Female Reproductive System

Vocab

Breast Self Exam• Is a cancer screening procedure in which a

female visually examines her breasts, palpates them to detect any lumps, and squeezes her nipples to check for a clear or bloody discharge.

• Breast self-examination should be done once a month to become familiar with the usual appearance and feel of your breasts. Most lumps are not cancerous, but any lump should be checked out by a doctor to make sure.

Cervix

• The base of the uterus, which bulges down into the vagina.• Has a small opening through

which sperm can enter the uterus.

cilia

• Align the fallopian tubes and are responsible for pushing the egg through the fallopian tubes. • Movement of cilia move against

sperm.

Clitoris

• Is a small knob of erectile tissue in the front of the vaginal opening.

Corpus Luteum• Referred to as the yellow body. Is a

temporary gland that secretes the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which cause the endometrium, the inner layer of the uterus, to thicken. • Where egg releases from the ovary.

Releases hormones to prepare the uterus for the arrival of the egg

Estrogen• Is a hormone essential for normal

female sexual development and for the healthy functioning of the reproductive system. • Estrogen controls the development

and maintenance of female secondary sex characteristics and reproductive organs, and the menstrual cycle.

Fallopian Tube

• Is a three to five inch tube that carries the egg to the uterus from the ovaries.

FSH• Follicle Stimulating Hormone.

Is a hormone that telegraphs the message from the brain to the gonads to start producing sex cells and sex hormones. Occurs during puberty

Graafian Follicle

• Is the egg that matures and bursts out first. • All of the other potential eggs

degenerate.

LH (Luteinizing Hormone)

• In females, helps to create a duct work system in the breasts for breast feeding. • Is the other hormone, other than

FSH, to be produced by the pituitary gland.

•

Menarche

• Is the first menstrual cycle. • Usually, the menstrual cycle

occurs in regular phases.

Menopause

• Is the cessation of the monthly menstrual cycle pattern. • It usually occurs somewhere

between the ages of forty-eight and fifty-two.

Menstruation

• Is the process by which the lining of the uterus is expelled each month that pregnancy does not occur.

Ovary (Gonad)

• Female reproductive gland•Place where egg cells

develop.• Secretes hormones

Ovulation

•Releasing of a mature ovum (egg) from an ovary•Begins journey down the

Fallopian Tube (3-7 days)

Ovum (Ova)

Another word for the egg

Pap Test (Smear)

• Is a screening test for cervical cancer in which cells are scraped from the cervix and examined for abnormalities.

Progesterone

•Along with estrogen, is the major female sex hormone. • These female sex hormones

cause female changes at puberty.

Urethra

•Tube which connects to the bladder for elimination of urine

Uterus (Womb)

• Strongest muscle in the female body. • Hollow pear shaped organ

where the baby grows.

Vagina• Tube from cervix to outside

the body• Female reproductive structure

that receives the sperm.• Passageway for menstrual flow

Vulva

• The external female reproductive genitalia• Includes labia minora, labia

majora, and clitoris