Appendix One
Biology of Woman's Reproductive System
The female reproductive system is almost entirely hidden within the pelvis. The female reproductive system is remarkable as it provides organs in which intercourse can take place, as well as producing ova for fertilization, and it provides a place for the fetus to develop and finally a path for child birth.
Females have external organs collectively called the vulva. The outer part of the vulva covers the opening to a narrow cannel called vagina, which leads to the cervix [24]. A thin sheet of tissue called the hymen partially covers the opening of the vagina[24, 25]. The labia minora are flattened lengthwise into folds between the labia majora[25]. These lips form a covering the clitoris, the vaginal opening and the urethra opening. The clitoris is a small cylindrical structure (this is similar to the male penis containing erectile tissue) that is concentrated with many nerve endings and is one of the most important organs for reaching orgasm.
The vagina is a 3- to 6-inch-long tubular structure that
extends from the vaginal opening to the uterus[24]. It has
muscular walls lined with
mucous membrane, and it serves as the female organ of copulation as well as the
birth canal. The vagina connects with the uterus (commonly referred to as the
womb), in which the fetus develops during pregnancy. The uterus is shaped like
an inverted pear and is approximately 3 inches long and two inches wide[24]. The
uterus is lined by the endometrium, which thickens up to ovulation and is shed
when there is no fertilization.
At
the lower part of the uterus is the cervix, which opens into the vagina. At the
upper part, the fallopian tubes connect the uterus with the ovaries, two
oval-shaped organs that lie to the right and left of the uterus. They produce,
store, and release eggs through the fallopian tubes into the uterus[24,25]. The ovaries
also produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone.