McKenzie
Health Science 20
NAME:_________________
Lesson 15.3 Female Reproductive System Anatomy & Physiology
We will be skipping 15.1 as it is not in the SK curriculum
Objectives:
1. Describe the anatomy of the internal structures of the female reproductive system.
2. Describe the female external genitalia.
3. List the steps in oogenesis.
4. Identify the monthly changes in the ovaries and the uterus, and the major hormones involved in the reproductive
process. Explain how these changes prepare the body for fertilization and pregnancy.
Saskatchewan Outcome:
“I can analyze the anatomy and physiology of a healthy human”
Saskatchewan Indicators:
“I can describe the anatomy (structure) and physiology (function) of the reproductive system”
Before this lesson, try to answer the following questions:
1. What are the primary and accessory female reproductive organs?
ANSWER:____________________________________________________________________
2. How do the female reproductive organs and secondary sex characteristics develop during puberty?
ANSWER:____________________________________________________________________
3. What happens during the ovarian and the uterine cycles?
ANSWER:____________________________________________________________________
Key Terms:
 Cervix
 Labia minora
 Oocyte
 Ovulation
 Uterus
References:
 Notes & handouts
 Textbook Pages: 540 – 549
 Study Guide Pages: 228 – 230
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Clitoris
Lactiferous duct
Oogenesis
Uterine cycle
Vagina
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Labia majora
Mammary glands
Ovarian cycle
Uterine tubes
McKenzie
Health Science 20
NAME:_________________
15.3 Female Reproductive System Anatomy and Physiology
The Female Reproductive System
McKenzie
The Ovary
Label the steps in the production of the egg
Health Science 20
NAME:_________________
McKenzie
Health Science 20
NAME:_________________
Reproduction 3:
The Female Reproductive System
Although the male and female reproductive structures are homologous in their design, they
appear very different from each other. The testes produce several hundred million gametes
(sperm) per day, while the ovaries usually produce only one OVUM (egg) per month. Male
gametes are produced throughout a male’s sexually mature existence. Female gametes
develop from follicles. A female is born with about two million follicles, but none are
produced after birth. In fact, once a female reaches puberty, the number of follicles may be
reduced to about three to four hundred thousand. Each month, one of these matures.
Use figures 21.6 to label the following diagram.
* Note: The opening of the urethra is separate from the vagina. Unlike males, the urinary
and reproductive tracts are separate.
McKenzie
Health Science 20
NAME:_________________
Oogenesis
Oogenesis is the process of the development of the OVA (egg). As was mentioned, a
sexually mature woman has 400 000 or less (depending on age) FOLLICLES in her
OVARIES. Oogenesis follows the following steps:
1. In a PRIMARY FOLLICLE, the PRIMARY OOCYTE undergoes an unequal meiotic division (meiosis I).
This produces two cells each with 23 chromosomes. Meiosis II does not occur until the egg is fertilized.
2. The primary follicle now develops into a SECONDARY FOLLICLE which contains the newly formed
secondary oocyte.
3. The secondary follicle now develops into the GRAAFIAN FOLLICLE which houses the secondary oocyte in
a fluid filled space.
4. Pressure increases within the Graafian follicle until the secondary oocyte (often called an egg) is released.
This is referred to as OVULATION.
5. The remaining follicular structure (without an oocyte) develops into a CORPUS LUTEUM which is a
hormone secreting structure.
6. If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates after about ten days. If pregnancy does
occur, the corpus luteum persists for about 3 to 6 months and secretes the female sex hormones estrogen
and progesterone.
7. Once the egg is released it must cross a small space between the ovary and the OVIDUCT (Fallopian tube).
The FIMBRIA sweep over the ovary at the time of ovulation and push the egg toward the oviduct.
8. The egg is pushed down the oviduct by microscopic cilia which line the tube. It is during this journey the
egg may be fertilized by a sperm.
9. After a few days the ovum passes from the oviduct into the UTERUS. The lining of the uterus is specially
designed to receive a fertilized egg.
10. If fertilization has occurred the egg implants in the uterine wall. If fertilization has not occurred, there is no
implantation.
Complete the Lesson
1. Read p. 540 – 549 in your textbook
2. Make flashcards for A-L on Female Reproductive System Diagram (label on one side, function on other)
McKenzie
Health Science 20
NAME:_________________
McKenzie
Health Science 20
NAME:_________________
Reproduction 4:
Regulating Female Hormone Levels
Hormone regulation in females involves the following glands and hormones:
1. Hypothalamus: secretes GONADOTROPIC-RELEASING HORMONE (GnRH).
2. Anterior Pituitary: secretes FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE (FSH) and LUTEINIZING
HORMONE (LH). These are the gonadotropic hormones.
