4.00 Understand the body’s
hormone control systems.
Objective 4.03 Understand the structures, functions, and disorders of
the male and female reproductive systems.
HU40 Health Science I
Structures & Functions of the Female
Reproductive System
Structures of the female reproductive system
HU40 Health Science I
Structures of the female
reproductive system
• Ovary - Female gonad located in
the pelvic cavity, about the size of
an almond, the ovum is the
largest cell in the human body
• Ova – female gamete
• Fallopian Tubes – oviduct or
uterine tube, 4” long and is NOT
attached to the ovaries
HU40 Health Science I
Structures of the female
reproductive system
Uterus – hollow pear-shaped thickwalled muscular organ located
posterior to the urinary bladder
and anterior to the rectum
• Endometrium – inner lining of the
uterus
• Myometrium – muscular layer of
the uterus
• Perimetrium – visceral peritoneum,
layer around the uterus
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HU40 Health Science I
Structures of the female
reproductive system
• Cervix – lower end of the uterus
on top of the vagina and is about
1’ in length
• Vagina – also called the birth
canal, 10 cm long smooth
muscle lined with a mucous
membrane
• Hymen – external opening of the
vagina that may be covered by a
perforated membrane
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HU40 Health Science I
Structures of the female reproductive system
External genitalia - Vulva
• Clitoris – erectile tissue
• Labia – folds of skin surrounding the
vagina
• Labia majora - outer fatty folds
• Labia minora – inner folds
• Perineum - area between vagina and
rectum
Perineum
HU40 Health Science I
Structures of the female
reproductive system
• Mammary glands (breasts) –
accessory organ that contains
granular and adipose tissue
• Stimulated by prolactin breasts are
where the production of milk for
the baby occurs
• Areola – darkened area that
surrounds the nipple
• Nipple - center of breast
HU40 Health Science I
Functions of the female reproductive system
Ovary – produces ova and
female hormones
• Hormones
• Estrogen – Develops and
maintains both the reproductive
and female characteristics
• Progesterone - Regulates
condition of inner lining of the
uterus, prepares this lining for
the potential to accept a fertilized
egg
HU40 Health Science I
Functions of the female reproductive system
• Fallopian tubes – Serves as the passageway
for the ova to travel to the uterus every
month, fertilization usually occurs in the
fallopian tubes
• Uterus – Expands to hold the growing fetus
• Cervix – allows for flow of menstrual blood
to exit, allows for entrance of sperm
HU40 Health Science I
Functions of the female reproductive system
Vagina
• Serves as a conduit for menstrual flow
• Allows for penis during sexual
intercourse
• Serves as a passageway for a baby
during the birth process
HU40 Health Science I
Functions of the female reproductive system
Mons Pubis
External genitalia (vulva) serves to
protect the internal reproductive organs
• Mons pubis is covered with hair and lies
over the symphysis pubis
• Clitoris contain nerve endings
• Perineum separates the vagina
and the rectum
Perineum
HU40 Health Science I
Functions of the female reproductive system
Mammary glands
(breasts)
• Accessory organs
• Stimulated by prolactin
breasts are where the
production of milk for the
baby occurs
HU40 Health Science I
Functions of the female reproductive system
Menstrual Cycle
• First cycle in females is referred to
as menarche
• Counted from day one of
menstruation to the next first day
of menstruation
• Averages 28 days with four stages
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Follicle stage
Ovulation stage
Corpus luteum stage
Menstruation stage
HU40 Health Science I
Functions of the female
reproductive system
Follicle stage
• Lasts about 10 days
• The pituitary releases follicle
stimulating hormone (FSH)
• FSH stimulates the follicle
and ovum to mature
• Results in the release of
estrogen and preparation of the
uterine lining
HU40 Health Science I
Functions of the female
reproductive system
Ovulation stage
• Pituitary stops producing FSH and
starts producing Luteinizing
hormone(LH)
• LH, FSH and estrogen are now all
three circulating
• Around day 14, the follicle ruptures
and the ovum is released which is
referred to as ovulation
HU40 Health Science I
Functions of the female
reproductive system
Corpus luteum stage
(luteal phase)
• Progesterone is secreted and
