Reproductive system (female)

• Vulva or pudendum


  The area containing the female external genitalia

  
• Outer margins of the vulva

  • Mons pubis
  • Labia majora
• Mons pubis


  • A pad of adipose tissue covering the pubic symphysis
• Labia majora


  • Prominent folds of skin that encircle and partially conceal the labia minora
  • Adipose tissue accumulates within
• Vestibule


  Central space surrounded by the labia minora, covered with a smooth, hairless skin
• Clitoris


  Projects into the vestibule, contains erectile tissue and a small erectile glans sits atop it, erectile tissues engorge with blood during sexual arousal
• Prepuce or hood


  Extensions of the labia minora that encircle the body of the clitoris

  
• Female genital cutting removes the prepuce of the clitoris and often also removes part or all of the clitoris and labia minora

  
• Female genital cutting is erroneously thought to inhibit sexual arousal and gratification, and is illegal and now being actively discouraged in most countries
• Vulvar trauma


  Disruption of vessels in the vascular bulbs of the vestibule, often resulting in severe pain, vulvar hematomas, and scarring, which may lead to future obstructed labor or fistula formation
• Accessory glands


  • Paraurethral or Skene's glands
  • Lesser vestibular glands
  • Greater vestibular glands (Bartholin's glands)
• Paraurethral or Skene's glands


  Discharge into the urethra near the external urethral opening
• Lesser vestibular glands


  Discharge into vestibule between the orifices of the vagina and urethra
• Greater vestibular glands (Bartholin's glands)


  Located on either side of the distal portion of the vagina, secrete into the vestibule to keep the area moist and lubricated, secreted during sexual arousal
• Vagina


  An elastic muscular tube extending between the cervix and the exterior, average length of 7.5–9 cm (3–3.5 in.)
• Vagina


  • Passageway for the elimination of menstrual fluids
  • Receives the penis during sexual intercourse, and holds spermatozoa prior to their passage into the uterus
  • Forms the inferior portion of the birth canal, through which the fetus passes during delivery
• Hymen


  An elastic epithelial fold of variable size that partially blocks the entrance to the vagina, usually stretched or torn during first sexual intercourse, tampon use, pelvic examination, or physical activity
• Vaginal lumen


  Lined by a nonkeratinized stratified squamous epithelium that forms folds called rugae in the relaxed state
• Vaginal bacteria


  Usually harmless, supported by nutrients in the cervical mucus, their metabolic activity creates an acidic environment that restricts the growth of many pathogens and can kill or weaken sperm resulting in infertility
• Fungi, bacteria, or parasites can cause vaginitis, which may affect the survival of spermatozoa and thereby reduce fertility
• An acidic environment also inhibits the motility of sperm
• Vaginal smear


  A diagnostic procedure using exfoliative cytology to estimate the corresponding stages in the ovarian and uterine cycles
• Uterus


  A small, pear-shaped organ that protects, nourishes, and removes wastes for the developing embryo and fetus, with contractions important in expelling the fetus at birth
• Normal uterine position


  Anteflexion, bending anteriorly near its base and covering the superior and posterior surfaces of the urinary bladder
• Alternate uterine position


  Retroflexion, bending backward toward the sacrum, occurs in about 20 percent of adult women and has no clinical significance
• Layers of the uterine wall

  • Endometrium
  • Myometrium
  • Perimetrium
• Endometrium


  Supports the physiological demands of the growing fetus, contains uterine glands which open onto the endometrial surface, changes with the phases of the monthly uterine cycle under the influence of estrogens
• Myometrium


  Thickest portion of the uterine wall, making up almost 90 percent of the uterus
• Perimetrium


  Outer serosa layer of the uterine wall
• Uterine tube (Fallopian tube or oviduct)


  A hollow, muscular cylinder divided into three segments: the infundibulum, the ampulla, and the isthmus
• Infundibulum


  The end closest to the ovary, forming an expanded funnel with numerous fingerlike projections called fimbriae that extend into the pelvic cavity and are lined with cilia that beat toward the ampulla
• Ampulla


  The middle region of the uterine tube, with gradually increasing thickness of its smooth muscle layers as it approaches the uterus
• Isthmus


  The short segment of the uterine tube connected to the uterine wall
• Uterine tube epithelium


  • Ciliated columnar epithelial cells with scattered mucin-secreting cells, transports oocytes by a combination of ciliary movement and peristaltic contractions, provides a nutrient-rich environment that contains lipids and glycogen to nourish spermatozoa and a developing pre-embryo, contains peg cells that secrete a fluid that completes the capacitation of spermatozoa and supplies nutrients
• Ovaries


  Small, lumpy, almond-shaped organs near the lateral walls of the pelvic cavity that produce immature female gametes (oocytes), secrete female sex hormones (estrogens and progesterone), and secrete inhibin
• Ovarian ligaments


  The mesovarium, ovarian ligament, and suspensory (infundibulopelvic) ligament that stabilize the ovaries
• Ovarian cycle


  Divided into a follicular phase (preovulatory phase) and a luteal phase (postovulatory phase), with ovarian follicles in the cortex where oocyte growth and meiosis I occur
• Mammary gland


  Specialized organs of the integumentary system that are controlled mainly by hormones of the reproductive system, needed for nourishing the newborn through milk production or lactation, which occurs in lobules and is dispensed through lactiferous ducts and sinus, sustained by the pectoral fat pad and ligaments