Female Reproductive System

Essential Questions What are the functions of the female reproductive system? What are the differences between the primary and secondary sex organs. What is the purpose of the menstrual cycle? How does the process of conception occur? How is child bearing and child birth possible? What are some problems of the female reproductive system?

Function of the female reproductive system 1. Produce female sex cell (egg, ovum) 2. Produce estrogen / progesterone 3. Receive sperm during intercourse 4. Provide space and nourishment for the fetus

Journey of an egg cell

Primary Sex Organ Ovary- almond shaped organ actual size- 1 or 2 almonds produces the egg cell produces estrogen and progesterone

Ovary oogenesis- process of developing viable egg cess 5 - 7 hundred thousand oocytes 4 - 5 hundred mature ovum (egg) approximately one for every menstrual cycle

Secondary sex organs Organs required for child birth but non essential for the production of eggs or female hormones.

Fallopian tube also called the oviduct where fertilization of the egg by the sperm usually takes place

Uterus thick walled organ the shape and size of a pear endometrium- inner layer of cells that becomes enriched with blood and nourishment for possible implantation of the fertilized egg.

Uterus If fertilization takes place, fertilized egg implants on uterine wall and begins to grow into developing fetus. If no fertilization, egg and blood enriched endometrium shed menstruation

Cervix opening between uterus and vagina cm dilates, used as a gage for child birth

Vagina 8 to 10 cm long receives the penis during intercourse serves as the birth canal during child birth

Problems with the female reproductive system ectopic pregnancy- egg is fertilized outside of the reproductive organs tubular pregnancy- egg is fertilized and implants on wall of fallopian tubes endometriosis- spilling of the lining of the uterus into the abdominal cavity cervical cancer- cancer cells form in area of the cervix.