Anatomy of female reproductive structures:
Ovary Structure:
•Solid, ovoid structures located within the lateral wall of the pelvic cavity
•The ovaries are subdivided into an inner medulla and an outer cortex:
•Medulla is made up of connective tissue,
blood
vessels,lymphatic vessels, and nerves
•Cortex contains ovarian follicles and is
covered by cuboidal epithelium
•Uterine Tubes (oviducts or fallopian tubes):
•Lead from the ovary to the uterus
•Near ovaries, they expand to form an infundibulum with Fingerlike fimbriae on its margins
•Cells lining the tubes have cilia , which beat in unison, drawing egg cell into the uterine tube
•Normal site of fertilization
Uterus:
•Hollow, muscular organ
•Receives embryo from uterine tube, and maintains development of the embryo and then fetus
•Upper two-thirds of the uterus, the body, has a dome-shaped top, the fundus
•Lower one-third of the uterus is the cervix, which extends into the vagina
•Uterine wall has three layers: an inner, glandular Endometrium, a muscular wall or myometrium, and an outer perimetrium
•Usually bends forward over the urinary bladder
Vagina:
•Fibromuscular tube that extends from uterus to the outside
•Vaginal orifice is partially covered by a membrane called the hymen
•Vaginal wall consists of three layers
•Conveys uterine secretions, receives the penis during sexual intercourse, and serves as birthing canal
Female External Accessory Reproductive Organs
External accessory reproductive organs of the female: labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and vestibular glands
•Structures surrounding openings of urethra and vagina make upThe vulva
•Labia Majora:
•Enclose and protect other external reproductive organs; correspond to the scrotum of the male
•Anterior ends meet to form the mons pubis, which covers the pubic symphysis
The Labia Minora, Clitoris, and Vestibule
Labia Minora:
•Flattened, longitudinal folds between the labia majora
•Form a hood around the clitoris
Clitoris:
•Small projection at anterior end of vulva, between labia minora
•Corresponds to the penis and has a similar structure
•Contains columns of erectile tissue
Vestibule:
•Space enclosed by the labia minora, into which the vagina and urethra open
•Vestibular glands lie on either side of the vaginal opening; correspond to bulbourethral glands and provide lubrication