FAMILY LIFE The Female Reproductive Anatomy

EGG / OVA n Female sex cells are produced by the ovaries. n The largest cell in the human body, about the size of a grain of sand. n One egg is released about every 28 days. n Each egg has 23 chromosomes. n Eggs are first released during puberty and are no longer released once a woman goes through menopause. n If more than one egg is released, and they are both fertilized, the woman would be pregnant with fraternal twins. n Identical twins = One egg with a complete split. n Fraternal twins = Two eggs. n Conjoined twins = One egg without a complete split.

OVARIES n The ovaries produce eggs, estrogen and progesterone from the time of puberty until the woman goes through menopause. n Estrogen and progesterone are the female sex hormones. n Each woman has two ovaries. n They are approximately the size of an almond. n The ovaries usually alternate (right and left) in releasing eggs from cycle to cycle.

OVARIES

FALLOPIAN TUBES n The inside of the fallopian tubes are approximately as thick as a needle. n There are two fallopian tubes. n The fallopian tubes have three jobs: 1. Catch the egg as it is released by the ovaries. 2. It acts as the passageway from the ovaries to the uterus. 3. Fertilization/Conception takes place in the fallopian tubes.

FALLOPIAN TUBES

TUBAL LIGATION n Female sterilization. n This operation cuts and plugs the fallopian tubes, preventing the egg from reaching the uterus and it also prevents the sperm from reaching the egg. n This operation is NOT 100% effective in preventing pregnancy and provides NO protection against STD’s.

TUBAL LIGATION

UTERUS n Also referred to as ‘the womb”. n Where the fetus grows. n About the size of a woman’s fist. n Made out of muscle so that it can stretch as the fetus grows and contracts when it is time for the baby to be born. n The lining of the uterus fills with blood so that the fertilized egg can receive nourishment and get rid of waste products. n This lining is shed “monthly”, resulting in the woman’s period.

UTERUS

Umbilical Cord n The umbilical cord is the connecting cord from the developing embryo or fetus to the placenta. n The umbilical cord supplies the fetus with oxygenated, nutrient- rich blood from the placenta.

PLACENTA & AMNIOTIC SAC n The placenta is a filtering system that develops on the wall of a woman’s uterus. The placenta helps to filter out unwanted substances to protect the growing fetus and enables the food and oxygen to get to the fetus. n The amniotic sac is a “shock absorber” that the fetus grows in, it is filled with amniotic fluid, and protects the baby when the mother’s uterus accidentally gets hit.

PLACENTA & AMNIOTIC SACK

CERVIX n It is found at the base of the uterus. n It is a muscle that stays almost completely shut. n Only a few sperm at a time can fit through the cervix’s opening. n The cervix dilates/opens when the fetus is being born, wide enough for the fetus to fit through.

CERVIX

VAGINA n Internal n The “BIRTH CANAL”. n It is where intercourse takes place. n Where sperm is released by the male n It is a collapsed tube. n The environment of the vagina is very acidic, which helps to prevent infections from occurring.

VAGINA

LABIA n Folds of skin that protect the opening of the vagina and urethra. n They are external. n There are two sets of them: the labia majora and the labia minora

VULVA & MON PUBIS n Vulva = Labia + Vagina n Mons Pubis = Where the hair grows

LABIA

HYMEN n A thin piece of tissue (mucous membrane) that partially covers the opening of the vagina. n This tissue “breaks” and a small amount of blood is released. n This may break through intercourse, use of a tampon, trauma to the area, etc. n Some women are not born with a hymen, there is no known role in the reproductive system for the hymen.

HYMEN

CLITORIS n It is external. n It has the most nerve endings and is the most sensitive part of the female reproductive anatomy. n Its’ only purpose is for sexual pleasure and to help in the sexual process.

CLITORIS

BLADDER n The bladder’s job is to store urine. n Both females and males have bladders and their jobs are the same for both women and men.

BLADDER

URETHRA n Carries urine from the bladder outside the body. n In the female, only urine travels in the urethra.

URETHRA

BREASTS n External. n The size of the breast is determined by the amount of fat tissue present. n Larger breasts do not produce more milk. n Mammary glands begin to produce milk once the birth has occurred and the mammary glands will continue to produce milk as long as the baby nurses. n Breast milk provides the baby with valuable vitamins, minerals and antibodies.

DIRECTIONS FOR THE QUIZ: n Now go back to the disc and open THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY QUIZ and check to see what you have learned. n Do not use your notes for the quiz and try to do your own work. (Do not work together.) n At the end of the quiz the answers will be provided for you, please grade your own quiz.