FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

http://www.anatomy-diagram.info/ female-reproductive-system-diagram/

The female reproductive system (or female genital system) is made up of the internal and
external sex organs that function in human reproduction. The female reproductive system is
immature at birth and develops to maturity at puberty to be able to produce gametes, and to carry
a fetus to full term. The internal sex organs are the uterus and Fallopian tubes, and the ovaries. The
uterus or womb accommodates the embryo which develops into the fetus. The uterus also
produces vaginal and uterine secretions which help the transit of sperm to the Fallopian tubes. The
ovaries produce the ova (egg cells). The external sex organs are also known as the genitals and
these are the organs of the vulva including the labia, clitoris and vaginal opening. The vagina is
connected to the uterus at the cervix.
At certain intervals, the ovaries release an ovum, which passes through the Fallopian tube
into the uterus. If, in this transit, it meets with sperm, a single sperm can enter and merge with the
egg, fertilizing it. The corresponding equivalent among males is the male reproductive system.
Fertilization usually occurs in the Fallopian tubes and marks the beginning
of embryogenesis. The zygote will then divide over enough generations of cells to form
a blastocyst, which implants itself in the wall of the uterus. This begins the period of gestation and
the embryo will continue to develop until full-term. When the fetus has developed enough to
survive outside the womb, the cervix dilates and contractions of the uterus propel the newborn
through the birth canal (the vagina).
I. INTERNAL ORGANS:

A. Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular (made up of fibrous and muscular tissue) canal leading from
the outside of the body to the cervix of the uterus or womb. It is also referred to as the birth canal
in the context of pregnancy. The vagina accommodates the male penis during sexual
intercourse. Semen containing spermatazoa is ejaculated from the male at orgasm, into the vagina
potentially enabling fertilization of the egg cell (ovum) to take place.

B. Cervix
The cervix is the neck of the uterus, the lower, narrow portion where it joins with the upper
part of the vagina. It is cylindrical or conical in shape and protrudes through the upper anterior
vaginal wall. Approximately half its length is visible, the remainder lies above the vagina beyond
view. The vagina has a thick layer outside and it is the opening where the fetus emerges during
delivery.

C. Uterus
The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ. The uterus provides
mechanical protection, nutritional support, and waste removal for the developing embryo (weeks
1 to 8) and fetus (from week 9 until the delivery). In addition, contractions in the muscular wall of
the uterus are important in pushing out the fetus at the time of birth.
The uterus contains three suspensory ligaments that help stabilize the position of the uterus
and limits its range of movement. The uterosacral ligaments keep the body from moving inferiorly
and anteriorly. The round ligaments restrict posterior movement of the uterus. The cardinal
ligaments also prevent the inferior movement of the uterus.
The uterus is a pear-shaped muscular organ. Its major function is to accept a fertilized
ovum which becomes implanted into the endometrium, and derives nourishment from blood
vessels which develop exclusively for this purpose. The fertilized ovum becomes an embryo,
develops into a fetus and gestates until childbirth. If the egg does not embed in the wall of the
uterus, a female begins menstruation.

D. Fallopian Tube
The Fallopian tubes are two tubes leading from the ovaries into the uterus. On maturity of
an ovum, the follicle and the ovary's wall rupture, allowing the ovum to escape and enter the
Fallopian tube. There it travels toward the uterus, pushed along by movements of cilia on the inner
lining of the tubes. This trip takes hours or days. If the ovum is fertilized while in the Fallopian
tube, then it normally implants in the endometrium when it reaches the uterus, which signals the
beginning of pregnancy.

E. Ovaries
The ovaries are small, paired organs located near the lateral walls of the pelvic cavity.
These organs are responsible for the production of the egg cells (ova) and the secretion of
hormones. The process by which the egg cell (ovum) is released is called ovulation. The speed of
ovulation is periodic and impacts directly to the length of a menstrual cycle.
After ovulation, the egg cell is captured by the Fallopian tube, after traveling down the Fallopian
tube to the uterus, occasionally being fertilized on its way by an incoming sperm. During
fertilization the egg cell plays a role; it releases certain molecules that are essential to guiding the
sperm and allows the surface of the egg to attach to the sperm's surface. The egg can then absorb
the sperm and fertilization can then begin. The Fallopian tubes are lined with small hairs (cilia) to
help the egg cell travel.

