Vagina The vagina is a fibromuscular (made up of fibrous and muscular tissue)
canal leading from the outside of the body to the cervix of the uterus. It is also referred to as the birth canal in the context of
pregnancy. During
sexual intercourse,
semen containing
spermatozoa is
ejaculated from the
penis into the vagina, potentially enabling
fertilization of the
egg cell (ovum).
Cervix The cervix is the neck of the uterus, the lower, narrow portion where it joins with the upper part of the vagina. It is
cylindrical or
conical in shape and protrudes through the upper anterior vaginal wall. Approximately half its length is visible, the remainder lies above the vagina beyond view. The vagina has a thick layer outside and it is the opening through which the fetus emerges during delivery.
Uterus The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive
organ. The uterus provides mechanical protection, nutritional support, and waste removal for the developing embryo (weeks 1 to 8) and fetus (from week 9 until the delivery). In addition, contractions in the muscular wall of the uterus are important in pushing out the fetus at the time of birth. The uterus contains three suspensory ligaments that help stabilize the position of the uterus and limits its range of movement. The
uterosacral ligaments keep the body from moving inferiorly and anteriorly. The
round ligaments restrict posterior movement of the uterus. The
cardinal ligaments also prevent the inferior movement of the uterus. The uterus is a pear-shaped
muscular organ. Its major function is to accept a fertilized ovum, which becomes implanted into the
endometrium, and derives nourishment from blood vessels, which develop exclusively for this purpose. The fertilized ovum becomes an
embryo, develops into a
fetus and gestates until
childbirth. If the egg does not embed in the wall of the uterus, the female begins
menstruation.
Fallopian tubes The fallopian tubes are two tubes leading from the ovaries into the uterus. On maturity of an ovum, the follicle and the ovary's wall rupture, allowing the ovum to escape and enter the fallopian tube. There it travels toward the uterus, pushed along by movements of
cilia on the inner lining of the tubes. This trip takes hours or days. If the ovum is fertilized while in the fallopian tube, then it normally implants in the
endometrium when it reaches the uterus, which signals the beginning of
pregnancy.
Ovaries The ovaries are small, paired
gonads located near the lateral walls of the pelvic cavity. These organs are responsible for the production of the
egg cells (ova) and the secretion of hormones. The process by which the egg cell (ovum) is released is called
ovulation. The speed of ovulation is
periodic and impacts the length of a
menstrual cycle. After ovulation, the egg cell travels through the fallopian tube toward the uterus. If fertilization is going to occur, it often happens in the fallopian tube; the fertilized egg can then implant in the uterus's lining. During fertilization the egg cell plays a role; it releases certain molecules that are essential to guiding the sperm and allows the surface of the egg to attach to the sperm's surface. The egg can then absorb the sperm and fertilization can begin.
Vestibular glands The vestibular glands, also known as the female accessory glands, are the Bartholin's glands, which produce a
mucous fluid for
vaginal lubrication, and the Skene's glands for the
ejaculation of fluid as well as for lubricating the meatus. ==Function==