NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Female reproductive system

The human female reproductive system contains two main parts: the vagina and uterus, which act as the receptacle for the male's sperm, and the ovaries, which produce the female's ova. All of these parts are always internal; the vagina meets the outside at the vulva, which also includes the labia, clitoris and urethra. The vagina is attached to the uterus through the cervix, while the uterus is attached to the ovaries via the Fallopian tubes. At certain intervals, the ovaries release an ovum, which passes through the fallopian tube into the uterus. Image File history File links From Image:Fem_isa. ... Image File history File links From Image:Fem_isa. ... Human female internal reproductive anatomy The vagina (from the Latin for sheath or scabbard ) is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ of most mammals, including humans. ... Human female internal reproductive anatomy Ovaries are a part of a female organism that produces eggs. ... Appearance of the vulva Labeled picture of external female reproductive anatomy. ... Parts of a vulva The external genital organs of the female are collectively known as the vulva (also sometimes called the pudenda). ... A womans clitoris extends from the visible portion to a point below the pubic bone. ... Male anatomy Female anatomy In anatomy, the urethra is a tube which connects the urinary bladder to the outside of the body. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy Close up view of the ectocervix and external os Schematic frontal view of female anatomy The cervix (from Latin neck) is actually the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy The Fallopian tubes or oviducts are two very fine tubes leading from the ovaries of female mammals into the uterus. ... A human ovum An ovum (loosely, egg or egg cell) is a female sex cell or gamete. ...

If, in this transit, it meets with sperm, the sperm penetrate and merge with the egg, fertilizing it. The fertilization usually occurs in the oviducts, but can happen in the uterus itself. The zygote then implants itself in the wall of the uterus, where it begins the processes of embryogenesis and morphogenesis. When developed enough to survive outside the womb, the cervix dilates and contractions of the uterus propel the fetus through the birth canal, which is the vagina. A spermatozoon fertilizing an ovum Fertilization (also known as conception, fecundation and syngamy) is fusion of gametes to form a new organism. ... Embryogenesis is the process by which the embryo is formed and develops. ... Morphogenesis (from the Greek morphÃª shape and genesis creation) is one of three fundamental aspects of developmental biology along with the control of cell growth and cellular differentiation. ...

The ova are larger than sperm and are generally all created by birth. Approximately every month, a process of oogenesis matures one ovum to be sent down the Fallopian tube attached to its ovary in anticipation of fertilization. If not fertilized, this egg is flushed out of the system through menstruation. Oogenesis refers to the process of formation, development, and maturation of a healthy oocyte (egg) in the ovary. ... The menstrual cycle is the periodic change in a womans body that occurs every month between puberty and menopause and that relates to reproduction. ...

Vagina

The vagina is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female mammals, or to the cloaca in female birds and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the oviduct. Human female internal reproductive anatomy The vagina (from the Latin for sheath or scabbard ) is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. ... Image File history File links Human female cervix. ... Image File history File links Human female cervix. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ of most mammals, including humans. ... Orders Subclass Embrithopoda (extinct) Subclass Creodonta (extinct) Hyaenodontidae Oxyaenidae Subclass Multituberculata (extinct) Plagiaulacida Cimolodonta Subclass Palaeoryctoides (extinct) Subclass Triconodonta (extinct) Subclass Placentalia Afrosoricida Artiodactyla Carnivora Cetacea Chiroptera Dermoptera Desmostylia (extinct) Hyracoidea Insectivora Lagomorpha Macroscelidea Perissodactyla Pholidota Primates Proboscidea Rodentia Scandentia Sirenia Tubulidentata Xenarthra Subclass Marsupialia Dasyuromorphia Didelphimorphia Diprotodontia Microbiotheria Notoryctemorphia... In zoological anatomy, a cloaca is the posterior opening that serves as the only such opening for the intestinal, urinary, and genital tracts of certain animal species. ... Orders Many - see section below. ... Orders Crocodilia - Crocodilians Rhynchocephalia - Tuataras Squamata Suborder Sauria - Lizards Suborder Serpentes - Snakes Testudines - Turtles Superorder Dinosauria Saurischia Ornithischia The reptiles are a group of vertebrate animals. ... Classes & Orders Subclass: Apterygota Orders Archaeognatha (Bristletails) Thysanura (Silverfish) Monura - extinct Subclass: Pterygota Orders Ephemeroptera (mayflies) Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) Diaphanopteroidea - extinct Palaeodictyoptera - extinct Megasecoptera - extinct Archodonata - extinct Infraclass: Neoptera Orders Blattodea (cockroaches) Isoptera (termites) Mantodea (mantids) Dermaptera (earwigs) Plecoptera (stoneflies) Orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc) Phasmatodea (walking sticks) Embioptera (webspinners) Zoraptera... Invertebrate is a term coined by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck to describe any animal without a spinal column. ... In oviparous animals (those that lay eggs), the passage from the ovaries to the outside of the body is known as the oviduct. ...

