From Girl to Woman: Female Reproduction

Ovaries The ovaries are two oval-shaped organs that lie on either side of the uterus and contain hundreds of thousands of eggs. The ovaries also produce female sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.

Ovum and Ovulation Each month the ovaries mature an egg, or ovum, and release it into the fallopian tubes in the process called ovulation.

Knowledge Check Q1: What is produced in the ovaries? A: mature eggs and hormones Q2: What is a matured egg cell called? A: ovum Q3: What term describes the release of the mature egg form the ovary? A: ovulation

Fallopian Tubes The fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus. Once the egg is in the fallopian tube, tiny hairs in the tube's lining help push the egg down the narrow passageway toward the uterus. If sperm are present at the same time as the egg, then the egg would get fertilized while in the fallopian tube.

Fimbria At the other end of each fallopian tube is a fringed area that looks like a funnel and is called fimbria. When an egg pops out of an ovary during ovulation, the fimbria help sweep the egg into the fallopian tube.

Uterus The uterus, also called the womb, has a thick lining and muscular walls - some of the strongest muscles in the female body. These muscles are able to expand and contract to accommodate a growing fetus and then help push the baby out during labor.

Knowledge Check Q4: In what part of the system will the egg get fertilized by the sperm cell? A: fallopian tube Q5: What structure sweeps the egg into the fallopian tube? A: fimbria Q6: In what part of the system does the baby grow? A: uterus

Uterine Lining Each month, the uterus will develop a uterine lining, which is thick and rich with blood. A fertilized egg can attach to the uterine lining and absorb its nutrients.

Menstruation If the egg does not get fertilized, the blood supply to the uterus is cut off and the lining breaks away from the wall and flows out of the body in the form of blood and tissue which is called menstruation, or period.

Knowledge Check Q7: Why does the fertilized egg attach to the uterine lining? A: to absorb its nutrients Q8: What happens to an egg that does not get fertilized? A: It leaves the body with the uterine lining during menstruation, or the period

Cervix The cervix connects the uterus with the vagina. It has strong, thick walls with a very thin opening, which is why a tampon can never get lost inside a girl's body. During childbirth, the cervix can expand to allow a baby to pass.

Vagina The vagina, also called the birth canal, is a hollow muscular structure that extends from the vaginal opening to the uterus. It can expand and contract to accommodate something as slim as a tampon and as wide as a baby. Functions of vagina: sexual intercourse pathway for baby during childbirth route for menstrual blood to leave the body.

Knowledge Check Q9: What role does the cervix play in childbirth? A: it expands (dilates) to allow the baby to pass from the uterus and into the vagina Q10: What is another term used for the vagina? A: birth canal

What is That? Q12 Q13 Q11

External Genitalia