ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

EXTERNAL & INTERNAL FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

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 EXTERNAL & INTERNAL FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The female reproductive system consists of both internal and external parts. It has several important functions, including:
 releasing eggs, which can potentially be fertilized by sperm
 producing female sex hormones, such as progesterone and estrogen
 providing an environment for a fertilized egg to develop during pregnancy
 facilitating labor and childbirth
VULVA
The vulva is the name that’s given to the external parts of the female reproductive system. The main functions of the vulva are to:
 protect the internal parts of the female reproductive system (labia majora and minora)
 play a role in sexual arousal and stimulation (clitoris)
 facilitate sex, such as through providing lubrication (Bartholin’s glands) and cushioning (mons pubis)
 Additionally, the female urethra is also located in the vulva. This is the opening through which urine is released.

The vulva actually includes many different structures, such as the:

 Mons pubis: The mons pubis is a mound of tissue located on top of the pubic bones. It’s typically covered in pubic hair.
 Labia majora: The labia majora are folds of skin that are found below the mons pubis. They cover many other parts of the vulva.
 Labia minora: These are smaller folds of skin covering the vestibule of the vulva.
 Vestibule: This is the area that’s located between the labia minora. It contains the opening to the vagina and the urethra.
 Clitoris: Located at the top of the labia minora, the clitoris is very sensitive to stimulation.
 Bartholin’s glands: These are two small glands that are located on either side of the opening of the vagina.
 Skene’s glands: These glands are located in the vagina near the urethra. They may be part of the G-spot, and play a role in sexual arousal.
 Clitoris - Homologous to the glans penis in males, it functions as a sensory organ. 

VAGINA
 The opening of the vagina is found in the vestibule of the vulva. The vagina itself is a muscular tube that extends from this opening to the lower part of the uterus (cervix).
 The opening of the vagina may be partially covered by a thin piece of tissue called the hymen.
o The hymen can be broken through things like sex, inserting a tampon, or physical activities like riding a bike.
 The vagina has several functions, which can include:
 receiving a toy or erect penis during sex
 serving as the birth canal during childbirth
 allowing menstrual blood to pass out of your body during your period

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UTERUS
The uterus is a muscular, pear-shaped organ that’s found in the pelvis. The uterus is the female reproductive organ that receives the fertilized egg and supports its development
during pregnancy. It’s made up of two major parts:
 Cervix: The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus. It connects the main body of the uterus with the vagina.
 Corpus (body): This is the larger, main portion of the uterus.

FALLOPIAN TUBES
 The fallopian tubes connect the uterus to the ovaries. The fallopian tubes work to transport an egg from the ovaries to the uterus. Smooth muscle contractions and the
rhythmic beating of small hair-like structures called cilia help to keep the egg moving toward the uterus. 
 Fertilization often occurs in the fallopian tube.

OVARIES
 These are two oval-shaped organs that are located in your pelvis. The ovaries are connected to the fallopian tubes, which in turn connect them to the uterus.
 The main function of the ovaries is to release eggs. Once a month, a mature egg is released from the ovaries in a process called ovulation.
 The ovaries also produce a variety of female sex hormones, which are important for regulating a woman’s cycle and pregnancy. These include progesterone and
estrogen.

ISTHMUS
 It connects superiorly-anteriorly to the complementary parts of the uterus: the body and the fundus. The uterine isthmus can become more compressible in pregnancy,
which is a finding known as Hegar's sign

THE ROLE OF THE UTERUS

 The uterus is one of the predominant organs of the female reproductive system. It serves important functions during pregnancy and childbirth.
 The interior membrane that lines the uterus is called the endometrium. The thickness of this lining can vary depending on the levels of various hormones throughout the
menstrual cycle.
o For example, during a woman’s cycle, increases in the hormones estrogen and progesterone cause the lining of the uterus to thicken. This helps to prepare the
uterus to receive and nurture a fertilized egg during pregnancy.
 If no fertilization occurs, the egg begins to break down. Levels of estrogen and progesterone also decrease. The egg passes from the body, along with the endometrium,
during your period.
 If sperm fertilizes an egg, the egg implants into the uterine lining and begins developing. During pregnancy, the uterus enlarges to many times its normal size. It’s
estimated that the uterus can increase by up to 1cm (about 0.4 inches) per week.
 During childbirth, the uterus contracts. These contractions help to dilate the cervix and help with delivery of the baby.

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