Female Reproductive System - Anatomy

Female Reproductive System

Components & Functions

Ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, and vulva are the main components.
Mammary glands are also part of the female reproductive system.

Production of Gametes

Ovaries produce oocytes (female gametes).
Each oocyte is contained within an ovarian follicle that protects and nourishes it.
Ovulation is the process of oocyte release from a mature follicle.

Production of Sex Hormones

Ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone.
These hormones affect the development, maturation, and activity of female reproductive organs.

Facilitation of Fertilization

Uterine tubes transport the ovulated oocyte towards the uterus.
Fertilization typically occurs in the uterine tubes.
If fertilization occurs, the uterine tubes transport the fertilized oocyte to the uterus for implantation and growth into a fetus.
The vagina serves as the copulatory organ.

Support of Fetal Growth, Development, & Delivery

The uterus is a muscular organ that supports, protects, and nourishes the embryo and fetus.
The vagina forms part of the birth canal for delivery.

Embryological Development of Ovaries

Occurs around the 5th week of development.
Paired structures called genital ridges or gonadal ridges form from the mesoderm.
These ridges form the gonads in the abdominal cavity around the 10th thoracic vertebrae (T10) level.
During development, ovaries descend to their final position in the pelvic cavity.
Each gonad is guided by a thin band of connective tissue called the gubernaculum.
In females, the gubernaculum forms two ligamentous structures: the ovarian ligament and the round ligament of the uterus.

Ovaries

Paired, oval-shaped organs about the size of an almond.
Located in the pelvic cavity, lateral to the uterus, supported by the ovarian and suspensory ligaments.
Function: Produce female gametes and sex hormones.
Externally covered by two layers of tissue: the germinal epithelium and the tunica albuginea.
Internally, they have a cortex and a medulla.

Suspensory Ligament

Cord-like structure that anchors the ovary to the lateral pelvic wall.
Contains blood vessels and nerves.

Ovarian Ligament

Embryological remnant of the gubernaculum that guided the ovary to its final position.
Tethers the ovaries to the lateral aspects of the uterus.

Tunica Albuginea

Fibrous capsule of the ovary.
Deep to the germinal epithelium and composed of dense irregular connective tissue.

Medulla

Inner region of the ovary.
Contains blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels.

Germinal Epithelium

Layer of simple cuboidal epithelium surrounding the ovaries.
Closely associated with the peritoneum, reflecting the descent of the ovaries from the abdominal cavity.

Uterine Tubes

Also known as fallopian tubes or oviducts.
Extend laterally from either side of the uterus and transport the ovulated oocyte to the uterus.
Divided into four main parts (lateral to medial): infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus, and uterine part

Infundibulum

Most lateral part of the uterine tube, closest to the ovary.
Funnel-shaped with finger-like projections called fimbriae that sweep the ovulated oocyte into the uterine tube.
Fimbriae are not directly attached to the ovary but surround it to guide the oocyte.

Ampulla

Dilated part of the uterine tube, medial to the infundibulum.
The site where fertilization of an ovulated oocyte takes place.

Isthmus

Narrow part of the uterine tube, medial to the ampulla.
Forms 1/3 of the uterine tube's length.

Uterine Part

Most medial part, continuous with the wall of the uterus and opens into the lumen of the uterus.
Also known as the intramural part of the uterine tube.

Uterus

If the oocyte is not fertilized, it is shed along with the inner lining of the uterus during menstruation.
The uterus is a pear-shaped organ located in the pelvic cavity, ascending into the abdominal cavity during pregnancy.
Communicates with the uterine tubes superolaterally and the vagina inferiorly.
Normally situated posterosuperior to the urinary bladder and anterior to the rectum.
The cervix sits between the urinary bladder and rectum, and its body lies across the superior surface of the urinary bladder.

Fundus

The most superior part of the uterus.
Projects above the level at which the uterine tubes connect to the uterus.

Body of Uterus

The main part of the uterus.

Isthmus

Narrow part of the uterus between the body and the cervix.

Cervix

The neck of the uterus.
The most inferior part that projects into the vagina.
Contains a narrow channel called the cervical canal with two openings: the internal os and the external os (os = mouth).
The internal os opens into the lumen of the main part of the uterus, and the external os opens into the vagina.

Broad Ligament

A fold of the peritoneum that drapes over the uterus.
Divided into three regions based on associated structures: the uterus itself, the uterine tubes, and the ovaries.

Round Ligament

Embryological remnant of the gubernaculum that guided each ovary to its final position in the pelvic cavity during development.
Arises from the uterine horns (points where the uterine tubes connect to the uterus) and travels through the inguinal canal to reach the external genitalia.

Vagina

A fibromuscular canal connecting the uterus to the external environment.
Forms the birth canal and provides a passageway for menstrual fluid.
Located posterior to the urinary bladder and urethra, and anterior to the rectum.
The external opening of the vagina is called the vaginal orifice, partially guarded by a vascularized, membranous structure called the hymen.

Vulva

Mons Pubis

A pad of skin and connective tissue located immediately anterior to the pubic symphysis.
Covered with pubic hair after the onset of puberty.

Vestibule

The space between the labia minora.
Contains the external urethral orifice anteriorly and the vaginal orifice posteriorly.
On either side of the vaginal orifice, there are bodies of erectile tissue forming the bulb of the vestibule.
Within the posterolateral walls of the vestibule, paired greater vestibular glands secrete mucus to lubricate the vagina.

Labia Minora

Smaller, paired folds of skin and connective tissue located immediately internal to the labia majora.
Contain sebaceous glands and lack pubic hair.

Labia Majora

Paired, thickened folds of skin and connective tissue.
Contain sweat and sebaceous glands, and their outer surfaces are covered by pubic hair after the onset of puberty.

Clitoris

A small mass of erectile tissue located at the anterior margins of the labia minora.
Has a root that anchors it to the pelvis inferiorly, and a free body.
The root is composed of elongated masses of erectile tissue called crura, and the body is composed of cylindrical extensions of the crura called corpora cavernosa.
The end of the body of the clitoris is capped by the glans.
The clitoris is covered by the prepuce (foreskin), formed by the folds of the labia minora.