The female reproductive system is a fascinating and complex network of organs and structures that allows women to bear children. One of the most incredible aspects of this system is the ability of the uterus to expand up to 500 times its normal size during pregnancy.
As we read more about the female reproductive system further in this document, we'll discover even more amazing facts and functions that make this system truly remarkable.
The female reproductive system consists of the pair of ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, and external genitalia. The breasts, or mammary glands, are structurally and functionally integrated to support the processes of ovulation, fertilization, pregnancy, birth, & childcare.
The Female Reproductive System
Female Reproductive System is classified into two categories: Primary Sex Organs and Accessory Sex Organs.
The ovaries are a vital part of the female reproductive system, responsible for producing and storing the eggs that are necessary for fertilization and pregnancy. It's a commonly known fact that women are born with all the eggs they will ever have, usually around 1-2 million, and these eggs are stored within the ovaries.
Internal Structure of Ovary
The ovary is made up of the following parts:
(i) The ovary is covered by a layer of cubical epithelium called the germinal epithelium. The germinal epithelium is covered by the visceral peritoneum.
(ii) Beneath the epithelium is the tunica albuginea- a layer of connective tissue and underlying it is the ovarian stroma.
(iii) The medulla is a dense, inner layer of the stroma, while the cortex is a less dense, outer layer of the stroma.
Cortex: In cortex region of ovaries, there are little things called follicles that are growing up. First, they start as oocytes and then they grow into primary follicles, which then turn into secondary follicles. After that, they become tertiary follicles and eventually, they become fully mature graafian follicles. And finally, they turn into something called corpus luteum which is a yellow body after which they become corpus albicans, which is nothing but a white body and this process of growth of follicles is called folliculogenesis.
Medulla: Deep inside the ovary, there's a special part called the medulla. It's kind of like the "core" of the ovary. Inside the medulla, you can find a bunch of important stuff like blood vessels, connective tissue, fibrous sheaths, ligaments, and even smooth muscles.
(iv) No more oogonia are formed and added after birth.
(v) Interspersed throughout the cortex are many ovarian follicles (also called Grafian follicles) in different stages of development. The ovarian follicle comprises the following parts:
(vi) After ovulation many of the follicular cells remain in the collapsed follicle on the surface of the ovary.
(vii) Degenerated part of the corpus luteum is called corpus albicans, literally meaning white body. In fact, it is a white scar-like area.
Degeneration of Corpus Luteum into Corpus Albicans
Functions of Ovaries:
i) Ovaries produce female sex hormones that regulate menstrual cycles, breast development, and other changes during puberty.
ii) The ovaries also produce ova, or eggs, which are released during ovulation and can potentially be fertilized by sperm to start a pregnancy.
In each menstrual cycle, which is around 28 days long on average, one egg cell is released by one of the ovaries. These eggs are called secondary oocytes, and they are released by each ovary in turn.
You might be wondering, how many eggs a woman produces in her lifetime?
As we know,
Two Fallopian tubes (oviducts), uterus and vagina constitute the female accessory ducts.
They consist of the following parts:
(i) The infundibulum is a dilated trumpet-like portion opening into the peritoneal cavity. The end of the tube has finger-like projections called fimbriae. It extends from the end of the fallopian tubes in the female reproductive system and are responsible for sweeping the released egg from the ovary into the fallopian tube. The fimbriae create a wave-like motion to help sweep the egg into the tube. Without them, the egg might not be able to make it into the fallopian tube and could be lost.
(ii) The ampulla is the widest and longest part of the Fallopian tube.
(iii) The isthmus is the short, narrow thick-walled portion that follows the ampulla.
(iv) The uterine part passes through the uterine wall and communicates with the uterine cavity.
(v) Uterus is single and known as Womb.
Image showing uterine tube
Functions of Fallopian Tubes: The Fallopian tube conveys the ovum from the ovary to the uterus. It is done by peristalsis. Fertilization of the ovum generally takes place in the upper portion of the Fallopian tube (ampulla).
