Female reproductive system diagram

Contrary to many drawings, while the ovaries and fallopian tubes are both attached to the uterus, they are not attached to each other. In an adult, the fallopian tubes are around 10 to 12 centimeters (cm) long, although this can vary substantially from person to person. They are generally considered to consist of four sections: • Interstitial section, which connects through the wall of the uterus to the interior of the uterus • Isthmus, a narrow section that is about one-third of the length of the tube • Ampulla, which is thin-walled like the isthmus and makes up about half the length of the tube • Infundibulum, where the tube broadens into a fringed funnel that lies near the ovary. The fringes are known as the fimbriae and are sometimes considered a fifth segment. The longest fimbria, and the one that lies closest to the ovary, is the ovarian fimbria. The cilia of the fallopian tubes are most numerous at the ovarian end. They also change throughout the menstrual cycle. The beating movement of the cilia increases near the time of ovulation. This is regulated by estrogen and progesterone production. Interestingly, some women with a condition known as Anatomical Variations In rare cases, an accessory fallopian tube can form during development, which can affect fertility. This extra tube generally has an end that is near the ovary but does not extend into the uterus. Therefore, if an egg is picked up by the accessory fallopian tube, it can not be fertilized and implanted. Whe...

Learning Objectives By the end of this section, you will be able to: • Describe the structure and function of the organs of the female reproductive system • List the steps of oogenesis • Describe the hormonal changes that occur during the ovarian and menstrual cycles • Trace the path of an oocyte from ovary to fertilization The female reproductive system functions to produce gametes and reproductive hormones, just like the male reproductive system; however, it also has the additional task of supporting the developing fetus and delivering it to the outside world. Unlike its male counterpart, the female reproductive system is located primarily inside the pelvic cavity. Recall that the ovaries are the female gonads. The gamete they produce is called an oocyte. We’ll discuss the production of oocytes in detail shortly. First, let’s look at some of the structures of the female reproductive system. Figure 1. The major organs of the female reproductive system are located inside the pelvic cavity. External Female Genitals The external female reproductive structures are referred to collectively as the vulva. The mons pubis is a pad of fat that is located at the anterior, over the pubic bone. After puberty, it becomes covered in pubic hair. The labia majora (labia = “lips”; majora = “larger”) are folds of hair-covered skin that begin just posterior to the mons pubis. The thinner and more pigmented labia minora (labia = “lips”; minora = “smaller”) extend medial to the labia majora. A...

Females are born with a large number of potential ova (female sex cells, also called egg cells). However, it isn’t until after the onset of puberty, typically around age 12, that these cells are mature enough to sustain life. The cells ripen on a regular basis, but only one is released each month until a woman reaches menopause. Menopause commonly begins between the ages of 45 and 55. The major organs of the female reproductive system include: • Vagina: This muscular tube receives the penis during intercourse and through it a baby leaves the uterus during childbirth. • Uterus: This organ holds and nourishes a developing fetus, if an egg was properly fertilized. • Ovaries: The female gonads, the ovaries produce ova. When one matures, it is released down into a fallopian tube. • Fallopian tubes: These small tubes transport ova from the ovaries to the uterus. This is where an egg waits to be fertilized. When properly fertilized with a man’s sperm — either through intercourse or artificial insemination — a woman’s egg carries all of the necessary material to produce children. While pregnant, a woman will go through several internal signs before the typical “baby belly” begins to show. These signs are the body’s reactions to the hormones generated during the fertilization process. As a fetus grows, a woman’s body will prepare for the birthing process, which includes the widening of the pubic symphysis, a joint between the two pubic bones. Vaginal birth is the most common form o...

• Class I: This is an abnormal development of ducts in the uterus and vagina. The most common such issue is Mayer-Rokinatsky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome, in which the uterus, cervix, and upper portion of the vagina do not develop properly. • Class II: This class refers to disorders of vertical fusion leading to malformation of the cervix, as well as either obstructive or nonobstructive transverse vaginal septa (walls). This can impact the functioning of the vulva. • Class III: Lateral fusion disorders of this class describe situations where there is doubling of anatomical features of the vulva. Oftentimes, this will lead to the formation of multiple uteri, and can be obstructive (affecting function) or non-obstructive. • Class IV: The final category represents those that are combinations of the above defects. During sexual activity, the vulva is is key player. During arousal, several parts become flushed with blood, including both the labia minora and majora, the clitoris, and the vestibular bulbs. This changes the shape of the vagina, stimulates sexual pleasure, and works to bolster lubrication for sexual intercourse. • Escherichia coil. • • • It can occur to women at any age and is the result of either infection, allergic reaction, or injury. Treatment involves wearing looser clothing or taking sitz baths to ease discomfort. Healthcare providers may also prescribe topical estrogen cream or application of cortisone ointment. • Cases are treated using special antifungal medicin...

