Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System
Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System
The reproductive role of the female is far more complex than that of a male. Not only must she produce gametes, but her body must prepare to nurture a developing embryo for a period of approximately nine months. Ovaries, the female gonads, are the primary reproductive organs of a female, and like the male testes, ovaries serve a dual purpose: They produce the female gametes (ova) and sex hormones, the estrogens * and progesterone (pro-ges′tĕ-rōn). The accessory ducts (uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina) transport or otherwise serve the needs of the reproductive cells and a developing fetus. As illustrated in Figure 27.11, the ovaries and duct system, collectively known as the internal genitalia, are mostly located in the pelvic cavity. The female’s accessory ducts, from the vicinity of the ovary to the body exterior, are the uterine tubes, the uterus, and the vagina. The external sex organs of females are referred to as the external genitalia.
The Ovaries
The paired ovaries flank the uterus on each side. Shaped like an almond and about twice as large, each ovary is held in place in the fork of the iliac blood vessels within the peritoneal cavity by several ligaments. The ovarian ligament anchors the ovary medially to the uterus; the suspensory ligament anchors it laterally to the pelvic wall; and the mesovarium (mez″o-va′re-um) suspends it in between. The suspensory ligament and the mesovarium are part of the broad ligament, a peritoneal fold that “tents” over the uterus and supports the uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina. The ovarian ligaments are enclosed by the broad ligament. The ovaries are served by the ovarian arteries, branches of the abdominal aorta, and by the ovarian branch of the uterine arteries. The ovarian blood vessels reach the ovaries by traveling through the suspensory ligaments and mesovaria. Like each testis, each ovary is surrounded externally by a fibrous tunica albuginea which
The reproductive role of the female is far more complex than that of a male. Not only must she produce gametes, but her body must prepare to nurture a developing embryo for a period of approximately nine months. Ovaries, the female gonads, are the primary reproductive organs of a female, and like the male testes, ovaries serve a dual purpose: They produce the female gametes (ova) and sex hormones, the estrogens * and progesterone (pro-ges′tĕ-rōn). The accessory ducts (uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina) transport or otherwise serve the needs of the reproductive cells and a developing fetus. As illustrated in Figure 27.11, the ovaries and duct system, collectively known as the internal genitalia, are mostly located in the pelvic cavity. The female’s accessory ducts, from the vicinity of the ovary to the body exterior, are the uterine tubes, the uterus, and the vagina. The external sex organs of females are referred to as the external genitalia.
The Ovaries
The paired ovaries flank the uterus on each side. Shaped like an almond and about twice as large, each ovary is held in place in the fork of the iliac blood vessels within the peritoneal cavity by several ligaments. The ovarian ligament anchors the ovary medially to the uterus; the suspensory ligament anchors it laterally to the pelvic wall; and the mesovarium (mez″o-va′re-um) suspends it in between. The suspensory ligament and the mesovarium are part of the broad ligament, a peritoneal fold that “tents” over the uterus and supports the uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina. The ovarian ligaments are enclosed by the broad ligament. The ovaries are served by the ovarian arteries, branches of the abdominal aorta, and by the ovarian branch of the uterine arteries. The ovarian blood vessels reach the ovaries by traveling through the suspensory ligaments and mesovaria. Like each testis, each ovary is surrounded externally by a fibrous tunica albuginea which