From Girl to Woman:From Girl to Woman:Female ReproductionFemale Reproduction

Reproductive SystemReproductive System

OvariesOvariesThe The ovariesovaries are two oval-shaped organs that are two oval-shaped organs that lie on either side of the uterus and lie on either side of the uterus and contain contain hundreds of thousands of eggshundreds of thousands of eggs. Each one is . Each one is about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in a grown woman. The about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in a grown woman. The ovaries ovaries also produce female sex hormonesalso produce female sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. such as estrogen and progesterone.

Ovum and OvulationOvum and OvulationEach month the ovaries Each month the ovaries mature an egg, or mature an egg, or ovumovum, and , and release it into the fallopian release it into the fallopian tubestubes in the process called in the process called ovulationovulation..

Knowledge CheckKnowledge CheckQ: What is produced in the ovaries?Q: What is produced in the ovaries?A: mature eggs and hormonesA: mature eggs and hormones

Q: What is a matured egg cell called?Q: What is a matured egg cell called?A: ovumA: ovum

Q: What term describes the release of the Q: What term describes the release of the mature egg form the ovary?mature egg form the ovary?

A: ovulationA: ovulation

Fallopian TubesFallopian TubesThe The fallopianfallopian tubestubes connect the ovaries to connect the ovaries to the uterus. Once the the uterus. Once the egg is in the fallopian egg is in the fallopian tube, tiny hairs in the tube, tiny hairs in the tube's lining help tube's lining help push push the egg down the the egg down the narrow passageway narrow passageway toward the uterus. toward the uterus.

If sperm are present at the same time as the egg, then the egg would get fertilized while in the fallopian tube.

FimbriaFimbriaAt the other end of each fallopian tube is a At the other end of each fallopian tube is a fringed area that looks like a funnel and is fringed area that looks like a funnel and is called called fimbria.fimbria. When an egg pops out of When an egg pops out of an ovary during ovulation, the an ovary during ovulation, the fimbria help fimbria help sweep the egg into the fallopian tubesweep the egg into the fallopian tube. .

UterusUterusThe The uterusuterus, also called , also called the womb, has a thick the womb, has a thick lining and muscular lining and muscular walls - some of the walls - some of the strongest muscles in the strongest muscles in the female body. These female body. These muscles are able to muscles are able to expand and contract to expand and contract to accommodate a growing accommodate a growing fetusfetus and then help push and then help push the baby out during the baby out during labor. labor.

Knowledge CheckKnowledge CheckQ: In what part of the system will the egg Q: In what part of the system will the egg

get fertilized by the sperm cell?get fertilized by the sperm cell?A: the fallopian tubeA: the fallopian tube

Q: What is the function of the fimbria?Q: What is the function of the fimbria?A: to sweep the ovum into the fallopian tubeA: to sweep the ovum into the fallopian tube

Q: In what part of the system does the baby Q: In what part of the system does the baby grow?grow?

A: in the uterusA: in the uterus

Uterine LiningUterine LiningEach month, the Each month, the uterus will uterus will develop a uterine develop a uterine lining, which is lining, which is thick and rich with thick and rich with blood. blood. A fertilized A fertilized egg can attach to egg can attach to the uterine lining the uterine lining and absorb its and absorb its nutrients.nutrients.

MenstruationMenstruationIf the egg does not get If the egg does not get fertilized, the blood fertilized, the blood supply to the uterus is supply to the uterus is cut off and cut off and the lining the lining breaks away from the breaks away from the wall and flows out of wall and flows out of the bodythe body in the form of in the form of blood and tissue which blood and tissue which is called menstruation, is called menstruation, or period.or period.

Knowledge CheckKnowledge CheckQ: Why does the fertilized egg attach to the Q: Why does the fertilized egg attach to the

uterine lining?uterine lining?A: to absorb its nutrientsA: to absorb its nutrients

Q: What happens to an egg that does not Q: What happens to an egg that does not get fertilized?get fertilized?

A: It leaves the body with the uterine lining A: It leaves the body with the uterine lining during menstruation, or the periodduring menstruation, or the period

CervixCervixThe The cervixcervix connects the uterus with the connects the uterus with the vagina. It has strong, thick walls with a very vagina. It has strong, thick walls with a very thin opening, which is why a tampon can never thin opening, which is why a tampon can never get lost inside a girl's body. get lost inside a girl's body. During childbirth, During childbirth, the cervix can expand to allow a baby to passthe cervix can expand to allow a baby to pass..

VaginaVaginaThe The vagina, vagina, also also called the birth called the birth canalcanal, is a hollow , is a hollow muscular structure muscular structure that extends from that extends from the vaginal opening the vaginal opening to the uterus. It can to the uterus. It can expand and contract expand and contract to accommodate to accommodate something as slim something as slim as a tampon and as as a tampon and as wide as a baby. wide as a baby.

Functions of vagina: sexual intercourse pathway for baby during

childbirth route for menstrual blood to

leave the body.

Knowledge CheckKnowledge CheckQ: What role does the cervix play in Q: What role does the cervix play in

childbirth?childbirth?A: it expands (dilates) to allow the baby to A: it expands (dilates) to allow the baby to

pass from the uterus and into the vaginapass from the uterus and into the vagina

Q: What is another term used for the Q: What is another term used for the vagina?vagina?

A: birth canalA: birth canal

External Genitalia (Vulva)External Genitalia (Vulva)Labia- liplike fatty tissue that surrounds the opening of the vagina and urethra

Clitoris- small knob of erectile tissue located above the urethra

Hymen- thin layer of tissue that partially or wholly covers the entrance to the vagina (not always present)

Urethra- tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body

Label the DiagramLabel the Diagram

1.__labia___

liplike fatty tissue that surrounds the opening of the vagina and urethra2.____clitoris__

small knob of erectile tissue located above the urethra3.__ovary ____

produces egg cells and estrogen4.__estrogen___

female sex hormone5.___ovum____

mature egg cell6. ____ovulation__ the release of the mature egg from the ovary7. _fimbria_ sweeps egg from ovary8. ___hymen____ a thin layer of tissue that partially or wholly cover the

entrance of the vagina (not always present)9. __Fallopian tubes___

where fertilization occurs; transports egg to the uterus10. __uterus__

supports egg during pregnancy; also called the womb11. _uterine lining_ prepares each month to receive a fertilized egg12. __urethra__ tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of

the body13. ___cervix_ dilates during labor to let the baby out of the womb;

common site of cancer14. ___vagina_ organ for sexual intercourse; also called the birth canal15._vulva_ term that collectively describes all of the external genitalia16. _menstrual cycle__a 28 day cycle that prepares the female’s body

for pregnancy

Terms