The vagina is the place where semen from the man is deposited into the woman's body during sexual intercourse. Semen or sperm is a fluid that contains spermatozoa. ... The missionary position is the most common position for sexual intercourse in humans The cowgirl sex position is a good position for kissing, caressing, and embracing of the paramour The Doggy position is thus named because canines as well as most other mammals use this position. ...

Cervix

The cervix is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina. It is cylindrical or conical in shape and protrudes through the upper anterior vaginal wall. Approximately half its length is visible; the remainder lies above the vagina beyond view. Female internal reproductive anatomy Close up view of the ectocervix and external os Schematic frontal view of female anatomy The cervix (from Latin neck) is actually the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ of most mammals, including humans. ... Human female internal reproductive anatomy The vagina (from the Latin for sheath or scabbard ) is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. ... The word cylinder has several meanings. ... A cone is a basic geometrical shape: see cone (geometry). ...

Uterus

The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ of humans. One end, the cervix, opens into the vagina; the other is connected on both sides to the fallopian tubes. Female internal reproductive anatomy The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ of most mammals, including humans. ... In biology, an organ (Latin: organum, instrument, tool) is a group of tissues, which perform a specific function or group of functions. ... Binomial name Homo sapiens Linnaeus, 1758 Subspecies Homo sapiens idaltu (extinct) Homo sapiens sapiens Human beings define themselves in biological, social, and spiritual terms. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy Close up view of the ectocervix and external os Schematic frontal view of female anatomy The cervix (from Latin neck) is actually the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina. ... Human female internal reproductive anatomy The vagina (from the Latin for sheath or scabbard ) is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy The Fallopian tubes or oviducts are two very fine tubes leading from the ovaries of female mammals into the uterus. ...

The uterus mostly consists of muscle, known as myometrium. It's major function is to accept a fertilized ovum which becomes implanted into the endometrium, and derives nourishment from blood vessels which develop exclusively for this purpose. The fertilized ovum becomes an embryo, develops into a fetus and gestates until childbirth. Schematic drawing of female reproductive organs, frontal view. ... Schematic drawing of female reproductive organs, frontal view. ... A top-down view of skeletal muscle Muscle is a contractile form of tissue. ... A human ovum An ovum (loosely, egg or egg cell) is a female sex cell or gamete. ... Embryos (and one tadpole) of the wrinkled frog (Rana rugosa). ... Fetus at eight weeks A fetus (alternatively foetus or fÅ“tus) is an unborn vertebrate offspring after the embryonary stage. ... Childbirth (also called labour, birth, partus or parturition) is the culmination of a human pregnancy with the emergence of a newborn infant from its mothers uterus. ...

Oviducts

The Fallopian tubes or oviducts are two very fine tubes leading from the ovaries of female mammals into the uterus. Female internal reproductive anatomy The Fallopian tubes or oviducts are two very fine tubes leading from the ovaries of female mammals into the uterus. ... Human female internal reproductive anatomy Ovaries are a part of a female organism that produces eggs. ... Orders Subclass Embrithopoda (extinct) Subclass Creodonta (extinct) Hyaenodontidae Oxyaenidae Subclass Multituberculata (extinct) Plagiaulacida Cimolodonta Subclass Palaeoryctoides (extinct) Subclass Triconodonta (extinct) Subclass Placentalia Afrosoricida Artiodactyla Carnivora Cetacea Chiroptera Dermoptera Desmostylia (extinct) Hyracoidea Insectivora Lagomorpha Macroscelidea Perissodactyla Pholidota Primates Proboscidea Rodentia Scandentia Sirenia Tubulidentata Xenarthra Subclass Marsupialia Dasyuromorphia Didelphimorphia Diprotodontia Microbiotheria Notoryctemorphia... Female internal reproductive anatomy The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ of most mammals, including humans. ...

On maturity of an ovum, the follicle and the ovary's wall rupture, allowing the ovum to escape and enter the Fallopian tube. There it travels toward the uterus, pushed along by movements of cilia on the inner lining of the tubes. This trip takes hours or days. If the ovum is fertilized while in the Fallopian tube, then it normally implants in the endometrium when it reaches the uterus, which signals the beginning of pregnancy. cross-section of two cilia, showing 9+2 structure A cilium (plural cilia) is a fine projection from a eukaryotic cell that constantly beats in one direction. ... A spermatozoon fertilizing an ovum Fertilization (also known as conception, fecundation and syngamy) is fusion of gametes to form a new organism. ... The endometrium is the uterine membrane in mammals which is thickened in preparation for the implantation, of a fertilized egg upon its arrival into the uterus. ... A pregnant woman Pregnancy is the carrying of one or more embryos or feti by female mammals including humans inside their bodies. ...

Ovaries

The ovaries are the place inside the female body where ova or eggs are produced. The process by which the ovum is released is called ovulation. The speed of ovulation is periodic and impacts directly to the length of a menstrual cycle. Human female internal reproductive anatomy Ovaries are a part of a female organism that produces eggs. ... A human ovum An ovum (loosely, egg or egg cell) is a female sex cell or gamete. ... Look up Egg in Wiktionary, the free dictionary Egg has multiple meanings: The term is used synonymously with ovum, the female sex cell in animals and plants. ... Ovulation is the process in the menstrual cycle by which a mature ovarian follicle ruptures and discharges an ovum (also known as an oocyte, female gamete, or casually, an egg) that participates in reproduction. ... Periodicity is the quality of occurring at regular intervals (e. ... Menstrual cycle The menstrual cycle is the set of recurring physiological changes in a females body that are under the control of the reproductive hormone system and necessary for reproduction. ...

