Female Reproductive Organs

The Female Reproductive System (2:18)

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The female reproductive system matures at puberty and enables women to reproduce.

eggs

fallopian tubes

ovaries

vagina

uterus

menstruation

ovulation

cervix

Female Reproductive Organs

The organs of the female reproductive system enable pregnancy to occur with the first monthly ovulation. The female reproductive system matures at puberty.

Female Reproductive Organs The female reproductive system has several functions, including producing female sex hormones and storing the eggs.

Eggs Female gametes

Female Reproductive Organs A female at birth has more than 400,000 immature ova in her ovaries.

Ovaries The female sex glands that store the ova, or eggs, and produce female sex hormones

Female Reproductive Organs The ovaries are located on each side of the uterus.

Uterus The hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ that nourishes and protects a fertilized ovum until birth

Female Reproductive Organs The process of ovulation is controlled by the release of luteinizing hormone by the pituitary gland.

Ovulation The process of releasing a mature ovum into the fallopian tube each month

Female Reproductive Organs A mature ovum is released from an ovary and moves into one of the two fallopian tubes.

Fallopian tubes A pair of tubes with fingerlike projections that draw in the ovum

Female Reproductive Organs Cervix

The cervix is the opening of the uterus.

Uterus

The uterus protects and nourishes a developing fetus.

Ovaries

The ovaries contain ova and produce hormones.

Fallopian Tubes

Ova travel to the uterus through the fallopian tubes.

Endometrium

Endometrium tissue lines the uterus.

Vagina

The passageway from the uterus to the outside of the body.

Female Reproductive Organs Sperm from the male enter the female reproductive system through the vagina.

Vagina A muscular, elastic passageway that extends from the uterus to the outside of the body

Female Reproductive Organs The fertilization of an egg by a sperm produces a cell called a zygote. When the zygote leaves the fallopian tube, it enters the uterus and attaches itself to the uterine wall. The fetus remains in the uterus until birth.

Female Reproductive Organs After a female matures, the uterus prepares each month for possible pregnancy. If pregnancy doesn’t occur, menstruation occurs.

Menstruation The shedding of the uterine lining

Female Reproductive Organs The endometrium tissues pass through the cervix and into the vagina.

Cervix The opening to the uterus

Female Reproductive Organs

Maintaining Reproductive Health

Good hygiene, breast self-exams, and abstinence from sexual activity help female reproductive system health. Sound health practices will help females care for their reproductive systems.

Maintaining Reproductive Health Tips for Maintaining Your Reproductive Health

Bathe regularly. Have regular medical exams.

Practice abstinence.

Breast Self-Exam Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of death, after lung cancer, for women in the United States.

Breast Self-Exam The American Cancer Society recommends that females examine their breasts once a month, right after the menstrual period, when breasts are not tender. Early detection is critical for successful treatment of breast cancer.

Female Reproductive System Problems

Several disorders can affect the female reproductive system, and some can lead to infertility. While menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome are common, toxic shock syndrome is uncommon.

Female Reproductive System Problems Menstrual Cramps

Cramps that occur at the beginning of a menstrual period

Premenstrual Syndrome

A disorder caused by hormonal changes

Toxic Shock Syndrome

A rare but serious bacterial infection that affects the immune system and the liver

Infertility and Other Disorders Infertility in females can have several causes.

Endometriosis

Uterine tissue grows outside the uterus

STDs

Diseases spread through sexual contact

Vaginitis

Infection that causes discharge, odor, pain, itching, or burning

Ovarian cysts

Fluid-filled sacs on the ovary

Cancer

Cancer of the cervix, uterus, or ovaries

After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary

1. What is the function of the uterus? The uterus protects and nourishes a developing fetus.

After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary

2. Distinguish between ova, ovaries, and ovulation.

The ova are egg cells. The ovaries are the female sex glands that store the ova and produce female sex hormones. Ovulation is the process of releasing a mature ovum into a fallopian tube each month.

After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary

3. Identify a kind of cancer of the female reproductive system that is linked to a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Cervical cancer