Female Anatomy

1. Female Anatomy

2. Ovary • Female Reproductive organ that produces eggs and the hormone estrogen and progesterone.

3. Fallopian Tube • Transport an egg from the ovary to the uterus. • Site of fertilization

4. Uterus • Provides a place to support a developing human. • It is a muscular cavity.

5. Myometrium • The myometrium (muscularlayer), contracts during labor to allow for the crowning of the fetus. • After delivery the myometrium contracts to expel the placenta and reduce blood loss.

6. Endometrium • Lining for the uterus that sheds during menstruation. • During the menstrual cycle the endometrium grows to a thick, blood vessel-rich, glandular tissue layer. • This represents an optimal environment for the implantation.

7. Perimetrium • The outer most layer of the uterus wall lining.

8. Cervix • During menstruation the cervix stretches open slightly to allow the endometrium to be shed. • This stretching is believed to be part of the cramping pain that many women experience. • During childbirth, contractions of the uterus will dilate the cervix up to 10 cm in diameter to allow the child to pass through.

9. Vagina • Female reproductive organ that connects the outside of the body to the uterus • Allows menstrual flow to exit the body • Receives sperm during reproduction, site of sexual intercourse

10. Labia • Protection is the main function. • During sexual arousal, the labia minora become engorged with blood, typically swelling slightly and darkening or reddening in color.

11. Hymen • A mucus membrane that normally partially covers the entrance to the vagina

12. Ovulation • Release of an egg from a follicle in the ovary. • Approximately ½ way through the cycle • Example: If a girl’s cycle is 30 days long, what day(s) will she ovulate???

13. Menstruation • Occurs in most females from puberty to menopause. • Monthly series of hormone controlled changes that prepare the uterine lining for a pregnancy. • The breakdown and discharge of the uterine lining out of the vagina then occurs. http://kidshealth.org/misc/movie/bodybasics/bodybasics_female_repro.html

15. Menopause • The permanent cessation of ovarian function occurring some time before the end of the natural lifespan. • The most typical age range for menopause (last period) is between the ages of 40 and 60and the average age for last period is 51 years.

16. Yeast Infection • Estimated that between 20%-50% of healthy women normally carry yeast in the vaginal area. • Occur when new yeast is introduced into the vaginal area, or when there is an increase in the quantity of yeast already present in the vagina relative to the quantity of normal bacteria.

17. Endometriosis • Endometrial-like cells appear and flourish in areas outside the uterus, most commonly on the ovaries. • Endometriosis is typically seen during the reproductive years. • Estimated that it occurs in roughly 5% to 10% of women

18. Breast Cancer • The first noticeable symptom of breast cancer is typically a lump that feels different from the rest of the breast tissue. • More than 80% of breast cancer cases are discovered when the woman feels a lump. • By the time a breast lump is noticeable, it has probably been growing for years. • The earliest breast cancers are detected by a mammogram. • Lumps found in lymph nodes located in the armpitscan also indicate breast cancer.

19. Ovarian Cancer • Most women with ovarian cancer report one or more symptoms such as abdominal pain or discomfort, an abdominal mass, bloating, back pain and a range of other non-specific symptoms. • The “Silent Killer” • Ovarian TUMORSare solid masses and can be cancerous • Ovarian CYSTSare fluid-filled and not cancerous

20. Cervical Cancer • Pap smear screening can identify potentially precancerous changes. • Treatment of high grade changes can prevent the development of cancer. • Some strains of genital warts cause cervical cancer.