Female Checklist
Female Reproductive System
Components of the female
reproductive system
Ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, external genitalia,
and breasts containing the mammary glands.
Functions of the female
reproductive system
The female reproductive system produces oocytes and
receives sperm cells from the male. Fertilization of an
oocyte by a sperm cell is the beginning of a new individual.
The female reproductive system supports the development
of a new individual before birth and provides nourishment
in the form of milk after birth. In addition, the female
reproductive system produces sex hormones responsible for
the normal development of the adult female body and
sexual behavior.
Mons pubis
A prominence or raised area over the symphysis pubis
caused by a pad of fatty tissue.
Labium majus (pl., labia majora)
One of two folds of skin containing fat that cover the entry
into the female's reproductive tract.
Pudendal cleft
The space between the labia majora.
Labium minus (pl., labia minora)
One of two thin skin folds located deep to the labia majora.
Vagina
A muscular tube that is a passageway for menstrual flow
and delivery of a baby. It also receives the penis during
intercourse and is the site for semen deposition.
The smooth muscle and elastic fibers of the vaginal wall
allows distention of the vagina during delivery and
intercourse.
Urinary bladder
A large, hollow organ that stores urine. The urine is
eliminated through a tube called the urethra.
The urinary bladder and urethra are adjacent to the anterior
wall of the vagina.
In females, the reproductive tract (vagina) and the urethra
are separate from each other. In males, the urethra is part
of both the urinary and reproductive tracts. That is, urine
and semen both pass through the urethra.
Rectum
The posterior wall of the vagina is associated with the
rectum, the inferior part of the digestive tract from which
feces is eliminated.
Vestibule of vagina
The space between the labia minora, containing the vaginal
orifice (opening to the vagina), urethral orifice (opening to
the urethra), and the openings of the vestibular glands (not
shown).
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Orifice of vagina
The external opening into the vagina.
Hymen.
A fold of mucous membrane that partially closes the
vaginal orifice. Often, the margins of the hymen meet at
the midline, and the vaginal orifice appears as a slit
between them. The hymen, however, is variable in size and
appearance, and sometimes completely closes the vaginal
orifice (imperforate hymen). It can also be absent.
The hymen can be ruptured during sexual intercourse,
pelvic examination, and physical activity. After rupture, a
few tags or rounded elevations of the hymen remain around
the vaginal orifice.
The hymen marks the junction between the external and
internal genitalia.
External urethral meatus
The opening into the urethra.
Clitoris
A small, cylindrical organ containing erectile tissue.
Stimulation of the clitoris initiates and intensifies sexual
tension.
Prepuce
An anterior extension of the labia minora that covers the
clitoris.
Two erectile tissue bodies called the corpora cavernosa
(sing., corpus cavernosum) form the clitoris.
Parts of corpus cavernosum
The glans (head), body, and crura.
The glans and body are usually 2-3 cm (about 1 in) long
and are often described as resembling a small penis.
During embryonic development some tissues can develop
into female or male reproductive structures depending on
the sex of the embryo. The tissue that gives rise to the
corpora cavernosa of the clitoris in the female becomes the
corpora cavernosa of the penis in the male.
During sexual excitement, the corpora cavernosa fill with
blood, resulting in "erection" of the clitoris. In most
women there is an increase in diameter, but not length, of
the glans and body of the clitoris. As a result, there is
increased contact of the clitoris with the prepuce and
surrounding tissues, and the clitoris is more easily
stimulated.
The crus of the clitoris is the part of the corpus cavernosum
that attaches the clitoris to the coxa.
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Ischiocavernosus muscle
A skeletal muscle that surrounds the crus of the clitoris.
Contraction of the ischiocavernosus muscle helps to
maintain erection of the clitoris by compressing the crus of
the clitoris.
Bulb of vestibule
One of two elongated masses of erectile tissue located
along the sides of the vaginal orifice. Anteriorly, the bulbs
are connected by erectile tissue to one another and to the
glans of the clitoris.
During sexual excitement, the bulbs of the vestibule fill
with blood, compressing the walls of the vagina. As a
result, the vaginal orifice narrows, increasing pressure on
the penis during intercourse.
