female reproductive system parts and functions
The female reproductive system consists of a pair of ovaries, a duct system consisting of a pair of fallopian tubes (oviducts), a uterus, cervix and vagina. A pair of mammary glands are accessory genital glands.
The ovary produces ova and secretes the female sex hormones, estrogens and progesterone which are responsible for the development of secondary female sex characters and cause marked cyclic changes in the endometrium. The human ovaries are small, almond-like flattened bodies, 2 to 4 cm in length. The are connected to the pelvic wall and uterus by ligaments.
- Location:- Ovaries are located near kidneys and remain attached to the lower abdominal cavity through mesovarum.
- Structure:- The free surface of the ovaries are covered by a germinal epithelium composed of a single layer of cubical cells. This epithelium is continuous with the mesothelium lining called peritoneum. The epithelium encloses the ovarian stroma. The stroma is divided into two zones- a peripheral cortex and an inner medulla. Below the germinal epithelium, the cortex is enclosed or covered by a connective tissue called tunica albuginea.
The cortex contains numerous spherical or oval, sac-like masses of cells known as ovarian follicles. The medulla consists of loose connective tissue, elastic fibres, numerous blood vessels and some smooth muscle fibres.
Fallopian Tubes (Oviducts):-
These are one pair of long (10 to 12 cm), ciliated, muscular and tubular structures which extend from the periphery of each ovary to the uterus.
Each oviduct is suspended by mesosalpinx and is differentiated into three parts.
(i) Infundibulum:- The part of oviduct closer to the ovary is the funnel shaped infundibulum. The edges of infundibulum possess finger-like projections called fimbriae. Fimbriae help in the collection of the ovum after ovulation. Infundibulum opens into the abdominal cavity by an aperture called ostium.
The tube is involved in conduction of the ovum or zygote towards the uterus by by peristalsis and ciliary action. It is also the site of fertilization occurs in ampulla.
Uterus (Hystera/Womb):- It is large hollow, muscular, highly vascular and inverted pear shaped structure present in the pelvis between the bladder and rectum. It is suspended by a mesentery , the mesometrium.
It has the following three parts:-
(i) Fundus:- it is upper, dome-shaped part above the opening of fallopian tubes.
(ii) Corpus/Body:– It is the middle ans main part of uterus.
(iii) Cervix:- It is lower, narrow part which opens in body of uterus by internal os and in vagina below by external os. It is mainly formed of the most powerful sphincter muscles in the body. The cavity of the cervix is called cervical canal which along with vagina forms the birth canal.
Wall of uterus:- The wall of uterus is formed of outer peritoneal layer, perimetrium; middle muscular myometrium of smooth muscle fibres, and inner highly vascular and glandular endometriu. The endometrium undergoes cyclical changes during menstrual cycle while myometrium exhibits strong contractions during delivery of the baby. Implantation of embryo occurs in uterine fundus.
- Uterus is the site of foetal growth during pregnancy. It also takes part in placenta formation and expulsion of the baby during parturition.
Vagina:- It is a long (8.5 cm), fibro-muscular tube. It extends backward in front of rectum and anal canal from cervix to the vestibule. It is highly vascular tube lined internally by mucus membrane which is raised into transverse folds called vaginal rugae.
It is lined with stratified (Non Keratinised) squamous epithelium. Vagina is devoid of glands .Vaginal orifice is covered partially by a membranous diaphragm called hymen. The hymen is often ruptured during the first coitus (intercourse).
However, it can also be broken by a sudden fall or jolt, insertion of a vaginal tampon, active participation in some sports like horseback ridding, cycling etc. In some women, the hymen persists even after coitus. In facts, the presence or absence of hymen is not reliable indicator of virginity or sexual experience.
- Vagina acts both as copulation canal (as it receives the sperms from penis during copulation) and as birth canal along with cervix (parturition).
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