1.2 - Female Reproductive System and Cycles

Estrogen

Estrogen

- hormones that trigger the secondary female characteristics

- hormone responsible for the maturation of eggs

- stimulates egg production

Progesterone

- helps to prepare the body for pregnancy

- hormone responsible for nourishment of eggs

- helps to promote good environment for a fertilized egg

Ovaries

- responsible for producing eggs and hormones (estrogen, progesterone)

Fallopian Tube/Oviduct

- passageway through which an ovum moves from the ovary to the uterus

Uterus

- houses the fertilized egg or the baby during pregnancy

- also responsible for menstrual cycle

Endometrium

- responsible for nourishment of the fetus

- will be replaced by another set of endometrium lining if there is no baby every month in a process called the menstrual cycle

Cervical Canal/Cervix

- helps keep the baby in the uterus

Vagina

- passage that leads from the outside of the female’s body to the entrance of the uterus

- one that receives the sperm cell/semen during copulation

Vulva

- the outside of the female reproductive system

Clitoris

- equivalent to male penis; the erogenous zone

- has corpus cavernosum (has ability to get erect when a female gets aroused)

Urethral Opening

- where urine exits

Vaginal Opening

- where menstruation exits; one that receives the male organ during copulation; where baby exits

Labia Minora/Labia Majora

- for the protection of these openings

Ovarian Cycle

- involves the ovary; governs the preparation of endocrine tissues and release of eggs

Ovulation

- monthly release of ovum from ovary

- spans an average of 28 days but varies

Ovum

- mature egg cell

Follicular Phase

- days 1-14

- hypothalamus releases a hormone to the pituitary gland to release a follicle-stimulating hormone, signaling our ovary to produce estrogen which then stimulates the maturation of the egg in the ovary which starts the ovulation process. The fertile eggs survives for 2-3 days, this egg cell dies afterwards

- ovum travels through the fallopian tube in 5-10 days, and during the time, the egg cell survives for 2-3 days and gets fertilized in the fallopian tube

Ectopic Pregnancy

- when the baby is being developed in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus

Luteum Phase

- days 15-28

- phase in the ovarian cycle that comes after ovulation

Corpus Luteum

- yellowish mass of follicular cells that occur when an ovum exits the ovary

- produces progesterone

- dissolves after 28 days if there’s no fertilization

Menstrual Cycle

- involves the uterus; governs the preparation and maintenance of the endometrium

- also called the uterine cycle

Menstruation

- process by which blood and discarded tissues leave the body through the vagina

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

- set of physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms that occur during the last week of the luteal phase

- signs and symptoms include: mood swings, tender breasts, food cravings, fatigue, irritability, depression

Menstrual Phase

- endometrium sheds and spans from 1-6 days

- low levels of progesterone

- the surface of the endometrium or wall begins to disintegrate and the blood vessels rupture

- blood and accompanying endometrial tissues flow out of the vagina

Proliferative Phase

- day 6-14 in the menstrual cycle

- estrogen is the main hormone

- growing of the endometrial layer of the uterus

Vaginal Discharge

- happens 2-3 days before and after ovulation

Secretory Phase

- days 15-28

- progesterone is the main hormone

- endometrium prepares by increasing its vascular supply and stimulating more mucous secretions

- endometrium doubles in thickness and prepares itself for a developing embryo

Corona Radiata

- supplier of nutrients in an egg cell

- gives protection from the outside environment

Cytoplasm

- fluid part of every cell; holds all organelles of a cell in tact as well as gives protection from outside environment

Nucleus

- carries the DNA of female parent

Zona Pellucida

- protective layer that only allows one sperm cell to fertilize the egg through releasing an enzyme after a sperm cell gets in to prevent other sperm cells from getting in as well

Menarche

- firs discharge of blood from the vagina

Feedback Mechanism

- process which the level of a certain substance influenced the level of another substance

Follicle Stimulating Hormone

- stimulates follicle growth in the ovarian cycle

Luteinizing Hormone

- stimulates maturation of egg in the ovarian cycle