Female Reproductive System | Reproduction 2 | Science Specials Week S01 E08

Today we are going to know about the Female Reproductive System

Ovaries are oval egg sacks present on either side of Uterus, they are around 2 to 4 cm in length. 

These gonads are fixed to the Abdominal Wall via Ligaments known as Mesovarium. The Ovaries have 2 primary components, the lining Germinal Epithelium and the inner Ovarian Stroma. 

The Germinal Epithelium gives rise to precursors to the Female Gametes or Egg. The Egg is released straight into the Abdominal Cavity! Above the Ovaries, finger-like projections known as Fimbriae, they snatch the released Egg. These Fimbriae originate from the tubes that join the Uterus known as Fallopian Tube (Oviduct, Uterine Tube or Salphinx). 

The first place to the Ovary is the Infundibulum of which the Fimbriae are a part from the Fallopian Tube. The second place to the Ovary in the Fallopian Tube is the broadest portion called as the Ampulla, this is where fertilization takes place. 

The Zygote will then travel to the third portion of the Fallopian Tube, which is much narrower and shorter "Isthmus". The entire Fallopian Tube has smooth muscles in the wall along with Ciliated Epithelium, which help guide the Ovum and the Zygote. The Isthmus open into the angles of the Uterus, the organs that are responsible for housing the Fetus. The Uterus sits behind and rests on the Bladder which is situated in front of it. 

The Uterus is angulated such that on an empty Bladder it is almost horizontal. The Uterus has a peritoneal attachment to the Abdominal Wall, known as Mesometrium which is double layered. The Uterus is smallest coming in at 8 cm long, 5 cm wide and 2 cm thick in Nulliparous Women, that is women who have not yet had children, Women who have had 2 or more children are known as Multiparous Women whose Uterus are slightly larger. 

The Uterus consists of 3 layers:

The outermost is the Perimetrium, which is essentially an external peritoneal covering.

The middle layer is smooth muscular layer fittingly called the Myometrium, this is responsible for the contractions of the Uterus.

The inner layer is the Endometrium and this layer changes its composition in a monthly cycle. It is essentially an inner Mucus Membrane made of simple columnar Epithelial Cells, some of which are ciliated. This layer has a rich Vascularity and a large number of tubular Glands all of which undergo cyclical changes.

Further down the Uterus we can see an opening called Internal OS which leads to a canal known as Cervical Canal. The Cervix is markedly narrower than the Uterus and is divided into Supervaginal Cervix and Vaginal Cervix portions below. 

The Vaginal portions extend into the Vagina, having both an Anterior Lymph and a Posterior Lymph. This portion opens into the Vagina via an opening called the External OS. Moving down the Cervix we reach the last portion of the Internal Reproductive System, the Vagina. The Vagina is wider than the Cervix, it is very elastic allowing it to accommodate the Male Erectile Organ for insemination. The walls of the Vagina are highly muscular with 2 layers of smooth muscle. 

The Vagina runs downward for around 7.5 cm after which it opens to the exterior, Genitalia which can be seen from outside. 

The functions of Female Reproductive System:

1. Oogenesis

2. Reception of Sperm

3. Conception

4. Pregnancy

5. Parturition

6. Lactation

Thank you!

I hope you learned something new today!

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