OVERVIEW OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM / 830 OVARY / 831 Ovarian Structure / 832 Follicle Development / 833 Ovulation / 837 Capacitation and Fertilization / 840 Atresia / 843 Blood Supply and Lymphatics / 845 Innervation / 845 UTERINE TUBES / 845 UTERUS / 848 Cyclic Changes During the Menstrual Cycle / 850 Implantation / 852 Cervix / 853 PLACENTA / 854 VAGINA / 860 EXTERNAL GENITALIA / 861 MAMMARY GLANDS / 863 Hormonal Regulation of the Mammary Gland / 866 Involution of the Mammary Gland / 867 Blood Supply and Lymphatics / 870 Innervation / 870 Folder 23.1 Clinical Correlation: Polycystic Ovarian Disease / 839 Folder 23.2 Clinical Correlation: In Vitro Fertilization / 844 Folder 23.3 Functional Considerations: Summary of Hormonal Regulation of the Ovarian Cycle / 846 Folder 23.4 Clinical Correlation: Fate of the Mature Placenta at Birth / 860 Folder 23.5 Clinical Correlation: Cytologic Pap Smears / 862 Folder 23.6 Clinical Correlation: Cervix and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infections / 868 Folder 23.7 Functional Considerations: Lactation and Infertility / 870
The female reproductive system consists of internal sex organs and external genital structures.
The internal female reproductive organs are located in the pelvis, and the external genital structures (external genitalia) are situated in the anterior part of the perineum known as the vulva.
 The internal female reproductive organs are the ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina (Fig. 23.1). They are contained mainly within the pelvic cavity and in the perineum.
 The external genitalia include the mons pubis, labia majora and minora, clitoris, vestibule and opening of the vagina, hymen, and external urethral orifice.
The mammary glands are included in this chapter because their development and functional state are directly fundus of uterus body of uterine portion isthmus of mesosalpinx ampulla of of uterine tube uterine tube uterine tube suspensory ligament of ovary ovary ligament of ovary mesometrium perimetrium
FIGURE 23.1 • Schematic drawing of female internal sex organs. This drawing shows the posterior view of the female internal sex organs. Part of the wall of the uterus, uterine tube, and vagina has been removed to reveal their internal structure. Note the three distinct layers of the uterine wall: the inner layer, the endometrium lining the uterine cavity; the middle and thickest layer, the myometrium; and the outer layer, the perimetrium, which is the peritoneal covering of the uterus.
related to the hormonal activity of the female reproductive system. Similarly, the placenta is included because of its functional and physical relationship to the uterus in pregnancy.
Female reproductive organs undergo regular cyclic changes from puberty to menopause.