Anatomy of Female Reproductive System

The female reproductive system is comprised of the vagina, cervix, uterus, uterine
(fallopian) tubes and ovaries.

Reproduction:
In the reproductive process, two kinds of sex cells or gametes are involved. The male
sperm, and the female egg or ovum. These two cells meet in the female's reproductive
system to create a new individual. The egg is fertilized in the uterine tube and implanted
in the uterus. Both the male and female reproductive systems are essential for
reproduction. The female needs a male to fertilize her egg, even though she is the one
who carries the offspring through pregnancy and childbirth.

Vagina:
The vaginal wall is a thick, fibromusclar tube that forms the inferior- most region of the
female-reproductive tract and measures about 4 inches in length in an adult female. It
connects the uterus with the outside of the body anteromedially, and thus functions as a
entry point for the penis during sexual intercourse. It is also the exit canal for blood
discharge during menstruation and the baby during a vaginal childbirth. It's tube like
structure helps connect the internal reproductive organs to the external genitalia.
Cervix:
The cervix is situated between the vagina and the uterus. It mucous membranes helps to
either allow for the passage of sperm or the obstruction of sperm. The sperm must pass
through the cervix to reach an unfertilized egg. When a baby is born it must pass through
the cervix as it exits the uterus and enters the vagina. Cervical cancer is the greatest
cancer concern for woman. Yearly pap smear cultures can monitor and detect
abnormalities. It is common to have cervical cysts that cause no difficulties to cause
concern. They can be monitored for changes and enlargement.

Uterus:
This muscular organ is made up of three layers from deep to superficial: endometrium,
myometrium, perimetrium. The Endometrium can be further divided into Stratum Basalis
and Stratum Functionalis which is the growth filled with blood and sluffed out on the
next menstartion. A fertilized egg implants itself into the wall of the endometrium where
it will develop throughout the pregnancy. Its also made up of 2 main parts. The Fundus
which it the dome top of the uterus and the Body which is inferior to the fundus and
superior to the cervix.

Fallopian Tubes or Uterine Tubes:

The fallopian tubes extend superiolaterally off the uterus and connects with the ovaries.
These tubes have finger like projection's called Fimbrae at the end of the tube near the
ovary. These finger like projections help to collect mature eggs released by the ovaries.
Fertilization of the egg happens mostly in the first one third of the fallopian tube.

Ovaries:

Women have an ovary on each side of the uterus. Each month the ovaries release an egg
which is then fertilized or sloughed off. They also produce estrogen and progesterone
which help with reproductive function. Sometimes 2 eggs are released and if fertilized by
sperm, non-identical or fraternal twins (could be two boys, two girls, or a boy and a girl)
develop in the uterus. Ovarian cysts form when an egg in the ovary begins to mature and
grow but is not released. It can cause pain if it twists and infection and possible death if it
bursts. Generally the body will reabsorb these eggs, but if it continues to grow it must be
surgically drained or removed. Surgery includes removal of the ovary in many cases.
Sometimes this ovarian cyst occurs when a woman is pregnant. Other times it can be
brought on due to extreme stress or a predisposed genetic condition. If one ovary is
removed, there is still a good chance of becoming pregnant and releasing enough
estrogen to help regulate body needs.
Mammary Glands:

Mammary glands, which are part of the breasts, are very high modified suderiferous
(sweat) glands, which appear in mostly all vertebrates, but are developed in their own
ways. The glands are also somewhat different from species to different animals. Each
mammal may secrete milk in different ways when they produce it.
All of these organs are major and critical parts of the female reproductive system. They
are housed internally within the body.
These organs work together to help the ovaries release the egg follicle which is then
either implanted in the uterus or is sloughed out. Humans are the only mammal to have
enlarged breasts when they are not lactating. This is due to the large content of fat
(adipose tissue) contained in a breast surrounding the mammary gland.

Internal Genitals

Vagina

The vagina is a muscular, hollow tube that extends from the vaginal opening to the cervix
of the uterus. It is situated between the urinary bladder and the rectum. It is about three to
five inches long in a grown woman. The muscular wall allows the vagina to expand and
contract. The muscular walls are lined with mucous membranes, which keep it protected
and moist. A thin sheet of tissue with one or more holes in it, called the hymen, partially
covers the opening of the vagina.