if the egg is fertilized, the
hormone will continue to be
secreted
• The uterine lining is
maintained and further
ovulation is prevented
• Lasts about 14 days
HU40 Health Science I
Functions of the female
reproductive system
Menstruation stage
• Occurs when the unfertilized
ovum is discharged as well as
degenerated endometrium if
pregnancy has not occurred
• Progesterone secretion is
diminished
• The uterine lining is
discharged over about six days
HU40 Health Science I
Functions of the female reproductive system
• Conception – occurs when sperm travels up through the vaginal canal,
into the uterus and then fertilizes an egg if found in the fallopian tubes
• Pregnancy – Sperm and egg join to form a fertilized egg and then three to
four days later the fertilized egg implants itself in the lining of the uterus
HU40 Health Science I
Functions of the female reproductive system
Menopause – when the menstrual cycle ends and usually occurs
between the ages of 45-55, may also occur with the removal of the
ovaries (oophorectomy)
HU40 Health Science I
Disorders of the Female
Reproductive System
Disorders of the female reproductive system
Cervical cancer
• Change in cells in the cervix
• Usually caused by sexual transmission
with Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
• Slow growing so is usually detected
early by pap smears
• Surgery and radiation are most
common treatments
• Gardasil vaccine helps protect
individuals ages 9 to 45 against the
following diseases caused by 9 types of
HPV: cervical, vaginal, and vulvar
cancers in females, anal cancer, certain
head and neck cancers, such as throat
and back of mouth cancers
HU40 Health Science I
Disorders of the female reproductive system
Endometriosis
• Endometrial tissue grows in other
places outside of the uterus leaving no
way for the lining to leave the body
• Symptoms include sever cramps,
heavy menstruation, pain during
or after intercourse,
• Treatments include pain management,
hormone birth control for heavy
menstruation, surgical removal of tissue
HU40 Health Science I
Disorders of the female reproductive system
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
• Infection of the reproductive
organs including the uterus,
fallopian tubes and cervix
• Most often caused by sexually
transmitted infections like
chlamydia or gonorrhea
• Treated with antibiotics and
pain medications
• Scarring of the fallopian tubes
is possible
HU40 Health Science I
Disorders of the female reproductive system
Toxic Shock Syndrome
• Overgrowth of Staphylococcus aureus (staph)
bacteria in a woman’s body
• Typically affects menstruating women and
usually those that use super-absorbent tampons
• Symptoms include hypotension, high fever,
vomiting and respiratory distress
• Treatment is hospitalization and antibiotics
HU40 Health Science I
Disorders of the female reproductive system
Yeast Infections
• Overgrowth of candida in the vaginal area
• Occurs when environment of vagina
becomes less acidic and is often after use of
antibiotics
• Symptoms include burning, redness and
swelling of the vagina and vulva; pain and
burning with urination; and a thick white
odorless discharge
• Treatment includes antifungal creams or
ointments and possibly oral medications
HU40 Health Science I
Disorders of the female reproductive system
• Menstrual cycle disorders
• Amenorrhea is the absence or menstruation, missing at least three menstrual
periods in a row
• Dysmenorrhea is menstrual cramps
• Menorrhagia is heavy or prolonged bleeding with menstrual periods
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Symptoms of headaches, bloating and mood changes one to two weeks before
menstruation
• Other symptoms include craving and acne
• Possibly caused by changes in hormone levels
HU40 Health Science I
Disorders of the female reproductive system
• Breast cancer
• Cancer that forms in the cells of the breast and is most common
cancer in women
• May also occur in men
• Signs and symptoms are breast lump, change in size or appearance
of breast, newly inverted nipple, redness or pitting of the breast
• Becoming aware of your breast through self breast exams allows
for early detection
• Mastitis
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Inflammation of breast tissue often involving an infection
Most common in breast feeding mothers
Symptoms include breast tenderness and warmth, pain during
Breast feeding, general illness with fever
HU40 Health Science I