femae reproduction

Days 1 to 5 (menstruation)

Discharge of bloody fluid containing disintegrated endometrial cells, glandular secretions, and blood cells.

Days 6 to 12 (follicular phase)

After bleeding ceases, the endometrium begins to repair itself. The maturing follicle in the ovary releases estrogen, which aids in the repair. The ovum grows in the follicle during this period.

Days 13 and 14 (ovulation)

follicle ruptures and the egg leaves the ovary (ovulation), passing through the fallopian tube.

Days 15 to 28 (luteal phase)

The empty follicle that has just released the egg becomes a corpus luteum (yellow body). It continues to produce estrogen and secretes progesterone, which stimulates endometrial buildup in preparation for fertilization and pregnancy. If fertilization does not occur, hormone levels drop, leading to PMS symptoms and breakdown of the endometrium, starting menstruation.

adnexa of the uterus

Fallopian tubes, ovaries, and supporting ligaments of the uterus.

amnion

Innermost membrane surrounding the embryo and fetus.

areola

Dark-pigmented area surrounding the breast nipple.

cervix

Lower, neck-like portion of the uterus.

chorion

Outermost membrane surrounding the embryo and fetus; forms the fetal part of the placenta.

clitoris

Organ of sensitive erectile tissue anterior to the opening of the female urethra.

coitus

Sexual intercourse; copulation.

corpus luteum

Empty ovarian follicle that secretes progesterone after release of the egg cell.

cul-de-sac

Region in the lower abdomen between the rectum and the uterus.

embryo

Stage in prenatal development from 2 to 8 weeks.

endometrium

Inner mucous membrane lining of the uterus.

estrogen

Hormone produced by the ovaries and placenta; promotes female secondary sex characteristics.

fallopian tube

One of a pair of ducts through which the ovum travels to the uterus; also called oviduct.

fertilization

Union of the sperm and ovum from which the embryo develops.

fetus

Stage in prenatal development from 8 weeks to birth.

fimbriae

Finger-like projections at the end of the fallopian tubes.

follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate maturation of the egg cell/ ovum.

gamete

Male or female sexual reproductive cell; sperm or ovum.

genitalia

Reproductive organs; genitals.

gestation

Time period from fertilization to birth; pregnancy.

gonad

Reproductive organ producing sex cells and hormones; ovary or testis.

gynecology

Study of the female reproductive organs, including breasts.

human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Hormone produced by the placenta to sustain pregnancy by stimulating (-tropin) the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone.

hymen

Mucous membrane partially or completely covering the opening to the

vagina.

labia

Lips of the vagina; majora are outer, minora are inner.

lactiferous ducts

Tubes that carry milk from mammary glands to the nipple.

luteinizing hormone (LH)

Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland to promote ovulation.

mammary papilla

Nipple of the breast.

menarche

Beginning of the first menstrual period and ability to reproduce.

menopause

Gradual ending of menstruation.

menstruation

Monthly shedding of the uterine lining

menses

The flow of blood and tissue normally discharged during menstruation

myometrium

Muscle layer of the uterus.

neonatology

Study of the medical care of the newborn.

obstetrics

Branch of medicine dealing with pregnancy and childbirth.

orifice

An opening.

ovarian follicle

Developing sac enclosing each ovum within the ovary.

ovary

One of a pair of female organs (gonads) on each side of the pelvis. almond-shaped, about the size of large walnuts, and produce egg cells (ova) and hormones.

ovulation

Release of the ovum from the ovary.

ovum

Mature egg cell (female gamete).

oocytes

Ova develop from immature egg cells called

parturition

Act of giving birth.

perimetrium

Outermost layer of the uterus.

perineum

Area between the anus and the vagina.

pituitary gland

Endocrine gland that produces hormones stimulating the ovaries also regulates other endocrine organs. .

placenta

Vascular organ attached to the uterine wall during pregnancy. It permits the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and fetal waste products between mother and fetus.

pregnancy

Gestation.

progesterone

Hormone produced by the corpus luteum in the ovary and the placenta of pregnant women.

puberty

Stage of development when secondary sex characteristics appear and gametes are produced.

uterus

Hollow, pear shaped muscular female organ in which the embryo and fetus develop, and from which menstruation occurs.

f

fundus

The upper portion of the uterus

corpus

the middle portion of the uterus

cervix

the lowermost neck-like portion of the uterus

vagina

Muscular, mucosa-lined canal extending from the uterus to the exterior of the body.

vulva

External female genitalia; includes the labia, hymen, clitoris, and vaginal

orifice.

zygote

Stage in prenatal development from fertilization and implantation up to 2

weeks.

amni/o

amnion

bartholin/o

Bartholin gland

cervic/o

cervix, neck

chori/o, chorion/o

chorion

colp/o

vagina

episi/o

vulva

galact/o

milk

gynec/o

woman, female

hyster/o

uterus, womb

lact/o

milk

mamm/o

breast

mast/o

breast

men/o

menses, menstruation

metr/o, metri/o

uterus

my/o, myom/o

muscle, muscle tumor

nat/i

birth

obstetr/o

pregnancy and childbirth

o/o

egg

oophor/o

ovary

ov/o

egg

ovari/o

ovary

ovul/o

egg

perine/o

perineum

phor/o

to bear

salping/o

fallopian tube

uter/o

uterus

vagin/o

vagina

vulv/o

vulva

-arche

beginning

-cyesis

pregnancy

-gravida

pregnant

-parous

bearing, bringing forth

-rrhea

discharge

-salpinx

fallopian tube

-tocia

labor, birth

-version

turning

dys-

painful

endo-

within

in-, intra-

within

multi-

many