Female Reproductive System HS-101 External Organs The

Female Reproductive System HS-101

External Organs The Vulva consists of: – Mons Pubis – Labia Majora – Labia Minora – Clitoris – Vaginal opening

External Organs Mons Pubis – Rounded fatty pad of tissue – Front of the body; directly on top of pubic bone – Pubic hair begins to grow during puberty

External Organs Labia Majora – Heavy outer fold of tissue surrounding the vaginal opening; also covered in pubic hair – Serve as first line of protection against germs – Richly supplied with nerve endings & blood vessels to aid in sexual arousal

External Organs Labia Minora – Inner folds between the labia majora that extend forward to cover clitoris – Vary in size and color – Contain sweat and oil glands – Richly supplied with nerve endings and blood vessels

External Organs Clitoris – Small knob of tissue that projects between the labia minora – Labia Minora form a hood over it – Full of blood vessels and nerve ending for sexual arousal – Enlarges during sexual arousal – No reproductive function

External Organs Vaginal Opening – Visible when labia are parted – Hymen - thin membrane that stretches across opening about an inch up inside; has an opening to allow for menstrual flow – This is where the babies head crowns during the 2 nd stage of childbirth

External Organs Breasts – Organs consisting of fatty tissue and mammary glands – After childbirth, the mammary glands produce milk for breastfeeding

Internal Organs Ovaries (gonads) Fallopian Tubes Uterus Endometrium Cervix Vagina

Ovaries Gonads - female sex glands that produce hormones Produce estrogen & progesterone Two of them; one on either side of uterus House and release ova, or egg cells

Female Hormones Estrogen – female hormone that produces female secondary sex characteristics and affects the menstrual cycle Progesterone – hormone that initiates the thickening of the uterine lining to receive the ovum

Preparing for Ovulation Each month the uterus prepares for possible pregnancy by producing menses Menses – building up of blood and other tissue on uterine wall. If fertilized, the ovum moves to the uterus and attaches to this lining. If not fertilized, it dies and passes into the uterus, and menstruation will occur.

Ova (Eggs) At birth, a female has 200, 000 to 300, 000 immature ova in her ovaries During puberty the ova begins to mature Once a month, ovulation occurs. This is the release of an egg from the ovary into the fallopian tubes.

OVULATION

Fallopian Tubes Narrow tubes that extend from the ovaries to the uterus on each side Lined with cilia to transport ova Site for fertilization of the egg

Uterus Strong, elastic muscle the size of a fist Holds & nourishes a developing fetus Contracts during childbirth to help delivery

Uterus Endometrium (inner lining) – Builds up with blood tissue to prepare to receive a fertilized ovum – Has many glands and blood vessels – Sheds buildup each month as menstral flow

Uterus Cervix – Lowest part of the uterus – During Pregnancy Narrows to keep the growing embryo inside the womb during pregnancy Creates mucus plug that seals uterus off – When not pregnant, glands continuously secret dead cells and mucus – Pap Smear – scraping the wall of the cervix

Vagina Elastic, tube-like passageway about 4 -5 inches long from cervix to opening Stretches to allow for birth and sexual intercourse Moist and acidic environment that constantly sheds dead cell helps prevents infection from outside pathogens

Concerns Dysmenorrhea – painful contractions during menstruation, pressure in pelvic region, bloating, headaches, backaches and nausea PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)symptoms include: weight gain, cramps, bloating, swollen breasts, mood swings, cravings, nervous tension, anxiety, irritability, depression, and fatigue

Concerns Toxic Shock Syndrome – women become seriously ill during their menstrual cycle while using tampons and not changing them frequently enough. Sterility- can be caused by blocking of both tubes, no ovulation, or endometriosis.

Concerns Vaginitis- very common, will affect most females during their lives. There are 3 most common: – Yeast infections (Candidiasis) – Nonspecific Vaginitis – Trichomonas's & STI’s At least 15 percent of women in the U. S. are infertile due to tubal damage caused by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), the result of an untreated STD.

Trichomoniasis and Other Vaginal Infections Women—Initial Visits to Physicians’ Offices, United States, 1966– 2010 Visits (in thousands) 4, 500 Trichomoniasis Other Vaginitis 3, 600 2, 700 1, 800 900 0 1966 1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 Year 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002 2005 2008 SOURCE: IMS Health, Integrated Promotional Services™, IMS Health Report, 1966– 2010.

Breast Cancer Malignant tumors grow in breast tissue Second leading cause of death in women after lung cancer No one know what causes it Can be treatable and curable Symptoms include: – Change in appearance – Lumps or swelling in breast or underarm Video for girls