Human Female Reproductive System
The female reproductive system consists of a pair of ovary, a pair of Fallopian tube, uterus, vagina, vulva and breasts.
Primary Sex Organs
Ovaries are considered as the primary sex organs. Their description is given below
Ovaries A pair of avary is located in each side of the lower abdomen held to the broad ligament by the double folds of peritoneum called mesovaria. Another part is attached to wall of uterus by ovarian ligament.
Each ovary is almond-shaped measuring about 2-4 cm in length and 1.5 cm in width. The outer region of the ovary is composed of developing follicles while its middle region forms the stroma which contains connective tissues, blood vessels and mature follicles.
Secondary Sex Organs
These are of two types
(i) Accessory Duct System
The following parts constitute the accessory ducts
(a) Oviducts. These are two small tubes of 10-12 cm in length, lying on either sides of uterus near the kidney. These tubes convey the egg from the ovary to the uterus and also provide the appropriate environment for fertilisation.
The Fallopian tubes or oviducts show four regions infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus and the interstitial region.
(b) Uterus or womb It is about 7.5 cm long and 5 cm wide and about the size and shape of an inverted pear. It lies behind the bladder.
(c) Cervix is the narrow entrance to the uterus from the vagina. It is normally blocked by a plug of mucus.
Accessory Glands
A pair of vestibular or Bartholin.s glands occur on each side of the vaginal orifice. They are small rounded bodies. These glands correspond to the Cowper.s gland of the male and secrete a clear, viscold fluid under sexual excitement. This fluid serves as a lubricant during copulation.
Mammary Glands
These are present in both sexes, but functional in case of females only.
Breasts are the rounded, paired structures located over the pectoral muscles on the front wall of the thorax. Each breast in its middle, has a nipple surrounded by the circular, pigmented area called areola. The glandular tissue of each breast is divided into 15-20 mammary lobes containing clusters of alveoli which open into mammary tubules. The cells of alveoli secrete milk. The tubules of each lobe join to form a mammary duct.
External Genitalia
The external genitalia of females are collectively called vulva. It consists of the following parts
(a) Mons pubis It is a cushion of fatty tissue covered by pubic hairs.
(b) Labia majora These are two fleshy folds of tissue that covers the whole vaginal apparatus, i.e. vagina, urethra and hymen. Labia minora are paired fleshy folds of tissue situated under labia majora.
(c) Clitoris It is the female erectile structure located at the upper junction of two labia minora.
(d) Hymen It is a thin mucous membrane which covers the vaginal opening either partly or completely. It is often torn during the first coitus (intercourse).
Urethra and vagina These open by separate apertures, the urethral and vaginal orifices into the vestibule. Vagina is adapted for receiving male.s penis during copulation, for allowing menstrual flow and for serving as a birth canal during parturition
