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Female Reproductive System

3 March 13, 2022

Human Reproductive system  Female Reproductive System

Histological structure of ovary and Menstrual cycle


The female reproductive system consists of the following parts

  1. A pair of ovaries
  2. A pair of fallopian tubes. (Also called oviducts, but the term is usually used for lower animals)
  3. The uterus
  4. Vagina
  5. External genitalia (valva)
  6. A pair of vestibular glands
  7. A pair of mammary glands

Ovary

  • The ovaries are located near the kidneys in the upper part of the abdomen. Their dimensions are about 3 cm long, 1.5 cm wide and 1.0 cm thick. They are solid, oval or almond shaped organs.
  • The ovaries produce ova and are also endocrine in nature as they produce estrogen, progesterone, relaxin, activin and inhibin.
  • Ovarian hormones carry secondary sexual characteristics. 
  • They also control menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth.


Fallopian tubes / oviducts

  • The fallopian tubes are horizontal to the peritoneal cavity. These are lined by ciliated epithelium in a narrow, muscular structure about 10 to 12 cm long.
  • They transport the ovum from the ovary to the uterus after ovulation.
  • The fallopian tube can be divided into the following three parts:
  • Infandibulum which has many finger-like processes called fibria on its free boundary.
  • The infandibulum is a funnel-shaped ostium that receives ovaries released from the ovaries. .
  • The second part is the ampulla where the fertilization takes place.
  • The last part is the small cornea or isthmus that opens into the uterus.

Uterus

  • The uterus is a pear-shaped, hollow organ with extremely thick muscular walls
  • 8 cm long, 5 cm wide and 2 cm thick.
  • The uterus consists of the following three parts: the fundus, the body or corpus, and the cervix.
  • The cervix communicates with the uterine body through the opening of the upper pores, the internal OS, and the external vagina to the lower vagina.

The uterus has a three-tiered wall. These levels are:

  1. Perimeterium: outer serous layer.
  2. Myometrium: The middle thick layer of smooth muscle.
  3. Endometrium: The inner upper vascular mucosa containing many uterine glands.

The uterus receives the ovum from the fallopian tube. It develops the placenta during pregnancy to nourish the fetus. At the time of delivery, it carries the baby.

Vagina

  • The vagina is a highly diffuse fibro-muscular tube between the cervix and the vestibule.
  • It is about 7 to 9 cm long and is lined with stratified and non-keratinized epithelium on the inside. 
  • The lining of the vagina contains the inner mucous membrane.
  • The vagina acts as a birth canal as well as a correlation pathway. It also allows menstrual flow.

  • The vagina opens into the vestibule through the vagina which may be covered by hymen which is also a mucous membrane.

External genitalia or valva or pudendum

The external genitalia have five parts; E.g. 

  • labia majora
  • labia minora
  • mons veneris
  • clitoris
  • vestibule.

Vestibular Gland / Bartholin Gland Pair

These glands open in the vestibule and release lubricating fluid.

Mammal glands / pair of breasts

These are the auxiliary organs of the female reproductive system that produce and release milk after delivery.


Female reproductive System | HSC Biology | Online Notes 

Watch video lecture here 

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