Female Reproductive System

The reproductive system or genital system is a system of organs within an organism which work together for the purpose of reproduction. Many non-living substances such as fluids, hormones, and pheromones are also important accessories to the reproductive system. Unlike most organ systems, the sexes of differentiated species often have significant differences. These differences allow for a combination of genetic material between two individuals, which allows for the possibility of greater genetic fitness of the offspring. The major organs of the reproductive system include the external genitalia (penis and vulva) as well as a number of internal organs including the gamete producing gonads (testicles and ovaries). Diseases of the human reproductive system are very common and widespread, particularly communicable sexually transmitted diseases.

Organs of the Reproductive System Ovaries

The ovary is an ovum-producing reproductive organ, often found in pairs as part of the vertebrate female reproductive system. Ovaries in female individuals are analogous to testes in male individuals, in that they are both gonads and endocrine glands. Ovaries secrete both estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen is responsible for the appearance of secondary sex characteristics for females at puberty and for the maturation and maintenance of the reproductive organs in their mature functional state. Progesterone prepares uterus for pregnancy, and mammary gland for

lactation. Progesterone functions with estrogen by promoting menstrual cycle changes in the endometrium. Fallopian tubes The uterine or fallopian form the initial part of the duct system. They receive the ovulated oocyte and provide the site where fertilization can occur. Each of the uterine tubes is about 10 cm long and extends medially from an ovary to empty into the superior region of the uterus. Like the ovaries, the uterine tubes are enclosed and supported by the broad ligament. The distal end of each uterine tube expands as the funnel-shaped infundibulum, which has finger-like projections called fimbriae that partially surround the ovary. Uterus The uterus is located in the pelvis between the urinary bladder and rectum, is a hollow organ that functions to receive, retain, and nourish a fertilized egg. In a woman who has never been pregnant, it is about the size and shape of a pear. During pregnancy, the uterus increases tremendously in size and can be felt well above the umbilicus during the latter part of pregnancy. The uterus is suspended in the pelvis by the broad ligament and anchored anteriorly and posteriorly by the round and uterosacral ligaments. The major portion of the uterus is referred to as the body. Its superior rounded region above the entrance of the uterine tubes is the fundus, and its narrow outlet, which protrudes into the vagina below, is the cervix. The wall of the uterus is thick and composed of three layers. The inner layer or mucosa is the endometrium. If fertilization occurs, the fertilized egg burrows into the endometrium and resides there for the rest of its development. When a woman is not pregnant, the endometrial lining sloughs off periodically, usually about every 28 days, in response to changes in the levels of ovarian hormones in the blood. This process is called menstruation. The myometrium, composed of interlacing bundles of smooth muscle, is the bulky middle layer of the uterus. The myometrium plays an active role during the delivery of a baby, when it contracts rhythmically to force the baby out of the mothers body. The outermost serous layer of the uterus is the perimetrium, or the visceral peritoneum. Vagina The vagina is a thin walled tube 8 to 10 cm long. It lies between the bladder and rectum and extends from the cervix to the body exterior. Often called the birth canal, the vagina provides a passageway for the delivery of an infant and for the menstrual flow to leave the body. Because it receives the penis during sexual intercourse, it is the female organ of copulation. The distal end of the vagina is partially closed by a thin fold of the mucosa called the hymen, The hymen is very vascular and tends to bleed when it is ruptured during the first sexual intercourse. However, its durability varies. In some women, it is torn during a sports activity, tampon insertion, or pelvic examination. Occasionally, it is so tough that it must be ruptured surgically if intercourse is to occur. Mons pubis The mons pubis is a fatty, rounded area overlying the pubic symphysis. After puberty, this area is covered with pubic hair.

Labia majora The labia majora (singular: labium majus) are two prominent longitudinal cutaneous folds that extend downward and backward from the mons pubis to the perineum. It is hair-covered skin folds that enclose two delicate, hair-free folds, the labia minora. The labia majora enclose the region called the vestibule.

Labia minora The labia minora are two flaps of skin on either side of the human vaginal opening, situated between the labia majora (outer labia, or outer lips). Inner lips vary widely in size, colour, and shape from woman to woman. The inner lips extend from the clitoris obliquely downward, laterally, and backward on either side of the vulval vestibule, ending between the bottom of the vulval vestibule and the outer lips. The posterior ends (bottom) of the inner lips are usually joined across the middle line by a fold of skin, named the frenulum labiorum pudendi or fourchette. On the front, each lip divides into two portions. The upper part of each lip passes above the clitoris to meet the upper part of the other lipwhich will often be a little larger or smallerforming a fold which overhangs the glans clitoridis; this fold is named the preputium clitoridis. The lower part passes beneath the glans clitoridis and becomes united to its under surface, forming, with the inner lip of the opposite side, the frenulum clitoridis. On the opposed surfaces of the labia minora are numerous sebaceous glands not associated with hair follicles.

Vestibule The Vulval vestibule (or "Vulvar vestibule") is a part of the vulva between the labia minora into which the urethral opening and the vaginal opening open. Its edge is marked by Hart's Line. The external urethral orifice is placed about 2.5 cm behind the glans clitoridis and immediately in front of that of the vagina. It usually assumes the form of a short, sagittal cleft with slightly raised margins. Nearby are the openings of the Skene's ducts. A pair of mucus-producing glands, the greater vestibular glands, flank the vagina, one on each side. Their secretion lubricates the distal end of the vagina during intercourse.

Clitoris The clitoris is located anterior to the vestibule. It is a small, protruding structure that corresponds to the male penis. Like the penis, it is hooded by a prepuce and is composed of sensitive erectile tissue that becomes swollen with blood during sexual excitement. The clitoris differs from the penis in that it lacks a reproductive duct.