Chapter 10: Reproductive System

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Often the first responders (along with law enforcement officers and firefighters) to emergency situations (such as accidents, heart attacks, strokes, drownings) and provide prehospital emergency care to stabilize and transport the patient

Paramedic (PM)

Provides advanced emergency medical care

Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT)

Provides basic and limited advanced emergency medical care

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Provides basic emergency medical care

Female Reproductive System

Produces ova (the female reproductive cells), provides a location for fertilization and growth of a baby, and secretes sex hormones; Breasts produce milk to nourish the newborn; plays many vital functions that ensure the continuation of the human race

• breasts

• ovaries

• uterine tubes

• uterus

• vagina

• vulva

The primary structures (organs) that comprise the female reproductive system:

Ova

Female sex cells or gametes produced in ovary; Ovum fuses with sperm to produce embryo; Singular is ovum; Also called oocyte

Fertilization

Fusion of ova and sperm to produce embryo; Needs to occur for a baby to grow

Pregnancy

Time from fertilization of ovum to birth of newborn

Breasts

Milk-producing glands to provide nutrition for newborn; Also called mammary glands

Sex Hormones

Secreted by gonads and adrenal cortex; Estrogen and progesterone in females; Testosterone in males

Genitalia

Male and female reproductive organs

Pelvic cavity

The internal genitalia are located in the ______ and consist of the uterus, two ovaries, two uterine tubes, and the vagina, which extends to the external surface of the body.

Uterus

Also called Womb; Internal organ of female reproductive system; Hollow, pear-shaped organ located in lower pelvic cavity between urinary bladder and rectum; Divided into three regions: fundus, corpus, and cervix

Fertilized ovum and becomes implanted in uterine wall, which provides nourishment and protection for developing fetus

The Uterus receives the:

Ovaries

Female gonads; Two glands located on either side of lower abdominopelvic region of female; Responsible for production of sex cells, ova, and hormones estrogen and progesterone

Uterine Tubes

Carry ovum from ovary to uterus; Also called fallopian tubes or oviducts

Vagina

Organ in female reproductive system that receives penis and semen

Vulva

General term meaning external female genitalia; Consists of Bartholin glands, labia majora, labia minora, and clitoris

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (SH)

Hormone secreted by anterior pituitary gland; Stimulates growth of eggs in females and sperm in males

Luteinizing Hormone (LH)

Secreted by anterior pituitary; Regulates function of male and female gonads and plays a role in releasing ova in females

Ovulation

Release of an ovum from ovary

Ooctye

Female sex cells (gametes) produced in ovary; Fuses with sperm to produce embryo; Also called ovum

Estrogen

One of sex hormones produced by ovaries; Works with progesterone to control menstrual cycle and is responsible for producing secondary sexual characteristics

Progesterone

One of hormones produced by ovaries; Works with estrogen to control menstrual cycle

The principal female sex hormones produced by the ovaries, stimulate the lining of the uterus to be prepared to receive a ________ ovum.

Fertilized

Fallopian Tubes

Organs in female reproductive system that transport eggs from ovary to uterus; Approximately 4 inches (10 cm) long; Also called uterine tubes or oviducts