the female reproductive system

• Female reproductive system


  Includes all of the internal and external organs that help with reproduction
• Internal sex organs


  • Ovaries
  • Fallopian tubes
  • Uterus
  • Cervix
• External sex organs


  • Labia
  • Clitoris
  • Mons pubis
• Ovaries


  • Pair of white-ish organs about the size of walnuts
  • Held in place slightly above and on either side of the uterus and fallopian tubes by ligaments
• Ligaments holding ovaries in place

  • Broad ligament
  • Ovarian ligament
  • Suspensory ligament
• Ovarian structure


  • Outer layer called the cortex with ovarian follicles
  • Inner layer called the medulla containing blood vessels and nerves
• Primordial follicles


  Follicles present at birth, each containing a single immature sex cell called the primary oocyte
• Oocyte development


  1. Primary oocyte remains stuck in prophase of meiosis 1 until puberty

  2. Primary follicle develops into secondary and tertiary follicles

  3. Primary oocyte completes meiosis 1 and becomes a secondary oocyte
• Stages of follicular development

  • Stage 1 (infancy to puberty)
  • Stage 2 (begins at puberty)
  • Stage 3 (during follicular phase of menstrual cycle)
• Graafian follicle


  Follicle with a central cavity called the antrum, where granulosa cells secrete fluid to nourish the primary oocyte
• Menstrual cycle


  1. Starts on first day of menstrual bleeding

  2. Lasts 28 days on average

  3. Follicular phase (first 2 weeks)

  4. Luteal phase (last 2 weeks)

  5. Ovulation occurs on day 14
• Hypothalamus


  Controls the menstrual cycle by secreting GnRH, which stimulates the pituitary to release FSH and LH
• Follicular phase


  • FSH stimulates follicle growth and estrogen production
  • Estrogen acts as negative feedback to reduce FSH, allowing one dominant follicle to develop
• Ovulation


  Occurs when high estrogen levels trigger a surge of FSH and LH, causing the dominant follicle to rupture and release the secondary oocyte
• Luteal phase


  • Corpus luteum forms from the ruptured follicle and secretes progesterone
  • Progesterone becomes the dominant hormone
• Fallopian tubes


  • Muscular tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus
  • Lined with ciliated cells that sweep the oocyte/zygote towards the uterus
• Uterus


  • Hollow organ where pregnancy develops
  • Has a fundus, body, isthmus, and cervix
• Endometrium


  Mucosal lining of the uterus that undergoes monthly cyclic changes, shedding during menstruation
• Vagina


  • Muscular passageway from the uterus to the vulva
  • Covered in mucosa with ridges
• External sex organs (vulva)

  • Labia majora
  • Labia minora
  • Mons pubis
  • Clitoris
• The female reproductive system comprises internal and external sex organs involved in reproduction
• The ovaries produce ova and female sex hormones
• The uterus is where pregnancy develops, and the baby is born through the vagina
• Ovulation occurs when one mature egg is released from the ovary into the fallopian tube.
• The ovaries are located on either side of the uterus.
• Each ovary is about the size of an almond, but it can grow to be as large as a small grapefruit during pregnancy.
• One follicle will eventually become dominant over the others and release estrogen.
• One follicle will eventually become dominant and release an egg.
• Luteinizing hormone (LH) triggers ovulation by causing the rupture of the follicle and release of the mature egg.
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) causes the growth of several follicles at once.
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) causes the growth of these follicles.
• The ovaries contain follicles, which are fluid-filled sacs where eggs develop.