Unit 9 assignment 3
Function, structure and location of parts of female
reproductive system:
● Cervix
The cervix is a small muscular canal that connects the
uterus and the vagina together. It is found inside the
pelvic cavity about 3-6 inches in the vaginal canal. It
starts at the base of the uterus and stretches down
onto the uppermost part of the vagina. The cervix has
many functions, it plays a role in menstruation as the
period blood that is shed passes from the uterus
through the cervix, it also plays a role in sexual
intercourse because sperm is released into the vagina
and travels through the cervix in order to extend to the
fallopian tubes and uterus so that an egg can be
fertilised, it helps in fertility by secreting cervical
mucus so sperm can pass easily to the uterus, the
cervix also helps during vaginal delivery by widening
so that the baby can come out of the vagina.
● Uterus
The uterus is an empty muscular v-shaped organ
found in between the bladder and the rectum of the
pelvis. The uterus consists of three segments; the uterine fundus, the body and the cervix.
The function of the uterus is to stretch in order to make room for the growing baby during
pregnancy, it is also a place where the egg is fertilised during fertilisation and it is where the
blood and tissue exit from during menstruation.
● Fallopian tube
The fallopian tubes are two muscular and hollow tubes found on each side between the
ovaries and the uterus. The fallopian tubes consist of 4 parts; infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus
and intramural portion. The fallopian tube's function is that they have fimbriae at the ends
where it carries the mature egg into the tube and holds it so it can be fertilised. The fallopian
tubes are a place where fertilisation occurs and It is also a site where an embryo can grow
into a foetus.
● Ovary
The ovaries are small oval-shaped glands found on both sides of the uterus in the lower
abdomen and are held together by ovarian ligaments and muscles. The ovaries have
important functions; they create oestrogen and progesterone which are hormones needed
for secondary characteristics of the female body. The ovaries produce and hold the eggs and
they also play a role in ovulation, this is where an egg is released by the ovaries during
menstruation and it can then be fertilised by sperm.
● Labia
The labia or lips, are folds of the skin found around the opening of the vagina. It consists of
the labia majora, which are outer lips and are covered with pubic hair and the labia minora,
which are inner lips found inside the labia majora. The labia normally start at the clitoris and
end under the vaginal opening. The functions of the labia are to protect the openings of the
urethra and vagina from infections, dryness and irritations and encapsulate them. They also
,contribute to the arousal of the clitoris by secreting lubrication from its glands and spreading
it in the vagina and all around it.
● Endometrium
The endometrium, also known as the uterine lining, is the inner lining found in the uterus.
The endometrium is a tissue and it consists of three layers; the outer compact layer, the
larger spongy middle layer and the inner basal layer. The function of the endometrium is to
prepare the uterus for implantation of an egg and create an optimal environment for this to
happen, it also helps maintain pregnancy if implantation happens and also helps maintain
menstruation if pregnancy doesn’t happen.
● Vagina
The vagina is an elastic, muscular tube which is between 7.5-9 cm in length. It is found
between the bladder and the rectum of the pelvis and it extends from the cervix to the vulva.
The function of the vagina is to let a person experience sexual pleasure as it has many
nerve endings and also provides lubrication to control friction, during menstruation the
endometrium is shed through the vagina and exits your body, during sexual intercourse
sperm is released in the vaginal canal and this is an important stage in fertilisation. The
vagina also plays a role in childbirth as the baby travels from the uterus through the vagina
to be born.
● Myometrium
The myometrium is found between the endometrium and the perimetrium, it is thick and
consists of two layers of uterine smooth muscle, between them a vascular zone. The
function of the myometrium is to expand during pregnancy so that it can hold the baby. It
also induces uterine contractions during labour in order to push the baby out.
● Perimetrium
The perimetrium is found in the outer serosal layer of the uterus. It consists of two layers; the
superficial layer of mesothelium and a thin layer of connective tissues. The main function of
the perimetrium is to reduce friction by secreting a lubricating liquid. It also acts as a
protecting barrier of the important organs of the pelvis and maintains the structure stability of
the uterus
● Fimbriae
Fimbriae are finger-like projections found at the outermost part of the infundibulum of the
ends of the fallopian tubes close to the ovaries. The main function of the fimbriae is to catch
the egg and tiny hair-like structures that line the fimbriae (cilia) sweep the egg to the
fallopian tubes where it can be fertilised and become an embryo and then transport the
embryo to the uterus where it implants itself in the endometrium and eventually grow into a
foetus.
● Uterine fundus
The uterine fundus is thick, muscular and dome-shaped and is situated at the top part of the
uterus above the opening of the fallopian tubes. It consists of a layer of smooth muscle
tissue. The uterine fundus helps to protect the foetus from external trauma and infection, and
also balances important hormones during pregnancy. It also helps the uterus contract and
push the foetus into the vagina.
● Uterine horn
The uterine horn is found in the upper uterus where the fallopian tubes end and meet the
ovary. They have structures along the inner lining which are called carnucles. The function of
the uterine horn is to support the transportation of sperm to the oviducts, they are also a
place where the foetus can grow and develop during pregnancy.
● Ovarian ligament
, The ovarian ligaments are muscular fibrous bands of tissue that can be found within the
lower end of the broad ligament, specifically the parametrium, and are connected to the
uterus. They connect the ovary to the side of the uterus. The ovarian ligaments main
function is to help keep the ovaries and uterus in place.
Function, structure and location of parts of male reproductive system:
● Urethra
The urethra is a 20 cm long tube that starts in the
bladder wall and ends at the distal glans of the
penis. The urethra consists of three parts;
membranous urethra, spongy urethra and
prostatic urethra. The urethra has two functions,
it allows urine to be exited from the body and it
allows sperm to exit the body for fertilisation.
● Scrotum
The scrotum is a thin external sac that is found
underneath the penis, it is made up of smooth
muscle. Protecting the testes is the function of
the scrotum. It helps in the testicles' ability to
regulate their temperature. It maintains the
testis's temperature several degrees below the
body's average, which is crucial for the
production of sperm.
● Testes
The male reproductive system has two oval-shaped testes and each is covered by a tough,
fibrous outer layer (tunica vaginalis) and inner layer (tunica albuginea). The testes are
divided in two parts called lobules and each lobule contains seminiferous tubules. The testes
are found in the scrotum and are connected to the inside of the body by the spermatic cord.
The testes function is to produce and store sperm and the hormones testosterone and
androgens.
● Penis
The penis is found between the front of the body and the scrotum. Its structure consists of
the shaft, head and foreskin. The penis has many functions, it is needed for urination where
urine is released through the urethra found underneath the penis. It is also needed for sexual
intercourse, when sexually aroused the penis can form an erection which is a stiffening of
the penis and also ejaculation, this is the release of sperm from the penis into the
reproductive system of a female.
● Pubic bone
The pelvis is found at the posterior part of the hip bone and it is made up of three types of
bones and the pubic bone is one of them. It consists of a superior ramus, a body and an
inferior ramus. The pubic bone is an important bone because it protects the internal urinary
system as well as the sexual organs of a male.
● Vas deferens
The vas deferens is found posteriorly on each testis, it’s made up of fibrous and muscular
tissue. It is about 30-45 cm long and it has some straight and some coiled parts. It stretches
to join with the seminal vesicle duct to create the ejaculatory duct. The vas deferens main
function is to receive mature sperm from the epididymis and then to the urethra and the
ejaculatory duct so that ejaculation can occur.
