Female Reproductive Anatomy

The female reproductive anatomy composes of External and internal genitalia.

External Genitalia

• Mons pubis - a pad of adipose tissue over symphysis pubis, covered by curly hair, for protection against trauma.
• Glans clitoris - a small rounded organ (approximately 1-2 cm) of erectile tissue at the forward junction of the labia minora, covered by prepuce
• Urethra meatus - urethral opening
• Labia majora - two folds of adipose tissue covered by loose majora: serves as protection for external genitalia
• Labia minora - posterior to mons veneris are two folds of connective tissues
• Hymen - tough but elastic semicircle of tissue that covers the opening to the vagina in childhood
• Fourchette - the ridge of tissue formed by the posterior joining of the two labia minora and labia majora
• Perineum - perineal muscles posterior to the fourchette; stretchable during childbirth

Internal Genitalia

• Vestibule - a flattened, smooth surface inside the labia
• Bartholin's gland - vulvovaginal gland, just lateral to the vaginal opening of both sides, lubricates the external vagina during coitus
• Skene's gland - a paraurethral gland located just lateral to the urinary meatus on both sides; lubricates the external vagina during coitus
• Vagina - muscular organ that extends from the vulva to the uterine cervix; act as the organ of intercourse and conveys sperm to the cervix approximately 6-7 cm long
• Cervix - the lowest portion of uterus; about 2-5 cm long: cavity is termed cervical canal, junction of the canal at isthmus is internal cervical os and distal opening to the vagina is external cervical os
• Uterus - about 5-7 cm long, 5 cm wide and 2-5 cm deep in its widest upper part; receives ova, provides a place for implantation and nourishment during fetal growth, furnishes protection to a growing fetus and at the maturity of the fetus, expel it from the woman's body. The three divisions are: a) the body or corpus b) the isthmus, and c) the cervix
• Fallopian tubes - 8-14 cm muscular tubes that extend laterally from the cornua of the uterus convey ova from ovaries to uterus. Segments are interstitial, isthmus, ampulla, and infundibulum
• Ovaries - function is to produce, mature and discharge egg cells. Consist of ovarian cortex which is responsible to maturation of ova and production of large amount of estrogen and progesterone, and ovarian medulla contains connective tissue and the blood supply to the ovary.

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