STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS OF FEMALE MAMMALIAN REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
The female mammalian reproductive system consists of the following structure:-
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- OVARIES:- There are two ovaries in a woman located on the dorsal surface of the abdominal cavity, one on each side of the vertebral column. They produce eggs. In a human being, the ovaries release one egg per month alternatively. Eggs are developed in the outermost layer of the ovary called germinal epithelium. Th egg and the surrounding cells make up the mass of cells called Griffins Follicle or the ovarian follicle. The cells of the Griffin follicle produce a hormone called oestrogen.
The formation of the Griffins follicle is closely related to the menstrual cycle. Every month, or usually every 28 days, an egg begins to grow and a follicle begins to change. Eventually, the follicle protrudes from the surface the egg cell contained in the follicle is then released by a process called ovulation.
FUNCTIONS
Ovary produces the eggs or ova
It product female sex hormones called estrogen and progesterone
It is also responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristic in girls.
OVIDUCT OR FALLOPIAN TUBE:- The oviduct or fallopian tube is a long narrow tube with a funnel-shaped opening which receives eggs released by the ovary. The oviduct links the ovary with the uterus.
FUNCTIONS
- Fertilization takes place in the oviduct.
- It is the tube through which the egg or ovum passes from the ovary to the uterus.