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ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

(FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM)

Internal Organs

Vagina- is a fibro muscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the
body in female mammals. The vagina is the place where semen from the male is
deposited into the female's body at the climax of sexual intercourse. The outer part is
usually surrounded with pubic hair to protect it from infection.

Cervix- The cervix is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top
end of the vagina. It is cylindrical or conical in shape and protrudes through the upper
anterior vaginal wall. Approximately half its length is visible, the remainder lies above
the vagina beyond view. The cervix is also called the neck of the uterus.

Uterus- The uterus is a pear-shaped muscular organ. Its major function is to accept a
fertilized ovum which becomes implanted into the endometrium, and derives
nourishment from blood vessels which develop exclusively for this purpose. The
fertilized ovum becomes an embryo, develops into a fetus and gestates until childbirth. If
the egg does not embed in the wall of the uterus, a woman begins menstruation and the
egg is flushed away. The uterus contains three suspensory ligaments that help stabilize
the position of the uterus and limits it's range of movement.

The uterus provides mechanical protection, nutritional support, and waste removal for the
developing embryo (weeks1-8) and fetus (from week 9-delivery). In addition,
contractions in the muscular wall of the uterus are important in ejecting the fetus
at the time of birth.
Fallopian Tubes- The Fallopian tubes or oviducts are two tubes leading from the ovaries
of female mammals into the uterus.

On maturity of an ovum, the follicle and the ovary's wall rupture, allowing the ovum to
escape and enter the Fallopian tube. There it travels toward the uterus, pushed along by
movements of cilia on the inner lining of the tubes. This trip takes hours or days. If the
ovum is fertilized while in the Fallopian tube, then it normally implants in the [[ovary]]
when it reaches the uterus, which signals the beginning of pregnancy.

Ovary- The ovaries are small, paired organs that are located near the lateral walls of the
pelvic cavity. These organs are responsible for the production of the ova and the
secretion of hormones. ovaries are the place inside the female body where ova or
eggs are produced. The process by which the ovum is released is called
ovulation. The speed of ovulation is periodic and impacts directly to the length
of a menstrual cycle.

External part

Labia Majora- are two prominent longitudinal cutaneous folds which extend downward
and backward from the mons pubis to the perineum

Labia Minora- are two longitudinal cutaneous folds on the human vulva. They are
situated between the labia majora, and extend from the clitoris obliquely
downward, laterally, and backward on either side of the vulval vestibule, ending
between bottom of the vulval vestibule and the labia majora.

Mons Pubis- the adipose tissue lying above the pubic bone of adult females, anterior to
the symphysis pubis. The mons pubis forms the anterior portion of the vulva.

Clitoris- a sexual organ that is present only in female mammals. In humans, the visible
button-like portion is located near the anterior junction of the labia minora,
above the opening of the urethra and vagina.

In humans, the clitoris is the most sensitive erogenous zone of the female, the
stimulation of which may produce sexual excitement and clitoral erection; its
continuing stimulation may produce sexual pleasure in the female and orgasm,
and is considered the key to females' sexual pleasure.

Bartholin’s gland- are two glands located slightly below and to the left and right of the
opening of the vagina. They secrete mucus to lprovide vaginal lubrication during
sexual intercourse.