The Female Reproductive System

These flashcards cover vocabulary terms related to the female reproductive system, including anatomy, physiological processes, and reproductive health.

Ovary

Almond-shaped female gonads that produce egg cells (ova) and sex hormones.

Uterine Tube

Also known as oviduct or fallopian tube; canals leading from the ovary to the uterus.

Ovulation

The process of bursting of the follicle and releasing of the egg.

Endometrium

The inner mucosa of the uterus, which thickens and sheds during the menstrual cycle.

Vagina

A distensible muscular tube that allows for the discharge of menstrual fluid, receipt of penis and semen, and birth of the baby.

Clitoris

An erectile sensory organ that is a primary center for sexual stimulation.

Pap Smear

A test for early detection of cervical cancer by microscopically examining cells from the cervix and vagina.

Folliculogenesis

The development of ovarian follicles that occurs as the egg undergoes oogenesis.

Menopause

The cessation of menstruation, marking the end of a woman's reproductive period.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)

A hormone secreted by the blastocyst and placenta; detectable in urine for pregnancy tests.

Prolactin

A hormone that promotes milk synthesis during lactation.

Estradiol

The most abundant estrogen, primarily responsible for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics.

Mammary Glands

Glands within the breast that produce milk.

Menstrual Cycle

The cyclical process involving the build-up and shedding of the endometrium, occurring in coordination with the ovarian cycle.

Corpus Luteum

A structure that forms from the follicle after ovulation and secretes hormones to prepare the uterus for a potential pregnancy.