female reproductive system Flashcards
intro
The female reproductive system is designed for reproduction and includes internal and external structures that support fertility, pregnancy, and childbirth.
The Fallopian tubes definition
The Fallopian tubes, also known as oviducts, are a pair of tubes that play a crucial role in the female reproductive system. They connect the ovaries to the uterus and serve several important functions
Egg Transport:
The Fallopian tubes provide the pathway for the egg (ova) released from the ovary during ovulation. Once an egg is released, it is captured by the fimbriae, the finger-like projections at the end of the tube, and drawn into the tube.
Fertilization
The Fallopian tubes are the typical site of fertilization. After ovulation, if sperm are present in the reproductive tract, they can meet the egg in the Fallopian tube. Fertilization usually occurs in the ampulla, the widest part of the tube. Once the sperm fertilizes the egg, the resulting zygote begins to divide and develop.
Transportation of the Fertilized Egg:
After fertilization, the zygote travels down the Fallopian tube toward the uterus. The tube’s cilia (tiny hair-like structures) and muscular contractions help move the fertilized egg along the tube toward the uterus, where it can implant in the uterine lining and begin pregnancy, if conditions are right.