What is the function of the 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 ...
What is egg production in female reproductive system?
Female Reproductive System: Egg Production. When it is, a sperm penetrates an egg cell and fertilizes it. But before that can happen, the female body needs to produce eggs. Egg production is an essential part of the female reproductive system. An egg cell, also called ovum (the plural is ova), is a female reproductive cell or gamete.
What is the external and internal anatomy of female reproductive system?
The external and internal anatomy of the female reproductive system is discussed. How does the female reproductive system work? 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.
What is it called when a female produces eggs?
But before that can happen, the female body needs to produce eggs. Egg production is an essential part of the female reproductive system. An egg cell, also called ovum (the plural is ova), is a female reproductive cell or gamete. Ova mature via oogenesis. Oogenesis is the creation of an egg cell.
What is female reproductive cell?
The Female Reproductive System The female reproductive system produces the female gametes, or germ cells, called eggs.
What does female reproductive system produce?
The main function of the female reproductive system is to produce eggs (ova) to be fertilised, and to provide the space and conditions to allow a baby to develop. In order for this to happen, the female reproductive system also has the structures necessary to allow sperm from a man to meet the ova of a woman.
What are the part of the female reproductive system?
The organs in the female reproductive system include the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix, and vagina. The uterus has a muscular outer layer called the myometrium and an inner lining called the endometrium.
What do ovaries produce hormones?
What hormones do the ovaries produce? The major hormones secreted by the ovaries are oestrogen and progesterone, both important hormones in the menstrual cycle.
Where the primary hormone is produced?
The Hypothalamus and the Pituitary It is released in a rhythmic fashion every 60 to 120 minutes. GnRH stimulates the pituitary gland to produce follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), the hormone responsible for starting follicle (egg) development and causing the level of estrogen, the primary female hormone, to rise.
What are the main functions of the reproductive system?
Within the context of producing offspring, the reproductive system has four functions:To produce egg and sperm cells.To transport and sustain these cells.To nurture the developing offspring.To produce hormones.
What are the three layers of the uterus?
The outer thin layer or the serous layer is the covering of the uterus derived from the peritoneum. Then comes the myometrium or the middle muscula...
What is the cervix?
The cervix is the lower constricted part of the uterus that is divided into two portions. The upper supravaginal portion communicates with body of...
What are the functions of the ovary?
Female ovaries have two functions, endocrine and gametogenic functions. The endocrine function is the secretion of female sex hormones like the est...
What is the female reproductive system?
Apart from the above-mentioned functions, the female reproductive system is also involved in the production of female sex hormones to maintain the reproductive cycle. The female reproductive system is composed of a pair of ovaries along with oviducts, vagina, cervix, uterus, and the external genitalia that are located in the pelvic region.
What is the main organ of the female body?
Ovaries. Ovaries act as the main female sex organs that produce the female gamete and various hormones. These organs are situated one on both the side of the lower abdomen. Each ovary measures about 2 to 4 cm in length which is then connected to the uterus and pelvic wall through ligaments.
How does ovulation happen?
Ovulation is the process in which the follicle is separated by releasing of follicular fluid along with the ovum surrounded by the corona radiata. The cells of the corona radiata will separate later in the presence of spermatozoa. In ruminants, the oocytes have already lost their corona at the time of ovulation.
How long does a woman's period last?
In the uterus, if the egg is not fertilized, the lining in the uterine sheds away and a new cycle begins. Overall a menstrual cycle lasts for 28 days, in some cases, these cycles may either last for 21 days or as long as 35 days in some individuals. The entire process of the menstrual cycle is controlled by the endocrine system and the hormones involved are FSH, LH, estrogen, and progesterone. Both FSH and LH hormones are produced by the pituitary gland, whereas estrogen and progesterone hormones are produced by the ovaries.#N#Alon with the hormonal disorders, there are many other factors, which are responsible for the disturbance in the menstrual cycle. The responsible factors include diet, exercise, stress and weight gain or loss affects the menstrual cycle. The cycle may be irregular at times, especially during puberty. The menstrual cycles occur every month from the time of puberty up to the age of 45 to 55, except during pregnancy. After the age of 55 ovaries slows down their production of hormone and release of mature eggs. Progressively, the menstrual cycle stops, therefore, the woman is no longer able to become pregnant.
