Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System

The ovary is a paired organ located within the ovarian fossa on the side wall of the pelvis, completely covered by peritoneum.

The ovary is roughly 3 centimeters long, 2 centimeters wide, and 1 centimeter thick, resembling an almond in shape.

The upper end of the ovary is connected to the Fallopian tube via the ovarian fimbria and the suspensory ligament. The lower end connects to the upper lateral angle of the uterus through the ligament of the ovary.

The lateral surface of the ovary faces the parietal peritoneum of the pelvic wall, while the medial surface interacts with the fimbriated end of the Fallopian tube.

The posterior border of the ovary is free, while the anterior border attaches to the upper part of the broad ligament via the mesovarium.

The suspensory ligament extends from the upper end of the ovary to the pelvic wall. It carries the ovarian vessels, nerves, and lymphatics.

The mesovarium is a peritoneal fold that connects the anterior border of the ovary to the broad ligament. It carries the ovarian vessels and nerves.

The widest part of the fallopian tube and the site where fertilization typically occurs.

The funnel-shaped opening of the fallopian tube that captures the egg released from the ovary.

The narrowest and shortest part of the fallopian tube.

The portion of the fallopian tube that connects the ampulla to the uterus.

The uppermost part of the uterus, above the entrance of the fallopian tubes, with no internal cavity.

The central and largest part of the uterus, containing a triangular cavity, and is freely movable.

The lowermost, narrowed portion of the uterus that connects to the vagina.

The space between the uterus and the bladder.

The space between the uterus and the rectum.

The part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It is further divided into the supra-vaginal part and the vaginal part.

The upper part of the uterus, located above the cervix. It has a uterine cavity and is responsible for hosting a developing fetus.

A strong, fibrous cord that helps support the uterus in the pelvis. It connects to the upper part of the uterus and extends towards the inguinal canal, eventually attaching to the labia majora.

A thick, double-layered fold of peritoneum that extends from the sides of the uterus to the side wall of the pelvis. It houses the fallopian tubes, ovarian ligaments, and other structures.

A short, fibrous band connecting the ovary to the uterus. Located at the upper, lateral angle of the uterus.

This ligament helps to support the cervix and is located at the anterior part, connecting to the pubic bone.

The anterior part of the isthmus of the uterus, where the peritoneum is reflected to create a pouch. This pouch is a space separating the bladder and the uterus.

A small sac-like structure located at the upper end of the uterus. It is where the egg is released during ovulation and where fertilization takes place.

A strong fibrous band that supports the cervix and helps to hold it in position. It attaches to the cervix and extends to the sacrum.

This refers to the normal position of the uterus. It is tilted forward (anteverted) and slightly bent forward (anteflexed).

The uterosacral ligament is a strong ligament running from the back of the cervix to the front of the sacrum (S2 and S3), helping to support the uterus and keep it in place.

The uterine artery, a branch of the internal iliac artery, supplies blood to the uterus, the medial part of the fallopian tubes, and the vagina.

The venous drainage of the uterus occurs through uterine veins, which arise from venous plexuses on the sides of the uterus and drain into the internal iliac veins.

The lymphatic drainage of the uterus varies depending on the location. The fundus, upper body, and uterine tubes drain to the para-aortic lymph nodes, while the lower body drains to external iliac lymph nodes.

The vagina is a fibromuscular tube connecting the cervix to the vestibule, extending upwards and backwards, forming a right angle with the uterus.

The broad ligament is a peritoneal fold that helps divide the pelvic cavity into two compartments: the anterior compartment containing the bladder and posterior compartment containing the sigmoid colon, rectum, and coils of ileum.

The broad ligament has two surfaces: the lower vesical surface facing towards the urinary bladder and the upper intestinal surface facing towards the small intestines.

The broad ligament has four borders: the upper free border containing the fallopian tube, the lower posterior border attached to the pelvic floor, the medial border attached to the uterus, and the lateral border attached to the pelvic wall.

The broad ligament includes several anatomical structures, including the fallopian tube, the ureter, the ligament of ovary, the round ligament of uterus, the uterine artery, the ovarian artery, the uterovaginal and ovarian nerve plexus, the epioophoron and paraoophoron, connective tissue, lymphatics, and lymph nodes.

The mesosalpinx is the part of the broad ligament between the fallopian tube and the mesovarium.

The mesometrium is the remaining lower medial part of the broad ligament on the sides of the uterus.

The uterine artery runs along the medial border of the broad ligament, then along the upper border, while the ovarian artery runs within the suspensory ligament of the ovary.

The transverse cervical (Mackenrodt's) ligament connects the pelvic wall to the cervix and vagina, while the pubocervical ligament connects the cervix and vagina to the pubis.