Human Reproduction Flashcards
Structure of the Female Reproductive System
Structure of the Females Reproductive System
A Pair of Ovaries
A Fallopian Tube/ Oviduct leading from each ovary
The Uterus
The Vagina or Birth Canal
The Vulva or external opening
The Ovaries
The Ovaries are the female sex organs. they occur in the lower part of the abdominal cavity and are held in place by ligaments. Each ovary is made up of a covering or germinal epithelium with a large number of follicles within it
The purpose of the Geminal Epithelium
The Germinal Epithelium produces the follicles. Oogenesis takes place within the follicles to produce the ova. The follicles secrete the female sex hormone Oestrogen and Progesterone. When sexual maturity or puberty occurs the female sex hormones are responsible for the development of female characteristics such as increase in size of the breast, the development of pubic hair, hair in armpits and menstruation
The Fallopian Tubes
The Fallopian Tubes convey ova from the ovaries to uterus. The upper part of the Fallopian Tubes are expanded into the ciliated funnels which partially enclose the ovaries
The two Fallopian Tubes open into the uterus which is a pear-shaped hollow organ with muscular walls
The lining of the uterus, the endometrium, is richly supplied with blood vessels
The neck of the uterus, called the cervix, extends into the vagina
The Uterus
The uterus serves for attachment of the embryo if fertilization takes place
The Vagina
The vagina leads from the uterus to the outside by means of the external opening, the vulva. During copulation the penis is placed into the vagina where it releases its spermatozoa
