Female Reproductive Organs

The female genital organs consist of the internal genitalia and the external genitalia. The ovary, uterine tube, uterus, and vagina form the internal genitalia. These organs are responsible for production of the female gamete, the oocyte, and for nourishing, protecting, and delivering the new life that results from fertilization of the oocyte by the sperm. The external genitalia consist of the erectile tissues, glands, and folds of skin that proctect the entry into the female internal genitalia. These organs are the clitoris, vestibular glands, and labia majora and minora.

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Sagittal section of female pelvis

Medial view

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Dissection of female abdominoplevic cavity

Superoanterior view

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Ovary The ovaries are the site of oocyte, “egg,” production in the female. These solid organs are approximately the size of an unshelled almond and project into the lower abdominal cavity at the boundary of the pelvis where they are

covered and supported by folds of the peritoneum. During embryonic life, millions of oogonia, potential oocytes, surrounded by nursing follicular cells begin their development. Of these millions of cells only about 500 are ever ovulated during the female’s reproductive life. The follicular cells not only nurse the ooytes, but also are the endocrine cells of the ovary that produce the estrogens and progesterone.

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16Round ligament of uterus

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Photomicrograph of ovary

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Ovary in situ

Anterior view

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