reproductive unit - females Flashcards
(44 cards)
purposes of female reproductive system (3)
- produce eggs so they can be fertilized
- nourish, carry, and protect the developing embryo
- nurse the newborn after birth
vagina
hollow, muscular tube leading from the uterus to the outside of the body
characteristics of the opening of the cervix
very small, can expand/contract to allow a baby to pass through
uterus
hollow, upside down pear shaped organ about the size of a fist where the fertilized egg will develop and grow into a baby
womb
another term for the uterus
endometrium
the inner walls/lining of the uterus made of blood and tissue; fertilized egg can attach to it
fallopian tubes
tubes that carry released eggs from the ovaries to the uterus
cervix
narrow part of the uterus that extends into the vagina
ovaries
small organs that are part of the endocrine system; responsible for storing and releasing eggs
2 functions of ovaries
to produce estrogen and progesterone; to produce mature egg cells
follicle
a small hollow ball that encloses the ova
ovum
a mature egg
ovulation
when ripened eggs are released from the ovaries
ova
eggs (plural of ovum)
what is the system that regulates the menstruation cycle?
the endocrine system
8 female secondary sex characteristics
- begin menstruation
- increase in height
- release of ova
- softer/smoother skin
- growth of pubic/underarm hair
- enlargement of external genitalia
- increase in breast size
- widening of hips
menstruation cycle
the time from beginning of one cycle to the onset of the next cycle (avg: 23-35 days)
cause of cramps
prostaglandin, a chemical that makes the muscle in the uterus contract
PMS
a combination of physical and emotional changes before or during a period
corpus luteum
a temporary gland that is formed when the remains of the follicle close
amenhorrea
absence of periods
infertile
the inability to become pregnant
leading cancer in females
breast cancer
leading cause of infertility
failure to ovulate
