1. The Female Reproductive System

2. What is the function??
To produce an ovum, or egg cell

3. Female Reproductive Organs

4. Female Reproductive Organs

5. External Organs

6. External Organs
All the external organs are called the vulva they consist of:
Clitoris- has a rich supply of nerve endings and blood vessels, produces sexual arousal
Mons Pubis
Labia Minora (inner lips)
Labia Majora (outer lips)
Vaginal Opening

7. Internal Female Reproductive Organs

8. Vagina Very elastic tube-like passageway about 4-5 in
Also called the birth canal, it is capable of stretching enough to allow for the birth of a baby

9. Cervix The neck of the uterus
During childbirth the cervix dilates or opens to allow the passage of the baby

10. Uterus Very strong elastic muscle about the size of a fist
Function: to hold and nourish the developing embryo and fetus
Uterus has an inner lining called the endometrium- this lining build up with blood each month to prepare for a possible pregnancy

11. Fallopian Tubes Tubes on each side of the uterus
Very narrow & are lined with hairlike projections called cillia
Fertilization usually occurs in the widest part of the FT, near the ovaries

12. Ovaries
These are the female sex glands, situated on both ends of the fallopian tubes
Function: house the ova and produce the female sex hormones

13. Ovulation
The process of releasing one mature ovum each month into that ovary’s fallopian tube
At birth a female usually has about 200,000 to 300,000 immature ova in her ovaries
The ovum can live about two days in the fallopian tube

14. Menstrual Cycle 28 Day cycle
Cycle starts on the first day of the menstrual period
Days 1-7
Blood and tissues that have built up on the inner lining of the uterus flow out of the vagina. Usually lasts 2-7 days.
After menstruation, body releases hormones that signal the uterus to get ready to receive a new egg

15. Days 7-14
Blood and nutrients flow into the uterus to protect the egg and nourish it in case it attaches to sperm .
Days 14-21
Ovulation occurs - Egg is released from the ovary
It travels down fallopian tube
If it is not met with a sperm cell than the egg begins to dissolve.

16. Day 21-28
If the egg is not fertilized than the uterus no longer needs the extra blood
A change in hormone levels signals the blood vessels to cut off the blood supply.
The blood dissolves and leaves the body through the vagina as the next cycle begins

17. Fertilization
The process where a sperm unites with an ovum also called conception

18. Sterility Blocking of one or more of the fallopian tubes
Female does not ovulate
Endometriosis growth of excess tissue
STD’s that are left untreated (gonorrhea and chlamydia)