Female
Reproductive System
8th Grade Health
Introduction to Female
Anatomy
OVERVIEW
Purpose
Reproductive Organs
External
Internal
Female Vocabulary
Menstrual Cycle
Menstrual Health Care
Purpose of the
Female Reproductive System
To produce an ovum
or egg cell
To carry and protect
the embryo/fetus as
it grows
*FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE
SEX ORGAN IS THE
OVARY*
External Reproductive Organs
External  Found outside of
the body
* All of the female’s external
reproductive organs form
something called the VULVA
External Parts
Continued
Mons pubis  round fatty pad of
tissue that is directly above the pubic
bone. Used for protection
Labia Majora outer fold of tissue
on either side of the vagina
Labia Minora  inner folds of tissue
around the vaginal opening.
External Organs Continued
The Vaginal Opening
Typically covered by a thin membrane called
the hymen
Whether the hymen is intact or not, sperm can
still swim into vagina, and pregnancy can occur
Misconception that an intact hymen indicates
virginity.
Internal
Reproductive Parts
Vagina
Uterus
Fallopian Tubes
Ovaries
Female Reproductive
VOCABULARY
Amenorrhea- the absence of the menstrual
cycle
Cervix- the neck of the uterus
Dysmenorrhea- painful contractions in the
uterus.
Ectopic – a pregnancy that happens in the
fallopian tubes
Endometrium- the inner layer of the uterus
Female Vocab Continued
Estrogen- sex hormone produced by ovaries
Fallopian Tubes- usual site of fertilization
Menarche- the initial menstrual period
Menopause- the period that marks the
permanent ending of the menstrual activity
Myometrium- the muscular wall of the uterus
Ova/Egg- Female reproductive cells
Female Vocab Continued
Ovary- where estrogen is produced; eggs
are stored
Ovulation- the time of the month that a
female releases an egg
Pap Smear- taking cells from uterine wall
and cervix for early detection of cancer
cells or HPV
PMS- pre menstrual syndrome. A variety of
symptoms that females experience before
period.
Female Vocab Continued
Progesterone- a sex hormone produced
by the ovaries
Uterus- fertilized egg will grow; also known
as the womb.
Vagina- the muscular tube in the female
that serves as a passageway to uterus.
Also known as the birth canal.
Female Reproductive Diagram
MENSTRUAL CYCLE
Physiological changes
that can occur in fertile
women for the purpose
of sexual reproduction
and fertilization.
Menstruation
The shedding of the endometrial lining of
the uterus
Occurs for 4-7 days on average every 2832 days
Most females begin menstruating between
9-15
Only a small amount of blood is lost, so
menstruation does not make a person
weak or ill
Menstruation only occurs if fertilization
does not occur
Menstrual Cycle
Menstruation occurs- woman gets period
Endometrium Builds up in the Uterus
Ovulation occurs around the 14/15th day
Ova/Egg travels down the fallopian tube
into uterus. The ova reaches the uterus;
either dissolves or is fertilized and
implantation occurs.
MENOPAUSE
Definition: the complete end of the
menstrual period for 12 consecutive
months.
At this stage in a females life estrogen
begins to decrease in a woman’s body.
The fall in estrogen may cause hot
flashes, drier, itchier skin and overly
sensitive to touch.
After the last ovulatory cycle
progesterone is no longer secreted.
Menstrual Health Care
Cleanliness is particular important during
menstruation
Maxi pads absorb the flow, but should be changed
every 3-4 hours depending on the flow
Tampons may also be used but they need to be
changed more often and should not be worn
overnight
This is important so that potential infections
are prevented (toxic shock syndrome)
Disorders
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Breast Cancer
Ovarian Cancer
Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)