2. Notes: Female Reproductive System
(pg 8)
• Functions: Produce eggs, transport eggs to
location where they can be fertilized by
sperm, nourish the developing offspring
during pregnancy, give birth, produce female
hormones
5. Ovaries
• Produce eggs (oocytes)
• Almond-shaped. One on each side of uterus
• Females are born with all the eggs they will
ever have (around 700,000).
6. Ovaries
• Produce eggs (oocytes)
• Almond-shaped. One on each side of uterus
• Females are born with all the eggs they will
ever have (around 700,000).
• Before birth, oocytes begin first meiotic
division then stay suspended in this state until
puberty
7. Ovaries
• Produce eggs (oocytes)
• Almond-shaped. One on each side of uterus
• Females are born with all the eggs they will
ever have (around 700,000).
• Before birth, oocytes begin first meiotic
division then stay suspended in this state until
puberty
• Follicle stimulating hormone causes several
oocytes to start to grow each month. Usually
only one will become mature
8. Ovaries
• Produce eggs (oocytes)
• Almond-shaped. One on each side of uterus
• Females are born with all the eggs they will ever
have (around 700,000).
• Before birth, oocytes begin first meiotic division
then stay suspended in this state until puberty
• Follicle stimulating hormone causes several
oocytes to start to grow each month. Usually only
one will become mature
• Luteinizing hormone causes mature oocyte to
rupture the ovary wall and be released
(ovulation)
10. Uterine (fallopian) tubes
• Extend from ovaries to uterus. About 4 cm long
• Not directly connected to ovaries. Have
fingerlike extensions called fimbrae that pull
the oocyte into the tube
11. Uterine (fallopian) tubes
• Extend from ovaries to uterus. About 4 cm long
• Not directly connected to ovaries. Have
fingerlike extensions called fimbrae that pull
the oocyte into the tube
• Lined with cilia that move the oocyte along.
Takes 7 days to reach uterus
12. Uterine (fallopian) tubes
• Extend from ovaries to uterus. About 4 cm long
• Not directly connected to ovaries. Have
fingerlike extensions called fimbrae that pull
the oocyte into the tube
• Lined with cilia that move the oocyte along.
Takes 7 days to reach uterus
• Oocyte is only fertile for 48 hours, so
fertilization always takes place in the uterine
tube
14. Uterus (pg 8)
• Muscular organ about the size and shape of a
pear
15. Uterus (pg 8)
• Muscular organ about the size and shape of a
pear
• Regions: Fundus, body, cervix
16. Uterus (pg 8)
• Muscular organ about the size and shape of a
pear
• Regions: Fundus, body, cervix
• Receives the fertilized egg and provides an
appropriate environment for the developing
offspring
17. Uterus (pg 8)
• Muscular organ about the size and shape of a
pear
• Regions: Fundus, body, cervix
• Receives the fertilized egg and provides an
appropriate environment for the developing
offspring
• The fertilized egg burrows into the
endometrium and implants
20. Vagina (pg 8)
• Fibromuscular tube about 10 cm long
• Functions: provides a passageway for
menstrual flow to reach the outside, receives
the penis and semen during
intercourse, serves as birth canal
23. External Genitalia
• Collectively called the vulva
• Mons pubis: pad of fat that covers the
smphysis pubis
• Labia majora: two large, fat-filled folds of skin
24. External Genitalia
• Collectively called the vulva
• Mons pubis: pad of fat that covers the
smphysis pubis
• Labia majora: two large, fat-filled folds of skin
• Labia minora: smaller, delicate folds of skin
inside the labia majora
25. External Genitalia
• Collectively called the vulva
• Mons pubis: pad of fat that covers the
symphysis pubis
• Labia majora: two large, fat-filled folds of skin
• Labia minora: smaller, delicate folds of skin
inside the labia majora
• Clitoris: Mass of erectile tissue. Homologous
to male penis. Many nerve endings. Swells
with blood when aroused. Covered by a hood
(prepuce)
26. External Genitalia
• Collectively called the vulva
• Mons pubis: pad of fat that covers the
symphysis pubis
• Labia majora: two large, fat-filled folds of skin
• Labia minora: smaller, delicate folds of skin
inside the labia majora
• Clitoris: Mass of erectile tissue. Homologous
to male penis. Many nerve endings. Swells
with blood when aroused. Covered by a hood
(prepuce)
• Opening of urethra is just behind the clitoris
27. External Genitalia
• Collectively called the vulva
• Mons pubis: pad of fat that covers the symphysis
pubis
• Labia majora: two large, fat-filled folds of skin
• Labia minora: smaller, delicate folds of skin inside
the labia majora
• Clitoris: Mass of erectile tissue. Homologous to
male penis. Many nerve endings. Swells with
blood when aroused. Covered by a hood
(prepuce)
• Opening of urethra is just behind the clitoris
• 2 pairs of glands secrete mucus
