Biology Today — May 2017

Fig.:

Female reproductive system showing primary and secondary sex organs

Wall of Uterus

Broad ligament supports uterine tubes, uterus and

vagina

Internal os

(internal orifice)

Cervical

os

(external orifice)

Fallopian tubes or oviducts

10-20 cm long and comprises of following regions

Parts of Uterus

Vaginal artery

Uterine tube

Round ligament of uterus

Mesovarium

anchor

the ovary in between.

Ovary

Paired, almond-shaped structures, 2-4 cm in length. Located in upper pelvic cavity and held in

place by several ligaments.

The ovary is covered by germinal epithelium

and

tunica albuginea

.

The

ovarian stroma

consists of

cortex

(outer

dense layer) and

medulla

(inner less dense layer).

Isthmus

Short, narrow thick-walled portion that follows the

ampulla.

Ampulla

The widest and the

longest part of Fallopian tube where fertilisation of the ovum generally

takes place.

Infundibulum Funnel-shaped

fimbriated free end of the oviduct, opens into the body cavity by an aperture called ostium.

Fimbriae

Help in collection of the ovum after ovulation, have folds lined with cilia that

produce a slow current towards ostium for the passage of liberated ovum towards inside of

oviduct.

Suspensory ligament

anchor the ovary laterally

to the pelvic wall.

Uterine artery

and vein

Endometrium:

Inner glandular layer that lines the uterine

cavity and undergoes cyclical changes during menstrual cycle.

Myometrium:

Middle thick layer of smooth muscle fibres

Perimetrium:which shows strong contraction during delivery of the baby.

Outer thin covering of peritoneum.

Fundus

Upper dome-shaped region of the uterus which lies above the level of entry of

oviducts.

Body of Uterus The main part of uterus. It is broad towards the fundus and narrows down towards the cervix.

Cornua Upper corners where the oviducts enter the uterus.

Uterine part Passes through the uterine

wall and

communicates with uterine

cavity.

Ovarian ligament

attaches

the ovary to the uterus.

Cervix

Small narrow cylindrical inferior extremity of uterus which is about 2.5 cm in length, communicates above with the body of the uterus by an aperture called

internal os

and with the

vagina below by

external os

.

Vagina

About 10 cm long tube, extends from the cervix to the outside of the body. The opening of the vagina is called the

vaginal orifice

. It is partially covered

by a membrane called

hymen

.

Uterine cavity or uterus

A hollow muscular, inverted pear shaped structure, lies in the pelvic cavity between urinary bladder and rectum.

Cervical canal

(cavity of cervix)

The cavity between the internal os and external os.