This article is about the human female reproductive system. For the human male reproductive system, seemale reproductive system. For the female reproductive systems of other organisms, seereproductive system.
The humanfemale reproductive system is made up of the internal and externalsex organs that function in thereproduction of newoffspring. The reproductive system is immature at birth and develops atpuberty to be able to release maturedova from theovaries, facilitate theirfertilization, and create a protective environment for the developingfetus duringpregnancy. Thefemale reproductive tract is made of several connected internal sex organs—thevagina,uterus, andfallopian tubes—and is prone to infections.[1] The vagina allows forsexual intercourse andchildbirth, and is connected to the uterus at thecervix. The uterus (or womb) accommodates theembryo by developing theuterine lining.
The uterus also produces secretions which help the transit ofsperm to the fallopian tubes, where sperm fertilize the ova. During themenstrual cycle, the ovaries release an ovum, which transits through the fallopian tube into the uterus. If an egg cell meets with sperm on its way to the uterus, a single sperm cell can enter and merge with it, creating azygote. If no fertilization occurs,menstruation is the process by which the uterine lining is shed as blood, mucus, and tissue.
Labia: two types of vertical folds of skin called thelabia majora (thick and large outer folds that protect other parts of the vulva) and thelabia minora (thin and small inner folds that protect the vestibule from dryness, infections and irritation).
The vagina is a fibromuscular (made up of fibrous and muscular tissue)canal leading from the outside of the body to the cervix of the uterus. It is also referred to as the birth canal in the context ofpregnancy. Duringsexual intercourse,semen containingspermatozoa isejaculated from thepenis into the vagina, potentially enablingfertilization of theegg cell (ovum).
The cervix is the neck of the uterus, the lower, narrow portion where it joins with the upper part of the vagina. It iscylindrical orconical in shape and protrudes through the upper anterior vaginal wall. Approximately half its length is visible, the remainder lies above the vagina beyond view. The vagina has a thick layer outside and it is the opening through which the fetus emerges during delivery.
The uterus or womb is the major female reproductiveorgan. The uterus provides mechanical protection, nutritional support, and waste removal for the developing embryo (weeks 1 to 8) and fetus (from week 9 until the delivery). In addition, contractions in the muscular wall of the uterus are important in pushing out the fetus at the time of birth.
The uterus contains three suspensory ligaments that help stabilize the position of the uterus and limits its range of movement. Theuterosacral ligaments keep the body from moving inferiorly and anteriorly. Theround ligaments restrict posterior movement of the uterus. Thecardinal ligaments also prevent the inferior movement of the uterus.
The uterus is a pear-shapedmuscular organ. Its major function is to accept a fertilized ovum, which becomes implanted into theendometrium, and derives nourishment from blood vessels, which develop exclusively for this purpose. The fertilized ovum becomes anembryo, develops into afetus and gestates untilchildbirth. If the egg does not embed in the wall of the uterus, the female beginsmenstruation.[5]
The fallopian tubes are two tubes leading from the ovaries into the uterus. On maturity of an ovum, the follicle and the ovary's wall rupture, allowing the ovum to escape and enter the fallopian tube. There it travels toward the uterus, pushed along by movements ofcilia on the inner lining of the tubes. This trip takes hours or days. If the ovum is fertilized while in the fallopian tube, then it normally implants in theendometrium when it reaches the uterus, which signals the beginning ofpregnancy.[6]
The ovaries are small, pairedgonads located near the lateral walls of the pelvic cavity. These organs are responsible for the production of theegg cells (ova) and the secretion of hormones. The process by which the egg cell (ovum) is released is calledovulation. The speed of ovulation isperiodic and impacts the length of amenstrual cycle.
After ovulation, the egg cell travels through the fallopian tube toward the uterus. If fertilization is going to occur, it often happens in the fallopian tube; the fertilized egg can then implant in the uterus's lining.[7][8] During fertilization the egg cell plays a role; it releases certain molecules that are essential to guiding the sperm and allows the surface of the egg to attach to the sperm's surface. The egg can then absorb the sperm and fertilization can begin.[9]
The vestibular glands, also known as the female accessory glands, are the Bartholin's glands, which produce amucous fluid forvaginal lubrication, and the Skene's glands for theejaculation of fluid as well as for lubricating the meatus.
In the absence of fertilization, the ovum will eventually traverse the entire reproductive tract from the fallopian tube until exiting the vagina throughmenstruation.
