1 Female

2 l The mechanism that maintains life from one generation to the other The Reproductive System

3 Anatomy and Physiology of the Female Reproductive System

4 The External Female Anatomy 1. Vulva- The collective name for the structures that form the external female genitalia area 2. Labia Majora- The two large folds of fatty tissue that are covered with hair on their outer surface 3. Clitoris- An area of erectile tissue that produces sexual arousal when stimulated directly or indirectly 4. Urethra- An outlet for urine

5 The External Female Anatomy 5. Labia Minora- The two smaller hairless folds of tissue that are located within the labia majora 6. Vagina- Opening of the Vagina 7. Anus- This is not part of the genitalia but is part of the GI system. The outlet for stool

6 The Internal Female Anatomy 1. Fallopian Tubes- Two tubes each approx. 5 inches in length attached to the upper part of the uterus. The lateral ends of these tubes are located above the ovaries but are not directly connected to the ovaries; these lateral ends have fingerlike projections called fimbriae which help move the ovum once it is released from the ovary. The ovum moves through this tube by peristalsis

7 The Internal Female Anatomy 2. Ovaries- the female gonads which contain thousands of small sacs called follicles. Each follicle contains an immature ovum, or female sex cell. When an ovum matures, the follicle enlarges and ruptures to release the ovum. This process is called Ovulation and usually occurs every 28 days.

8 The Internal Female Anatomy 3. Uterus(womb)- a hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ located behind the bladder and in front of the rectum. It receives and supports the fertilized ovum during pregnancy and contracts during child birth to helps with delivery 4. Cervix- The lowest part of the uterus that connects to the vagina

9 The Internal Female Anatomy 5. Vagina- a muscular tube that connects the cervix of the uterus to the outside of the body. It serves as a passageway for the menstrual flow; receives sperm and semen from the male; is the female organ for copulation; and acts as the canal during delivery of the infant.

10 Puberty l The stage of growth and development when both the male and female body become capable of producing an offspring.

11 Puberty for females l Begins at between the ages of years old. l A female experiences physical and emotional changes

12 Female Secondary Sex Characteristics include: l Increase in height l Widening of the hips l Softer and smoother skin l Growth of pubic and underarm hair. l Increase in breast size l Enlargement of external genitalia l Formation of mature ova l Beginning of menstruation

13 Ovulation and Menstruation l Ovulation is the release of a mature ovum from one of the two ovaries l Menstruation is the period in the menstrual cycle in which the unfertilized egg and the lining of the uterus leave the body

14 What happens during the menstrual cycle? l In the first half of the cycle, levels of estrogen (the “female hormone”) start to rise. Estrogen plays an important role in keeping you healthy, especially by helping you to build strong bones and to help keep them strong as you get older. Estrogen also makes the lining of the uterus (womb) grow and thicken. This lining of the womb is a place that will nourish the embryo if a pregnancy occurs. At the same time the lining of the womb is growing, an egg, or ovum, in one of the ovaries starts to mature. At about day 14 of an average 28-day cycle, the egg leaves the ovary. This is called ovulation.estrogenovariesovulation l After the egg has left the ovary, it travels through the fallopian tube to the uterus. Hormone levels rise and help prepare the uterine lining for pregnancy. A woman is most likely to get pregnant during the 3 days before or on the day of ovulation. Keep in mind, women with cycles that are shorter or longer than average may ovulate before or after day 14.fallopian tube l A woman becomes pregnant if the egg is fertilized by a man’s sperm cell and attaches to the uterine wall. If the egg is not fertilized, it will break apart. Then, hormone levels drop, and the thickened lining of the uterus is shed during the menstrual period. l See how the menstrual cycle works below.

15 l truation.cfm#a

16 Female Breast l The Breast or mammary glands contain lobes separated into sections by connective and fatty tissue l The main function of these glands are to secrete milk (lactate) after childbirth

17 U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics l About 1 in 8 women in the United States (12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. l In 2010, an estimated 207,090 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in women in the U.S., along with 54,010 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer. l About 1,970 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed in men in Less than 1% of all new breast cancer cases occur in men.

18 U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics l About 39,840 women in the U.S. were expected to die in 2010 from breast cancer, though death rates have been decreasing since These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness. l For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer. l A woman’s risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. About 20-30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer have a family history of breast cancer. l About 70-80% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer. These occur due to genetic abnormalities that happen as a result of the aging process and life in general, rather than inherited mutations. l The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are gender (being a woman) and age (growing older).risk factors

19 Breast Exam l Do the self-exam once a month approximately a week after menstruation ends l To feel the right breast, place your right hand behind your head and use your left hand to feel the right breast, reverse this procedure l In the shower or bath, feel each breast with three fingers, holding them flat. Move your fingers in a circular, clockwise motion over the entire breast area. Start at the outside and move toward the nipple. Include the area between the breast and the armpit and the armpit itself. Press firmly enough to feel the tissue of your breast. Check for any lumps or changes in breast tissue. l Repeat step 3 while lying down. Place a pillow behind your shoulder on the side you are checking.

20 Breast Exam (cont.) l Stand in front of a mirror, with your arms at your sides and observe your breasts. Look for any changes in size or shape, such as puckering, swelling, dimpling, or changes in the skin texture or in the nipple. l Clasp your hands behind you head. Press your hands forward. Look again for any changes in size or shape of the breast l With your arms at your sides, gently squeeze each breast just behind the nipple. Check for any discharge l If you discover anything abnormal, contact your physician