ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

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 The female reproductive system functions to produce gametes and reproductive hormones. The reproductive system in females is
responsible for producing gametes (called eggs or ova), certain sex hormones, and maintaining fertilized eggs as they develop into a
mature fetus and become ready for delivery. A woman's reproductive system makes it possible for her to get pregnant and give birth. It
includes two ovaries, two fallopian tubes, the uterus, the cervix, and the vagina.
Most women can become pregnant starting at puberty. This is when their menstrual cycles begin. They can get pregnant until
menopause, when their cycles stop. A pregnancy starts with fertilization. It happens when a woman's egg joins with a man's sperm. All the
eggs for a woman's lifetime are stored in her ovaries.
About once a month, an egg is released. This is called ovulation. It usually happens in the middle of the menstrual cycle between
periods. The day of ovulation and the 5 days before it are when a woman is most fertile. This means she's most likely to get pregnant if she
has sex during this time. The egg then enters the fallopian tube. It leads to the uterus. If the egg isn't fertilized or doesn't implant, the
woman's body sheds the egg and the lining of the uterus. This shedding causes the bleeding in a woman's menstrual period.

1. Clitoris- female erogenous organ capable of erection under sexual stimulation. A female homologue of the male penis, the clitoris
develops (as does the penis) from the genital tubercle of the fetus, and it plays an important role in female sexual response.

2. Ovaries-pair of oval structures, about 1.5 inches long on either side of the uterus in the pelvic cavity, has hundreds of thousand Primary
ovarian follicles (present at birth): only 300-400 will produce mature ova.

3. Vagina - muscular tube, about 4 inches long, receives penis and sperm during intercourse, provides an exit for menstrual blood flow.

4. Labia Minora - The labia minora (“small lips”) can have a variety of sizes and shapes. They lie just inside the labia majora, and surround
the openings to the vagina (the canal that joins the lower part of the uterus to the outside of the body) and urethra (the tube that carries
urine from the bladder to the outside of the body). This skin is very delicate and can become easily irritated and swollen.

5. Labia Majora - The labia majora (“large lips”) enclose and protect the other external reproductive organs. During puberty, hair growth
occurs on the skin of the labia majora, which also contain sweat and oil-secreting glands.

6. Fallopian Tube -These are narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of the uterus and serve as pathways for the ova (egg cells)
to travel from the ovaries to the uterus. Fertilization of an egg by a sperm normally occurs in the fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg then
moves to the uterus, where it implants to the uterine lining.

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7. Uterus - about 3 in long x 2in wide x 1 inch deep. The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ that is the home to a developing fetus. The
uterus is divided into two parts: the cervix, which is the lower part that opens into the vagina, and the main body of the uterus, called the
corpus. The corpus can easily expand to hold a developing baby. A canal through the cervix allows sperm to enter and menstrual blood to
exit.

8. Cervix - It is the lowermost part of the uterus and is made up of strong muscles. The function of the cervix is to allow flow of menstrual
blood from the uterus into the vagina, and direct the sperms into the uterus during intercourse

9. Skene’s Gland - The Skene's glands, which are also known as the lesser vestibular glands (homologous to the prostate glands in
males), are two glands located on either side of the urethra. These glands are believed to secrete a substance to lubricate the urethra
opening. This substance is also believed to act as an antimicrobial

10. Bartholin’s Gland- secretions keep the mucosa moist and lubricates the vagina during sexual intercourse

11. Anus - The opening at the end of the digestive tract where bowel contents leave the body. Bladder.

Fertilization to Implantation

During fertilization, the sperm and egg unite in one of the fallopian
tubes to form a zygote. Then the zygote travels down the fallopian tube,
where it becomes a morula. Once it reaches the uterus, the morula
becomes a blastocyst. The blastocyst then burrows into the uterine lining
— a process called implantation.

The blastocyst must attach to the uterus to become a viable

pregnancy. When the uterus detects the blastocyst, it releases enzymes to
break down the blastocyst’s outer membrane. Once that barrier is broken
down, the blastocyst can attach to the endometrium.

