The reproductive systems in both the male and female consist of primary and secondary sex organs and sex glands.
The primary function of the reproductive systems is to perpetuate the species through sexual or germ cell fertilization and reproduction.
The uterus is a hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ about the size of a woman’s clenched fist. The top is tipped forward in a normal ‘anteflexion’ position. It can be divided into the body or corpus, and the bottom cervix. The rounded top portion, above the fallopian tubes, is called the fundus.
The uterus is supported and held in position by a number of ligaments. Trauma, disease, or multiple pregnancies can weaken these ligaments and result in abnormal positioning.
The uterus wall has 3 layers: the outside layer called the perimetrium, the muscular inside layer called the myometrium, and the mucous membrane lining the uterus called the endometrium.
Outer layer (Perimetrium)
Thick layer of muscle (Myometrium)
Mucous lining (Endometrium)
The cervical opening is about the diameter of a pencil.
The uterus has 3 functions:
The endometrium sheds the lining of the uterus every 21 to 40 days by menstruation
It provides a place for the protection and nourishment of the fetus during pregnancy
3. It contracts during labor to expel the fetus
The isthmus is the portion that connects to uterus
Tube widens to form the ampulla (am pyu lah)
Fimbria (fihm bree ah) are the finger-like projections around the opening that trap the egg as it leaves the ovary
End of tube is called the infundibulum
(in fun DIB yū lum)
Opening is called the ostium (ah stē um)
The fallopian tube is 4-6 inches long. The egg, released from the ovary, is captured by the fimbria and brought into the fallopian tube. The egg is moved along inside the tube by muscular contractions and the waving action of cilia. It takes an egg about 3-4 days to travel the length of the tube. If an egg is fertilized, it occurs here.
The two ovaries are attached to each side of the uterus by a ligament. They are oval-shaped, about the size of a large olive, and lie close to the fimbria at the end of the fallopian tubes.
Each ovary is filled, already at birth, with egg-containing sacs called follicles. Each egg is called an ovum.
Once every 21 days, one follicle in one ovary ripens. This mature follicle is a graafian (GRAW fee un) follicle. The follicle ruptures in response to hormones from the pituitary gland, releasing the ovum/egg… a process called ovulation.
After the follicle ruptures, it becomes a mass of yellow cells called the corpus luteum. This is a temporary, progesterone-producing structure.
