Female Reproductive System NonReproductive Organs Ureter Tube that

Female Reproductive System

Non-Reproductive Organs • Ureter: Tube that leads from the kidneys to the bladder • Bladder: Stores urine • Urethra: Tube that takes urine outside the body • Rectum: Last part of the large intestine • Anus: opening from the rectum to the outside

External Reproductive Organs • Labia: outer folds of tissue that cover the vaginal opening • Clitoris: highly sensitive organ that contains many nerve endings and blood vessels, just below it is the opening to the urethra • Hymen: a thin membrane that may partially cover the vaginal opening

Internal Reproductive Organs • Ovary: 2, hold and release the eggs/ovum and produce estrogen and progeterone • Fallopian Tubes: Carries the eggs to the uterus; where fertilization takes place • Uterus: where the fetus grows and develops

• Cervix: the opening between the uterus and the vagina, when the cervix softens and expands to allow the baby to pass through the vagina • Vagina: birth canal: passageway from the uterus to outside the body

Other Terms • Ova, Ovum, Eggs: female reproductive cell • Menstrual Cycle: the 28 day process of menstruation and releasing an egg. • Menstruation: the process of shedding the uterine lining that is not needed if pregnancy doesn’t occur • Menopause: at about 45 -55 when woman no longer has a menstrual cycle.

• Estrogen: female sex hormone – Ativates breast development and controls the maturation of eggs. • Tubal Ligation: the female sterilization – The fallopian tubes are cut

The Menstrual Cycle q 28 Days (if it’s perfect) q. Day 1 is the first day of a woman's period q. The period lasts 3 -7 days q. Days 5 -13 the egg matures in one of the ovaries, and the uterine lining thickens q. During the middle of her cycle (around day 14 – 15 she releases an egg) Ovulation q. Days 16 -22 the egg travels in the fallopian tube (uterine lining continues to thicken) q. Days 23 -28 the unfertilized egg enters the uterus