The female reproductive system

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The female reproductive system
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Internal Anatomy

• Ovaries
• Fallopian tubes
• Uterus
• Vagina

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Ovaries

• Small paired oval-shaped glands located on either
  side of uterus
• Produce eggs and hormones

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• Each ovary is enclosed in a tough protective
  capule and contains many follicles
• A follicle consists of 1 egg cell surrounded by 1
  or more layers of follicle cells which nourish
  and protect the developing egg.

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• Most of 400,000 follicles are formed during fetal
  development
• Only several hundred follicles will release egg
  cells during a womans reproductive years

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Fallopian tubes

• Also called oviducts
• Natrrow tubes that are attached to upper part of
  uterus
• Serve as tunnels for ova (egg cell) to travel
  from ovaries to uterus

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Uterus

• Commonly called womb
• Pear-shaped muscular organ that is home to
  developing fetus
• Divided into two parts
• corpus- main part that expands to hold
  developing baby
• cervix- lower part that opens into vagina and
  allows passage of sperm and menstrual blood

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Vagina

• Canal that joins cervix to outside of body
• Commonly known as birth canal

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External anatomy

• Vulva
• Collective term for external genitalia
• Houses vaginal opening and urethral opening
  (passing of urine)
• Consists of pair of skin folds called labia
  minora and majora
• Clitoris- tissue that plays a role in sexual
  arousal
• Bartholins gland- secretes mucus that lubricates
  vaginal opening

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External Anatomy
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Mammary Glands

• Present in both sexes but normally function only
  in females
• Not really part of female reproductive system but
  are important for sustaining young after birth
• Small sacs of epithelial tissue that secrete milk
  which drains into a series of ducts that open
  into the nipple.
• Fatty tissue (adipose tissue) forms mass of
  mammary glands of non-lactating mammals

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Mammary glands