Chromosome characteristics determine the genetic sex of a fetus atconception. This is specifically based on the 23rd pair of chromosomes that is inherited. Since the mother's egg contains an X chromosome and the father's sperm contains either an X or Ychromosome, it is the male who determines the fetus' sex. If the fetus inherits the X chromosome from the father, the fetus will be a female. In this case,testosterone is not made and theWolffian duct will degrade thus, theMüllerian duct will develop into female sex organs. Theclitoris is the remnants of the Wolffian duct. On the other hand, if the fetus inherits the Y chromosome from the father, the fetus will be a male. The presence of testosterone will stimulate the Wolffian duct, which will bring about the development of the male sex organs and the Müllerian duct will degrade.[11]
Vaginitis is inflammation of the vagina and largely caused by an infection. It is the most common gynaecological condition presented.[12] It is difficult to determine any one organism most responsible for vaginitis because it varies from range of age, sexual activity, and method of microbial identification. Vaginitis is not necessarily caused by asexually transmitted infection as there are many infectious agents that make use of the close proximity to mucous membranes and secretions. Vaginitis is usually diagnosed based on the presence of vaginal discharge, which can have a certain color, odor, or quality.[13]
This is a vaginal infection in women. It differs from vaginitis in that there is no inflammation. Bacterial vaginosis is polymicrobial, consisting of manybacteria species. The diagnosis for bacterial vaginosis is made if three of the following four criteria are present: (1) Homogenous, thin discharge, (2) apH of 4.5 in the vagina, (3)epithelial cells in the vagina with bacteria attached to them, or (4) a fishy odor. It has been associated with an increased risk of other genital tract infections such asendometritis.[13]
This is a common cause of vaginal irritation and according to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention at least 75% of adult women have experienced one at least once in their lifetime. Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of fungus in the vagina known asCandida. Yeast infections are usually caused by an imbalance of the pH in the vagina, which is usually acidic. Other factors such as pregnancy, diabetes, weakened immune systems, tight fitting clothing, ordouching can also be a cause. Symptoms of yeast infections include itching, burning, irritation, and a white cottage-cheese-like discharge from the vagina. Women have also reported that they experience painful intercourse and urination as well. Taking a sample of the vaginal secretions and placing them under a microscope for evidence of yeast can diagnose a yeast infection. Treatment varies from creams that can be applied in or around the vaginal area to oral tablets that stop the growth of fungus.[13]
There are many practices of mutilating female genitalia in different cultures. The most common two types of genital mutilation practiced areclitoridectomy, the circumcision of the clitoris and the excision of theclitoral prepuce. They can all involve a range of adverse health consequences such asbleeding, irreparable tissue damage, andsepsis, which can sometimes prove fatal.
Genitoplasty refers to surgery that is carried out to repair damaged sex organs particularly following cancer and its treatment.There are alsoelective surgical procedures, which change the appearance of the external genitals.
There are many types of birth control available to females. Birth control can be hormonal or physical in nature. Oral contraception can assist with management of various medical conditions, such as menorrhagia.[14] However, oral contraceptives can have a variety of side effects, including depression.[15]
TheInternational Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics was founded in 1954 to promote the well-being of women particularly in raising the standards of gynaecological practice and care. As of 2010, there were 124 countries involved.
It is claimed in theHippocratic writings that both males and females contribute their seed to conception; otherwise, children would not resemble either or both of their parents. Four hundred years later,Galen identified the source of 'female semen' as the ovaries in female reproductive organs.[16]
^Ellis, Harold; Mahadevan, Vishy (2013).Clinical anatomy: applied anatomy for students and junior doctors (13th ed.). Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.ISBN978-1-118-37376-7.
^abcZaino, Richard J.; Robboy, Stanley J.; Bentley, Rex; Kurman, Robert J. (2011). "Diseases of the Vagina".Blaustein's Pathology of the Female Genital Tract. pp. 105–154.doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-0489-8_3.ISBN978-1-4419-0488-1.
^Iyer, V; Farquhar, C; Jepson, R (2000). Iyer, Vadeihi (ed.). "Oral contraceptive pills for heavy menstrual bleeding".Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2) CD000154.doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000154.PMID10796696.
^Anwar, Etin. "The Transmission of Generative Self and Women's Contribution to Conception." Gender and Self in Islam. London: Routledge, 2006. 75. Print.
