Female Reproductive System Anatomy

Study Notes

The female reproductive system is composed of internal and external organs.
External organs are collectively called the vulva.
Vulva includes mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule, and perineum.
Mons pubis is a pad of fat over the pubic symphysis, covered in hair, acting as a buffer during intercourse.
Labia majora are thick folds of skin and hair, covering and protecting other external genital organs.
Labia minora are thin folds of skin between the labia majora, enclosing the clitoris, and forming the fourchette posteriorly. They create lubrication for the vulva.
Clitoris is the erectile organ equivalent to the male penis, rich in blood and nerve supply, very sensitive and vascular.
Vestibule is the area extending from the clitoris to the perineum, containing the urethral opening, Skene's glands, vaginal opening (also called vaginal introitus), and Bartholin's glands.
Bartholin's and Skene's glands secrete mucus to lubricate the vaginal opening during intercourse.
Hymen is a thin elastic membrane partially covering the vagina, usually having a central opening for menstrual flow.
Perineum is the posterior part of the external female reproductive organs, located between the vaginal introitus and the anus.

Internal organs include vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
Vagina is a canal running from the vaginal introitus to the cervix. The posterior wall is 10 cm longer than the anterior wall (only 8cm), with an acidic pH (4.5) protecting against infection by killing pathogenic organisms.
Uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped, muscular organ located between the bladder and rectum. It has three layers - endometrium (inner lining), myometrium (muscle layer), and perimetrium (outer layer of peritoneum).
Uterus functions to support the fetus during pregnancy and contract to expel the contents after pregnancy..
Uterus position is anteverted (tilted forward) and anteflexed (bent forward).
Fallopian tubes are paired, muscular tubes extending from uterine horns to the peritoneal cavity near the ovaries. They are 11 cm long and lined with ciliated mucous membranes. They receive sperm and propel the ovum toward the uterus, providing a site for fertilization.
Ovaries are small organs producing ova and secreting female sex hormones (progesterone and estrogen). The fallopian tube and ovary together are called the adnexa of the uterus.

Uterus parts are the body (corpus), isthmus, and cervix (neck).
Corpus (body) has the fundus (rounded part above the fallopian tubes) and the cornua (points of fallopian tube attachment).
Isthmus is the narrow area between the corpus and the cervix, expanding during pregnancy. It forms the lower uterine segment in labor.
Cervix has an internal os (opening between the isthmus and the cervix) and an external os (opening between the cervix and the vagina). The cervix stretches during vaginal delivery.