1. Female Reproductive System

2. Essential Questions
What are the functions of the female reproductive system?
What are the differences between the primary and secondary sex organs.
What is the purpose of the menstrual cycle?
How does the process of conception occur?
How is child bearing and child birth possible?
What are some problems of the female reproductive system?

3. Function of the female reproductive system
1. Produce female sex cell (egg, ovum)
2. Produce estrogen / progesterone
3. Receive sperm during intercourse
4. Provide space and nourishment for the fetus

4. Journey of an egg cell

5. Primary Sex Organ Ovary- almond shaped organ
actual size- 1 or 2 almonds
produces the egg cell
produces estrogen and progesterone

6. Ovary oogenesis- process of developing viable egg cess
5 - 7 hundred thousand oocytes
4 - 5 hundred mature ovum (egg)
approximately one for every menstrual cycle

7. Secondary sex organs
Organs required for child birth but non essential for the production of eggs or female hormones.

8. Fallopian tube also called the oviduct
where fertilization of the egg by the sperm usually takes place

9. Uterus thick walled organ the shape and size of a pear
endometrium- inner layer of cells that becomes enriched with blood and nourishment for possible implantation of the fertilized egg.

10. Uterus
If fertilization takes place, fertilized egg implants on uterine wall and begins to grow into developing fetus.
If no fertilization, egg and blood enriched endometrium shed
menstruation

11. Cervix opening between uterus and vagina
cm dilates, used as a gage for child birth

12. Vagina 8 to 10 cm long receives the penis during intercourse
serves as the birth canal during child birth

13. Problems with the female reproductive system
ectopic pregnancy- egg is fertilized outside of the reproductive organs
tubular pregnancy- egg is fertilized and implants on wall of fallopian tubes
endometriosis- spilling of the lining of the uterus into the abdominal cavity
cervical cancer- cancer cells form in area of the cervix.