The female reproductive system consists of the external and internal reproductive organs which function in the sexual reproduction of new life forms. In humans, the female reproductive system only develops into adulthood after puberty in order to produce eggs and to be capable of producing viable gametes in order to carry a pregnancy to full term. During the development of the female reproductive system, several changes take place and new structures are built which are responsible for egg production and fertilization. These organs are found in the female reproductive system of all mammals including humans.
At the times when the female reproductive system produces an egg, the gonads or ovaries are present and these later become the source of hormones for reproduction. Gonads or ovaries produce the hormones that stimulate the ovary to release the egg, which in turn releases another set of hormones that causes the ovary to collapse. This collapsing of the ovary is one of the main reasons behind menstrual periods. Once the egg is fertilized by a sperm cell, there will be several hormonal changes that will take place in the body.
After fertilization, the other structures which are responsible for female reproduction develop. The clitoris is the external structure that stimulates the female reproductive organs for secretion of mucus and lubrication of the labia majora and labia minora. The labia majora and labia minora consists of two hollow structures; the inner structure of the labia majora is the thickest of them all, while the inner structure of the labia minora is comparatively thinner. The external clitoris helps to stimulate the clitoris gland which is responsible for the secretion of lubricant and also anesthetic. The other structures which are related to the female reproductive system are the vagina, urethra, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, vagina opening, cervix ducts.
Understanding the female reproductive system as a whole is an important learning objective. The ovaries produce the egg cells, which are released during ovulation. The process of fertilization takes place when the egg cells are released from the ovaries into the fallopian tube. In order to achieve pregnancy, a woman needs to be within nine days of ovulation.
After fertilization has taken place in the fallopian tube, the fertilized egg is now safely inside the uterus where it can continue to grow and develop for several more weeks. During this time, the lining of the uterus continues to develop to a stage where implantation takes place. The lining is known as endometrial lining; during this stage, the embryo develops as a tissue named endometrium. The endometrial lining then thickens and forms the outer lining of the uterus, which serves as a protective layer against any damage caused to the organs forming the womb.
After the endometrial lining has formed completely, the corpus luteum is released from the seminiferous tubules. The corpus luteum is responsible for the production of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. Once released, these hormones regulate the menstrual cycle by helping to determine when the ovum is released from the ovary and how long it will remain outside of the uterus. After the egg cells have matured and dropped into the fallopian tube, a woman’s menstrual period takes place.
The primary hormone that helps to define a woman’s menstrual cycle is progesterone. The increased production of estrogen causes the corpus luteum to thicken. When the egg reaches the cervix, the process of fertilization occurs, and the emerging embryo becomes stuck inside the uterus where it stays until it falls out naturally after one or two menstrual cycles. Most women experience one menstrual cycle per year.
Female Reproductive System: Female reproductive systems start with the ovaries, which are located on either side of the uterus. The ovaries secrete both estrogen and progesterone, which play a major role in the development of female characteristics, including the ability to conceive and menstruation. The release of these hormones into the bloodstream depends on the ovulation cycle. For most women, there is a regular pattern to their monthly menstrual cycle; however, there are some women that go through irregular ovulation cycles. In addition, some women have relatively smooth periods, while others experience a heavier flow of hormones.