Female Reproductive System Overview

Study Notes

The female reproductive system comprises external genitalia, internal genitalia, mammary glands, and the bony pelvis.
External genitalia, also known as the vulva, includes the mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule, hymen, and perineum.
The mons pubis is a fatty tissue mass overlying the pubic symphysis, covered in hair and skin.
Labia majora are folds of skin on either side of the vaginal opening, containing fat and sweat glands.
Labia minora are thin folds of skin within the labia majora.
The clitoris is a homologue of the penis, located in front of the pubic symphysis, and contains erectile tissue.
The vestibule is the area enclosed by the labia minora, containing openings for the urethra and vagina.
The hymen is a membrane partially covering the vaginal opening, with various shapes.
The perineum is the area between the vulva and the anus.

Internal genitalia include the vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
The vagina is a fibromuscular tube connecting the cervix to the vulva.
The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped muscular organ situated between the bladder and rectum; It has a cervix, corpus, isthmus, and fundus.
The fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus. They facilitate fertilization.
The ovaries are almond-shaped glands on either side, responsible for egg production and hormone secretion.

The female pelvis is composed of two hip bones (coxal bones), a sacrum, and a coccyx.
The hip bones consist of ilium, ischium, and pubis.
The sacrum is a fused vertebra, articulating with the ilium and coccyx.
The coccyx is a set of fused vertebrae at the inferior end of the sacrum.

The pelvis supports the body's weight and the lower organs, including the urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and developing fetus (during pregnancy).
Different pelvic types exist (gynecoid, android, anthropoid, and platypelloid), varying in shape.

Menstruation is the cyclic uterine bleeding caused by shedding of the endometrium.
The menstrual cycle is composed of the ovarian cycle and endometrial cycle.
The ovarian cycle has follicular, ovulation, and luteal phases.
The endometrial cycle is characterized by menstrual, proliferative, and secretory phases.
The cycle begins at menarche (first period), with an average duration ranging from 21-45 days between periods.

The bony pelvis protects and supports lower abdominal and internal reproductive organs..
Muscle, joints, and ligaments provide further support.
The pelvic floor muscles lie between the coccyx and pubic bone supports pelvic organs.