Female Reproductive System

external genitalia

Also known as the vulva, consists of the labia minora, labia major, mons pubis, and clitoris.

infundibulum

The expanded trumpet shaped end of the uterine tube which curves around the ovaries

Ovum

The female reproductive cell found in the ovaries.

cervix

The inferior part of the uterus, shaped like a short broad cylinder with a narrow central channel. It is angled forward and projects into the vagina at the fornix.

fornix

The recess formed between the margin of the cervix and the vaginal wall.

labia majora

The two broad folds lateral to the labia minora that unite anteriorly to form the mons pubis.

Ovary

are similar developmentally to the testes in men, are contained within the pelvic cavity on the lateral wall and suspended by a mesentary that is part of the broad ligament. They produce eggs.

clitoris

composed of corpora cavernosa and the glans clitoris. it has a root with two crura and a body formed of unattached parts of the two corpora cavernosa.

uterosacral ligament

condensation of fascia that extends form the cervix to the posterior pelvic wall. Thought to stabilize the uterus

pubocervical ligament

condensation of fascia that extends from the cervix to the anterior pelvic wall. thought to stabilize the uterus

cardinal or transverse ligament

condensation of fascia that extends from the cervix to the lateral pelvic wall. Thought to stabilize the uterus

round ligament

continuation of the ovarian ligament, it extends to the labium majus in the perineum

ovarian ligament

fibromuscular band that attached to the inferior ovary and continues toward the uterus where it turns and continues anteriolaterally as the round ligament.

vestibular gland

found on either side of the vaginal opening they are connected to the glans clitoris

endometrium

innermost lining of the uterus

myometrium

middle layer of the uterine wall consisting of mostly of smooth muscle cells

Menses

monthly discharge of blood from the uterus that occurs when the uterus sheds its lining

internal orifice

opening of the central canal of the cervix into the uterus

external orifice

opening of the central canal of the cervix into the vagina.

hymen

ring like folds of of membrane that may be centrally perforated of completely close the vaginal opening.

broad ligament

sheet like fold of peritoneum that runts in the coronal plane from the lateral pelvic wall to the uterus and encloses the uterine tube and suspends the ovaries. It has three parts the mesometrium that extends from the lateral pelvic wall to the uterus, the mesosalpinx which suspends the uterine tube, and the mesovarium the posterior extension that attaches the ovaries.

suspensory ligament of the pelvis (0r ovaries)

suspends the ovaries and attaches superiorly.

vagina

the copulatory organ in women, it extends from perinium through the pelvic floor and into the pelvic cavity.

body

the middle and largest part of the uterus

ampulla

the middle portion of the uterine tube

isthmus

the narrow part of the uterine tube that joins with the uterus.

fimbriae

the projections of the infundibulum

fundus

the rounded superior end of the uterus

perimetrium

the serous peritoneal coat of the uterus

mons pubis

the united labia major, which overlies the inferior aspects of the pubic symphysis and is anterior to the clitoris.

uterus

thick walled muscular organ found in the midline between the bladder and the rectum. the implantation of the blastocyst occurs in the uterus body

labia minora

thin fold of skin on either side of the midline of the vaginal opening

Fallopian tubes

tubes connected to the uterus and the ovaries that consist of the isthmus the ampulla and the infundibulum (which also has fimbriae off of it).