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Female Reproduction System

female_reproduction_system

The female reproductive system is made up of the vulva, vagina, uterus (the womb), fallopian tubes and the ovaries.  The reproductive system functions by allowing the spermatozoa to travel up the birth canal into the uterus, and then into the fallopian tube where the sperm fertilizes the egg released from the ovary.

The fertilized egg then implants into the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium), at the initial stages of pregnancy. If implantation does not occur, then menstruation happens as the preparations in the endometrium get shed off naturally.

The brain stimulates the ovaries to produce female sex hormones, which maintain the reproductive cycle throughout the woman’s lifetime.

ORGANS WITHIN THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

VAGINA

The vagina is an elastic, tube-like, muscular part of the female genital tract and canal that admits the penis during sexual intercourse.

VULVA

The vulva is the external part of the female genitalia. It protects a woman’s sexual organs, urinary opening, vestibule and vagina. It is also the center of much of a woman’s sexual response.

UTERUS

The uterus is a hollow muscular organ located in the female pelvis between the bladder and rectum. The uterus is the place where the embryo implants to become a fetus and grows to maturity. The uterus contains two major part; lower and upper part. The lower part of the uterus (Cervix) helps direct the sperm ejaculated during sexual intercourse into the uterus. The body of the uterus enables the sperm to swim up to the fallopian tubes to fertilize the ovum (egg). The uterus supports embryo formation and implantation. The lining of the uterus is shed during menstruation. The main function of the uterus is to nourish the developing fetus prior to birth.

OVARIES

The ovaries contain the ovum (egg or oocyte) that is released into the fallopian tubes during ovulation for fertilization. There are two ovaries; one on the left and the other on the right. Every month, one ovum is released from one of the ovaries and enters the fallopian tube during ovulation.

FALLOPIAN TUBES

The fallopian tubes are muscular tubes that are lined with delicate hair-like structures. These “hairs” work in both directions; helping an egg to travel from the ovaries down to the womb (uterus) and helping sperm travel up from the womb towards the ovaries to meet the egg released. Each fallopian tube ends in fimbriae, which are finger-like structures. The fimbriae catch and guide an egg when the ovary releases it. The fallopian tubes enhanced conception since five (5) embryo developments stages occurs within the tube.

SOURCES
  • Heffner, L J and Schust D J, The Reproductive System at a Glance (4th edn, Oxford: Wiley Blackwell, 2014) and J Knight, The Complete Guide to Fertility Awareness (Routledge, 2016).
  • The Interstitial Cystitis Survival Guide by Robert Moldwin, MD, New Harbinger Publications, Inc. © 2000.