The organs of the female reproductive system produce and sustain the female sex cells (egg cells or ova), transport these cells to a site where they may be fertilized by sperm, provide a favorable environment for the developing fetus, move the fetus to the outside at the end of the development period, and produce the female sex hormones. The female reproductive system includes the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, accessory glands, and external genital organs. Show
The organs, structures, and functions of the female reproductive system give women the ability to produce a baby. They do this by producing eggs, in monthly cycles known as the menstrual cycle, to be fertilised by sperm from a man. Other structures such as the breasts give the mother the ability to feed and nourish a baby after birth. What are the main parts of the female reproductive system?Uterus and ovariesThe organs of the female reproductive system are found both inside and outside of the female body. The organs inside the body are in the pelvis, which is the lowest part of the body cavity above the legs. The internal female reproductive organs include:
Ovulation and fertilisationThe outside (external) structures of the female reproductive system are grouped together in an area called the vulva. They are located just outside the opening of the vagina. This includes structures such as the labia, the clitoris and a number of glands. The breasts can also be considered part of the female reproductive system and are located on the chest. The vulva consists of:
Female GenitalsWhat is the purpose of the female reproductive system do?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. The female reproductive system makes its own hormones that help to control a woman's monthly cycle. These hormones cause ova to develop and be released in a monthly cycle. This process is called ovulation. If one of these ova is fertilised by a male sperm, this leads to pregnancy. The hormones also create the right conditions in the womb (uterus) for the fetus to develop, and block ovulation during pregnancy. How does the female reproductive system work?The activity of the female reproductive system is controlled by hormones released both by the brain and by the ovaries. The combination of all these hormones gives women their menstrual cycle. The length of the menstrual (or reproductive) cycle is usually between 24-35 days. During this time an egg (ovum) is developed and matured. At the same time the lining of the womb (uterus) is prepared to receive a fertilised egg. If a fertilised egg is not implanted into the uterus, the lining of the uterus is shed and is expelled from the body. This is the bleeding known as having a period, or menstruation. Traditionally, the first day of bleeding is known as day one of the menstrual cycle. The key event in the cycle is ovulation. This is the release of a mature egg from one of the ovaries. This usually takes place around the 14th day of a 28-day cycle. What hormones are released during the menstrual cycle?There are five main hormones that control the menstrual cycle. Three are produced in the brain, while the other two are made in the ovaries.
During the last few days of the menstrual cycle, around 20 small immature ova begin to develop in the ovaries. This continues throughout the menstrual cycle. FSH and LH encourage the growth of these ova. As they grow, the ova also start to release increasing amounts of oestrogen. The amount of oestrogen produced reduces the amount of FSH released. This helps to prevent too many ova growing at the same time. Eventually one ovum outgrows the rest. While this is happening in the ovaries, the oestrogen produced also causes a thickening of the lining of the uterus. What is ovulation?Ovulation is the stage in the menstrual cycle when the mature ovum is released from the ovaries into the Fallopian tubes. By this point in the cycle, levels of oestrogen are high. Previously, medium levels of oestrogen reduced the amount of FSH and LH released. Now this high level of oestrogen is the signal for more FSH and LH to be released. LH causes the ovum to burst through the outer layer of the ovary. Usually the ovum is then swept into the uterine tubes. When the ovum leaves the ovary, the cells left behind become the corpus luteum. This special group of cells is capable of producing several different hormones, including progesterone and oestrogen. These hormones encourage the growth and maturation of the lining of the uterus. What happens next depends on whether the ovum is fertilised by sperm. If the ovum is fertilised, the corpus luteum continues to produce hormones. Another hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) stops the corpus luteum from breaking down. The cells covering the embryo produce hCG. It is the hormone detected in pregnancy tests. If the ovum is not fertilised, the corpus luteum can only live for a further two weeks. As it begins to break down, it releases fewer of its hormones. As the levels of progesterone and oestrogen go down, they no longer control the levels of GnRH, FSH and LH. So, these hormones increase and new ova begin to develop - the start of a new menstrual cycle. In the uterus the decrease in progesterone stimulates the release of chemicals that eventually cause the lining of the uterus to die off. This is the blood flow experienced during menstruation. Some disorders of the female reproductive system
What are the 7 parts of the female reproductive system?The female reproductive system includes the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, accessory glands, and external genital organs.
What are the 5 main functions of the female reproductive system?Its functions include producing gametes called eggs, secreting sex hormones (such as estrogen), providing a site for fertilization, gestating a fetus if fertilization occurs, giving birth to a baby, and breastfeeding a baby after birth.
What are the 5 parts of the female reproductive system in order?A female's internal reproductive organs are the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. The vagina is a muscular, hollow tube that extends from the vaginal opening to the uterus.
What is the function of the female part?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.
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