Page 39 - Human anatomy COMPLETELY DONE1

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
In the female reproductive system (figure 26), internal and external organs are
distinguished. The internal organs include paired ovaries, paired oviducts (fallopian or
fallopian tubes), uterus and vagina. The outer ones include the labia minora and labia
majora, the clitoris.
The ovaries are female sex glands, their length is about 3 cm. They produce a
number of hormones, they mature eggs – female germ cells. The ovaries are
homologues of the testicles – the male sex glands.

Figure 26. Female reproductive system

In the body cavity, each ovary is immersed in a fringed funnel on one side, which
passes into the fallopian tube.
The fallopian tubes (figure 27) serve as a transport system for the egg and the
place of its fertilization. They open into the uterus.
The egg moves towards the uterus due to the contraction of the smooth muscles
of the oviduct, as well as the movement of the ciliary epithelium of its walls. In the
oviduct, the final maturation of the egg takes place, and here it can be fertilized by a
sperm. If fertilization does not occur, the egg goes into the uterine cavity, where it is
destroyed.
The uterus is a hollow organ with thick muscular walls, designed for carrying a
fetus. Inside, the uterus is lined with a mucous membrane. The lower end of the uterus
– the cervix (thick muscular ring) opens into the vagina, which is a muscular tube, also
with sufficiently thick walls.

39