1. Female Reproductive System
Anatomy and Physiology

2. Female Vocabulary
Ovulation- monthly release of a mature egg from the ovary
Fertilization- union of the ovum (egg) and sperm; when sperm enters egg in fallopian tubes
Menstruation- the shedding of the uterus lining after the ovary releases the egg and the egg is not fertilized.

3. Vocabulary
Estrogen: the female sex hormone that signals physical changes at puberty and controls maturation of eggs.
Menopause: the time of life which the ovaries slow down their hormone production and no longer release eggs. Age onset around 45-55

4. Ovulation and Fertilization

5. Conception- moment at which the sperm fertilizes the egg

6. Female Vocabulary
Fallopian Tubes- pair of tubes through which ovum travel, fertilization takes place here
4-5 inches long, takes egg 7-10 days to travel through
Diameter of 2 strands of hair

7. 1. Fallopian Tubes

8. Female Vocabulary
3. Cilia- hair-like projections which help move the egg through the fallopian tubes ( do not write)

9. Female Vocabulary
Fimbria- finger-like projections at the end of the fallopian tubes, grab the egg at ovulation and pull it into the fallopian tube

10. 7. Fimbria

11. Female Vocabulary Ovaries- Organ that produces ova or eggs
One egg released every month by alternating ovaries

12. 8. Ovaries

13. Female Vocabulary Ovum- human egg (plural=ova) 23 chromosomes
500,000 at birth, 500 mature
Unfertilized eggs live about hours

14. Female Vocabulary
Follicle- group of cells released from the ovary, contains ovum.
Progesterone: a hormone that signals changes to a woman's reproductive system during pregnancy.

15. Female Vocabulary
Uterus- organ that holds and nourishes the unborn baby (Also called womb)
Mucus plug develops during pregnancy, keeps everything in and out until ready for delivery

16. 2. Uterus

17. Zygote- 1st trimester of development

18. Embryo- 2nd trimester of development

19. Fetus- 3rd trimester of development

20. Female Vocabulary
Cervix- opening to the uterus, produces fluid to help sperm travel
Cartilage-like material (ex. tip of nose)

21. 6. Cervix

22. Female Vocabulary
Vagina- muscular canal that connects the uterus with the outside of the body (Also called birth canal)
About 5 inches long

23. 5. Vagina

24. Female Vocabulary
Vulva- external female genetalia = labia minora (small lips) and labia majora (large lips)
Clitoris- small organ at the end of the vulva, purpose is for sexual arousal

25. 4. Vulva

26. Additional Terms
Endometriosis: is the abnormal growth of cells (endometrial cells) similar to those that form the inside of the uterus, but in a location outside of the uterus.
Ectopic Pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy located outside the inner lining of the uterus.
The Fallopian tubes are the most common locations for an ectopic pregnancy.