Choose the incorrect statements from the following with respect to the human female reproductive system:
A. Each ovary is covered by a thin epithelium which encloses the ovarian stroma.
B. The cavity of the cervix, called cervical canal, along with the uterus forms the birth canal.
C. In the wall of the uterus, the endometrium undergoes cyclical changes during the menstrual cycle.
D. In the wall of the uterus, the endometrium exhibits strong contraction during delivery of the baby.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → B and D only
The wall of the uterus has three layers. The outer perimetrium is a thin membrane, the middle myometrium is a thick layer of smooth muscle and the inner endometrium is a glandular layer. A layer of muscle can contract and push; a glandular lining cannot. The question asks for the incorrect statements.
Statement A: Each ovary is covered by a thin epithelium which encloses the ovarian stroma. — True. The thin epithelium is the outer cover of the ovary. The tissue inside it is the ovarian stroma, which has an outer cortex and an inner medulla.
Statement B: The cavity of the cervix, called cervical canal, along with the uterus forms the birth canal. — False. The cervical canal forms the birth canal together with the vagina, not with the uterus. The uterus is where the foetus grows; at birth the baby leaves it through the cervical canal and the vagina.
Statement C: In the wall of the uterus, the endometrium undergoes cyclical changes during the menstrual cycle. — True. The endometrium is built up again after each menstruation and is broken down during menstruation if the ovum is not fertilised. These repeated changes prepare the uterus for implantation in every cycle.
Statement D: In the wall of the uterus, the endometrium exhibits strong contraction during delivery of the baby. — False. Strong contraction during delivery is the work of the myometrium, the middle layer of smooth muscle. The endometrium is a glandular lining, so it does not contract to push the baby out.
NCERT Extract:
The Female Reproductive System – “… Each ovary is about 2 to 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.”
The Female Reproductive System – “… The uterus opens into vagina through a narrow cervix. The cavity of the cervix is called cervical canal (Figure 2.3b) which alongwith vagina forms the birth canal. The wall of the uterus has three layers of tissue. The external thin membranous perimetrium, middle thick layer of smooth muscle, myometrium and inner glandular layer called endometrium that lines the uterine cavity. The endometrium undergoes cyclical changes during menstrual cycle while the myometrium exhibits strong contraction during delivery of the baby.”
Figure 2.3 (b) Diagrammatic sectional view of the female reproductive system