Female Reproductive System

The Female Reproductive System is a complex arrangement of internal and external sex organs responsible for reproduction and the secretion of hormones vital for sexual development and fertility. Key structures within this system include the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes as internal sex organs, and the vulva, vagina, and breasts as external sex organs. This system is regulated by an intricate balance of hormones, which dictate menstrual cycles, fertility, and the myriad other processes associated with female sexuality and reproduction.

Scheme female reproductive system

Mons pubis anatomical location in female reproductive system

Internal Organs

Ovaries: These almond-shaped glands are located on either side of the uterus. They produce ova (egg cells) and secrete the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Uterus: Often referred to as the womb, the uterus is a pear-shaped muscular organ. Its primary function is to house and nourish a developing fetus. Fallopian Tubes: These tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus and are the site where fertilization typically occurs if an egg meets a sperm.

External Organs

Vulva: The collective term for the external female genitalia, including the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and the vaginal opening. Vagina: A muscular canal that connects the external genitals to the uterus. It serves multiple functions including the passage for menstrual flow, receiving sperm, and serving as the birth canal. Breasts: Although not directly involved in reproduction, breasts are considered part of the female reproductive system. They contain mammary glands that produce milk after childbirth.

Hormonal Regulation

Hormonal balance is paramount in regulating the female reproductive system. Hormones like:

Estrogen: Primarily responsible for the development of female secondary sexual characteristics and the regulation of the menstrual cycle. Progesterone: Works in tandem with estrogen to regulate the menstrual cycle and plays a vital role in maintaining pregnancy. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Produced by the pituitary gland, these hormones regulate the function of the ovaries and the menstrual cycle.

Functions and Processes

• Menstruation: Regular shedding of the uterine lining in the absence of pregnancy.
• Ovulation: The release of an ovum from the ovaries, typically around the midpoint of the menstrual cycle.
• Fertilization: Fusion of the sperm and ovum, usually in the fallopian tubes.
• Pregnancy: The period of fetal development within the uterus from conception to childbirth.
• Lactation: The production and secretion of milk by the mammary glands in the breasts for the nourishment of an infant.

Female reproductive anatomy and physiology terms

• alveoli

(of the breast) milk-secreting cells in the mammary gland

• ampulla

(of the uterine tube) middle portion of the uterine tube in which fertilization often occurs

• antrum

fluid-filled chamber that characterizes a mature tertiary (antral) follicle

• areola

highly pigmented, circular area surrounding the raised nipple and containing areolar glands that secrete fluid important for lubrication during suckling

• Bartholin’s glands

(also, greater vestibular glands) glands that produce a thick mucus that maintains moisture in the vulva area; also referred to as the greater vestibular glands

• blood–testis barrier

tight junctions between Sertoli cells that prevent bloodborne pathogens from gaining access to later stages of spermatogenesis and prevent the potential for an autoimmune reaction to haploid sperm

• body of uterus

middle section of the uterus

• broad ligament

wide ligament that supports the uterus by attaching laterally to both sides of the uterus and pelvic wall

• bulbourethral glands

(also, Cowper’s glands) glands that secrete a lubricating mucus that cleans and lubricates the urethra prior to and during ejaculation

• cervix

elongate inferior end of the uterus where it connects to the vagina

• clitoris

(also, glans clitoris) nerve-rich area of the vulva that contributes to sexual sensation during intercourse

• corpus albicans

nonfunctional structure remaining in the ovarian stroma following structural and functional regression of the corpus luteum

• corpus cavernosum

either of two columns of erectile tissue in the penis that fill with blood during an erection

• corpus luteum

transformed follicle after ovulation that secretes progesterone

• corpus spongiosum

(plural = corpora cavernosa) column of erectile tissue in the penis that fills with blood during an erection and surrounds the penile urethra on the ventral portion of the penis

• ductus deferens

(also, vas deferens) duct that transports sperm from the epididymis through the spermatic cord and into the ejaculatory duct; also referred as the vas deferens

• ejaculatory duct

duct that connects the ampulla of the ductus deferens with the duct of the seminal vesicle at the prostatic urethra

• endometrium

inner lining of the uterus, part of which builds up during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle and then sheds with menses

• epididymis

(plural = epididymides) coiled tubular structure in which sperm start to mature and are stored until ejaculation

• fimbriae

fingerlike projections on the distal uterine tubes

• follicle

ovarian structure of one oocyte and surrounding granulosa (and later theca) cells

• folliculogenesis

development of ovarian follicles from primordial to tertiary under the stimulation of gonadotropins

• fundus

(of the uterus) domed portion of the uterus that is superior to the uterine tubes

• gamete

haploid reproductive cell that contributes genetic material to form an offspring

• glans penis

bulbous end of the penis that contains a large number of nerve endings

• gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

hormone released by the hypothalamus that regulates the production of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland

• gonads

reproductive organs (testes in men and ovaries in women) that produce gametes and reproductive hormones

• granulosa cells

supportive cells in the ovarian follicle that produce estrogen

• hymen

membrane that covers part of the opening of the vagina

• infundibulum

(of the uterine tube) wide, distal portion of the uterine tube terminating in fimbriae

