Page 209 - Health, Population and Environment Education 9

i. Uterus receives, nourishes and protects the fertilized ovum.
ii. It provides space for fertilized ovum to get implanted and develop into foetus.
iii. It helps to expel baby/foetus during the delivery time.
iv. If the ovum is not fertilized, it helps in occurrence of menstruation cycle.

c. Fallopian tubes

The two tubes which extend at both sides of uterus between the body and fundus are called
fallopian tubes. Each fallopian tube is about (10-12) cm in length. The end of fallopian
tube contains finger like structure called fimbriae which absorbs the ovum produced
from ovary. It is the place where fertilization between sperm and ovum takes place. After
the fertilization, fertilized ovum travels down the fallopian tube towards uterus. Within
seven days, the fertilized ovum gets implanted to the walls of uterus.

d. Ovaries
Ovaries are two small glands which are placed one on each side of the uterus below
the fallopian tubes. They are about the size and structure of almond and are composed
of connectives tissue. They are about 2.5 cm to 3.5 cm long, 2 cm wide and 1 cm thick.
They contain graffian follicles which start to produce ovum since the puberty stage. There
is production of ovum from ovary in every one month interval throughout the entire
reproductive period. But, ovum production is stopped after a female becomes pregnant
as well as after menopause.

The functions of ovaries are as follows:
i. They produce ovum.
ii. They produce oestrogen and progesterone hormones.

8.5 Menstruation

Menstruation is the process of discharging blood through vagina in every one month
interval since adolescence till pregnancy or menopause. It is a function of uterus in which
there is periodic discharge of blood from its cavity as a result of ovarian activity. It occurs
in every (26-30) days throughout the reproductive period (15-49) years.
The main purpose of menstruation cycle is to prepare the mucus membrane of uterus to
receive the fertilized ovum.
Menstruation cycle is a natural process. It is related with the physiological function of
the pituitary gland. The anterior lobe of pituitary gland secretes Luteining Hormone
(LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). LH secretes progesterone and helps in
the development of corpus luteum. As a result, the mucus membrane of endometrium
(wall of uterus) is stimulated and there is secretion of watery substance (mucus). This
helps in thickening of endometrium for the preparation of environment for implantation
of fertilized ovum. Similarly, FSH promotes the secretion of oestrogen and maturation
of graffian follicles. This supports in rapid multiplication of endometrium to prepare

GREEN Environment Population and Health Education Book-9 209