Midwife Licensure Exam Reproductive Anatomy & Physiology — Reproductive Anatomy, Physiology & the Menstrual CycleConcept Map

Concept

Male Reproductive System

Sub Concepts

• Testes and Spermatogenesis
• Accessory Glands
• Sperm Maturation and Delivery
• Testosterone Production

Relationship To Central

Produces sperm and testosterone; determines fetal sex

Concept

Female Reproductive System

Sub Concepts

• External Genitalia (Vulva)
• Internal Organs (Uterus, Vagina, Fallopian Tubes)
• Ovaries and Oocytes
• Bony Pelvis (Obstetric Relevance)

Relationship To Central

Produces ova; site of menstruation, coitus, and pregnancy

Concept

Reproductive Hormones

Sub Concepts

• Hypothalamic-Pituitary Hormones
• Ovarian Hormones
• Placental Hormones
• Positive and Negative Feedback

Relationship To Central

Regulate menstrual cycle, ovulation, and fertility

Concept

Menstrual Cycle

Sub Concepts

• Ovarian Cycle
• Endometrial Cycle
• Signs of Ovulation
• Cycle Variations and Abnormalities

Relationship To Central

Cyclical process preparing for pregnancy; averages 28 days

Concept

Fertility and Conception

Sub Concepts

• Fertilization Process
• Early Embryonic Development
• Implantation
• Infertility and Nursing Support

Relationship To Central

Outcome of reproductive system function; basis for family planning

To

GnRH

From

Hypothalamus

Strength

strong

Relationship

Secretes GnRH to initiate reproductive hormone cascade

To

Anterior Pituitary

From

GnRH

Strength

strong

Relationship

Stimulates pituitary to release FSH and LH

To

Follicle Growth

From

FSH

Strength

strong

Relationship

Stimulates ovarian follicle development in females; supports spermatogenesis in males via Sertoli cells

To

Ovulation

From

LH

Strength

strong

Relationship

LH surge on day 14 triggers follicle rupture and ovum release

To

Testosterone

From

LH

Strength

strong

Relationship

LH stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone in males

To

Positive Feedback

From

Estrogen

Strength

strong

Relationship

Rising estrogen at critical threshold triggers LH surge for ovulation

To

Endometrial Proliferation

From

Estrogen

Strength

strong

Relationship

Estrogen stimulates endometrium to thicken during follicular phase

To

Progesterone

From

Corpus Luteum

Strength

strong

Relationship

Corpus luteum secretes progesterone during luteal phase

To

Basal Body Temperature

From

Progesterone

Strength

strong

Relationship

Progesterone raises BBT by 0.3-0.5°C after ovulation as sign of ovulation

To

Secretory Endometrium

From

Progesterone

Strength

strong

Relationship

Progesterone transforms endometrium into nutrient-rich secretory lining for implantation

To

Corpus Luteum Maintenance

From

hCG

Strength

strong

Relationship

hCG from trophoblast maintains corpus luteum to continue progesterone production in pregnancy

To

Fertilization Window

From

Ovulation

Strength

strong

Relationship

Ovum viable 24 hours; sperm viable 48-72 hours creates fertile window of approximately 5 days

To

Ampulla

From

Fertilization

Strength

strong

Relationship

Fertilization occurs in the ampulla (outer third) of fallopian tube

To

Early Development

From

Zygote

Strength

strong

Relationship

Zygote undergoes cleavage, morula formation, and blastocyst development over 3-4 days

To

Implantation

From

Blastocyst

Strength

strong

Relationship

Blastocyst implants in endometrium 6-10 days after fertilization

To

Scrotal Temperature

From

Spermatogenesis

Strength

strong

Relationship

Scrotum maintains temperature 1-2°C below core body temperature, essential for normal sperm production

To

Duration

From

Spermatogenesis

Strength

strong

Relationship

Complete spermatogenesis takes 64-74 days from spermatogonium to mature sperm

To

Sex Determination

From

Sperm

Strength

strong

Relationship

Each sperm carries either X or Y chromosome; father determines fetal sex through sperm contribution

To

Accessory Glands

From

Semen

Strength

strong

Relationship

Seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands contribute secretions to semen

To

Spinnbarkeit

From

Cervical Mucus

Strength

strong

Relationship

Estrogen makes cervical mucus thin, clear, stretchy and permeable to sperm around ovulation

To

Acidic Environment

From

Vaginal pH

Strength

moderate

Relationship

Vaginal pH 3.5-4.5 maintained by Döderlein's lactobacilli protects against infection

To

Labor

From

Uterine Myometrium

Strength

strong

Relationship

Myometrial muscle contracts during labor; contractions also clamp blood vessels to control postpartum bleeding

To

Birth Canal

From

Bony Pelvis

Strength

strong

Relationship

True pelvis forms birth canal; pelvic measurements determine capacity for vaginal delivery

To

Vaginal Delivery

From

Gynecoid Pelvis

Strength

strong

Relationship

Gynecoid pelvis shape with rounded inlet most favorable for vaginal delivery

To

Fetal Head Passage

From

Pelvic Conjugates

Strength

strong

Relationship

Diagonal conjugate (~12.5 cm) and true obstetric conjugate (~11 cm) estimate fetal head passage capacity

To

Follicular Phase

From

Menstrual Cycle

Strength

strong

Relationship

Follicular phase (days 1-13) is variable length portion of ovarian cycle

To

Luteal Phase

From

Menstrual Cycle

Strength

strong

Relationship

Luteal phase (days 15-28) is fixed ~14 days; cycle variation comes from follicular phase

To

Definition

From

Infertility

Strength

moderate

Relationship

Inability to conceive after 12 months (or 6 months if woman >35 years) of regular unprotected intercourse

To

Primary Type

From

Dysmenorrhea

Strength

moderate

Relationship

Primary dysmenorrhea has no pathology; caused by prostaglandins; management includes NSAIDs and heat

To

Normal Cycle Parameters

From

Nursing Education

Strength

moderate

Relationship

Teaching normal cycle length 21-35 days, flow 2-7 days, and blood loss 30-80 mL helps women recognize abnormalities

To

Contraception and Conception

From

Fertility Awareness

Strength

moderate

Relationship

Same physiological knowledge of fertile window applies whether planning or avoiding pregnancy