1. STRUCTION and FUNCTION OF FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
STRUCTION and FUNCTION OF
FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE

2. See Figures 21-8 pg. 453 and 21-9 pg. 455

3. OVARIES In lower part of abdominal cavity About the size of an almond
Each ovary contains thousands of microscopic sacs
See Figures 21-8 pg. 453 and pg. 459

4. Fallopian tubes 4” long – not attached to ovaries
Smooth muscle and cilia help propel ova into uterus
See Figure 21-8 pg. 453

5. Uterus and vagina
Hollow, thick-walled, pear-shaped, highly muscular organ
Lies behind urinary bladder and in front of rectum
Fundus – bulging upper part of the uterus
Cervix – narrow neck of uterus that extends into vagina
Uterine wall
Outside thick muscular layer is myometrium
Inside mucous lining is endometrium
Vagina – smooth muscle with a mucous membrane lining

6. External genitalia Vulva External organs of reproduction Labia
Folds of skin that surround the entrance to the vagina
Perineum
Area between vagina and rectum
See Figure pg. 456

7. Accessory organs Breasts (mammary glands)
Areola – darkened area that surrounds the nipple
See Figure 21-11

8. ovaries Primary sex organs of the female
Produce ova (female gamete) and manufacture female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone)
During the reproductive years, a single follicle in the ovary matures every 28 days with an ovum inside
Reproductive ability begins with menarche (first menstrual cycle) during puberty

9. ovulation
Mature ovum is released (ovulation) about 2 weeks before menstrual period begins
After ovulation, the ovum travels down the fallopian tube
Fertilization takes place in fallopian tube, usually within two days of ovulation
Following fertilization, the zygote implants in the uterus
Development of follicle controlled by FSH, ovulation caused by LH
Fallopian tubes – smooth muscle and cilia help propel ova into uterus

10. Menstrual cycle Occurs every 28 days, divided into 4 stages
Follicle stage – FSH from pituitary to ovary, stimulates follicle with ovum to mature then releases estrogen and prepares uterine lining, lasts 10 days
Ovulation stage – Pituitary stops FSH and releases LH, 14th day – follicle ruptures and mature ovum released
Corpus luteum stage – Corpus luteum secretes progesterone. If ovum fertilized, corpus luteum continues secrete progesterone, which prevents further ovulation and maintains uterine lining, lasts 14 days
See Figure pg. 458

11. Menstruation stage
If no embryo, corpus luteum dissolves > progesterone decreases and uterine lining breaks down and is discharged, 3-6 days

12. menopause When monthly menstrual cycle comes to an end
Starts at approximately age 50
Symptoms include hot flashes, dizziness, headaches, and emotional changes

13. Conception and pregnancy
Figures 21-2, 21-3, 21-4 pg. 448

14. Gametes are produced by gonads
Female gonad = ovary
Female gamete = ovum (ova)
Male gonad = testes
Male gamete = sperm

15. chromosomes
Female gametes have 22 pairs of autosomes and single pair of sex chromosomes – XX
Male gametes have 22 pairs of autosomes and single pair of sex chromosomes – XY
_____ total chromosomes
See Figure 21-1 pg. 447

16. fertilization
When games combine to form a zygote (fertilized egg cell)
One sperm penetrates and fertilizes the ovum
Zygote has 46 chromosomes
Zygote cells divide and multiply as it travels down fallopian tube and implants in uterus
At 7 days, zygote becomes an embryo
At 3 months it becomes a fetus

17. pregnancy Gestation Prenatal period or pregnancy Normal pregnancy
40 weeks or 280 days or 3 months
Quickening
First recognizable movement of fetus in 4th – 5th month
Miscarriage – spontaneous abortion
See Figure 21-5 pg. 450