Female Reproductive System Overview

Study Notes

The female reproductive system is a complex system that enables women to produce eggs, nurture a fetus during pregnancy, and give birth.

Ovaries: Produce eggs (oocytes) and hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.
Fallopian tubes: Tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus, allowing eggs to travel to the uterus.
Uterus: A muscular organ that supports fetal development during pregnancy.
Cervix: The lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina.
Vagina: A muscular canal that connects the cervix to the outside of the body.
Vulva: The external female genital area, including the labia, clitoris, and opening of the vagina.

Ovulation: The release of an egg from the ovaries, usually once a month.
Menstruation: The shedding of the uterine lining, occurring approximately every 28 days.
Fertilization: The fusion of a sperm and an egg, resulting in a zygote.
Pregnancy: The development of a fetus in the uterus, supported by the placenta and amniotic fluid.
Childbirth: The process of delivering a baby from the uterus through the vagina.

Estrogen: Regulates the growth and development of the female reproductive system.
Progesterone: Prepares the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg and maintains pregnancy.

Follicular phase: The growth and development of follicles in the ovaries, leading to ovulation.
Luteal phase: The preparation of the uterus for implantation, following ovulation.
Menstruation: The shedding of the uterine lining if pregnancy does not occur.

Endometriosis: The growth of uterine tissue outside the uterus.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A hormonal disorder affecting ovulation and fertility.
Cervical cancer: A type of cancer affecting the cervix.
Infertility: The inability to conceive or maintain a pregnancy.

Ovaries produce eggs (oocytes) and hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.
Fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus, allowing eggs to travel to the uterus.
The uterus is a muscular organ that supports fetal development during pregnancy.
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina.
The vagina is a muscular canal that connects the cervix to the outside of the body.
The vulva is the external female genital area, including the labia, clitoris, and opening of the vagina.

Ovulation is the release of an egg from the ovaries, usually once a month.
Menstruation is the shedding of the uterine lining, occurring approximately every 28 days.
Fertilization is the fusion of a sperm and an egg, resulting in a zygote.
Pregnancy is the development of a fetus in the uterus, supported by the placenta and amniotic fluid.
Childbirth is the process of delivering a baby from the uterus through the vagina.

Estrogen regulates the growth and development of the female reproductive system.
Progesterone prepares the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg and maintains pregnancy.

The follicular phase is the growth and development of follicles in the ovaries, leading to ovulation.
The luteal phase is the preparation of the uterus for implantation, following ovulation.
Menstruation occurs if pregnancy does not occur.

Endometriosis is the growth of uterine tissue outside the uterus.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder affecting ovulation and fertility.
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer affecting the cervix.
Infertility is the inability to conceive or maintain a pregnancy.