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the Female Reproductive System

  • The female reproductive system is designed to produce an egg each cycle and then to transport it to the site of fertilization where the sperm can penetrate through it in order to create an embryo.

Parts & Functions of the Male Reproductive System

Physical Digestion:

OVARIES & OVIDUCTS:

  • The ovaries are to each side of the uterus in the pelvic abdominal cavity. 

    • They function to produce eggs and sex hormones. ​

    • Each ovary measures three cm by one cm and is held to the uterus by LIGAMENTS. 

    • Each month the ovary produces an egg that bursts from the ovary during OVULATION.

      • FIMBRIAE are finger-like projections that sweep the egg out of the ovary into the OVIDUCTS aksio known as the fallopian tubes. 

  • OVIDUCTS or fallopian tubes extend from the ovaries in the uterus. 

    • They function to sweep the egg from the ovaries with help from their cilia lining and wafting fimbriae that are located at the ends of the oviducts. ​

      • Oviducts are lined with cilia and fimbriae to help in the transport of the egg. Also, muscle contractions also aid in this transport process as well. 

    • FERTILIZATION of the egg, oogenesis and zygote formation also occur in the oviduct when sperm meets egg. ​

      • This can result in pregnancy.​

      • TUBULAR Pregnancy is when the embryo implants itself in the oviducts​

      • ECTOPIC Pregnancy is when the embryo implants itself outside the uterus.

FEMALE Hormones

Stages of Follicule Development:

  • The PRIMARY FOLLICLE OOCYTE is when the oocyte duplicates and divides during meiosis to form a SECONDARY OOCYTE (only first phase of meiosis occurs here. The second division of meiosis does not occur until fertilization when sperm and egg meet.) 

  • The remaining follicle cells in the ovary develop into the CORPUS LUTEUM which functions to secrete the hormone estrogen and progesterone. 

    • If pregnancy does not occur the corpus luteum will break down in 10 days.

    • If pregnancy does occur then the corpus luteum remains for 3 to 6 months and secretes estrogen and progesterone. ​

Pregnancy

OVERVIEW:

  • The fertilized egg develops as it travels down the oviduct 

  • It them embeds itself into the endometrium lining during the implantation process. 

  • The PLACENTA forms to exchange nutrients, waste, water and oxygen between the fetus and mother

    • First it produces HGG (HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN HORMONE) to prevent the corpus luteum from breaking down. Then this allows estrogen and progesterone levels in the blood to remain constant. Allows the endometrium lining to not to break down and prevents the anterior pituitary gland from making new follicles. 

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