FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMSYSTEM

A) StructureA) Structure

The female gonads The female gonads are the ___________are the ___________

Their main function is Their main function is to to __________________________________

Mature egg cell of the Mature egg cell of the female is called an female is called an ovumovum

fallopian tubefallopian tube—a passageway —a passageway from the ovaries to the uterusfrom the ovaries to the uterus

uterusuterus—hollow muscular —hollow muscular organ in which development of organ in which development of the embryo will occur (if the embryo will occur (if fertilization occurs)fertilization occurs)

during sexual intercourse, during sexual intercourse, sperm are deposited into the sperm are deposited into the vagina vagina

vagina leads from the outside vagina leads from the outside of the females body to the of the females body to the entrance of the uterus—entrance of the uterus—cervixcervix

B) FunctionB) Function

The functions of the The functions of the female reproductive female reproductive system are to system are to produce eggs and produce eggs and nourish the embryo is nourish the embryo is the egg is fertilizedthe egg is fertilized

Each ovary contains Each ovary contains 400,000 follicles—400,000 follicles—clusters of cells that clusters of cells that surround a single egg surround a single egg to help it matureto help it mature

Only about 400 Only about 400 mature eggs will be mature eggs will be released during the released during the life of a womanlife of a woman

C) Menstrual CycleC) Menstrual Cycle

Occurs about every 28 daysOccurs about every 28 days Regulated by hormonesRegulated by hormones Begins during puberty and ends between the Begins during puberty and ends between the

ages of 45-55ages of 45-55 Menopause:Menopause: the permanent stopping of the the permanent stopping of the

menstrual cyclemenstrual cycle During the menstrual cycle, an egg develops During the menstrual cycle, an egg develops

and is released from the ovary while the uterus and is released from the ovary while the uterus prepares itself for a fertilized eggprepares itself for a fertilized egg

Menstrual Cycle:Menstrual Cycle: cycle during which an cycle during which an egg develops and is released from an egg develops and is released from an ovary and the uterus is prepared to ovary and the uterus is prepared to receive the fertilized eggreceive the fertilized egg

If the egg is fertilized, it is implanted in the If the egg is fertilized, it is implanted in the uterus for development to occur.uterus for development to occur.

If the egg is not fertilized, it is discharged If the egg is not fertilized, it is discharged with the lining of the uteruswith the lining of the uterus

Hormones

FSH – Released by Anterior Pituitary

LH – Released by Anterior Pituitary

Estrogen – Produced by the ovary/follicle Thickens uterine wall and keeps FSH and LH levels

low

Progesterone – Produced by the corpus luteum Stimulates blood flow to uterus

1. Menstruation

This process begins the cycle

The tissue, blood The tissue, blood and unfertilized egg and unfertilized egg are discharged are discharged through the vagina.through the vagina.

Menstruation Menstruation usually lasts about usually lasts about 3-7 days3-7 days

2. Follicular Phase2. Follicular Phase

The Follicular Phase is when the follicle The Follicular Phase is when the follicle that surrounds the egg, as well as the egg, that surrounds the egg, as well as the egg, grows and matures. grows and matures.

It begins when levels of estrogen are lowIt begins when levels of estrogen are low FSH and LH are secreted (released) which FSH and LH are secreted (released) which

is what causes the follicle to grow.is what causes the follicle to grow.

As the follicle As the follicle develops, estrogen is develops, estrogen is produced.produced.

The estrogen causes The estrogen causes the lining of the uterus the lining of the uterus to thicken.to thicken.

3. Ovulation3. Ovulation

This phase occurs This phase occurs midway through the midway through the cycle and lasts 3-4 cycle and lasts 3-4 days.days.

More FSH and LH are More FSH and LH are producedproduced

Causes the follicle to Causes the follicle to rupture, releasing the rupture, releasing the egg into the egg into the _________________._________________.

4. Luteal Phase4. Luteal Phase

Begins after the egg Begins after the egg is releasedis released

The follicle turns The follicle turns yellow and is called yellow and is called the corpus luteumthe corpus luteum

Estrogen is continued Estrogen is continued to be released and to be released and progesterone is also progesterone is also produced.produced.

Progesterone stimulates the growth and Progesterone stimulates the growth and development of the blood supply in the development of the blood supply in the uterus and tissue.uterus and tissue.

This allows the uterus to nourish and This allows the uterus to nourish and protect the embryo if the egg is fertilized.protect the embryo if the egg is fertilized.

Back to 1. Menstruation Back to 1. Menstruation

If fertilization does not If fertilization does not occur, the corpus occur, the corpus luteum will begin to luteum will begin to disintegrate.disintegrate.

The follicle breaks The follicle breaks down, and releases down, and releases less hormones, which less hormones, which makes the uterine makes the uterine lining detach.lining detach.