Extending internally from the glans is the shaft, or body, of the clitoris, a small cylinder about 2 to 3 cm (about 0.8 to 1.2 inches) long. From the body extend the erectile corpora cavernosa and bulbs. The corpora cavernosa and bulbs are continuous with two relatively long structures known as the This article was most recently revised and updated by

• Blog • Abortion • Birth Control • Cancer • COVID-19 • Emergency Contraception • Health and Wellness • Pregnancy • Sex, Pleasure, and Sexual Dysfunction • Sexual Orientation • Gender Identity • Relationships • Consent and Sexual Assault • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs) • Glossary A - Z • For Teens • For Parents • For Educators • Spot On • Get Care • Overview • Blog • Abortion • Birth Control • Cancer • COVID-19 • Emergency Contraception • Health and Wellness • Pregnancy • Sex, Pleasure, and Sexual Dysfunction • Sexual Orientation • Gender Identity • Relationships • Consent and Sexual Assault • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs) • Glossary A - Z • For Teens • For Parents • For Educators • Spot On • 20170629_mobile_icons_d05 Get Care Sexual anatomy that’s typically called female includes the vulva and internal reproductive organs like the uterus and ovaries What are the external parts? The vulva is the part of your genitals on the outside of your body. It includes your labia, clitoris, vaginal opening, and the opening to the urethra (the hole you pee out of). Many people call this area the “vagina,” but they're really talking about the vulva. Vaginas are actually only one part of the vulva — the vulva has a lot more going on than just the vagina. Everyone's vulva looks a little different, but they’re all made up of the same basic parts. • Labia The labia (lips) are folds of skin around your vaginal opening. The labia majora (outer lips) are usually fleshy and co...

https://med.libretexts.org/@app/auth/3/login?returnto=https%3A%2F%2Fmed.libretexts.org%2FBookshelves%2FAnatomy_and_Physiology%2FAnatomy_and_Physiology_(Boundless)%2F26%253A_The_Reproductive_System%2F26.1%253A_Overview_of_the_Reproductive_System%2F26.1A%253A_Overview_of_the_Male_and_Female_Reproductive_Systems \( \newcommand\) • • • • • • • The human reproductive system functions to produce human offspring, with the male providing sperm and the female providing the ovum. Key Points • The male reproductive system consists of external organs. The testes in the scrotum produce the male gamete, sperm, which is ejaculated in seminal fluid by the penis. • The female reproductive system primarily consists of internal organs. The female gamete, ovum, is produced in the ovaries and is released monthly to travel to the uterus via the Fallopian tubes. • Fertilization can occur if the penis is inserted through the vulva into the vagina and sperm is ejaculated towards the cervix. If an ovum is currently in the uterus, it can then be fertilized by sperm that manage to enter the cervix. • Once fertilized, an ovum becomes a zygote and if all goes well, develops into a fetus in the uterus. • Natural birth occurs when the fetus is pushed from the vagina after nine months in the uterus. Key Terms • fallopian tubes: The Fallopian tubes, also known as oviducts, uterine tubes, and salpinges (singular salpinx) are two very fine tubes lined with ciliated epithelia leading from the ovaries of femal...

• Mons pubis: The mons pubis is the rounded, fleshy area on the front of the pelvic bone (the lower belly area) where pubic hair usually grows. • Labia majora: The labia majora are the fleshy outer folds of protective skin located on each side of the vaginal opening. They cover and protect the more delicate external genital organs. "Labia" is the Latin word for lips. The labia majora is often referred to as the outer lips. • Labia minora: The labia minora are skinfolds that are just inside the labia majora.In some people, the labia minora extends past the labia majora. • Clitoris: The • Urethral opening: The • The vaginal opening: The vaginal opening is located between the urethra and the anus. • Bartholin glands: Bartholin glands sit on both sides inside the vaginal opening. They release secretions that lubricate the vagina to make sexual intercourse more comfortable. • Skene's glands: The Skene's glands are located on either side of the urethra. They lubricate the urethral opening. Skene’s glands are sometimes called "the female prostate." Some scientists think these glands are responsible for "female ejaculation" or " • Vagina: The • Cervix: The During childbirth, the cervix dilates so the baby can move out of the uterus, into the vagina, and out of the body. • Uterus: The • Ovaries: The • Fallopian tubes: The • Hymen: The hymen is a thin tissue that sits at the vaginal opening. It has no known biological function. The hymen becomes more elastic with age and breaks or r...