during intercourse, and forms part of the birth canal during
labour.• The opening of the vagina is called the vaginal orifice. It
is partially covered in virgins by a perforate membrane called
hymen. It often gets ruptured during vigorous physical
exercise. In some it persists even after coitus. Therefore, its
presence or absence is not a reliable proof of virginity.external genitalia
• The female external genitalia include the mons pubis,
labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule of the
vagina, and vestibular glands. External genetalia are
collectively called vulva.• The mons pubis is the rounded fatty prominence over the
junction of the pubic bones.• The labia majora, the female homologue of the scrotum,
are two prominent skin folds that form the outer lips of the
vulva.• The labia minora are small skin folds lying under the labia
majora. They surround the urethral and vaginal openings,
and the area thus enclosed is the vestibule.• The vaginal opening lies behind the opening of the urethra.
• The clitoris, the female homologue of the penis, is an
erectile structure located at the top of the vulva.female accessory glands
(i) The lesser vestibular glands (Paraurethral glands or
glands of skene): These are numerous minute glands that
are present on either side of the urethral orifice (opening).
These glands are homologous to the male prostate and
secrete mucus.
(ii) The greater vestibular glands (Bartholin’s glands):
They are a pair of small glands occurring one on each side
of the vaginal opening. Secretion of this gland is thick,
viscid and alkaline for lubrication during copulation and
counteracting the urinary acidity. They correspond to
cowper’s gland.mammary glands
• mammary glands or breasts
are the modified sweat
glands that lie over the
pectoral muscles. They are
also present in males but in
a rudimentary form.
• Each breast has a broad
multiporous tip called nipple for the release of milk. a
circular pigmented area called areola is present around
it.
• Internally, each breast consists of 15-25 lobes that radiate
around and open at the nipple.
• Within lobes of each mammary gland are present smaller
unit called lobules, which contain glandular alveoli that
produce milk in lactating woman.
• The alveoli open into mammary tubules. The tubules of
each lobe join to form a mammary duct. Several mammary
ducts join to form a wider mammary ampulla which is
connected to lactiferous duct through which milk is sucked
out.
• During pregnancy, the glands grow under the influence
of oestrogen and progesterone. On the infant’s birth, the
hormone prolactin stimulates the production of milk and the
hormone oxytocin causes release of milk as the infant sucks
the breast. after menopause, the glands atrophy.Hormonal control of female reproductive
system
• Gnrh secreted by hypothalamus stimulates secretion of Lh
and FSh from anterior pituitary.
• FSh stimulates growth of the ovarian
follicles and formation of estrogen.
• Lh stimulates corpus luteum
to secrete progesterone.
• rising level of progesterone
inhibits the release of Gnrh,
which, in turn, inhibits the
production of FSh, Lh and
progesterone.