FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Female reproductive system is located in the pelvic region. It consists of - a pair of ovaries, a pair of oviducts, uterus, cervix, vagina and the external genitalia. A pair of mammary glands is also integrated structurally and functionally with the parts of female reproductive system to support the process of ovulation, fertilization, gestation, parturition and care of the baby after birth. A pair of oviducts, uterus, cervix, vagina constitute the female accessory ducts.

Ovaries-

The primary female sex organs that produce the ovum and several ovarian hormones, steroid in nature.
Located one on each side of the lower abdomen.
Each ovary is covered by a thin epithelium which encloses the ovarian stroma.
The ovarian stroma is divided into two zones – a peripheral cortex and an inner medulla.

Oviduct (fallopian tube)-

10-12 cm in length.
Extends from the periphery of each ovary to the uterus.
Part closer to the ovary is the funnel shaped
Fimbriae are the finger like projections located on the edges of the infundibulum.
Fimbriae help in collection of the ovum after ovulation.
The infundibulum leads to the ampulla which is the wider part of the oviduct.
The last part of the oviduct is isthmus which has a narrow lumen and it joins the uterus.

Uterus-

Uterus is also called womb.
The shape of the uterus is like an inverted pear.
Ligaments attached to the pelvic wall support the uterus.
The narrow cervix opens the uterus into the vagina.
Cervical canal is the cavity of the cervix which forms birth canal along with vagina.
Three layers of tissues are present in the uterus wall- the outer thin membrane bound perimetrium, middle thick layer of smooth muscle called myometrium, inner glandular layer called endometrium.
Endometrium lines the uterine cavity.
During menstrual cycle, endometrium undergoes cyclical changes but the myometrium exhibits strong contraction during parturition.

Fig. female reproductive system

External genitalia

Vagina is the female external genitalia.
Vagina includes mons pubis, labia majora (labia majus), labia minora (labia minus), hymen and clitoris.
Mons pubis is a cushion of fatty tissue covered by skin and pubic hair.
The labia majora are folds of tissue extend down from the mons pubis and surround the vaginal opening.
Under the labia majore, there are paired tissue folded to form labia monora.
Hymen is membrane covering the opening of the vagina.
A tiny finger-like structure which lies at the upperjunction of the two labia minora above the urethral opening is called clitoris.