The
Female Reproductive system is located in the pelvis area of the body
and consists of ovaries, sex organs, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina
and external genitals or vulva.. The Female pelvis is shallower than
the male and the inlet of the pelvis is rounder and wider than the
male. The female sacrum is also wider and shorter than the male. All
these differences play a important role in child bearing.
There are two ovaries one on each
side of the uterus. They are connected to the uterus by Fallopian
tubes. The ovaries produce eggs or ova and at birth itself they have
a more than required life time supply of eggs i.e. 2 million
immature eggs. Every month between puberty and menopause, one mature
egg is released. The ovaries also produce female sex hormones
Estrogen and Progesterone. These hormones control the menstrual
cycle as well as maintain the female sex characteristics.
Menstrual and Ovarian Cycles: The ovarian cycle is
responsible for the release of the egg from the ovary and the
menstrual cycle for the preparation of the uterus to receive the egg
should it get fertilized. Both these cycles last usually for 28 days
every month. Ovulation i.e. bursting of the follicle to release its
egg in the uterine tube is controlled by a hormone produced by the
pituitary gland Luteinizing Hormone or LH. Follicle Stimulating
Hormone or FSH on the other hand is responsible for the previous to
this event i.e. it stimulates the growth of immature eggs. When one
of them grows more than the others LH starts its work. If this egg
is not fertilized, a new ovarian cycle starts after 14 days of
ovulation. Menstrual cycle causes a thickening of the uterine wall
i.e. Endometrium so that it can receive the fertilized egg. Estrogen
and Progesterone, both help in this thickening process. In case of
absence of fertilization, the levels drop causing the fall of
endometrium.
Uterus protects the fetus during its
growth. The wall of the uterus has a thick muscle layer called
Myometrium, which stretches during pregnancy and contracts to help
push the baby out at the time of delivery.
The uterus is connected to the vagina
by Cervix. Vagina is a muscular tube of 8-10 cms. length and
accommodates the penis during intercourse and acts as a route for
the baby to come out at birth.
External genitalia or Vulva consists of Vaginal Lips: Labia
Majora and Labia Minora. They protect the vulva. Clitoris is like
penis in males. It is important for sexual arousal.
Development of External Genitalia: At six weeks after
fertilization, the external genitals are identical in both males and
females. If the embryo has XY chromosome it becomes Male and if XX
it becomes Female. In males the Y chromosome is responsible for the
development of Testes, which produces testosterone, which develop
the external genitals into penis and scrotum. In the absence of this
Y chromosome, Clitoris develops instead of Penis and Labia instead
of Scrotum. The child's sex can be easily differentiated at 12 weeks
after fertilization.