Female Reproductive System

Function of the Female Reproductive System To house/store maturing egg cells ovumBorn with approximately 40,000 – most will die

by puberty. The rest will remain which will be ovulate during a lifetime.

Puberty – development and maturation of the bodyBegins around 10-13 yrs old

Hair growth on legs, arms, pubic area, and underarms, breast development, menstruation, oily skin causing acne, increased perspiration, height and weight gain, emotional

ExternalVulva – all of the external female reproductive

organs (5)

1. Mons Pubis – rounded fatty pad of tissue covered with pubic hair a. Function – prevents bacteria from entering the vulva

2. Labia Majora – outer fold of vulvaa. Function – protects the vaginal opening

3. Labia Minora – inner fold of the vulvaa. Function – protects the vaginal opening

4. Vaginal Opening – entranceway to the vaginal canala. Hymen – thin membrane located inside the vaginal openingb. No function, not present on every femalec. Some tear, some do not

5. Clitoris – small knob of tissue located in front of the vaginal opening a. ** Very Sensitive – millions of nerve endings located hereb. Important in sexual arousal (swells)

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Labia Majora

Labia Minora

Vaginal Opening

Mons Pubis

Internal1. Ovary – also known as the female sex

gland Function – (1) houses the maturing egg

cells and (2) produces the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone

1 egg matures at a time, grows inside a follicle, when it breaks, a mature egg is released

This is known as ovulation

Ovaries

2. Fallopian Tubes Function - Connects the ovaries to the

uterus Lined with tiny hair follicles (cilia)

** fertilization occurs here!!**

3. Uterus – about the size of a fist Function – houses a developing fetus Elastic

Uterus

Uterus

4. Endometrium – lining of the uterus Function – this lining develops monthly getting

ready for a fertilized egg to implant into the uterine wall

Made up of blood vessels and blood cells

5. Cervix – neck of the uterus Function – important during labor

o Dilates to 10 centimeters

6. Vagina – female sex organ Function - Birth canal and passageway for

menstrual period You DO NOT urinate through the

vagina!!! Expands during arousal

Occurrences & Concerns1. Menstruation – the shedding of the

endometrium monthly 28 day cycle

Days Days Days Days Days

1-7 8-13 14-17 18-23 24-28

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2. Menopause – the stoppage of the menstrual cycle Egg are depleted Women experience – hot flashes, mood swings,

irritability 3. Endometriosis – when the lining of the uterus develops on

the outside of the uterus. This lining develops monthly but when it’s time to be shed, the blood flow has no where to go • Symptoms – heavy elongated periods, abnormal periods, bloating,

cramping, trouble conceiving• Treatment – anti inflammatory antibotics

4. Hysterectomy – surgical removal of the uterus that may or may not also be accompanied by the removal of the cervix and/or ovaries. • Why? Abnormal bleeding, cancers, tumors, or

endometriosis,

6. Ectopic Pregnancy – when the fertilized egg does not drop into the uterus to develop. It begins developing in the fallopian tubes.

• Most pregnanciess will naturally abort• Very painful – organ will burst

5. Tubal Ligation – Sterilization which requires the sealing of the fallopian tubes so egg cells cannot drop into the fallopian tubes• Most insurances will cover• Considered surgery

7. “G” Spot – Grafenburg Spot• Located within the front wall of the

vagina• When stimulated, it produces an intense

orgasm