How does estrogen affect the reproductive system?
Estrogen and progesterone hormones are produced by the ovaries that foster the development of reproductive organs by maintaining the proper uterine cycle and by developing female secondary sex characteristics. During menopause, usually between age 45 and 55, the uterine cycle stops, and the ovaries are no longer produce estrogen ...
What is the uterus called?
Uterus. A uterus is also called the womb. It is a muscular, inverted pear-shaped organ of the female reproductive system. The walls of the uterus consist of three layers- the inner glandular layer, the middle thick layer, and the outer thin layer. These three layers are maintained by ligaments which are attached to the pelvic wall which then opens ...
Where are the fallopian tubes located?
Fallopian tubes are a pair of muscular tubes and funnel-shaped structures, extend from the right and left of the superior corners of the uterus to the edge of the ovaries . These tubes are enclosed in small projections called fimbriae that swipe over the ovaries to pick up released ova and deliver them to the infundibulum for supplying the uterus. Each fallopian tube is covered by cilia that functions by carrying the ovum to the uterus.
What is the ductless gland in which the female reproductive cells are produced?
Ovary. The ovary is a ductless reproductive gland in which the female reproductive cells are produced. Females have a pair of ovaries, held by a membrane beside the uterus on each side of the lower abdomen. The ovary is needed in reproduction since it is responsible for producing the female reproductive cells, or ova.
What happens when an egg matures?
When an egg matures, it is released and passes into the fallopian tube toward the uterus. If the ovum is fertilized by the male reproductive cell, or sperm, conception happens and pregnancy begins. An ovary is normally firm and smooth and is about the size of an almond.
Why is the ovary important?
The ovary is needed in reproduction since it is responsible for producing the female reproductive cells, or ova. During ovulation, a follicle (a small cavity in the ovary) expels an egg under the stimulation of gonadotropic hormones released by the pituitary gland, the luteinizing hormone and the follicle-stimulating hormone. ...
What is the female reproductive system?
Abdominal cavity. The female reproductive system is made up of the internal and external sex organs that function in reproduction of new offspring. In humans, the female reproductive system is immature at birth and develops to maturity at puberty to be able to produce gametes, and to carry a foetus to full term.
Where does the reproductive tract end?
The reproductive tract (or genital tract) is the lumen that starts as a single pathway through the vagina, splitting up into two lumens in the uterus, both of which continue through the Fallopian tubes, and ending at the distal ostia that open into the abdominal cavity .
What are the internal organs of sex?
The internal sex organs are the uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The uterus or womb accommodates the embryo which develops into the foetus. The uterus also produces vaginal and uterine secretions which help the transit of sperm to the Fallopian tubes. The ovaries produce the ova ( egg cells ).
How do fallopian tubes travel?
There it travels toward the uterus, pushed along by movements of cilia on the inner lining of the tubes. This trip takes hours or days. If the ovum is fertilized while in the Fallopian tube, then it normally implants in the endometrium when it reaches the uterus, which signals the beginning of pregnancy .The fallopian tubes made up of cillated columnar epithelium tissues
What is the function of the uterus?
Its major function is to accept a fertilized ovum which becomes implanted into the endometrium, and derives nourishment from blood vessels which develop exclusively for this purpose. The fertilized ovum becomes an embryo, develops into a fetus and gestates until childbirth. If the egg does not embed in the wall of the uterus, a female begins menstruation .
What is the main organ of a female?
Main article: Uterus. The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ. The uterus provides mechanical protection, nutritional support, and waste removal for the developing embryo (weeks 1 to 8) and fetus (from week 9 until the delivery).
