FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• Estrogen and Progesterone are the sex hormones of the female reproductive system
• The female reproductive system, produce egg (ova) , support & protect developing embryo, and give birth to new baby
• The cervix is the lower portion or neck of the uterus. It is lined with mucus, known as cervical mucus
• Cervical mucus provides lubrication and sperm transport during sexual intercourse
• At the end of pregnancy, the cervix acts as the passage through which the baby ecits the uterus into the vagina.
• The cervical canal expands to roughly 50 times its normal width for the passage of the baby duting birth.
• The vagina is a muscular, ridged sheath connecting the external genitals to the uterus. Functions as a two-way street, accepting the penis and sperm during intercourse . Serving as the avenue of birth through which the new baby enters the world
• Vulva - which runs from the pubic area downward to the rectum.
• Labia majora or "greater lips" are the part around the vagina containing two glands (Bartholin’s glands) which helps lubrication during intercourse.
• Labia minora or "lesser lips" are the thin hairless ridges at the entrance of the vagina, which joins behind and in front. In front they split to enclose the clitoris
• The clitoris is a small pea - shaped structure. It plays an important part in sexual excitement in females.
• The urethral orifice or external urinary opening is below the clitoris on the upper wall of the vagina and is the passage for urine.
• The hymen is a thin cresentic fold of tissue which partially covers the opening of the vagina. Medically, it is no longer considered to be a 100% proof of female virginity.
• Ovaries are also known as female gonads . They produce eggs (also called ova) every female is born with a lifetime supply of eggs
• Fallopian tubes strech from the uterus to the ovaries and measure about 8 - 13 cm in length.
• The ends of the fallopian tubes lying next to the ovaries feather into ends called fimbria
• Fertilization typically occurs in the fallopian tube.
• The uterus is a pear-shaped muscular organ in the female reproductive tract. The uterus expands considerably during the reproductive process. The organ grows to from 10 to 20 times its normal size during pregnancy.
• The fundus is the upper portion of the uterus where pregnancy occurs.
• The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus that connects with the vagina and serves as a sphincter to keep the uterus closed during pregnancy until it is time to deliver a baby.
• The main body consists of a firm outer coat of muscle (myometrium) and an inner lining of vascular, grandular material (endometrium)
• The endometrium thickens during the menstrual cycle to allow implantation of a fertilized egg.
• Pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants successfully in the endometrial lining.
• The endometrium is the innermost layer as a lining for the uterus.
• The endometrium is central, echogenic (detectable using ultrasound scanners), and has an average thickness of 6.7 mm.
• During pregnancy, the blood vessels in the endometrium further increase in size and number, forming the placenta. It supplies oxygen and nutrition to the embryo & fetus.