Some terms from the anatomy of the female reproductive system.

1. Biology 120
Knowledge Assignment
10 A
Jon Harkleroad
Truman College

2. The Female Reproductive System
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3. 4. The time required for the development of a fetus is
called “gestation”.
 In humans, normal gestation is 40 weeks from
conception.
 A pregnancy is considered full term after 36 weeks.
 Births prior to 37 weeks are considered premature.
 Among mammals, the longest known gestation is that of
asian elephants which lasts up to 22 months!

4. 8. The organ in which the developing fetus resides is
call the “uterus”.
• The uterus is a hollow, pear shaped organ with a
muscular wall, a mucus membrane lining and a rich
blood supply.
• The upper portion is called the ‘fundus’ which is where
the fallopian tubes connect.
• The middle portion is called the body or the ‘corpus’
• The lower portion is called the neck of the uterus or
‘cervix’ and opens into the vagina.
• The inner lining is called the endometrium and has a
rich blood supply. This is where the fertilized egg
implants.
• If pregnancy does not occur during ovulation, the
endometrium is sloughed off and is discharged during the
menstrual cycle.

5. 9. The tubes that extend from the outer edges of the
uterus and assist in transporting the ova and
sperm are called “fallopian tubes”.
• The fallopian tubes are approximately 5.5 inches long
and connect the ovaries to the uterus.
• As they near the ovaries, the fallopian tubes expand into
finger-like projections called fimbriae. These
projections catch an ovum after ovulation and direct it
into the fallopian tube.
• The meeting of the egg and sperm usually happens in
the upper half of the fallopian tube.
• The fertilized egg, or “zygote” then makes it’s way to
the uterus where it embeds on the uterine wall.
• Zygotes that embed in the fallopian tubes rather than the
uterine wall create a dangerous condition known as an
ectopic pregnancy.