1.2 - Female Reproductive System and Cycles

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