After ovulation, the ovum is captured by the oviduct, where it travelled down the oviduct to the uterus, occasionally being fertilised on its way by an incoming sperm, leading to pregnancy. In oviparous animals (those that lay eggs), the passage from the ovaries to the outside of the body is known as the oviduct. ... Categories: Biology stubs ... Sperm is an exocrine secretion of male animal gonads that contains spermatozoa. ... A pregnant woman Pregnancy is the carrying of one or more embryos or feti by female mammals including humans inside their bodies. ...

See Also

Reproduction is the biological process by which new individual organisms are produced. ... The male reproductive system is a series of organs located outside of the body and around the pelvic region of a male. ... Sexual reproduction is a process of reproduction involving the merging of two gametes from the same species to produce a new organism. ... Human female internal reproductive anatomy The vagina (from the Latin for sheath or scabbard ) is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy Close up view of the ectocervix and external os Schematic frontal view of female anatomy The cervix (from Latin neck) is actually the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ of most mammals, including humans. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy The Fallopian tubes or oviducts are two very fine tubes leading from the ovaries of female mammals into the uterus. ... Human female internal reproductive anatomy Ovaries are a part of a female organism that produces eggs. ...

Categories: Articles to be expanded A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, narrowly defined, is any of those parts of the body (which are not always bodily organs according to the strict definition) which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute the reproductive system in an complex organism; namely: Male: penis (notably the glans penis... Female internal reproductive anatomy Close up view of the ectocervix and external os Schematic frontal view of female anatomy The cervix (from Latin neck) is actually the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina. ... A womans clitoris extends from the visible portion to a point below the pubic bone. ... In female human anatomy, the clitoral hood, or prepuce, is a fold of skin that surrounds and protects the clitoris. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy The Fallopian tubes or oviducts are two very fine tubes leading from the ovaries of female mammals into the uterus. ... The Bartholins glands (also called Bartholin glands or greater vestibular glands) are two glands located slightly below and to the left and right of the opening of the vagina in women. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy. ... The hymen (also known under the slang names cherry and maidenhead and The resturant and Eds rainbow and the candanian flag. ... A labium (plural is labia) is any of four folds of tissue of the female external genitalia. ... In both males and females, the breasts are composed of adipose tissue and mammary glands. ... Human female internal reproductive anatomy Ovaries are a part of a female organism that produces eggs. ... In human anatomy, the Skenes glands (also known as the lesser vestibular or paraurethral glands) are glands located on the upper wall of the vagina, around the lower end of the urethra. ... Male anatomy Female anatomy In anatomy, the urethra is a tube which connects the urinary bladder to the outside of the body. ... Female internal reproductive anatomy The uterus or womb is the major female reproductive organ of most mammals, including humans. ... Human female internal reproductive anatomy The vagina (from the Latin for sheath or scabbard ) is the tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. ... Appearance of the vulva Labeled picture of external female reproductive anatomy. ... Male Anatomy In the anatomy of the male human body, the bulbourethral glands (or Cowpers glands) are two small, rounded, and somewhat lobulated bodies, of a yellow color, about the size of peas, placed behind and lateral to the membranous portion of the urethra, between the two layers of... Male Anatomy In the anatomy of the male human body, the bulbourethral glands (or Cowpers glands) are two small, rounded, and somewhat lobulated bodies, of a yellow color, about the size of peas, placed behind and lateral to the membranous portion of the urethra, between the two layers of... Male Anatomy The Ejaculatory ducts are part of the human male anatomy. ... Male Anatomy The epididymis is part of the human male reproductive system and is present in all male mammals. ... Male Anatomy This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... A frenulum (or frenum) is a small fold of tissue that prevents an organ in the body from moving too far. ... Exposed glans of a penis. ... The penis (plural penises or penes) or phallus is the external male copulatory organ of some animals, and, in mammals, the external male organ of urination. ... Male Anatomy The prostate is a gland that is part of male mammalian sex organs. ... The scrotum (human variant shown) is a thin extension of the abdomen that contains the testes and helps regulate their temperature. ... Male Anatomy The seminal vesicles are a pair of glands on the posterior surface of the urinary bladder of males. ... Male Anatomy The spermatic cord is the name given to the cord-like structure formed by the vas deferens and surrounding tissue (veins, arteries, nerves, and lymphatic vessels) that run from the abdomen down to each testicle. ... Human male anatomy The testicles, known medically as testes (singular testis), are the male generative glands in animals. ... Male anatomy Female anatomy In anatomy, the urethra is a tube which connects the urinary bladder to the outside of the body. ... Male Anatomy The vas deferens, also called ductus deferens, (Latin: carrying-away vessel) is part of the human male anatomy. ...

Contents