The document summarizes the key components of the female reproductive system. It describes the essential sex organs as the ovaries and the accessory sex organs as the fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina, vulva and breasts. It then provides more detail on the structure and function of each component. The document also discusses the female reproductive cycle and how it is regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis through the secretion and interaction of hormones like GnRH, FSH, LH, estrogen and progesterone.

1. The
Female Reproductive System

2. Female Reproductive System:
ESSENTIAL & ACCESSORY SEX ORGAN
• ESSENTIAL SEX ORGAN:
Ovaries
• ACCESSORY SEX ORGAN:
The Fallopian tubes, uterus ,
vagina, Vulva & Breast

3. THE OVARIES
 2 Ovaries
 Nodular, uneven almond size &
shaped.
 Functions:
◦ Produce and store ova in small spheres
called Primary Follicles
◦ Serve as endocrine glands
Estrogen & Progesterone
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4. FALLOPIAN TUBES
 2 tubes (4 inches)
 From uterus, end in finger-like
Fimbriae.
 Fimbriae ‘cup’ over ovaries
Functions:
◦ Receive ovum from ovary
◦ Propel ovum towards uterus
◦ Propel sperms towards ovum
◦ Fertilization site
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5. UTERUS
 Pear shaped organ.
 Fundus and lower cervix.
 Cervix forms canal, ends called OS
 Inner walls of cervix contain small sacs
crypts.
 Crypts secrete alkaline mucus.
◦ Protects sperm
◦ Reservoir for sperm
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FUNDUS
CERVIX
VAGINA

6. UTERUS
 3 walls
◦ Inner : Endometrium.
◦ Middle : Myometrium (muscular)
◦ Outer : Peritoneum.
Functions:
◦ Substrate for embryo implantation &
development
◦ Undergoes powerful, rhythmic contractions
◦ Endometrial cells develop due to E2
◦ No Implantation Menses
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7. VAGINA
 Tubular organ: Outer opening of Cervix
 Smooth muscle & mucous membrane
Functions:
 Receives semen.
 Lower part of birth canal.
 Excretory duct for uterine
secretions and menstrual flow.
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8. BREASTS
 Contain milk-producing glands
Function
 Nourishment to newborn.
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9. Functioning of Reproductive
System

10. THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
 Acts in conjunction with nervous system.
 Controlled by nervous system.
 ‘Oversees’
- Metabolism & Growth
- Reproduction
- Response to tissue injury / stress
 Acts via hormones: specialized
chemicals released in small amount
have profound effect
-increase or decrease causes
problems
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11. HORMONES (How They Act)
 Secreted by glands into blood
 One gland - Many hormones
 Target organs have chemical receptors
 Hormone attaches to receptor
 Passes ‘SIGNAL’ for particular effect
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12. ACTIONS OF ENDOCRINE
SYSTEM
 Secretion of hormone.
 Secreted at a specific time, in specific
quantities
 Hormonal control is through
interaction of Hypothalamus and
Pituitary
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13. ENDOCRINE GLANDS IN THE
BODY
Endocrine Gland
Hypothalamus
Pituitary
Ovaries
Adrenal
Function
Secretes GnRH
Secretes FSH and LH
Secretes E2 and P
Secretes Androgen
(In Women)
Estrogen
Secretes HCG, E, P &
HPL (Hormone
Placental Lacto-gen :
Prepares Breast)
Placenta
(Temporary)

14. THE H-P-O AXIS
A) HYPOTHALAMUS
Link between nervous system and
endocrine system.
Receives message from:
1) Brain
2) Sensory organs
3) Chemical messages from
Endocrine
organs

15. The Hypothalamus & Pituitary

16. The Hypothalamus & Pituitary

17. GnRH
FSH
LH
ACT ON
OVARIES
Secrete estrogen & progesterone
LH induce ovulation
FSH stimulate ovary
To synthesize & secrete key
ovarian hormone
The Hypothalamus & Pituitary

18. THE H-P-O AXIS
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19. The Reproductive Cycle
 Cycle repeated every 28 days (24-36 days)
 Interrupted by Pregnancy, Hormonal
Imbalance, Severe illness.
 Menopause - Cessation of Menstruation
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