hours after fertilization.
What is cleavage?
Beginning around the third month, the developing baby is referred to by this term until birth.
What is a fetus?
This is the site of implantation and what sheds during menstruation
What is the endometrium?
Taking place during Days 6 through 14, this stage of the menstrual cycle is characterized by rising estrogen levels and the repair, thickening, and vascularization of the endometrium
What is the proliferative stage?
This structure of the ovary contains an immature oocyte
What is the Primary Follicle?
This dramatic spike in this hormone acts as the direct chemical signal that causes a mature follicle to rupture and release an egg
What is the Luteinizing Hormone (LH)?
Approximately 72 hours after fertilization, the developing embryo becomes this cluster of 16 or more cells.
What is a morula?
A fetus is practicing sucking motions, collecting meconium in its intestines, and has most of its bones clearly formed. Identify the developmental month and week range.
What is the fourth month, weeks 13–16?
The location where fertilization occurs
What are the Fallopian Tubes?
aking place during Days 15 to 28, this stage of the uterine cycle is driven by rising progesterone levels, which increase blood supply and prepare the endometrium for implantation
What is the secretory phase?
These structures support and secure the ovaries to the lateral walls of the pelvis
What are Suspensory ligaments?
Although ovulation releases an oocyte, this final cell division process is only completed if sperm successfully penetrates the egg
What is Meiosis II?
In a blastocyst, this outer layer of flat cells eventually attaches to and burrows into the uterine lining.
What is the trophoblast?
During the fifth month, the fetus’s skin is covered by these two protective coverings: one is a fatty secretion, and the other is fine, silky hair.
What are vernix caseosa and lanugo?
These are female stem cells found in a developing fetus
What is the Oogonia?
High levels of estrogen produced during the late proliferative stage trigger a dramatic surge in these two pituitary gonadotropins, which leads directly to ovulation.
What are LH and FSH (or Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)?
Found inside the female gonads following the release of an egg, this temporary gland releases large amounts of the hormone progesterone
What is the corpus luteum?
To ensure the secondary oocyte gets almost all the cytoplasm and nutrients needed for fertilization, this tiny, non-functional cell is discarded during meiosis
What is a polar body?
A pregnancy test detects this embryonic hormone, which prevents the corpus luteum from disintegrating so it continues producing progesterone and estrogen.
What is hCG?
A baby born during months six or seven may have difficulty breathing because its lungs have not produced enough of this substance.
What is surfactant?
This gland releases FSH to stimulate ovarian follicle growth, and LH to trigger ovulation
What is the anterior pituitary gland?
If fertilization does not occur, declining levels of LH cause this temporary ovarian structure to degenerate; if fertilization does occur, a hormone produced by the embryo prevents its breakdown
What is the corpus luteum?