Module 2

HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Topic 2: Female Reproductive System
The female reproductive system provides several functions. The ovaries produce the egg
cells, called the ova or oocytes. The oocytes are then transported to the fallopian tube where
fertilization by a sperm may occur. The fertilized egg then moves to the uterus, where the uterine
lining has thickened in response to the normal hormones of the reproductive cycle. Once in the
uterus, the fertilized egg can implant into thickened uterine lining and continue to develop. If
implantation does not take place, the uterine lining is shed as menstrual flow. In addition, the
female reproductive system produces female sex hormones that maintain the reproductive cycle.
During menopause, the female reproductive system gradually stops making the female
hormones necessary for the reproductive cycle to work. At this point, menstrual cycles can
become irregular and eventually stop. One year after menstrual cycles stop, the woman is
considered to be menopausal.
The female reproductive anatomy includes both external and internal structures.
The function of the external female reproductive structures (the genital) is twofold:
 To enable sperm to enter the body
 Protect the internal genital organs from infectious organisms.
The main external structures of the female reproductive system include:
 Mons pubis: mound of fat tissue lying over the pubic bone covered with pubic hair.
 Vestibule: area enclosed by the labia minora where the openings of the urethra and
vagina are located
 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.
 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.
 Bartholin’s glands: These glands are located next to the vaginal opening on each side
and produce a fluid (mucus) secretion.
 Hymen: Vaginal opening that is partially covered by a thin membrane.
 Clitoris: The two labia minora meet at the clitoris, a small, sensitive protrusion that is
comparable to the penis in males. The clitoris is covered by a fold of skin, called the
 prepuce, which is similar to the foreskin at the end of the penis. Like the penis, the
clitoris is very sensitive to stimulation and can become erect.
 Perineum: Diamond-shaped area at the lowest end of the trunk between the vulva and
anus.

 Breast: are made of mammary gland and fat which connect to ducts that drain into the
nipples with their surrounding areolas. Mild asymmetry of the breast may be present.
After a woman gives birth, the breasts release colostrum and, after a few days, milk.
Both are essential for the nourishment of the newborn and his/her protection against
disease.
The internal reproductive organs include:
 Vagina: The vagina is a canal that joins the cervix (the lower part of uterus) to the
outside of the body. It also is known as the birth canal. It contains mucus secreted by
cervical glands. As ovulation approaches, the mucus becomes sticky then changes to and
egg white consistency, indicating a fertile period. Recognizing fertile mucus is a basis for
couples to abstain from sex to prevent pregnancy. During pregnancy the mucus thickens
to a plug to protect the fetus.
The normal vagina in the adult has an acidic pH and is richly colonized by bacterial flora,
predominantly lactobacilli. Both of these provide defense against infection.
 Uterus (womb): 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.
 Ovaries: The ovaries are small, two almond-shaped glands that are located on either side
of the uterus. The ovaries produce eggs and hormones. Approximately 3cm long 2cm
wide, and 1cm thick located in the lower abdomen (pelvis) and attached to a margin of
the uterus and to the pelvic wall by ligaments.
Ovaries are reproductive glands that produce eggs and female sex hormones
 Contain 300,00 to 500,000 primary oocytes (immature eggs in different stages of
development)) contained within primordial follicles (immature follicles).
  Estrogen and progesterone regulate the female secondary sex characteristics. They
also play a role in bone metabolism and cancer management.
 Fallopian tubes: 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.

OVARIAN CYCLE
The ovarian cycle is a series of events that occur in the ovaries during and after the
maturation of the oocytes for fertilization. Likewise, in this cycle, the uterus is prepared for a
possible pregnancy.
During a woman’s reproductive period, from menarche or the onset of menstruation
(approximately 9-14 years old) to menopause or the cessation of menstruation (approximately
48-52 years old), she regularly undergoes the ovarian cycle.
 During ovulation, some women may feel a slight pain in one side of the lower abdomen
or a rise in basal body temperature. These symptoms may be monitored by couples trying to
conceive or wanting to prevent pregnancy.

