Female Reproductive System

Female Reproductive System

A group of organs working together to produce gametes (oocytes) and reproductive hormones, support a fertilized egg, and provide the environment for a developing fetus.

Vulva

The collective term for the external female reproductive structures.

Mons Pubis

A pad of fat located anteriorly over the pubic bone that becomes covered in pubic hair after puberty.

Labia Majora

Folds of hair

Labia Minora

Thinner, more pigmented folds located medial to the labia majora that protect the female urethra and the entrance to the reproductive tract.

Clitoris

An external sensory structure formed where the superior, anterior portions of the labia minora meet, originating from the same embryonic cells as the glans penis.

Hymen

A thin, partial membrane that sometimes covers the vaginal entrance, allowing menstrual fluid and other secretions to exit the body.

Vaginal Opening

An external opening located between the urethral opening and the anus.

Bartholin's Glands

Glands flanking the vaginal opening, also known as the greater vestibular glands, responsible for secreting lubricating mucus.

Ovaries

The female gonads responsible for producing gametes (oocytes) and secreting primary reproductive hormones.

Ovarian Cortex

The outer layer of the ovary containing the stroma and developing follicles.

Ovarian Medulla

The inner core of the ovary containing blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.

Ovarian Ligament

A fibrous band of tissue that anchors the ovary medially to the lateral wall of the uterus.

Broad Ligament

A wide fold of peritoneum that stabilizes and supports the uterus, uterine tubes, and ovaries within the pelvic cavity.

Uterine Tube

The muscular pathway, also known as the Fallopian tube or oviduct, extending from the vicinity of the ovaries to the uterus.

Fimbriae

Finger

Uterus

A muscular organ located in the pelvic cavity where a fertilized egg implants and develops during pregnancy.

Fornix of Uterus

The pocket or recess formed around the portion of the cervix that protrudes into the vagina.

Cervix

The narrow, lower portion or neck of the uterus that connects the main uterine cavity to the vagina.

Vagina

The fibromuscular canal serving as the entrance to the reproductive tract and the exit for menstrual flow and childbirth.

Oogenesis

The process of female gamete differentiation and development.

Oogonia

Ovarian stem cells that undergo mitosis during fetal development to produce primary oocytes.

Primary Oocytes

Diploid gamete precursor cells formed before birth that remain arrested in prophase I of meiosis until puberty.

Secondary Oocyte

A haploid gamete released during ovulation that is arrested in metaphase II and only completes meiosis II if fertilized.

Polar Bodies

Non

Folliculogenesis

The growth and development process of ovarian follicles, consisting of an oocyte and its supporting cells.

Atresia

The degenerative process of follicle cell death and resorption, affecting roughly 99 percent of ovarian follicles.

Granulosa Cells

The supporting cells immediately encasing the oocyte that expand from a single flat layer into multiple layers.

Theca Cells

An outer layer of ovarian connective tissue cells that cooperate with granulosa cells to synthesize estrogens.

Primordial Follicle

The most immature stage of follicle development, consisting of a primary oocyte surrounded by a single layer of flat granulosa cells.

Primary Follicle

An activated follicle consisting of an oocyte, a growing layer of cuboidal granulosa cells, and the forming zona pellucida.

Zona Pellucida

A clear glycoprotein membrane surrounding the oocyte that plays a critical role in sperm binding.

Secondary Follicle

A follicle characterized by multiple layers of granulosa cells, the appearance of theca cells, and a growing oocyte.

Tertiary Follicle

A mature follicle containing a fluid

Antrum

The fluid

Corpus Luteum

The glandular structure formed from a ruptured follicle after ovulation that secretes progesterone and estrogen.

Menstrual Cycle

A coordinated monthly endocrine process lasting about 28 days that prepares the female body for potential pregnancy.

Ovarian Cycle

The monthly cycle of follicle growth, ovulation, and corpus luteum formation in the ovaries.

Follicular Phase

The phase of the ovarian cycle regulated by FSH during which follicles grow, the oocyte resumes meiosis, and estrogen rises.

Ovulation Phase

The brief phase of the ovarian cycle triggered by a massive LH surge, causing the mature follicle to rupture and release the secondary oocyte.

Luteal Phase

The final phase of the ovarian cycle during which the ruptured follicle becomes the corpus luteum and secretes progesterone.

Endometrial Cycle

The monthly series of changes in the uterine lining, also known as the uterine cycle.

Menses Phase

The phase of the uterine cycle marked by the shedding of the functional layer of the endometrium due to declining progesterone and estrogen.

Proliferative Phase

The phase of the uterine cycle where rising estrogen levels stimulate the endometrium to rebuild its lining.

Secretory Phase

The phase of the uterine cycle driven by progesterone where the endometrium becomes highly vascular and secretes glycogen.

Mammary Glands

Modified sweat glands classified as accessory organs of the female reproductive system designed for lactation.

Areola

The pigmented skin surrounding the nipple containing specialized glands that secrete lubricating fluid to prevent chafing.

Alveoli of Breast

Milk

Lactiferous Ducts

The 15 to 20 channels that transport milk from the glandular lobes to the surface of the nipple.

Lactiferous Sinuses

Expanded storage regions within the mammary glands where milk accumulates before ejection.

Suspensory Ligaments of Breast

Connective tissue bands connecting breast tissue to the dermis of the skin for structural support.

Hormonal Birth Control

Contraception providing constant levels of estrogen and progesterone to exert negative feedback on the hypothalamus and pituitary.

Withdrawal Bleeding

The menses