THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

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The article is a simple review of the female reproductive organ. There are two parts on female sexual anatomy; internal and external organs. The female sexual anatomy and its composite parts allow women to become pregnant, bear children and other biological functions.

A. Internal Organs
Key organs for female reproduction are protectively located deep within the body. These include:

Ovaries
Location : Pelvic region on either side of the uterus.
Function : Provides an environment for maturation of oocyte. Synthesizes and secretes sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone).
Description : A woman normally has a pair of ovaries that resemble almonds in size and shape. They are home to the female sex cells, called eggs, and they also produce estrogen, the female sex hormone. Women’s ovaries already contain several hundred thousand undeveloped eggs at birth, but the eggs are not called into action until puberty. Roughly once a month, starting at puberty and lasting until menopause, the ovaries release an egg into the fallopian tubes; this is called ovulation. When fertilization does not occur, the egg leaves the body as part of the menstrual cycle.

Fallopian tubes
Location : Extending upper part of the uterus on either side.
Function : Egg transportation from ovary to uterus (fertilization usually takes place here).
Description: These are narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of the uterus and serve as tunnels for the ova (egg cells) to travel from the ovaries to the uterus. Conception, the fertilization of an egg by a sperm, normally occurs in the fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg then moves to the uterus, where it implants into the lining of the uterine wall.

Uterus
Location : Center of pelvic cavity.
Function : To house and nourish developing human.
Description : The uterus is located in the pelvis of a woman’s body and is made up of smooth muscle tissue. Commonly referred to as the womb, the uterus is hollow and holds the fetus during pregnancy. Each month, the uterus develops a lining that is rich in nutrients. The reproductive purpose of this lining is to provide nourishment for a developing fetus. Since eggs aren’t usually fertilized, the lining usually leaves the body as menstrual blood during a woman’s monthly period.

Cervix
Location : The lower narrower portion of the uterus.
Function : During childbirth, contractions of the uterus will dilate the cervix up to 10 cm in diameter to allow the child to pass through. During orgasm, the cervix convulses and the external os dilates.
Description :The lower part of the uterus, which connects to the vagina, is known as the cervix. Often called the neck or entrance to the womb, the cervix lets menstrual blood out and semen into the uterus. The cervix remains closed during pregnancy but can expand dramatically during childbirth.

Vagina
Location : Canal about 10-8 cm long going from the cervix to the outside of the body.
Function : Receives penis during mating. Pathway through a womans body for the baby to take during childbirth. Provides the route for the menstrual blood (menses) from the uterus, to leave the body. May hold forms of birth control, such as an IUD, diaphragm, neva ring, or female condom.
Description : The vagina has both internal and external parts and connects the uterus to the outside of the body. Made up of muscle and skin, the vagina is a long hollow tube that is sometimes called the “birth canal” because, if you are pregnant, the vagina is the pathway the baby will take when it’s ready to be born. The vagina also allows menstrual blood to leave a woman's body during reproduction and is where the penis deposits semen during sexual intercourse.

B. External Parts
The entrance to the vagina is surrounded by external parts that generally serve to protect the internal organs; this area is called the vulva. The vulva consists of the following:

Labia majora
Location : Outer skin folds that surround the entrance to the vagina.
Function : Lubrication during mating
Description : The labia majora enclose and protect the other external reproductive organs. Literally translated as "large lips," the labia majora are relatively large and fleshy, and are comparable to the scrotum in males. The labia majora contain sweat and oil-secreting glands. After puberty, the labia majora are covered with hair.

Labia minora
Location : Inner skin folds that surround the entrance to the vagina.
Function: Lubrication during mating
Description : Literally translated as "small lips," the labia minora can be very small or up to 2 inches wide. They lie just inside the labia majora, and surround the openings to the vagina (the canal that joins the lower part of the uterus to the outside of the body) and urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body).

Clitoris
Location : Small erectile organ directly in front of the vestibule.
Function : Sexual excitation, engorged with blood.
Description : The clitoris is a sensitive organ located above the vaginal opening. The clitoris does not directly affect reproduction, but it is an important part of the female sexual anatomy; many women need clitoral stimulation to orgasm.

Mons veneris
Location : Mound of skin and underlying fatty tissue, central in lower pelvic region.
Description : The mons veneris, Latin for "mound of Venus" (Roman Goddess of love) is the soft mound at the front of the vulva (fatty tissue covering the pubic bone). It is also referred to as the mons pubis. The mons veneris is sexually sensitive in some women and protects the pubic bone and vulva from the impact of sexual intercourse. After puberty it is covered with pubic hair, usually in a triangular shape. Heredity can play a role in the amount of pubic hair an individual grows.

Perineum
Location : Short stretch of skin starting at the bottom of the vulva and extending to the anus.
Description : The perineum is the short stretch of skin starting at the bottom of the vulva and extending to the anus. It is a diamond shaped area between the symphysis pubis and the coccyx. This area forms the floor of the pelvis and contains the external sex organs and the anal opening. It can be further divided into the urogenital triangle in front and the anal triangle in back.The perineum in some women may tear during the birth of an infant and this is apparently natural. Some physicians however, may cut the perineum preemptively on the grounds that the "tearing" may be more harmful than a precise cut by a scalpel. If a physician decides the cut is necessary, they will perform it. The cut is called an episiotomy.

This knowing describes the importance of good health of the female reproductive system: the organs involved in the process of reproduction, hormones that regulate a woman's body, the menstrual cycle, ovulation and pregnancy, the female's role in genetic division, birth control, sexually transmitted diseases and other diseases and disorders.