The vagina receives sperm during sexual intercourse from the penis. The sperm that
survive the acidic condition of the vagina continue on through to the fallopian tubes
where fertilization may occur. The vagina is made up of three layers. The perimetrium
(outermost layer), myometrium (middle layer), endometrium (innermost layer). The
endometrium is made of vaginal rugae that stretch and allow penetration to occur. These
also help with stimulation of the penis. The myometrium layer has glands that secrete an
acidic mucus (pH of around 4.0.) that keeps bacterial growth down. The perimetrium
layer is especially important with delivery of a fetus and placenta because of it's muscular
walls.

Purposes of the Vagina

Receives a male's erect penis and semen during sexual intercourse. Pathway through a
woman's body for the baby to take during childbirth. Provides the route for the menstrual
blood (menses) from the uterus, to leave the body. May hold forms of birth control, such
as a diaphragm, Fem Cap, Nuva Ring, IUD, or female condom.

Cervix
The cervix (from Latin "neck") is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins
with the top end of the vagina. The location where they meet forms an almost 90 degree
angle. It is cylindrical or conical in shape and protrudes through the upper anterior
vaginal wall.
Approximately half its length is visible with appropriate medical equipment; the
remainder lies above the vagina beyond view. It is occasionally called "cervix uteri", or
"neck of the uterus".

During menstruation, the cervix stretches open slightly to allow the endometrium to be
shed. This stretching is believed to be part of the cramping pain that many women
experience. Evidence for this is given by the fact that some women's cramps subside or
disappear after their first vaginal birth because the cervical opening has widened.

The portion projecting into the vagina is referred to as the portio vaginalis or exocervix.
On average, the exocervix is three cm long and two and a half cm wide. It has a convex,
elliptical surface and is divided into anterior and posterior lips. The exocervix's opening
is called the external os. The size and shape of the external os and the exocervix varies
widely with age, hormonal state, and whether the woman has had a vaginal birth. In
women who have not had a vaginal birth the external os appears as a small, circular
opening. In women who have had a vaginal birth, the exocervix appears bulkier and the
external os appears wider, more slit-like and gaping. The passageway between the
external os and the uterine cavity is referred to as the endocervical canal. It varies widely
in length and width, along with the cervix overall. Flattened anterior to posterior, the
endocervical canal measures seven to eight mm at its widest in reproductive-aged
women. The endocervical canal terminates at the internal os which is the opening of the
cervix inside the uterine cavity. During childbirth, contractions of the uterus will dilate
the cervix up to 10 cm in diameter to allow the child to pass through. During orgasm, the
cervix convulses and the external os dilates.

Uterus
The uterus is shaped like an upside-down pear, with a thick lining and muscular walls.
Located near the floor of the pelvic cavity, it is hollow to allow a blastocyte, or fertilized
egg, to implant and grow. It also allows for the inner lining of the uterus to build up until
a fertilized egg is implanted, or it is sloughed off during menses.

The uterus contains some of the strongest muscles in the female body. These muscles are
able to expand and contract to accommodate a growing fetus and then help push the baby
out during labor. These muscles also contract rhythmically during an orgasm in a wave
like action. It is thought that this is to help push or guide the sperm up the uterus to the
fallopian tubes where fertilization may be possible.

The uterus is only about three inches long and two inches wide, but during pregnancy it
changes rapidly and dramatically.

The top rim of the uterus is called the fundus and is a landmark for many doctors to track
the progress of a pregnancy and massaged by nurses after the baby is born to help return
the uterus to normal size. Massaging helps to stimulate contractions.

The uterine cavity refers to the fundus of the uterus and the body of the uterus.
Helping support the uterus are ligaments that attach from the body of the uterus to the
pelvic wall and abdominal wall. During pregnancy the ligaments prolapse due to the
growing uterus, but retract after childbirth. In some cases after menopause, they may lose
elasticity and uterine prolapse may occur. This can be fixed with surgery.
Some problems of the uterus include uterine fibroids, pelvic pain (including
endometriosis, adenomyosis), pelvic relaxation (or prolapse), heavy or abnormal
menstrual bleeding, and cancer. It is only after all alternative options have been
considered that surgery is recommended in these cases. This surgery is called
hysterectomy. Hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus, and may include the removal of
one or both of the ovaries and the cervix may or may not be removed. Once performed it
is irreversible. After a hysterectomy, many women begin a form of alternate hormone
therapy due to the lack of ovaries and hormone production. This is not always necessary
and can be monitored with blood analysis.