Where does the ovum go in the uterus?
The vagina is connected to the uterus at the cervix. At certain intervals, the ovaries release an ovum, which passes through the Fallopian tube into the uterus. If, in this transit, it meets with sperm, a single sperm (1-cell) can enter and merge with the egg or ovum (1-cell), fertilizing it into a zygote (1-cell).
What is the reproductive system of a female?
Female Reproductive System: Egg Production. For conception to take place, a mature egg cell must be at the right place at the right time. When it is, a sperm penetrates an egg cell and fertilizes it. But before that can happen, the female body needs to produce eggs.
When do ova cells start to form?
An interesting fact is that all of a female’s ova are already present at birth. According to a Cliff Notes article, egg cell production begins before birth, when about two million primitive cells known as oogonia accumulate in the ovaries. These oogonia are formed in the early stages of meiosis. (Meiosis is a type of cell division.)
How do ova mature?
Ova mature via oogenesis. Oogenesis is the creation of an egg cell. Let’s start at the beginning. Ova are produced by the ovaries. FertilityFactor.com reports females usually have two ovaries, one on each side of the body, and they are found just outside of the uterus.
What hormones are involved in egg cell development?
The development is controlled by two hormones: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Both hormones are secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. During the period of egg cell development, the female body is upping its supply of blood and nutrients in anticipation of a fertilized egg cell.
When does ovulation occur?
On about the 14th day, ovulation (the release of the egg cell from the follicle) takes place. The egg cell is swept into the Fallopian tube and begins to move toward the uterus. After that, either the mature egg is fertilized or the woman enters the process of menstruation. Sources: Female Reproductive System.
How many oogonias are there in the ovary?
About seven million oogonia develop in the embryonic ovary as early as five months of gestation. Most of these cells then die, with about a half a million of them proceed through the first stage of meiosis. After puberty, the oogonia develop into primary oocytes and then into egg cells at a rate of one per month.
Where does oocyte fertilization occur?
Fertilization usually occurs in the part of the fallopian tube nearest the ovary. This is because the oocyte is only viable for up to 24 hours after ovulation.
What is the term for diploid germ cells that have the potential to develop into ova?
Oogenesis. The diploid germ cells that have the potential to develop into ova are called oogonia. In humans, all of a female's oogonia that she will make in her lifetime are created when she's still a fetus and hasn't even been born yet.
How many copies of each chromosome are in a secondary oocyte?
The secondary oocyte still has two copies of each chromosome, so if it's going to become a fully-functional ovum, it must undergo the second meiotic division. This division is also uneven, like the first one, with half of the chromosomes going to another very small degenerate polar body and half of the chromosomes being retained by the ovum along with almost all of the cytoplasm. In this way, the ovum achieves its haploid state while conserving as much cytoplasm as possible.
What is the process of making a female gamete?
Oogenesis is the process by which the female gametes, or ova, are created. The female gamete is called an ovum. Sometimes people will refer to female gametes as eggs, but the term egg can include more than one stage of development, and the definition of an egg also changes depending on the type of organism. Definition of oogenesis.
How many haploid gametes can be created from a single diploid cell?
In theory, this would create four haploid gametes from a single diploid cell, like it does during spermatogenesis.
Where does oogenesis take place?
Oogenesis is a process that takes place in the ovaries where female gametes or ova are formed. Learn more about oogenesis and other processes in the female reproductive system's production of eggs, such as meiosis, ovulation, and fertilization. Updated: 08/16/2021
What is the polar body of an oocyte?
However, it does not divide its cytoplasm equally. Almost all of the cytoplasm remains in one of the two daughter cells, which becomes a secondary oocyte. The other daughter cell, which gets half of the chromosomes but very little cytoplasm, is called a polar body. The polar body is not a functional oocyte, instead it degenerates and dies. The formation of a polar body allows the primary oocyte to reduce its genome by half and conserve most of its cytoplasm in the secondary oocyte.