Differences between Endometrium and Myometrium
Functions of Uterus: After puberty, the uterus goes through the menstrual cycle. If the fertilization has taken place, the embryo gets attached to the uterine wall where it is nourished and protected. At the end of the gestation period, labour begins and concludes when the child is born known as Parturition.
During childbirth, the uterus contracts to push the baby out through the cervix and into the vagina.
If fertilization does not occur, the uterus sheds its lining during menstruation, which is a normal part of the menstrual cycle.
The vagina is an elastic, muscular canal that connects the uterus to the outside of the body. It is an important part of the female reproductive system.
Functions of Vagina: It provides a passageway for the menstrual flow, serves as the receptacle for sperm during intercourse, and forms part of the birth canal during labour.
The hymen is often torn during the first coitus (intercourse). However, it can also be broken by a sudden fall or jolt, active participation in some sports like horseback riding, bicycling, etc. In some women, the hymen remains even after coitus. In fact, the presence or absence of a hymen is NOT a reliable indicator of virginity.
Vulva means external genitalia of the female. It includes mons veneris, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, hymen, vestibule & related perineum.
(i) Mons veneris (mons pubis): It is a cushion of fatty tissue or of subcutaneous connective tissue, lying in front of the pubis & is covered by pubic hairs in the adult female.
(ii) Labia majora: Vulva is bounded on each side by the elevation and fleshy folds of skin & subcutaneous tissue. Its inner surface is hairless. The outer surface is covered by the sebaceous gland, Sweat gland & hair follicles. It is homologous with the scrotum in the male.
(iii) Labia minora: They are two thin folds of skin present just within the labia majora. The lower portion of the minora fuses across the midline & form a fold of skin called a fourchette.
(iv) Clitoris: It is a tiny finger-like structure that lies at the upper junction of the two labia minora above the urethral opening. It is made up of two erectile bodies (corpora cavernosa). The skin which covers the glans of the clitoris is called a prepuce. At the terminal part of the vagina, the urethra opens separately, so they form a common chamber called the vaginal vestibule or urogenital sinus.
The vulva has the following openings:
(a) Urethral opening: Lies on the anterior end
(b) Vaginal orifice: Lies on the posterior end.
It is incompletely closed by a septum of mucous membrane called the hymen, but it may not be a true sign of virginity.
(c) Opening of Bartholin's ducts: These are opening of one pair of bartholin's/greater vestibular glands situated on the lateral side of the vagina. They secrete alkaline fluid during sexual excitement.
(v) Perineum: It is the area that extends from the fourchette to the anus.
Lateral View of Female Reproductive System
Mammary gland
Human milk consists of water and organic and inorganic substances. Its main constituents are fat (fat droplets), casein (milk protein), lactose (milk sugar), mineral salts (sodium, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, etc.) and vitamins. Milk is poor in iron content. Vitamin C is present in very small quantities in milk. The process of milk secretion is regulated by the nervous system. It is also influenced by the psychic state of the mother. The process of milk production is also influenced by hormones of the pituitary gland (already mentioned), the ovaries and other endocrine glands. A nursing woman secretes 1 to 2 litres of milk per day. Milk contains an inhibitory peptide. If the mammary glands are not fully emptied the peptide accumulates and inhibits milk production.
1. Germinal epithelial cells of the ovary produce ova (oogenesis).
2. Fertilization takes place in the Fallopian tube (ovíduct).
3. After puberty the uterus goes through the menstrual cycle.
4. Implantation and prenatal growth take place in the uterus.
5. The vagina receives the seminal fluid during copulation.
6. Parturition (the process of the birth of a child) is also an important function of the female reproductive system.
7. Mammary glands of the female secrete milk after parturition.
Now that you know both the reproductive systems i.e. female & male both.
And, if you think it is the male reproductive system, then you may be wrong. Because it is the Female Reproductive System which is more complex than the male reproductive system because it not only produces eggs but also supports the growth and development of a baby.
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