BIO 304 · Human Anatomy & Physiology
Female Reproductive System
Reproductive System · Module 16
A reference for the Female Reproductive video. The ovaries make both eggs and hormones in a coordinated 28-day cycle. The uterus prepares a lining each cycle in case implantation happens.
How to use this sheet Toggle the toolbar above. Notes prints the full reference for review. Study prints as a fill-in-the-blank worksheet , print it, then write each definition while you watch the video or read your book. Quiz me is on-screen typing practice; type the term, click Reveal to check yourself.
- Identify the female reproductive organs and the path of an egg from ovulation to implantation site.
- Describe oogenesis and follicular development from primordial follicle to corpus luteum.
- Trace the ovarian and uterine cycles and link them to estrogen and progesterone changes.
Click any image to enlarge.
Anatomy & Egg Path
External genitalia (vulva)
- Mons pubisfatty pad over pubic symphysis
- Labia majoraouter folds; hair-bearing skin
- Labia minorainner folds; hairless; vestibular skin
- Clitoriserectile tissue; sensory; homolog of penis
- Vestibulespace enclosed by labia minora; contains urethral and vaginal openings
- Bartholin glandsmucus-secreting; flanking vaginal opening
Internal organs
- Vaginamuscular tube; birth canal; receptive organ
- Cervixinferior uterus; small opening (os); mucus changes through cycle
- Uteruspear-shaped; fundus, body, isthmus
- Uterine wall layersperimetrium, myometrium (smooth muscle), endometrium (shedding lining)
- Fallopian tubesoviducts; site of fertilization; fimbriae catch released egg
- Ovariesgonads; produce ova and hormones (estrogen, progesterone)
Egg path
- Ovaryfollicle ruptures at ovulation
- Fimbriaesweep egg into fallopian tube
- Ampullausual site of fertilization (if it happens)
- Isthmus to uterus~6-7 days; arrives as blastocyst
- Endometriumimplantation site
Oogenesis & the Cycle
Oogenesis (slow!)
- Oogoniain fetus only; multiply, then arrest
- Primary oocytearrested in prophase I; all formed by birth; up to ~1-2 million at birth
- Each cycleone dominant follicle resumes meiosis to metaphase II
- Secondary oocytereleased at ovulation; arrested at metaphase II
- Meiosis completes only if fertilizedsecond polar body extruded
Follicular development
- Primordial follicleoocyte + flat surrounding cells
- Primary folliclecuboidal granulosa cells
- Secondary folliclemultiple granulosa layers + theca cells; fluid-filled antrum forms
- Mature (Graafian) folliclelarge, ready to ovulate
- Corpus luteumafter ovulation; secretes progesterone & estrogen
- Corpus albicansscar if no pregnancy; corpus luteum degenerates
Ovarian cycle (~28 days)
- Follicular phase (days 1-14)FSH drives follicle growth; estrogen rises
- Ovulation (~day 14)LH surge triggers follicle rupture
- Lu#0B1530 phase (days 14-28)corpus luteum secretes progesterone; estrogen also high
- If no pregnancycorpus luteum involutes; hormones drop
Uterine (menstrual) cycle
- Menstrual phase (days 1-5)endometrial sloughing; bleeding
- Proliferative phase (days 5-14)estrogen drives endometrial regrowth
- Secretory phase (days 14-28)progesterone makes endometrium glandular and vascular; ready for implantation
- No pregnancyhormones drop; endometrium sheds; cycle repeats
HPG axis (female)
- GnRHpulsatile from hypothalamus
- FSHfollicle growth; granulosa make estrogen
- LHpre-ovulation surge triggers ovulation; supports corpus luteum
- Estrogen feedbacknegative for most of cycle; switches to positive late follicular, triggering LH surge
- Progesteronemaintains endometrium; suppresses LH/FSH
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