Reproductive System (female)
fimbria
function: sweeps egg into fallopian tubes
ovum/ova
matured egg cell(s)
vagina
organ for sexual intercourse; also called the birth canal
hymen
a thin layer of tissue that partially or wholly covers the entrance of the vagina(not always present)
birth canal
another term for vagina
natural birth
baby pushed out through birth canal
caesarian section
baby removed from uterus via surgery
estrogen
causes hips to widen and breasts to grow
menstrual cycle
days 1-4~menstrual discharge; days 5-13~developing egg; days 14-15~ovulation occurs; days 16-22~egg moves through fallopian tube, uterus lining thickens; days 23-28~unfertilized egg enters uterus-------an approximately 28-day cycle that prepares the female body for pregnancy
cervix
dilates during labor to let the baby out of the womb; common site of cancer
unfertilized egg
dissolves
umbilical cord
grows between placenta and baby, provides baby with oxygen and nutrients
placenta
grows from outer edges of embryo, connects embryo to uterine wall, filters nutrients and waste between mother and baby
labia
liplike fatty tissue that surrounds the opening of the vagina and urethra
signs of pregnancy
missed period, vomiting, breast tenderness/fullness, nausea, urination, tiredness, changes in appetite
egg release
once a month; called ovulation
identical twins
one egg and one sperm; zygote divides/separates into two identical cells
path of egg
ovary-->fallopian tube-->uterus; if not fertilized, then the path is as follows: ovary-->fallopian tube-->uterus-->cervix-->vagina
pregnancy
period of time between conception and birth; measured in trimesters(3 month periods) starting from first day of last menstrual period; usually lasts 9 months or 40 weeks
uterus
place where baby grows; also known as the womb
uterine lining
place where fertilized egg attaches to in uterus, and egg absorbs nutrients from the lining; prepares each month to receive a fertilized egg
menstruation
process in which extra blood/tissue leaves vagina; also called a period; lasts on average four to six days
Ovaries
produce female sex hormones(estrogen and progesterone), and eggs
clitoris
small knob of erectile tissue located above the urethra
stages of development
step 1: zygote forms at conception step 2: zygote divides into multi-celled mass called an embryo step 3: embryo implants itself into uterine lining(burrows beneath surface) step 4: embryo becomes a fetus(after about two months)
vulva
term that collectively describes all of the external genitalia
ovulation
term that describes the release of the mature egg from the ovary
conception
the process of becoming pregnant including fertilization; starts with two tiny cells(egg and sperm)
# of eggs
there are 400,000 eggs in teenage girls; only 500 ever actually leave
amniotic sac
thin but strong fluid-filled membrane that cushions and protects fetus and regulates temperature
fraternal twins
two eggs and one sperm
female system
two roles: producing eggs and nourishing a developing baby until birth
afterbirth
umbilical cord stops working, and is cut and clamped; placenta detaches from side of uterus, gets pushed out
signs of labor
water breaks=amniotic sac bursts, fluid released through vaginal gland; contractions=uterine muscles give cramping feelings as cervix starts dilating
fertilization
when a sperm cell meets an egg cell
fallopian tubes
where egg gets fertilized by sperm cell; transports egg to uterus
