The Female Reproductive System
External Female Reproductive Organs Collectively know as the vulva Mons pubis Labia majora Libia minora Vaginal opening Clitoris
External Female Reproductive Organs Mons Pubis and Labia - Rounded mound of fatty tissue located over pubic bone - Oil and sweat glands provide moisture and lubrication Labia minora and majora - Contain many nerved endings and are highly sensitive - Serve as line of protection against pathogens
External Female Reproductive Organs Vaginal opening - May be partially blocked by thin membrane called hymen - May tear during a variety of physical activities Clitoris - Small knob of tissue - Contains many nerve ending and blood vessels
Internal Female Reproductive Organs Vagina Uterus Fallopian tubes Ovaries
Internal Female Reproductive Organs Vagina - Elastic, muscle-lined tube 3-4 inches long - Also known as birth canal - Repository for semen when male ejaculates - Possible for sperm to enter if male ejaculates NEAR the vagina - Menstrual flow exits the female body
Internal Female Reproductive Organs Vagina leads to the cervix, or the neck of the uterus –Normally very small –Opens up during childbirth
Internal Female Reproductive Organs Uterus - Hollow, muscular organ that receives and holds the fertilized ovum during pregnancy - Shaped like up-side down pear an is about the size of your fist
Internal Female Reproductive Organs Fallopian Tubes - Each side of uterus that connect uterus to the ovaries - Where fertilization occurs Ovaries - female sex glands that produce mature ova and female hormones - At birth, women has hundreds of thousands of immature ova - Ovulation: releasing on mature ovum each month into the fallopian tube
Female Reproductive System
The Menstrual Cycle Process of shedding the uterine lining when there isn’t a pregnancy Days 1 – 13: New egg is maturing inside the ovary Day 14: Mature egg is released into fallopian tube Days 15 – 20: Egg travels through fallopian tube into uterus Days 21 – 28: After seven days, if the egg isn’t fertilized, menstruation begins
Concerns About Female Reproductive System Menstrual Problems: - PMS: anxiety, depression, irritability, bloating, mood swings, fatigue - Dysmenorrhea: Severe cramps - Amenorrhea: Lack of menstruation by age 16 or starting and stopping
Concerns About Female Reproductive System Infertility and STD’s: - Inability to bear children - Blocked fallopian tubes, no ovulation, endometriosis - STD’s: Untreated gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV
Concerns About Female Reproductive System Cancer 1. Breast cancer - Early detection is best way to prevent 2. Cervical cancer - Detected by Pap test
Concerns About Female Reproductive System