MENSTRUAL CYCLE
Also known as endometrial cycle. Females of reproductive age (beginning anywhere
from 11 to 16 years of age) experience cycles of hormonal activity that repeat at about one-
month intervals. Menstru means "monthly” – leading to the term menstrual cycle. With every
cycle, a woman’s body prepares for a potential pregnancy, whether or not that is the woman’s
intention. The term menstruation refers to the periodic shedding of the uterine lining. Many
women call the days that they notice vaginal bleeding their “period,” “menstrual” or cycle.
The average menstrual cycle takes about 28 days and occurs in phases. These phases include:
 The follicular phase (development of the egg)
 The ovulatory phase (release of the egg)
 The luteal phase (hormone levels decrease if the egg does not implant)
Follicular phase
This phase starts on the first day of your period. During the follicular phase of the menstrual
cycle, the following events occur:
  Two hormones, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are
released from the brain and travel in the blood to the ovaries.
 The hormones stimulate the growth of about 15 to 20 eggs in the ovaries, each in its own
"shell," called a follicle.
 These hormones (FSH and LH) also trigger an increase in the production of the female
hormone estrogen.
 As estrogen levels rise, like a switch, it turns off the production of follicle-stimulating
hormone. This careful balance of hormones allows the body to limit the number of
follicles that will prepare eggs to be released.
 As the follicular phase progresses, one follicle in one ovary becomes dominant and
continues to mature. This dominant follicle suppresses all of the other follicles in the
group. As a result, they stop growing and die. The dominant follicle continues to produce
estrogen.
Ovulatory phase
The ovulatory phase (ovulation) usually starts about 14 days after the follicular phase started, but
this can vary. The ovulatory phase falls between the follicular phase and luteal phase. Most
women will have a menstrual period 10 to 16 days after ovulation. During this phase, the
following events occur:
 The rise in estrogen from the dominant follicle triggers a surge in the amount of
luteinizing hormone that is produced by the brain.
 This causes the dominant follicle to release its egg from the ovary.
 As the egg is released (a process called ovulation) it is captured by finger-like projections
on the end of the fallopian tubes (fimbriae). The fimbriae sweep the egg into the tube.
 For one to five days prior to ovulation, many women will notice an increase in egg white
cervical mucus. This mucus is the vaginal discharge that helps to capture and nourish
sperm on its way to meet the egg for fertilization.
Luteal phase
The luteal phase begins right after ovulation and involves the following processes:
 Once it releases its egg, the empty ovarian follicle develops into a new structure called
the corpus luteum.
 The corpus luteum secretes the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Progesterone
prepares the uterus for a fertilized egg to implant.
 If intercourse has taken place and a man's sperm has fertilized the egg (a process called
conception), the fertilized egg (embryo) will travel through the fallopian tube to implant
in the uterus. The woman is now considered pregnant.
  If the egg is not fertilized, it passes through the uterus. Not needed to support a
pregnancy, the lining of the uterus breaks down and sheds, and the next menstrual period
begins.
During fetal life, there are about 6 million to 7 million eggs. From this time, no new eggs are
produced. At birth, there are approximately 1 million eggs; and by the time of puberty, only
about 300,000 remain. Of these, only 300 to 400 will be ovulated during a woman's reproductive
lifetime. Fertility can drop as a woman ages due to decreasing number and quality of the
remaining eggs.
 GE ELEC 1 MATH, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY (HUMAN REPRODUCTION)
Assessment No. 2
Instructions:
1. Answer the following questions.
2. Use a long bond paper.
3. Make sure to indicate your full name (family name first), your course, year level,
block and your subject at the top of your answer sheet.

Name: Course/Block:

Subject: Date:

Anatomy Time
1. Draw Female reproductive system and label its part. (Not print) In a separate bond paper
write the functions of its part.
Identification: Answer Directly
1. Diamond-shaped area at the lowest end of the trunk between the vulva and anus.
2. A hollow, pear-shaped organ that is the home to a developing fetus.
3. Almond-shaped glands that are located on either side of the uterus.
4. 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.
5. Area enclosed by the labia minora where the openings of the urethra and vagina are
located
Essay
1. State the importance of vaginal mucus
2. List the female hormones and indicate their effects on the body