3. Ovaries: Secrete ESTROGEN and PROGESTERONE. These are the female sex hormones.
Oogenesis (development of the egg) is coordinated by the build up of the lining of the
uterus. This build up prepares the uterus for implantation should fertilization occur. These
two coordinated cycles are called the OVARIAN and UTERINE cycles.
1. OVARIAN CYCLE
The gonadotropic and sex hormones in females are not present in constant amounts. They
are secreted in different amounts during a monthly OVARIAN CYCLE which lasts about 28
days. It is divided into two phases with OVULATION occurring in the middle.
 Follicular Phase (Days 1 to 13): Follicle Maturation
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Begins when estrogen levels are low.
The HYPOTHALAMUS responds to LOW estrogen levels by secreting GnRH.
GnRH stimulates the ANTERIOR PITUITARY GLAND to secrete LH and FSH.
LH and FSH travel (in the blood) to the OVARIES. This is where they act.
FSH (and to a lesser extent LH) stimulates the maturation of one
follicle in an ovary.
As the follicle matures it secretes ESTROGEN.
As estrogen levels rise, they exert NEGATIVE FEEDBACK
CONTROL over the hypothalamus. This inhibits the secretion of
GnRH (and then FSH and LH). This brings the follicular phase to an
end.
 Ovulation (Day 14): Release of the Egg
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Ovulation marks the end of the follicular phase.
The follicle and egg have been maturing for two weeks while FSH and LH levels DECREASE and
ESTROGEN levels INCREASE.
BUT: ovulation is triggered by a rapid, brief SURGE of LH. This LH peak induces ovulation and the egg is
released from the ovary.
What causes the level of LH to spike? As ESTROGEN levels increased, it INHIBITED the release of LH by
negative feedback. HOWEVER, when estrogen levels are VERY HIGH (as it is during the 1 or 2 days
before ovulation) estrogen exerts POSITIVE FEEDBACK CONTROL over the hypothalamus and causes it
to release a large amount of GnRH, which in turn causes the anterior pituitary to release a surge of LH.
This surge of LH induces ovulation.
McKenzie
Health Science 20
NAME:_________________
 Luteal Phase: (Days 15 to 28)
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The surge of LH which induced ovulation has a number of other effects.
LH causes the ruptured follicle to develop into the CORPUS LUTEUM.
The corpus luteum secretes the sex hormones PROGESTERONE
AND ESTROGEN.
As progesterone and estrogen levels rise, they exert NEGATIVE
FEEDBACK CONTROL over the hypothalamus. This inhibits the
secretion of GnRH (and then FSH and LH).
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If fertilization of the egg does NOT occur, the corpeus luteum degenerates.
The degeneration of the corpus luteum results in a DECREASED SECRETION of estrogen and
progesterone.
The decreased amount of estrogen and progesterone in the blood, the hypothalamus is no longer inhibited
and begins to release GnRH.
The secretion of GnRH by the hypothalamus stimulates the release of more LH and FSH from the anterior
pituitary gland and the cycle begins again.
McKenzie
Health Science 20
NAME:_________________
2. THE UTERINE CYCLE
The uterine cycle involves the effects the female sex hormones (ESTROGEN AND
PROGESTERONE) have on the ENDOMETRIUM (lining) of the uterus. The uterus
undergoes a cyclical series of events. These events are coordinated with the events of the
ovarian cycle so the uterine cycle also lasts about 28 days.
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 Menstruation (days 1 to 5)
Low estrogen and progesterone levels (due to the disintegration of the corpus luteum) cause the uterine
lining to disintegrate and its blood vessels to rupture.
A flow of blood (the MENSES) passes out of the vagina. This is known as the menstrual period.
 Proliferative Phase (days 6 to 13)
Menstruation ceases.
Rising blood ESTROGEN levels cause the ENDOMETRIUM to grow and thicken. It also becomes more
vascular and glandular.
 Ovulation (day 14)
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 Secretory Phase (days 15 to 28)
Increased production of PROGESTERONE from the corpus luteum cause the endometrium to double in
thickness.
The uterine glands mature and produce a thick mucus secretion.
The endometrium is now prepared to receive a fertilized egg.
If pregnancy does not occur, decreased levels of estrogen and progesterone (due to the disintegration of
the corpus luteum) cause the uterine lining to break down and the cycle begins again.
Complete the Lesson
1. Complete #1-9, p. 549
2. Study Guide pages 228 and 230 (handout)