reproductive organs in women

Ovary

What: a paired female gonad & endocrine gland

Where: located in the pelvis

Why: produces ova (eggs) through gametogenesis

Cervix

What: narrow part of the uterus

Where: between the vagina and uterine cavity

Why: a structural immunological & dynamic barrier

Urethra

What: a short fibro muscular tube

Where: it extends from the base of the bladder to the vaginal vestibule

Why: transports urine out the body

Vaginal orifice

What: the opening to the vagina

Where: located within the vulvar vestibule

Why: serves as an entrance to the vaginal canal

Fimbriae

What: small, finger like projections or fringes of tissues

Where: located at the distal, funnel shaped end of the fallopian tubes

Why: captures the egg (ovum) after its released from the ovary during ovulation and sweeps it into the fallopian tubes

Uterus

What: a wonky “u or c” shaped tube

Where: under the ovary and on top of the urinary bladder

Why: houses & nourishes a developing embryo & fetus

Pubic bone (or pubis)

What: the pubis is a strong protection bone and happens to be wider in women due to childbirth

Where: to the left of the urinary bladder

Why: protects the pelvic visceral organs

Uterine tube (Fallopian tubes)

What: a tube that’s 10-14 cm in females

Where: wraps around the ovary and also connects to small fringes (aka fimbriae)

Why: transports ova and sperm

Clitoris

What: an erectile female organ

Where: located anterior junction of the labia minors

Why: provides sexual pleasure

Vagina

What: a sex organ that is that goes from the uterus to the outside of the body

Where: positioned between the bladder and urethra (anteriorly)

Why: functions as a passage for menstrual flow, birth canal and a receptacle for sperm during copulation

Urinary bladder

What: a reproductive cavity that expands and retracts to empty urine

Where: to the right of the pubic bone

Why: holds urine and eventually expels it