 Between the ages of 11 – 14  Pituitary gland secretes a hormone causing the ovaries to secrete other hormones causing the cycles to begin. Breasts develop, hips widen, underarm/pubic hair *Ovaries now allow an egg to mature.

 Sexual Differentation – begins around the 7 th week of development.  Indifferent Organs gonads mullerian ducts tubercle

Vulva – term used to describe the external female reproductive organs. Mons Pubis – rounded fatty pad of tissue, located in front of the female body, directly on top of the pubic bone. Labia Majora – the outer fold of tissue on either side of the vaginal opening. Labia Minora – the inner fold of skin on either side of the vaginal opening.  Both are rich in nerve endings and blood vessels, and serve as a line of protection against pathogens entering the body.

Clitoris – a small knob of tissue in front of the vaginal opening, rich in nerve endings and blood vessels. Function: producing sexual arousal. Vaginal Opening – becomes visible when labia are opened. › Hymen located near the opening.  Not all women have hymen, may break due to activity  Not a sign of a virgin – myth  Function: no real biological function.

Ovaries – the female sex glands situated on both sides of the uterus at the ends of the fallopian tubes. Functions:  Produce the ova (egg)  Female sex hormones  estrogen and progesterone

Ovulation –the releasing of a mature ova at the midpoint of the menstrual cycle. 200,000 – 300,000 immature ova in her ovaries Live for about two (2) days in the fallopian tube.

Fallopian Tubes – tubes on each side of the uterus that are narrow and lined with hair-like projections called cilia. The FIMBRIAE are fingerlike projections at the end of the fallopian tubes. They gather the ova into the fallopian tubes. Function: site where fertilization will usually occur.

Uterus – strong, elastic muscle about the size of a fist. Also referred to as the “womb.” Three divisions of the uterus Isthmus – upper portion Body – middle portion Cervix- lowest portion

Function: › Implantation of the fertilized egg occurs › Endometrium layer of uterine wall  Thickens during menstrual cycle

Vagina – very elastic, tubelike passageway, 4 to 5 inches long. Also referred to as the “Birth Canal” Function: site where insemination takes place.

Sterility – no egg present › Hormone problems › Blockage in the fallopian tubes Cervical Cancer – Pap Test annually › Cells are identified › Surgery › Radiation/Chemotherapy

Ovarian Cancer - 25,000 diagnosed each year – Two types: › Cancer cells lining the ovary › Egg making cells in the ovary – germ cell tumor › Symptoms hard to identify, usually when the disease is quite advanced. › Surgery or chemo/radiation

Breast Cancer – 90% are benign › Change in breast or nipple appearance › Lump or swelling in the breast › Lump under the armpit › Mammogram to identify › Biopsy of tissue to confirm – cancer or not › Usually surgery to treat.