The bulbs of the vestibule and the corpus spongiosum of
the penis are derived from the same tissue during
embryonic development.
Bulbospongiosus muscle
A skeletal muscle that is located along the sides of the
vaginal orifice. It covers the bulb of the vestibule.
Contraction of the bulbospongiosus muscles compresses
the walls of the vagina. As a result, the vaginal orifice
narrows, increasing pressure on the penis during
intercourse.
Greater vestibular gland
One of two glands on each side of the vaginal orifice. Its
duct opens into the vestibule in the groove between the
labium minus and the hymen.
The greater vestibular glands produce a mucous secretion
that may provide a very small amount of lubrication during
intercourse.
Lesser vestibular glands
Several small glands producing a mucous secretion that is
released into the vestibule between the external urethral
meatus and the vaginal orifice. They help to maintain the
moistness of the vestibule.
Most of the lubricating secretions produced by the female
during intercourse are derived from the vaginal wall, which
has an extensive network of thin-walled blood vessels.
Instead of a glandular secretion, the watery vaginal
secretion results from the diffusion of fluid from the thinwalled blood vessels.
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Uterus
A hollow, thick-walled, muscular organ located in the
pelvic cavity between the urinary bladder and the rectum.
Inferiorly, the uterus connects to the vagina. Note that the
uterus is tipped anteriorly and is at approximately a ninety
degree angle to the vagina. Distention of the urinary
bladder and rectum can cause the uterus to move.
The uterus is the organ in which the development of a new
individual takes place. Part of the uterine wall becomes the
placenta, which is the site of gas, nutrient, and waste
exchange between the mother's blood and fetal blood.
During delivery, contraction of the thick, smooth muscle
walls pushes the baby and the afterbirth (placenta and other
membranes) out of the uterus.
Parts of the uterus
The cervix (meaning neck) connects to the vagina.
body of the uterus is the main part of the uterus.
The fundus is the superior end of the uterus. Fundus is a
general term meaning the back part of an organ farthest
from the opening into the organ.
Fornix
A recess in the vaginal wall formed by the projection of the
cervix into the vagina.
A diaphragm is a dome-shaped plastic or rubber barrier
placed over the cervix where it extends into the fornix. A
diaphragm reduces the likelihood of fertilization by
blocking the movement of sperm cells into the uterus.
External os of cervical canal
The opening into the uterus.
Cervical canal
The passageway through the cervix.
Uterine cavity
The space within the body and fundus of the uterus.
Endometrium
The inner layer uterus, which forms the lining of the uterine
cavity and cervical canal. In a sexually mature woman, the
endometrium undergoes cyclic changes approximately
every 28 days. These changes thicken the endometrium
and prepare it for implantation and the development of a
new individual. If implantation does not occur, then
menstruation proceeds. Menstruation is the discharge of
most of the endometrium and bloody fluid from the uterus.
Myometrium
The middle layer of the uterus. It is smooth muscle
covered externally with a layer of connective tissue fascia
(blue). Contraction of the myometrium expels the
endometrium and menstrual fluid. Contraction of the
myometrium also expels the baby and afterbirth during
delivery.
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Perimetrium
The perimetrium is VISCERAL peritoneum forming the
outer layer of the uterus. The uterus is NOT
retroperitoneal.
Ureter
One of two ducts, which connect the kidneys to the urinary
bladder. The ureters transport urine from the kidneys to the
urinary bladder.
Uterine (Fallopian) tube
One of two tubes that arises from the uterus at the junction
of the body and fundus. The uterine tube opens into the
uterine cavity and into the peritoneal cavity.
The uterine tube transports an oocyte from an ovary to the
uterine cavity. The movement of cilia lining the uterine
tube moves the oocyte in a small amount of peritoneal
fluid. The cilia only beat toward the uterus.
The uterine tube also provides a passageway for sperm
cells to swim from the uterine cavity toward the ovary.
Parts of the uterine tube
The isthmus is the narrow part of the uterine tube attached
to the uterus.
The ampulla is the expanded middle part of the uterine
tube. Fertilization of an oocyte typically takes place in the
ampulla.
