Female Reproductive System

• Ovaries


  female gonads, produce estrogen and progesterone, release one egg once a month
• Ovum(egg)


  larger than sperm, more cytoplasm and nutrients, lots of mitochondria, fertile for 24 hours
• Oviducts


  site of fertilization, receives egg from ovary
• Fimbriae


  bring egg into the oviduct
• Myometrium


  muscle layer that supports baby and moves it into the birth canal
• Endometrium


  blood vessel lining, provides nourishment for embryo, sheds during period
• Embryo Pregnancy


  sperm enters egg and embryo implants in endometrium
• Embryo No Pregnancy

  endometrium sheds
• Cervix


  holds fetus in place during pregnancy
• Vagina Functions

  birth canal and sexual intercourse
• External Genitalia


  labia majora, labia minora and clitoris
• Egg Pathway


  ovary, fimbriae, oviduct, uterus, cervix, vagina
• pee pee
• Menstrual Cycle


  28 days, ovulation cycle and uterine cycle
• Flow Phase (days 1-5)

  hormones levels low, causing endometrium to be shed, she effects are headaches, cramps, bloating and mood changes
• Follicular Phase (days 6-13)

  increase of FSH levels, new follicle matures and secrete estrogen causing the release of LH. endometrium thickens
• Ovulation Phase (day 14ish)

  LH causes ovulation, release of egg
• Luteal Phase (day 15-28)

  follicle cell forms corpus luteum which secretes progesterone and estrogen
• Progesterone


  inhibits further ovulation and maintains thickness of endometrium and prevent contractions
• FSH


  secreted by the anterior pituitary, stimulates the development of follicle
• LH


  secreted by the anterior pituitary, causes ovulations and the development of corpus luteum