The female reproductive system and hormone functions

Abstract

The female reproductive system consists of internal and external genital organs. The internal genital organs located in the pelvic cavity include the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the uterus, and the vagina. The external genital organs are represented by the clitoris, the vestibule of the vagina, and the large and small labia. The ovary consists of two layers: the cortex and the medulla. The cortex or cortical region is the part surrounding the medulla and forms the peripheral part. The ovarian cortex contains the ovarian follicles. Follicles of different sizes embedded in the cortex stroma each contain a single oocyte. As the development of the oocyte progresses, the size of the follicle also changes. Uterine tubes are double tubular organs that extend from the uterus to the ovaries. The uterine tubes, also called fallopian tubes, carry the egg from the ovary to the uterus. At the same time, the first stages of fertilization occur here. The uterus is anatomically composed of two parts: the corpus of the uterus and the uterine cervix. The vagina is a fibromuscular tube that joins the internal reproductive organs to the external environment. The vagina possesses a stratified, squamous, nonkeratinized epithelium and lacks glands.