Female Reproductive System – Class 10

The Female Reproductive System  consists of the following Reproductive Organs.

1. A Pair of Ovaries

2. A Pair of Oviducts (or Fallopian Tubes) to convey the egg released from the ovary

3. A sac-like or pear-shaped uterus for the growth and development of the embryo developed from the egg

4. A Vagina, and

5. Vulva, the outermost part.

1. OVARIES

• The two ovaries are small ovoid bodies. 
• There the peripheral part produces ova or the eggs. 
• Normally, only one egg matures in each ovary every alternate month.
• A maturing egg contained in a cellular sac is called the follicle. 
• As the egg grows larger, the follicle also enlarges and gets filled with a fluid that is now called the Graafian follicle.
• When ripe, the follicle bulges over the surface of the ovary. 

Also Check –

Oogenesis

It is the process in which the ova- producing cells give rise to the mature ovum. 

Ovulation 

• It is the rupture of the follicle releasing the egg .
• The released egg is picked up by the fimbriae (cilia) of the oviducal funnel of the oviduct. 
• The remnant of the follicle persists for some time to convert into a yellow mass called corpus uteum (corpus: body, luteum: yellow). 

Ovaries secretes two hormones :

Estrogen (as was secreted by the follicle priorto ovulation).

Progesterone.

Also Check – Male Reproductive System

2. OVIDUCTS – Fallopian Tubes

• The two oviducts, also called Fallopian tubes or uterine tubes, are about 12 cm long. 
• Near the corresponding ovary, each oviduct has a funnel- shaped opening called the oviducal funnel. 
• Cilia lining the funnel help to pick up and push the released ovum into the oviduct.
• Subsequently , the Waves of muscular contractions (or peristalsis) of the wall of oviduct push the egg down into the uterus.

3. UTERUS

• The uterus is a hollow pear-shaped  muscular organ situated in the pelvic cavity between
• the urinary bladder and the rectum. 
• It has two regions, an upper wider portion which receives the two oviducts and a small lower constricted part, the cervix or neck.

Also Check – Menstrual Cycle

4. VAGINA

• The vagina is a muscular tube  starting from the lower end of the uterus up to the outside.
• The vagina receives the male penis during copulation.
• The great elasticity of its wall also allows the passage of the baby during childbirth. 
• The opening of the vagina in young females is partially closed by a thin membrane called hymen (or the virgin knot).
• The hymen is frequently ruptured in childhood due to strenuous physical exercise or disease.

5. VULVA

• The external female genitalia is called the vulva. 
• It contains independent openings of the urethra and vagina.
• The sides of the vulva have two small fleshy folds, the labia minora (lesser lips) which are hidden by larger hairy folds, the labia majora (greater lips).
• These folds are the equivalents of the male scrotum.
• In the uppermost angle of the vulva in front of the urethral opening is located a small erectile clitoris which is highly sensitive and is the equivalent of male penis.

Also Check – Why does Menstruation occur ?