The infundibulum is the distal, funnel-shaped part of the
uterine tube.
The opening of the infundibulum is lined with fingerlike
processes called fimbriae. When an ovary releases an
oocyte, it moves into the peritoneal cavity. Cilia on the
fimbriae move the oocyte from the peritoneal cavity into
the infundibulum.
Ovary
The ovary is a 3 cm (1.2 in) long gland in the pelvic cavity.
There are two ovaries.
The ovary produces oocytes (female sex cells). It also
produces the female sex hormones estrogen and
progesterone.
Suspensory ligament
Ligament attaching the ovary to the pelvic wall.
Ovarian ligament
Ligament attaching the ovary to the uterus.
Round ligament
Ligament attaching the uterus to the pelvic wall.
Broad ligament
On each side, the broad ligament is a fold of peritoneum
extending from the pelvic wall to the uterus . As it extends
to the uterus, the broad ligament ensheaths the uterine tube
and ovary.
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Breast
One of two hemispheric projections located over the
pectoralis major muscle on either side of the chest. Its
attached surface usually extends from the level of the 2nd
or third rib to the sixth rib.
The breast contains the mammary glands, which produce
milk for nourishment of the newborn.
Nipple and areola
Externally, the breast of both men and women has a raised
nipple surround by the areola. The areola is a circular,
darkly pigmented area of skin with a slightly bumpy
surface caused by small glands beneath the skin.
When a mother nurses her baby, milk exits the breast at the
nipple. Secretions from the areolar glands help to prevent
chafing as the baby suckles the breast.
Mammary gland
Glandular tissue within the breast. The mammary gland is
composed of 15-20 lobes. The mammary glands produce
milk.
Lactiferous ducts
Each lobe of the mammary gland has a lactiferous duct,
which empties onto the nipple.
Suspensory ligament
Ligaments attaching to the fascia of the underlying
pectoralis major muscle and supporting the breast.
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Application Questions
4. Sperm cells deposited in a woman's vagina swim in search of an oocyte. Some of the sperm
cells swim completely through the woman's reproductive tract to reach the peritoneal cavity.
Give the following structures, arrange them in the order a sperm cell encounters them as it
swims from the vagina to the peritoneal cavity.
Ampulla of uterine tube
Cervical canal
Infundibulum of uterine tube
Isthmus of uterine tube
Uterine cavity
5. The clitoris is sometimes describe as being like a small penis. In what ways is the clitoris
similar to a penis and in what ways is it different?
6. A teenager, attempting an abortion using a coat hanger, punctures the uterus. Give the
following layers of the uterus, list the layers in the order they are punctured.
Endometrium
Myometrium
Perimetrium
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Application Answers
4. A sperm cells swimming from the vagina reaches the peritoneal by passing through the
following:
Cervical canal
Uterine cavity
Isthmus of uterine tube
Ampulla of uterine tube (the typical site of fertilization)
Infundibulum of uterine tube
An ectopic pregnancy results when a fertilized oocyte implants somewhere other than the
uterus. Most ectopic pregnancies occur in the uterine tube, which does not have the same
ability to expand as the uterus. This is life-threatening to the woman, because growth of the
fetus causes the uterine tube to rupture and bleed.
Rarely an oocyte does not enter the uterine tube and is fertilized in the peritoneal cavity by a
sperm cell that swims through the uterine tube. Following fertilization, the developing cells
would normally implant in the uterine wall. Because the uterine wall is not available, the
cells usually die.
Very, very rarely, however, the cells implant on a mesentery. A mesentery is a fold of
peritoneum that connects to an abdominal organ such as the small intestine. Mesenteries
have an abundant blood supply, and it is possible for them to function like the wall of the
uterus. It is also possible for such an ectopic pregnancy to go full term. Delivery is
accomplished by surgically cutting through the abdominal wall and removing the baby.
5. The clitoris is similar to the penis because it contains erectile tissue, the corpora cavernosa.
It is different in that it does not contain the corpus spongiosum and urethra.
6. From inside to outside, the layers of the uterus are:
Endometrium
Myometrium
Perimetrium
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