A LIFE GIVING RISE TO LIFE 

Today's topic deals with the female reproductive system and the developing sexual characters  

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM 

The female reproductive system consists of a pair of ovaries situated on the either sides of a pear shaped uterus . In continuation of the ovaries are present a tube like structure known as the oviduct or the fallopian tubes. 

The uterus consists of an upper fundus, the body and the lower cervix which continues into vagina , which forms the birth canal of the foetus. 

The lining of uterus consists of outer perimetrium, middle myometrium and inner endometrium . the endometrial lining consists of blood and mucus ( fluid that helps in lubricating the uterus ). 

The external genitilia of the female reproductive system is known as the vulva , which has two openings, one being the urinary orifice and the other being the vaginal orifice. 

Before moving on to the process of fertilization , lets get well versed with the phenomenon which takes place in the female reproductive system in the absence of fertilization .

Female reproductive system




ACCESSORY GLANDS 

1. Bartholin's gland - These are two pea sized compound recemose glands located slightly posterior or lower to the left and right of the opening of the vagina.
2. They secrete mucus to lubricate the vagina.
3. They secrete relatively minute amounts of fluid when a woman is sexually aroused.

 Location of bartholin's gland - It is a part of the external genitilia - vulva 

1. Mammary glands - A mammary gland is an organ in female mammals that produces milk to feed young offspring.
2. Mammals get their name from the word mammary.
3. In humans, the mammary glands are situated in breasts.
4. A msture mammary gland consists of lobules.
5. Each lobule has lactiferous ducts that drains into opening in the nipple.
6. Humans normally have two mammary glands, in each breast.
7. They are lined by milk secreting cells, which are cuboidal.
8. Milk is secreted, when the baby gives a suckling stimulus.

 Mammary glands 

EXTERNAL GENITAL ORGAN- VULVA 

• The vulva consists of the external genital organs of the female mammal.
• It consists of labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule, external urethral orifice , opening of vagina and the hymen.
• The Presence of hymen determines that the female is a virgin.
• The hymen breaks when there an intercourse in between the opposite sex.
• The absence of hymen does not necessarily determine that the female has undergone an intercourse, it can also break at the time of major injuries or while playing sports. 
• Therefore, do not define a female as a virgin or a non- virgin on the basis of the presence or absence of the hymen respectively.                                                                            Anatomy of vulva

  

* To understand the female reproductive system in a better way you can watch this video * 

MENSTRUAL CYCLE  

Menstrual cycle is a cycle of 28 days which is characterized by vaginal bleeding for 3-5 days of a month.

As females have two ovary , out of which either of the one releases one ovum into the fallopian tubes.

The ovum is ready to fertilize with the sperm and thefore waits for 14 days.

While is ovary comes into the uterus , the endometrial lining thickens , thereby making the uterus ready for the process of attachment or implantation of the developing foetus after the process of fertilization.

But if fertilization of sperm and ovum does not take place within those 14 days , the ovum is shed off from the body along with the endometrial lining which is formed of blood and mucus , hence caharacterized by vaginal bleeding.

In layman's language it is known as periods because its a regular cycle that takes place every month.

Menstrual cycle or periods is a social taboo as yet in India , but it not something extraordinary , but a usual process in females. 

It is a normal process of expelling the unfertilized ovum from the female's body and nothing else.

* A wonderful animation on menstruation .... do watch it ...... to understand the eternal plan of nature *

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