Female Reproductive System

• Both sexes have reproductive organs called GENITALS or GENITALIA designed for the purpose of intercourse and conception
• Ovaries are two solid egg-shaped structures that produce estrogen and progesterone
• Ovaries have two main functions: storing and releasing egg cells and producing progesterone and estrogen
• Ova are the female reproductive cells and are the largest cells in the female body (about the size of a grain of sand)
• The female baby is born with all the ova she will ever have which is about 200,000 in each ovary
• About 400-500 ova mature and are released over a lifetime 
• Estrogen is responsible for the secondary sex characteristics and the sex drive in females. 
• Estrogen spurs the onset of puberty and is responsible for OVULATION.
• Progesterone builds up the lining of the uterus called the endometrium in preparation for the fertilized ovum
• An egg cell in a female is called an ovum, plural: ova
• ovulation happens when the egg is released from the ovary.
• During ovulation, the ovum moves to the surface of the ovary in bursts out. The ova falls into the fallopian tube and waits for fertilization. This happens every 28 days, usually on 14th day of cycle
• Fallopian tubes (also known as oviducts) aren two tubes attached on either side of the uterus. They carry the egg from the ovaries to the uterus and the sperm cells to the egg cells.
• Fertilization takes place in the upper  third of the oviduct.
• Uterus is a hollow, muscular organ (shaped somewhat like an upside-down pear, about the size of a fist). It is lined with endometrium (a blood lining.) 
• The uterus has one main function—to protect and nourish a fetus
• The walls of the uterus have the ability to stretch to the size of a small watermelon.  
• After childbirth the uterus shrinks back to the original shape in 6-8 weeks, but it can take up to nine months for the uterus to fully recover. 
• Cervix is the neck or opening of the uterus
• A normal healthy cervix is the strongest muscle in the body. 
• Vagina is the female organ used for intercourse, it is an empty passageway leading from the vaginal opening to the uterus. 
• The vagina is only 3-4 inches long, but will lengthen during arousal. 
• Urethra is the opening to the bladder
• Clitoris is a small, pea shaped bump at the front of the labia. It contains a small amount of erectile tissue.
• (Female) around ages 9 - 12 secondary sex characteristics start to appear
• (Female) around ages 11-14, menstral cycle begins
• (Female) around 20-30's is peak sexual urge
• (Female) Around ages 45-55 is menopause
• Fallopian tubes are about four inches long and 3/16 inch in diameter
• A female is born with approximately 2 million egg cells
• The first discharge of blood from vagina is called menarche
• every ovulation, one mature egg cell or female gamete is released
• The noursihing and protecting of the fertilized egg during nine months of its development is called pregnancy or gestation
• It takes 3-4 days for an ovum to travel inside the fallopian tube
• A follicle is a cluster of cells that surrounds and immature egg cell and provides it with nutrients and protection
• Zygote is the fertilized egg that develops into a human embryo