The Facts of Life: Examining Reproductive Health

Female Anatomy

Female Reproductive System and Female Anatomy

Female Anatomy
Mons pubis: A mound of fatty tissue which is covered with pubic hair after puberty.

Labia majora: Extending from the mons pubis are two folds of tissues called the labia majora. The folds protect the vagina and the urinary opening.

Labia minora: These delicate, sensitive, and hairless folds of skin lie under the labia majora.

Clitoris: The most sensitive of a woman's sexual organs is the clitoris, a small bud-like organ located at the upper junction of the labia minora.

Vagina: The vagina, a muscular tube about 4 to 6 inches in length, provides entry for the penis and sperm, and serves as a passageway for a baby during birth. Cervix: The cervix, which is the neck of the uterus, is located at the upper end of the vagina. The cervix remains closed during pregnancy to keep the outlet of the uterus closed. However, during labor the cervix opens to allow the passage of the baby into the vagina. Uterus: The uterus lies in the lower abdomen and is a muscular, pear-shaped organ. It serves in three processes: menstruation, pregnancy and labor. Normally it is 8 to 9 centimeters long and 4 centimeters thick. However, during pregnancy it expands to nearly one hundred times this size.

6. Drawing of the uterus, including vagina, endocervix and endocervical canal

Vestibular glands (or Bartholin's glands): Located on either side of the opening of the vagina, these glands secrete lubricating mucus during sexual stimulation.

Fallopian tubes: These tubes transport eggs from the ovaries into the uterus.

Ovaries: The two ovaries house eggs (ova) and produce the female hormones of estrogen and progesterone. A female is born with all the eggs she will ever have (sperm are manufactured during a man's lifetime).

Breasts: The breasts lie over the pectoral muscles. Breasts consist of fatty and glandular tissues. The glandular tissue produces a colostrum (milk high in protein and antibodies) and milk following delivery.

7. Drawing of endocervical glands and cells