Reproductive System › Female

Anatomical Overview of the Female Reproductive System

Notes

Anatomical Overview of the Female Reproductive System

Key functions of the reproductive system:

It facilitates sexual maturation of individuals and sexual reproduction of offspring.
In the female, this includes the production of ova (aka, eggs) and their transport through the reproductive tract (where fertilization occurs).
Houses and support a developing fetus.

Key organizational features of the reproductive system:

Reproductive structures are classified as either primary or accessory (aka, secondary):

  • The primary structures are referred to as gonads, which produce gametes (aka, sex cells).
    • In females, the primary structures are the ovaries, which produce ova (singular = ovum) and hormones.
  • The accessory structures are the organs, ducts, and glands that facilitate transport of the ova.

Bilateral ovaries

  • Oocytes become ova

Paired uterine tubes (aka, fallopian tubes, aka, oviducts)

  • Ova pass through them from the ovaries to the uterus; fertilization is most likely to occur within the uterine tubes.
  • Fimbriae are the finger-like projections that overlie, but do not attach to, the ovary (with the exception of a single ovarian fimbria, which does attach to the ovary).

Uterus

  • Aka, womb
  • Undergoes cyclical changes in response to ovarian hormones.
  • Lies posterior and superior to the urinary bladder
  • Cervix is the narrow inferior region of the uterus.

Vagina

  • A muscular tube that facilitates passage of menstrual fluid, the penis, and semen during intercourse, and the fetus and placenta, during parturition (childbirth).
  • Fornix is the recess created by the projection of the cervix into the vagina. These "vaults" hold ejaculated semen near the cervical entrance of the uterus.
  • Vaginal orifice is its inferior opening; recall that the vagina opens posterior to the external urethral orifice, within the vestibule of the vagina.
  • Vestibule of the vagina is bound by the labia minora.

Connective tissues

Anchor and support the reductive organs within the pelvis.

Broad ligament

  • A double-layered sheet of peritoneum that extends laterally from the uterus
  • Subdivisions:
    • The mesosalpinx is the superior part of the broad ligament that wraps over the uterine tubes;
    • The mesovarium is a posterior extension of the broad ligament that attaches to the ovaries as surface epithelium;
    • The mesometrium is the largest part of the broad ligament; it extends from the uterus to the pelvic walls.

Ovarian ligament

  • Attaches the ovary to the outer surface of the uterus; it is enclosed by the mesovarium.

Round ligament of the uterus

  • Is continuous with the ovarian ligament, and exits the pelvis anteriorly via the inguinal canal to terminate within the labia majora.

Suspensory ligament of the ovary

  • Aka, infundibulopelvic ligament
  • A peritoneal fold that extends laterally from the ovary; neurovascular structures that travel within it.

Clinical correlations:

  • Ectopic pregnancy refers to the implantation of an embryo outside of the uterus, most commonly occur within the uterine tubes, but potentially in the ovary, abdomen, or pelvis. Treatment is required because ectopic pregnancies can be life-threatening.
  • Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissues from the uterine lining are displaced and implanted on the surfaces of the abdominopelvic organs. These tissues remain responsive to hormonal signals, and can cause significant pain and scarring. Treatments, including hormonal contraceptives, can limit the activity of lesions and reduce pain.