Female reproductive system: Structure and function

The female reproductive system consists of internal sex organs, which include the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the uterus, and the vagina; and external sex organs, such as the mons pubis, the labia, and the clitoris.

The ovaries are a pair of white-ish organs about the size of walnuts. They’re located slightly above and on either side of the uterus.

On the ovarian cross-section, we can see an outer layer, with ovarian follicles scattered throughout it, and an inner layer, where most of the blood vessels and nerves are.

At birth, there are about two million primordial follicles, which are future ovarian eggs, also called ova.

Once the egg has matured, it is released from ovaries into the first part of the fallopian tube: the fimbriae. Fimbriae are the finger-like projections that guide the egg into the Fallopian tube.

The egg then travels to the uterus. The uterus, also known as the womb, is a hollow organ that has several parts and looks like an upside down pear.

The top of the uterus above the openings of the fallopian tubes is called the fundus, and the region below the openings is called the uterine body.

The uterus tapers down into the uterine isthmus and finally the cervix, which protrudes into the vagina.

The wall of the uterus is made up of strong muscles that stretch to accommodate a growing baby and contract during labor and childbirth.

The uterus is lined with a soft inner layer, called endometrium, that undergoes changes during menstrual cycles.

Next up is the vagina, which is an approximately 3 inch long muscular canal that extends from the cervix to the vulva.

During sexual intercourse, the vagina receives the penis, but during birth, it also serves as the birth canal.

Finally, the vagina has a mucous membrane lining that lubricates the cavity during sexual intercourse and protects the body from infection.

Now, switching gears and moving on to the external sex organs, together referred to as the vulva. The vulva consists of the clitoris and the labia.

The clitoris is a small erectile organ that develops from the same embryonic tissue as the male penis; while the labia, also known as the “lips” of the vagina, surround the opening of the vagina. The space between the vaginal opening and the anus is called the perineum.

Now, let’s switch our focus to the accessory organs of the female reproductive system, the breasts.

The breasts typically develop during puberty, and they contain fat and glandular tissue full of mammary glands.

At the end of the pregnancy, mammary glands are stimulated by the hormone prolactin to produce milk. Once produced, the milk flows from mammary glands through milk ducts to the nipple.