The female reproductive system corresponds to a set of organs mainly responsible for female reproduction and have their functions regulated by the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.
The female genital tract is composed of internal organs such as two ovaries, two uterine tubes, uterus and vagina, and external organs, the main organ of which is the vulva, which consists of large and small lips, pubic mounds, hymens, clitoris and glands. The organs are in charge of producing the female gametes, which are the ovules, to allow implantation of the embryo and, consequently, the gestation.
The reproductive life of the woman begins between 10 and 12 years and lasts for about 30 to 35 years, which corresponds to the period in which the female genitalia are mature and functioning cyclically and regularly. The last menstruation, which happens around age 45, represents the end of reproductive life, since the functions of the genitals begin to diminish, but the woman can still maintain an active sex life. Learn all about menopause.
Internal genital organs
1. Ovaries
Women usually have two ovaries, each located laterally to the uterus. The ovaries are responsible for producing the female sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, which promote the development and functioning of the female sex organs, as well as being responsible for secondary female characters. Learn more about the female hormones and what they are for.
In addition, it is in the ovaries that the production and maturation of the eggs occurs. During the woman's fertile period, one of the ovaries releases at least 1 ovum into the uterine tube, a process known as ovulation. Understand what ovulation is and when it happens.
2. Uterine cancers
The uterine tubes, also called uterine tubes or fallopian tubes, are tubular structures that measure between 10 to 15 cm in length and which connect the ovary to the uterus, functioning as a channel for the passage and fertilization of the eggs.
The fallopian tubes are divided into four parts:
- Infundibular, which is located closer to the ovary and has structures that assist in the capture of the gamete;
- Ampular, which is the longest portion of the uterine tube and which has a thinner wall;
- Isthmian, which is shorter and has a thicker wall;
- Intramural, which crosses the uterine wall and is located in the myometrium, which corresponds to the thick muscular layer intermediate the uterus.
It is in the uterine tubes that the fertilization of the egg by the sperm takes place, being called zygote or egg-cell, that moves to the uterus so that implantation in the uterus and consequent embryonic development occurs.
3. Uterus
The uterus is a hollow, usually mobile, muscular organ that is located between the bladder and rectum and communicates the abdominal cavity and vagina. The uterus can be divided into four parts:
- The fundus, which is in contact with the Fallopian tubes;
- Body ;
- Isthmus ;
- Cervical, which corresponds to the portion of the uterus located in the vagina.
The uterus is also known to be covered externally by the perimetrium and internally by the endometrium, which is the site where the embryo is implanted and, in the absence of a fertilized egg, there is desquamation, which is characterized by menstruation.
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus, has few muscle fibers and has a central cavity, the cervical canal, which connects the uterine cavity to the vagina.
4. Vagina
The vagina is considered as a copulation organ of the woman and corresponds to a muscular canal that extends to the uterus, that is, it allows the communication between the uterus and the external environment.
External genital organs
The main external female genital organ is the vulva, which protects the vagina and urinary orifice and is constituted by several structures that also contribute to the copulation:
- Monte pubiano, also called pubic hill, which presents as a rounded prominence made up of hairs and adipose tissue;
- Large lips, which are skin folds rich in adipose tissue and forming the lateral walls of the vulva. They are coated laterally by hairs and have sebaceous glands, sweat and subcutaneous fat;
- Small lips, which are two thin, pigmented skin folds usually covered by large lips. The small lips are separated laterally from the large lips by the interlabial groove and have large amounts of sebaceous glands;
- Hymen, is an irregular membrane of varying thickness and shapes, which closes the vaginal opening. Usually after the woman's first sexual intercourse, the hymen ruptures, which can be a little painful and result in little bleeding;
- Clitoris, which corresponds to a small erectile body, similar to the male penis. It is rich in sensitive structures, as well as small and large lips.
The vulva is still composed of glands, the Skene glands and the Bartholin glands, the latter being located bilaterally under the big lips and whose main function is to lubricate the vagina during sexual intercourse. Learn more about the Bartholin glands.
How the Female Reproductive System Works
The female reproductive system reaches maturation usually between 10 and 12 years, in which characteristic changes of adolescence can be perceived, such as appearance of breasts, hair in the genital region and the first menstruation, known as menarche. The maturation of the reproductive system occurs due to the production of female hormones, which are estrogen and progesterone. Know the body changes in adolescence.
The woman's reproductive life starts from the first menstruation. Menstruation occurs due to non-fertilization of the ovum produced in the ovary and which is released into the uterine tube every month. Due to the lack of implantation of the embryo in the uterus, the endometrium, which corresponds to the inner lining of the uterus, suffers from desquamation. Understand how the menstrual cycle works.