• inguinal canal

opening in abdominal wall that connects the testes to the abdominal cavity

• isthmus

narrow, medial portion of the uterine tube that joins the uterus

• labia majora

hair-covered folds of skin located behind the mons pubis

• labia minora

thin, pigmented, hairless flaps of skin located medial and deep to the labia majora

• lactiferous ducts

ducts that connect the mammary glands to the nipple and allow for the transport of milk

• lactiferous sinus

area of milk collection between alveoli and lactiferous duct

• Leydig cells

cells between the seminiferous tubules of the testes that produce testosterone; a type of interstitial cell

• mammary glands

glands inside the breast that secrete milk

• menarche

first menstruation in a pubertal female

• menses

shedding of the inner portion of the endometrium out though the vagina; also referred to as menstruation

• menses phase

phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrial lining is shed

• menstrual cycle

approximately 28-day cycle of changes in the uterus consisting of a menses phase, a proliferative phase, and a secretory phase

• mons pubis

mound of fatty tissue located at the front of the vulva

• Müllerian duct

duct system present in the embryo that will eventually form the internal female reproductive structures

• myometrium

smooth muscle layer of uterus that allows for uterine contractions during labor and expulsion of menstrual blood

• oocyte

cell that results from the division of the oogonium and undergoes meiosis I at the LH surge and meiosis II at fertilization to become a haploid ovum

• oogenesis

process by which oogonia divide by mitosis to primary oocytes, which undergo meiosis to produce the secondary oocyte and, upon fertilization, the ovum

• oogonia

ovarian stem cells that undergo mitosis during female fetal development to form primary oocytes

• ovarian cycle

approximately 28-day cycle of changes in the ovary consisting of a follicular phase and a luteal phase

• ovaries

female gonads that produce oocytes and sex steroid hormones (notably estrogen and progesterone)

• ovulation

release of a secondary oocyte and associated granulosa cells from an ovary

• ovum

haploid female gamete resulting from completion of meiosis II at fertilization

• penis

male organ of copulation

• perimetrium

outer epithelial layer of uterine wall

• polar body

smaller cell produced during the process of meiosis in oogenesis

• prepuce

(also, foreskin) flap of skin that forms a collar around, and thus protects and lubricates, the glans penis; also referred as the foreskin

• primary follicles

ovarian follicles with a primary oocyte and one layer of cuboidal granulosa cells

• primordial follicles

least developed ovarian follicles that consist of a single oocyte and a single layer of flat (squamous) granulosa cells

• proliferative phase

phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrium proliferates

• prostate gland

doughnut-shaped gland at the base of the bladder surrounding the urethra and contributing fluid to semen during ejaculation

• puberty

life stage during which a male or female adolescent becomes anatomically and physiologically capable of reproduction

• rugae

(of the vagina) folds of skin in the vagina that allow it to stretch during intercourse and childbirth

• scrotum

external pouch of skin and muscle that houses the testes

• secondary follicles

ovarian follicles with a primary oocyte and multiple layers of granulosa cells

• secondary sex characteristics

physical characteristics that are influenced by sex steroid hormones and have supporting roles in reproductive function

• secretory phase

phase of the menstrual cycle in which the endometrium secretes a nutrient-rich fluid in preparation for implantation of an embryo

• semen

ejaculatory fluid composed of sperm and secretions from the seminal vesicles, prostate, and bulbourethral glands

• seminal vesicle

gland that produces seminal fluid, which contributes to semen

• seminiferous tubules

tube structures within the testes where spermatogenesis occurs

• Sertoli cells

cells that support germ cells through the process of spermatogenesis; a type of sustentacular cell

• sperm

(also, spermatozoon) male gamete

• spermatic cord

bundle of nerves and blood vessels that supplies the testes; contains ductus deferens

• spermatid

immature sperm cells produced by meiosis II of secondary spermatocytes

• spermatocyte

cell that results from the division of spermatogonium and undergoes meiosis I and meiosis II to form spermatids

• spermatogenesis

formation of new sperm, occurs in the seminiferous tubules of the testes

• spermatogonia

(singular = spermatogonium) diploid precursor cells that become sperm

• spermiogenesis

transformation of spermatids to spermatozoa during spermatogenesis

• suspensory ligaments

bands of connective tissue that suspend the breast onto the chest wall by attachment to the overlying dermis

• tertiary follicles

(also, antral follicles) ovarian follicles with a primary or secondary oocyte, multiple layers of granulosa cells, and a fully formed antrum

• testes

(singular = testis) male gonads

• theca cells

estrogen-producing cells in a maturing ovarian follicle

• uterine tubes

(also, fallopian tubes or oviducts) ducts that facilitate transport of an ovulated oocyte to the uterus

• uterus

muscular hollow organ in which a fertilized egg develops into a fetus

• vagina

tunnel-like organ that provides access to the uterus for the insertion of semen and from the uterus for the birth of a baby

• vulva

external female genitalia

• Wolffian duct

duct system present in the embryo that will eventually form the internal male reproductive structures

See Also

• Male Reproductive System
• Menstrual Cycle
• Fertilization
• Pregnancy
• Contraception
• Endocrine system

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