Human Female Reproductive Organ

Human Female Reproductive Organ:

The principal organs of the human female reproductive tract, including:

·         The ovaries

·         Fallopian tubes

·         Uterus

·         Cervix

·         Vagina and the external genitalia located in pelvic region

Reproduction begins with the development of ovum in the ovaries. In the middle of every monthly menstrual cycle, a one ovum is released from an ovarian follicle into the abdominal cavity near the open fimbriated ends of the two fallopian tubes. This ovum then passes through one of the fallopian tubes into the uterus, if it has been fertilized, it implants in the uterus, where it develops into a fetus, a placenta, and fetal membranes- and finally into a baby.

Figure: Internal structures of the uterus, ovary, and a uterine tube. (From Guyton AC: Physiology of the Human Body, 6th ed.)

Ovaries: Ovaries are the primary female sex organs that produce the female gamete (ovum) and several steroid hormone. The ovaries are located one on each side of the lower abdomen. Each ovary is about 1.9 to 4 cm in length and is connected to the pelvic wall, uterus as well.

Fallopian tube: Each fallopian tube is about 10-12 cm long and extends from the periphery of each ovary to the uterus, the closer part to the ovary is a funnel-shaped which edges is finger shaped called fimbriae. Fimbriae helps to collect of the ovum after ovulation. The last part of the fallopian tubes, isthmus has a narrow lumen and it joins the uterus.

Uterus: The uterus is like an upside-down pear shapped, having a thick lining and muscular walls. It is supported by ligaments attached to the pelvic wall. It is resonating to allow a blastocyte, or fertilized egg, to implant and grow. The uterus is only about three inches long and two inches wide, but during pregnancy it changes rapidly and radically. The wall of the uterus has three layers of tissue. Perimetrium, The external thin membranous, Myometrium, middle thick layer of smooth muscle, and Endometrium, the inner glandular layer, that lines the uterine cavity. The endometrium take on cyclical changes during menstrual cycle while the myometrium exhibits strong contraction during delivery of a new baby. Through a narrow cervix of vagina the uterus opens into. The cavity of the cervix is called cervical channel which along with vagina forms the birth channel.

Cervix: The cervix is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top edge of the vagina. Where they join together forms an almost 90 degree incurved. During menstruation, the cervix bits open slightly to allow the endometrium to be shed. This enlarging may be part of the cramping pain that many women experience. The portion projecting into the vagina is called the ectocervix. The ectocervix is 3cm long and 2.5 cm wide on average.

Vagina: The vagina is a muscular, hollow tube that extends to the cervix of the uterus  from the vaginal opening. It is situated between the urinary bladder and the rectum. It is about three to five inches long. The muscular wall allows the vagina to be expand and contract. hymen, partially covers the opening of the vagina. The sparm from penis received by vagina firstly during sexual intercourse. The vaginal rugae has glands that secrete an acidic mucus, pH of near 4 which keeps bacterial growth down. 

Human female external genitalia including:

·         Vulva

·         Mons pubis

·         Labia majora

·         Labia minora

·         Clitoris

·         Hymen

Figure: Human Female External genitalia 

Vulva: The exterior female genitals is referred to as vulva. It consists of the labia majora and labia minora, mons pubis, clitoris, opening of the urethra, vaginal vestibule, vestibular bulbs, vestibular glands. 

Mons pubis: The mons pubis, is the soft mound at the front of the vulva. The mons pubis protects the pubic bone and vulva from the impact of sexual intercourse. After puberty, it covered with pubic hair, normally in a triangular shape.

Labia majora: The labia majora are at the outside lips of the vulva. They are pads of loose connective and adipose tissue. It generally hides, partially, the other parts of the vulva.

Labia minora: The labia minora are a paired folds of tissue in the labia majora. these are the inner lips of the vulva. They are thin and flexible of tissue within the labia majora that fold and protect the vagina, urethra, and clitoris.

Clitoris: The clitoris is a teeny finger-like structure, lies at the upper junction of the two labia minora and above the urethral opening. It is a small body of spongy tissue that functions solely for sexual pleasure. The size of the clitoris is varied in women. On some, the clitoral glans is very small, on others, it is large and its hood does not completely cover it.

Hymen: Hymen is a thin mucous membrane which cover the opening of the vagina. The hymen is often rive during the first intercourse. It can also be broken by a sudden fall or jar, insertion of a vaginal tampon, masturbation, riding, cycling, etc. In some women the hymen remains even after intercourses. In fact, the presence or absence of hymen is not a justice the virginity or sexual experience.

Urethra: The opening to the urethra is little bit below of the clitoris. Though it is not related to reproduction, it is Included in the vulva. The urethra is actually used for the track of urine from urinary bladder. In females the urethra is 1.5 inches long.