This is when a pregnancy officially begins. From the time of

conception, your baby will grow and change inside your uterus from
embryo to fetus until he or she is born. Each trimester has a unique set of

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milestones. Your first trimester lasts until the end of week 12. The second trimester lasts from week 13 to the end of week 26. Your third
trimester is from week 27 until birth. Most babies are born between weeks 38 and 42.
First Trimester Development

Your baby is conceived when a sperm cell penetrates the egg. This happens around the
end of week 2 of your pregnancy. The egg is made up of hundreds of cells by week 3.
As your baby continues to grow, it becomes an embryo. The spinal cord, brain, heart,
and lungs grow and develop rapidly during the first trimester. In addition, the mouth,
nose, eyes, ears, toes, and fingers begin to form. Your baby’s heart will begin to beat
around week 6. It sometimes cannot be heard until around week 10-12. The umbilical
cord, which serves to nourish your baby and dispose of his or her wastes throughout the
pregnancy, is formed during the first trimester. Your baby’s digestive system and
reproductive system develops during the first trimester. As his or her muscles continue to
form in week nine, your baby may begin to move, but you cannot feel these movements
yet.
By the end of your first trimester, your baby will be about three inches long and weigh
½ an ounce.

(Nine (9) Week Old Fetus in Utero)

Second Trimester Development

In the second trimester, your baby’s hair, including eyebrows and eyelashes, begins to grow.
Muscles and bones continue to develop, allowing more movement. If your baby is a girl, her eggs will develop
in her ovaries early in the second trimester. By about week 18, your baby can hear your heartbeat and may
even be startled by loud noises.
It will put pressure on your lungs, stomach, bladder, and kidneys. You may begin to feel your baby
move during the fifth month. By the end of the second trimester, you will be able to feel that your baby has
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 resting and alert periods. As a result of the development of taste buds and sensory neurons, your baby will be
able to taste and touch during the second trimester.
Your baby’s eyes are sealed shut until the end of the second trimester when your baby starts to
blink. By the end of the second trimester, your baby will weigh almost 2 pounds and will be about 1 foot long.
By now, all of the essential organs have formed.

(Sixteen (16) Week Old Fetus in Utero)

Third Trimester Development

Early in your third trimester, your baby may begin to recognize the sound of your and your partner’s
voices. There will be a lot of moving during the third trimester.

During the final few weeks before birth, your baby will gain a good deal of his or her weight. By week 33,
your baby is in position for delivery, ideally with his or her head resting on your cervix. The bones harden and
the skin becomes thicker. By 34 weeks, your baby would be able to survive outside of your womb without
extensive medical intervention, although oxygen therapy may be needed.

Beginning at week 35, your baby will grow rapidly, gaining 1/2 -3/4 pound per week. Babies are
considered to have grown to “full-term” by week 37. But, your baby will continue to grow and gain weight, and
will most often be delivered between weeks 38 and 42. Your baby will weigh an average of 7.5 pounds at birth
and measure about 20-22 inches long.

A pregnancy that goes beyond 42 weeks is considered past the due date. At this time, the doctor may induce
labor. If your pregnancy has gone beyond 40 weeks, be sure to talk to your doctor.

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References:

● Julie Rosner; Tijana Samardzic; Manbeer S. Sarao. (2020, August 24). Physiology, Female Reproduction. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537132/
● 188 27.2 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM Retrieved from:
https://opentextbc.ca/anatomyandphysiology/chapter/27-2-anatomy-and-physiology-of-the-female-reproductive-system/

● https://helloclue.com/articles/sex/conception-pregnancy-fertilization-explained

● https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/multimedia/fertilization-and-implantation/img-20008656#:~:text=During
%20fertilization%2C%20the%20sperm%20and,lining%20%E2%80%94%20a%20process%20called%20implantation.

● https://www.winchesterhospital.org/health-library/article?id=101070

● https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=abo3730#:~:text=A%20woman's%20reproductive
%20system%20makes,when%20their%20menstrual%20cycles%20begin

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