Fallopian Tubes or Uterine Tubes

At the upper corners of the uterus are the fallopian tubes (uterine tubes). There are a total
of two uterine tubes. One on each side of the uterus. Each uterine attaches to a side of the
uterus and connects to an ovary on the same side of attachment. They are positioned
between the ligaments that support the uterus.

The uterine tubes are about four inches long and about as wide as a piece of spaghetti.
Within each tube is a tiny passageway no wider than a sewing needle. At the other end of
each uterine tube is a fringed area that looks like a funnel. This fringed area, called the
infundibulum, lies close to the ovary, but is not attached.

The ovaries generally alternately release an egg every month. When an ovary does
ovulate, or release an egg, it is swept into the lumen of the uterine tube by the frimbriae.

Once the egg is in the uterine tube, tiny hairs in the tube's lining help push it down the
narrow passageway toward the uterus. The oocyte, or developing egg cell, takes four to
five days to travel down the length of the uterine tube.
If enough sperm are ejaculated during sexual intercourse and there is an oocyte in the
uterine tube, fertilization will occur. Fertilization most often occurs in the fallopian tube.
After fertilization occurs, the zygote, or fertilized egg, will continue down to the uterus
and implant itself in the uterine wall where it will grow and develop until birth. If a
zygote doesn't move down to the uterus and implants itself in the uterine tube, it is called
a ectopic or tubal pregnancy. If this occurs, the pregnancy will need to be terminated and
the tube generally removed to prevent permanent damage to the fallopian tube, possible
hemorrhage and possible death of the mother.

The uterus is on the left side, the vagina just inferior to the uterus, the ovary which is
lateral to the uterus. The broad ligament connects the uterus to the ovary. The uterine
tube is located superior to the ovary.
Ovaries

The ovaries are paired, oval organs located within the pelvic cavity lateral to the uterus.
In an adult, ovaries are slightly larger than an almond about 2 to 3 centimeters long, 2 cm
wide, and 1 to 1.5 cm thick. Their size usually varies during each menstrual cycle as well
as during pregnancy.

The ovaries are anchored within the pelvic cavity by special "cords" and sheets of
connection tissue. A double fold of peritonuem called the mesovarium, attaches to each
ovary at its hilum. The hilum is the anterior surface of the ovary where blood vessels and
nerves enter the ovary.

The mesovarium secures each ovary to a broad ligament, which is a drape of peritonuem
that hangs over the uterus. Each ovary is anchored to the posterior aspect of the broad
ligament by an ovarian ligament, which is the superior portion of the round ligament of
the uterus.

A suspensory ligament attaches to the lateral edge of each ovary and projects
superolaterally to the pelvic wall. The ovarian blood vessels and nerves are housed within
each suspensory ligament, and they join the ovary at its hilum.
Smooth muscle fibers within both the mesovarium and the suspensory ligament contract
at the time of ovulation to bring the ovaries into close proximity with the uterine tube
openings. Each ovary is supplied by an ovarian vein and artery. The ovarian arteries are
branches that come directly off the aorta immediately inferior to the renal vessel. The
ovarian veins exit the ovary and drain into either the inferior cava or one of the renal
veins.

Traveling with the ovarian artery and vein are autonomic nerves. Sympathetic axons
come from the T10 segments of the spinal cord whereas parasympathetic axons come
from CN X.

External Genitalia

The female external genitalia are collectively known as the vulva or pudendum. They
consist of paired folds
called the labia majora,
which are thickly
padded with

subcutaneous fat, covered by skin and pubic hair, and have a moist internal lining. The
labia majora join and continue over the symphysis pubis as the mons pubis, a small
mound raised by a thick underlying pad of fat.

The labia minora are freshly folds within the labia majora that lie on either side of the
vestibule containing the vaginal and urinary opening and the opening of the greater
vestibular glands. The clitoris is erectile tissue, like the penis. The upper ends of the labia
minora join around the clitoris to form a prepuce (foreskin).
Muscle that support the female reproductive system

Breast:

Mammary glands are composed of glandular tissue and a variable amount of fat. They are
also have a complex secretory product called breast milk. Breast milk travels through a
passageway called the Lactiferous duct, which travels from the alveoli to the nipple. The
nipple is a centrally located projection on the breast comprised partly of erectile tissue.
The Areola is the darkened region of the breast that surrounds the nipple. An areola may
vary in color depending on whether or not a woman has given birth.