II. EXTERNAL PARTS

A. Mons Pubis
The mons pubis forms the anterior portion of the vulva. It divides into the labia
majora (literally "larger lips"), on either side of the furrow known as the pudendal cleft, that
surrounds the labia minora, clitoris, urethra, vaginal opening, and other structures of the vulval
vestibule.

B. Pudendal Cleft
The pudendal cleft is a part of the vulva, the furrow at the base of the mons pubis where it
divides to form the labia majora. The name cleft of Venus is a reference to the Roman goddess of
love, Venus. In human females, the clitoral hood and labia minora protrude into the pudendal cleft
to a greater or lesser extent. Given this diversity and the frequent portrayal of the pudendal cleft
without protrusion in art and pornography, there has been a rise in the popularity of labiaplasty,
surgery to alter the labia.

C. Labia Majora
The labia majora are two prominent longitudinal cutaneous folds that extend downward
and backward from the mons pubis to the perineum. Together with the labia minora they form
the labia of the vulva. The labia majora is homologous to the male scrotum.

D. Labia Minora
The labia minora, also known as the inner labia, inner lips, vaginal lipsor nymphae, are
two flaps of skin on either side of the human vaginal opening in the vulva, situated between
the labia majora. Inner lips vary widely in size, color, and shape from individual to individual.

E. Bartholin’s Gland
The Bartholin's glands are two pea sized compound racemose glands located slightly
posterior and to the left and right of the opening of the vagina. They secrete mucus to lubricate the
vagina and are homologous to bulbourethral glands in males. However, while Bartholin's glands
are located in the superficial perineal pouchin females, bulbourethral glands are located in the deep
perineal pouch in males. Their duct length is 1.5 to 2.0 cm and open into navicular fossa. The ducts
are paired and they open on the surface of the vulva.

F. Clitoris
The clitoris is the human female's most sensitive erogenous zone and generally the
primary anatomical source of human female sexual pleasure.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_reproductive_system
PREGNANCY AND CONCEPTION

https://www.studyblue.com/ ovulation-and-fertilization
 The Process of Ovulation
Each month inside the ovaries, a group of eggs starts to grow in small, fluid-filled sacs called
follicles. Eventually, one of the eggs erupts from the follicle (ovulation). It usually happens about 2
weeks before the next menstruation.

 Hormones Rise
After the egg leaves the follicle, the follicle develops into something called the corpus luteum.
The corpus luteum releases a hormone that helps thicken the lining of the uterus, getting it ready for
the egg.

 The Egg Travels to the Fallopian Tube

After the egg is released, it moves into the fallopian tube. It stays there for about 24 hours,
waiting for a single sperm to fertilize it. All this happens, on average, about 2 weeks after the last
menstrual flow.

 If the Egg Isn't Fertilized

If no sperm is around to fertilize the egg, it moves through the uterus and disintegrates. Hormone
levels go back to normal. The woman’s body sheds the thick lining of the uterus, and menstrual flow
starts.

 Fertilization
If one sperm does make its way into the fallopian tube and burrows into the egg, it fertilizes the
egg. The egg changes so that no other sperm can get in.
 At the instant of fertilization, the baby's genes and sex are set. If the sperm has a Y chromosome,
the baby will be a boy. If it has an X chromosome, the baby will be a girl.

 Implantation: Moving to the Uterus

The fertilized egg stays in the fallopian tube for about 3 to 4 days. But within 24 hours of being
fertilized, it starts dividing fast into many cells. It keeps dividing as it moves slowly through the
fallopian tube to the uterus. Its next job is to attach to the lining of uterus. This is called implantation.
Some women notice spotting (or slight bleeding) for 1 or 2 days around the time of implantation. The
lining of the uterus gets thicker and the cervix is sealed by a plug of mucus. It will stay in place until
the baby is ready to be born.

 Pregnancy Hormones
A pregnancy hormone known as hCG is in the woman’s blood from the time of implantation.
This is the hormone detected in a pregnancy test. Usually it takes 3 to 4 weeks from the first day of
the last menstrual flow for the levels of hCG to be high enough to be found by the tests.

http://www.webmd.com/baby/guide/understanding-conception#1