Section IV. THE HUMAN FEMALE GENITAL (REPRODUCTIVE) SYSTEM
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PRIMARY SEX ORGANS (OVARIES)
The primary sex organ in the human female is the ovary. (See Figure 6-4 for an
illustration of the female genital system.) The ovaries are located to the sides of the
upper end of the uterus. They are anchored to the posterior surface of the broad
ligaments. (The broad ligaments are sheets or folds of peritoneum inclosing the uterus
and uterine tubes and extending to the sides of the pelvis.)
a. The ovary produces the egg cell or ovum (ova, plural).
b. The ovary produces female sex hormones (estrogens and progesterone).
c. The production of ova is cyclic. Usually, one ovum is released during each
28-day menstrual cycle.
Figure 6-4. The human female genital system.
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