The female reproductive system contains two main parts: the uterus, which hosts the developing fetus, produces vaginal and uterine secretions, and passes the male's sperm through to the fallopian tubes; and the ovaries, which produce the female's egg cells. These parts are internal; the vagina meets the external organs at the vulva, which includes the labia, clitoris and urethra. The vagina is attached to the uterus through the cervix, while the uterus is attached to the ovaries via the Fallopian tubes. At certain intervals, the ovaries release an ovum, which passes through the Fallopian tube into the uterus. If, in this transit, it meets with sperm, the sperm penetrate and merge with the egg, fertilizing it. Corresponding equivalent among males is the male reproductive system.
A pair of ovaries attached with ligaments to the uterus. The ovary produces female gamets or ova.
In close relation to the ovary, ovarian and oviduct is present. It is a funnel shaped structure usually with fimbricated margin. The end serves to pick up the ova liberated from the ovary. The proximal end of oviduct enters in to the uterus.
The uterus is a muscular bag; The wall of the uterus as three layers of tissue. The external thin membranous perimetrium, middle thick layer of smooth muscle myometrium and inner glandular layer called endometrium that lines the uterine cavity. The endometrium under goes cyclical changes during menstrual cycle while myometrium exhibits strong contraction during the delivery of the baby.
Under proper hormonal stimulation uterine endometrial wall gets modified for the implantation of the fertilized ovum and also forms placenta and foetal membrane during intrauterine development of an embryo.
Uterus opens in to a long tube the vagina the opening being guarded by cervix of the uterus, a sphincter that prevents the entry of harmful bacteria and other substances inside it. Vagina serves to receive sperms after copulation. The accessory glands associated with the female reproductive tract are bartholin's glands opening by ducts at the external genital opening. Associated with the female reproductive system are mammary glands, their function being the nourishment of the young ones during prenatal life. The mammary glands are paired structures (breasts) that contain glandular tissue and variable amount of fat. The glandular tissue of each is divided into 15-20 mammary lobes containing clusters of cells called alveoli. The alveoli open in to mammary tubules. The tubules of each lobe join to form mammary tubules. The tubules of each lobe join to form a mammary duct. Ducts join to form a wider mammary ampulla which is connected to lactiferous duct through which milk is sucked out.
The female external genetalia include mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, hymen and clitoris. The opening of vagina is partially covered by membrane called hymen. The clitoris is a tiny finger like structure above the urethral opening.