Which part of the brain has neurosecretory cells that release GnRH?
1) Hypothalamus has neurosecretory cells that release GnRH (go…
Which folds have pubic hair?
external skin folds (more lateral than minora) have pubic hair…
Can a fallopian tube accept an egg?
accepts egg from Fallopian tube. egg implants if fertilized ba…
What Parts Make-Up The Female Anatomy?
- 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 and to protect the internal genital organs from infectious organisms. The main external str…
What Happens During The Menstrual 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 shedd…
Follicular Phase
- This phase starts on the first day of your period. During the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, the following events occur: 1. Two hormones, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are released from the brain and travel in the blood to the ovaries. 2. The hormones stimulate the growth of about 15 to 20 eggs in the ovaries, each in its own "shell," called a follicle…
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: 1. The rise in estrogen from the dominant follicle triggers a surge in the amount o…
Luteal Phase
- The luteal phase begins right after ovulation and involves the following processes: 1. Once it releases its egg, the empty ovarian follicle develops into a new structure called the corpus luteum. 2. The corpus luteum secretes the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Progesterone prepares the uterus for a fertilized egg to implant. 3. If intercourse has taken place and a man's sperm ha…
How Many Eggs Does A Woman have?
- 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.
Overview
The female reproductive system is made up of the internal and external sex organs that function in reproduction of new offspring. In humans, the female reproductive system is immature at birth and develops to maturity at puberty to be able to produce gametes, and to carry a foetus to full term. The internal sex organs are the vagina, uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The vagina allows for sexual intercourse and birth, and is connected to the uterus at the cervix. The uterus or womb accommo…
External organs
The female external reproductive organs are the secondary organs that are visible externally.
The vulva consists of all of the external parts and tissues and includes the mons pubis, pudendal cleft, labia majora, labia minora, Bartholin's glands, Skene's Gland, clitoris, urethra, and vaginal opening.
Internal organs
The female internal reproductive organs are the vagina, uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
The vagina is a fibromuscular (made up of fibrous and muscular tissue) canal leading from the outside of the body to the cervix of the uterus or womb. It is also referred to as the birth canal in the context of pregnancy. The vagina accommodates the male penis during sexual intercourse. Semen containing spermatozoa is ejaculated from the male at orgasm, into the vagina potentially enabling
Physiology
The reproductive tract (or genital tract) is the lumen that starts as a single pathway through the vagina, splitting up into two lumens in the uterus, both of which continue through the Fallopian tubes, and ending at the distal ostia that open into the abdominal cavity.
In the absence of fertilization, the ovum will eventually traverse the entire reproductive tract from the fallopian tube until exiting the vagina through menstruation.
Development
Chromosome characteristics determine the genetic sex of a fetus at conception. This is specifically based on the 23rd pair of chromosomes that is inherited. Since the mother's egg contains an X chromosome and the father's sperm contains either an X or Y chromosome, it is the male who determines the fetus's sex. If the fetus inherits the X chromosome from the father, the fetus will be a female. In this case, testosterone is not made and the Wolffian duct will degrade th…
Clinical significance
Vaginitis is inflammation of the vagina and largely caused by an infection. It is the most common gynaecological condition presented. It is difficult to determine any one organism most responsible for vaginitis because it varies from range of age, sexual activity, and method of microbial identification. Vaginitis is not necessarily caused by a sexually transmitted infection as there are many infectious agents that make use of the close proximity to mucous membranes a…
Reproductive rights
The International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics was founded in 1954 to promote the well-being of women particularly in raising the standards of gynaecological practice and care. As of 2010 there were 124 countries involved.
Reproductive rights are legal rights related to reproduction and reproductive health. Women have the right to control matters involving their sexuality including their sexual and reproductive healt…
History
It is claimed in the Hippocratic writings that both males and females contribute their seed to conception; otherwise, children would not resemble either or both of their parents. Four-hundred years later, Galen "identified" the source of 'female semen' as the ovaries in female reproductive organs.