The Female Reproductive Organ is responsible for producing gametes (called eggs or ova), certain sex hormones, and maintaining fertilized eggs as they develop into a mature fetus and become ready for delivery. A female’s reproductive years are those between menarche (the first menstrual cycle) and menopause (cessation of menses for 12 consecutive months). During this period, cyclical expulsion of ova from the ovary occurs, with the potential to become fertilized by male gametes (sperm). This cyclic expulsion of eggs is a normal part of the menstrual cycle.
Female Reproductive Organ
Female reproductive organs
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Ovaries – The ovaries are female gonads, the site of gametogenesis and secretion of sex hormones. The outer cortex of each ovary is the site of follicular development while the inner medulla of each contains blood vessels and connective tissue.[rx]
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Fallopian tubes – Fallopian tubes provide a passageway for oocytes to travel from the ovaries into the uterine cavity. The part of each tube closest to the ovary contain fimbria: finger-like projections that help move the expelled oocyte further into the tube. The fimbria transition into the ampulla, the part of the tube with the widest lumen. The ampulla becomes the isthmus as the lumen narrows and projects towards the uterus. The tube then passes into the uterus, where it becomes the interstitial portion.[rx] This opening is where the traveling oocyte exits the tube and enters the uterine cavity.
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Uterus – The uterus consists of the corpus (body) and cervix. The superior aspect of the uterine corpus is the fundus while the inferior portion adjacent to the cervix is called the isthmus/lower uterine segment. The uterine walls contain three distinct layers: the endometrium, the myometrium, and the serosa. The endometrium lines the uterine cavity; its thickness and structure vary with hormonal stimulation. The myometrium consists of smooth muscle fibers and is the middle and thickest layer of the uterine wall. The serosa is the outermost lining of the uterus.[rx]
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The uterine cervix – is a tubular structure contiguous with the uterine cavity and the vagina, acting as a conduit between the two. The inferior cervix opens into the upper vagina at the cervical os. The lining of the cervix that protrudes into the vagina is called the ectocervix and consists of columnar epithelium. The lining of the inside of the cervical canal is the endocervix, composed of stratified squamous epithelium. The region where the ecto- and endocervix meet, characterized by the transformation from columnar to squamous epithelium, is the transformation zone. The transformation zone is the most frequent location for cervical dysplasia and malignant transformation.
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Vulva – The vulva describes the external female genitalia: labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vulvar vestibule, urethrethral meatus, vaginal orifice.[rx] The labia majora are lateral to the labia minora, fusing anteriorly to make up the mons pubis (a layer overlying the pubic symphysis). The vulvar vestibule is the area medial to the labia minora and is the location of the urethra and vaginal openings.[rx] Bartholin’s glands open lateral to the vaginal opening.[rx]
The Function of Female Reproductive Organ
Menarche is a female’s first menstrual cycle, marked by her first episode of menstrual bleeding. Menarche occurs during puberty preceded by breast growth, axillary and pubic hair growth, and a growth spurt. At the initiation of each menstrual cycle, a number of primordial follicles in the female’s ovaries continue development. One becomes the dominant follicle and continues to grow while the other follicles become atretic and cease to develop. The dominant follicle develops into a Graafian follicle, at which point meiosis I has completed, and the ovum is no longer in prophase I arrest.[rx][rx][rx][rx] At ovulation, the Graafian follicle expels the ovum from its surrounding tissue, henceforth called the corpus luteum. If no fertilization takes place, the expulsion of the egg occurs from the uterus along with the secretory endometrial lining under the influence of declining levels of progesterone; this presents as menstrual bleeding. If fertilization does take place, the fertilized egg implants in the endometrial wall and the endometrial lining is maintained by progesterone secreted (initially) by the corpus luteum until the placenta takes over.[rx][rx]][rx]