આ MCQ મોડ્યુલ આના પર આધારિત છે: Female Reproductive System
Female Reproductive System
આ મૂલ્યાંકન આના પર આધારિત હશે: Female Reproductive System
મૂલ્યાંકન બનાવવામાં તેમની સામગ્રી સામેલ કરવા ચિત્રો, PDF અથવા Word દસ્તાવેજ અપલોડ કરો.
Chapter 2 — Human Reproduction (Part 2): Female Reproductive System & Menstrual Cycle
The female reproductive system is structurally and functionally specialised for the production of female gametes (), receiving sperm, providing a site for fertilisation, supporting pregnancy, and nourishing the newborn.
3.2 The Female Reproductive System
The female reproductive system consists of a pair of , oviducts, uterus, cervix, vagina, external genitalia and a pair of mammary glands.
3.2.1 Ovaries
The ovaries are the primary female sex organs that produce the female gamete (ovum) and the female steroid hormones estrogens and progesterone. Each ovary is about 2-4 cm in length and is connected to the pelvic wall and uterus by ligaments. Each ovary is covered by a thin epithelium which encloses the ovarian stroma. The stroma is divided into two zones — a peripheral cortex and an inner medulla.
3.2.2 Accessory Ducts of the Female
The accessory ducts include oviducts (fallopian tubes), uterus and vagina.
- Each is about 10-12 cm long. The funnel-shaped infundibulum at the ovarian end has finger-like processes called that help collect the ovum after ovulation. The infundibulum leads to a wider ampulla (the site of fertilisation), then to the narrower isthmus joining the uterus.
- The is single, hollow and pear-shaped, also called the womb. Its wall has three layers: outer perimetrium, middle thick muscular myometrium, and inner glandular that undergoes cyclical changes during the menstrual cycle.
- The uterus opens into the . The cavity of the cervix (cervical canal) along with the vagina forms the birth canal.
3.2.3 Mammary Glands
A pair of are characteristic of all female mammals. Each mammary gland is composed of glandular tissue and variable amounts of fat. The glandular tissue of each breast is divided into 15-20 mammary lobes, each containing clusters of cells called . Cells of alveoli secrete milk which is stored in their cavities. Alveoli open into mammary tubules → tubules from each lobe join to form a mammary duct → ducts join to form a wider mammary ampulla → connected to the lactiferous duct through which milk is sucked out.
3.3 The Menstrual Cycle
The reproductive cycle in female primates (e.g., monkeys, apes and human beings) is called the . The first menstruation begins at puberty and is called menarche. Cycles occur every 28-29 days. The cyclical menstruations cease around 50 years of age, called menopause.
One ovum is released () during the middle of each menstrual cycle.
3.3.1 The Four Phases
| Phase | Days | Ovary | Uterus / Hormones |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menstrual phase | 1-5 | Old corpus luteum regresses | Endometrium breaks down → menstrual flow (~50-100 ml). Occurs only if ovum not fertilised. |
| Follicular (Proliferative) phase | 6-13 | Primary follicles grow into Graafian follicle; estrogen rises | Endometrium regenerates by proliferation. FSH dominant. |
| Ovulatory phase | ~14 | LH surge → rupture of Graafian follicle → ovulation | Both LH & FSH peak (LH surge); ovum released. |
| Luteal (Secretory) phase | 15-28 | Corpus luteum forms from remaining follicle; secretes progesterone | Endometrium thickens and becomes secretory, ready for implantation. If no pregnancy, corpus luteum degenerates → menstruation. |
3.3.2 Hormonal Regulation
- FSH stimulates follicular development in the ovary.
- Growing follicles secrete estrogen → endometrial proliferation.
- Mid-cycle LH surge triggers rupture of the Graafian follicle → ovulation.
- The ruptured follicle becomes the and secretes progesterone, which maintains the secretory endometrium for implantation.
- If fertilisation does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates → progesterone falls → endometrium sheds → menstruation begins.
Interactive: Menstrual Cycle Phase Explorer
Click each phase to see what happens in the ovary, uterus and hormones.
3.3.3 Worked Examples
Example 1 — Why is the LH surge important?
Answer: The mid-cycle peak of LH (LH surge) on day 14 induces rupture of the mature Graafian follicle and release of the secondary oocyte — i.e., it triggers ovulation. Without the LH surge, ovulation does not occur and pregnancy is impossible.
Example 2 — Role of corpus luteum if pregnancy occurs vs does not occur
Answer: If fertilisation occurs, hCG from the developing embryo maintains the corpus luteum, which keeps secreting progesterone to sustain the endometrium and support pregnancy. If fertilisation does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates, progesterone falls, and the endometrium breaks down → menstruation.
Example 3 — In which fallopian tube region does fertilisation occur?
Answer: Fertilisation occurs in the ampullary-isthmic junction of the fallopian tube — the wider ampulla meeting the narrower isthmus. Sperm reach this site by swimming through the cervix and uterus.
Activity 3.2 — Map the Menstrual Cycle
Predict: On a 28-day calendar, mark when (a) menstruation occurs, (b) ovulation occurs, (c) progesterone is highest, (d) FSH starts to rise.
Observe: (a) Days 1-5 menstruation; (b) Day 14 ovulation; (c) Days 20-23 highest progesterone (mid-luteal); (d) Days 1-5 FSH starts rising as cycle begins.
Explain: Hormones are tightly synchronised. FSH stimulates new follicles in early cycle; estrogen peaks before ovulation; LH surges at day 14; progesterone dominates the luteal phase to prepare the endometrium.
Competency-Based Questions
(a) Implantation (b) Ovulation (c) Menstruation (d) Spermiation
Assertion–Reason Questions
Reason (R): A mid-cycle LH surge causes rupture of the Graafian follicle.
Reason (R): Corpus luteum secretes large amounts of progesterone.
Reason (R): Fimbriae are finger-like processes of the infundibulum.