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Aug 22, 2024 · Female anatomy includes the internal and external structures, including those responsible for hormones, reproduction, and sexual activity. The female reproductive system is essential for hormone regulation, sexual pleasure, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and more. The main parts of the female anatomy can be broken up into external and internal parts.
ANATOMY SYSTEMS. Skeletal System The skeletal system includes all of the bones and joints in the body. Muscular System The muscular system is responsible for the movement of the human body. Cardiovascular System The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood vessels, and the approximately 5 liters of blood that the blood vessels transport.
- Overview
- External anatomy
- Internal anatomy
- Breasts
- Summary
Female anatomy includes the external genitals, or the vulva, and the internal reproductive organs, which include the ovaries and the uterus.
One major difference between males and females is their reproductive organs. Anatomy specific to females generally relates to sexual function, reproduction, and hormone control.
Males and females have physically different sexual anatomy, but all sex organs come from the same bundle of cells during fetal development. A baby’s biological sex is determined at the moment the father’s sperm meets the mother’s egg.
This article will look in detail at the structure and function of the female internal and external organs.
Below is a 3D model of female anatomy, which is fully interactive.
Explore the model using your mouse pad or touchscreen to understand more about female anatomy.
Mons pubis
The mons pubis, or public mound, is the fleshy area on the pelvic bone where females typically grow pubic hair.
Vulva
The vulva refers to the external parts of a female’s genitals. It consists of several parts, including the labia majora, the labia minora, and the glans clitoris. The list below provides more detail on these parts: •Labia majora. These are the fleshy outer lips on either side of the vaginal opening. The word “labia” is Latin for “lips.” These outer lips usually grow pubic hair. •Labia minora. These are the inner lips. They sit inside the outer lips but can be varying sizes. In some females, for example, the inner lips extend beyond the outer lips. •Clitoris. The glans clitoris sits at the top of the vulva, located where the inner lips meet. It is usually around the size of a pea, though size varies from person to person. Only the tip of the clitoris is visible, but it has two shafts that extend into the body by as much as 5 inches. The clitoris contains many nerve endings that are very sensitive, especially during sexual stimulation. •Clitoral hood. The clitoral hood is the fold of skin that surrounds the head of the clitoris. It protects the clitoris from friction. •Urethral opening. The opening to the urethra sits above the vaginal opening. The urethra connects to the bladder, and the opening is where urine exits the body.
Vagina
As mentioned above, the vagina is the canal that connects the vulva with the uterus. The opening to the vagina is part of the vulva. The vagina can vary in size, but the average length is about 2.5 to 3 inches. That said, it expands in length during arousal. It also contains special structures called Bartholin’s glands. These are two “pea-sized” glands that sit on either side of the vaginal opening. These glands are responsible for secreting lubrication to keep the vaginal tissues from becoming too dry.
Cervix
The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus. It is a cylinder-shaped area of tissue that separates the vagina from the rest of the uterus. During birth, the cervix dilates to allow the baby to move through the vagina.
Uterus
The uterus is located in the middle of the pelvic cavity. This muscular sac will house the fetus during pregnancy. During a female’s monthly menstrual cycle, the lining of the uterus thickens with blood in preparation for the release of an egg from one of the ovaries. This is to prepare a nourishing environment for a fetus if pregnancy occurs. If pregnancy does not occur, the uterine lining sheds. This is called the menstrual period. It occurs every around 28 days, though cycle length varies between females. The upper portion of the uterus is connected to the ovaries by the fallopian tubes.
Many people consider breasts “accessory organs” to the female reproductive system, as they are responsible for supplying milk to an infant after childbirth.
The major external components of the breasts include the:
•Nipple. The nipple is the rounded area where milk drains to feed a baby. They have many nerve endings that can make them an area of sexual stimulation. Nipples do not always protrude. Some females have flat or inverted nipples.
•Areola. The areola is the pigmented area that surrounds the nipple. It is circular and varies in size from person to person. It contains small glands, called Montgomery glands, that secrete lubrication to keep the nipple from drying out, especially when nursing.
•Breast tissue. The breast is the area of skin on the chest that is composed of fat, muscle, and ligament tissue, as well as an intricate network of blood vessels and glands. These areas are specialized for breastfeeding. Breast tissue size varies greatly from person to person, often due to a combination of individual genetics and body mass.
Internally, the breasts are primarily composed of fat. The amount of fat can determine breast size. However, breast size has no bearing on the amount of milk someone is able to produce.
The female body contains many organs that work together to achieve a variety of functions.
The shape and size of many of these organs naturally vary from person to person. However, if a female is concerned that any part of their anatomy might not be “normal,” they can talk to their doctor.
- Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA
Part of the TeachMe Series The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is intended for medical education, and does not create any doctor-patient relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.
- Skull. The skull is composed of 22 bones that are fused together except for the mandible. These 21 fused bones are separate in children to allow the skull and brain to grow, but fuse to give added strength and protection as an adult.
- Hyoid and Auditory Ossicles. The hyoid is a small, U-shaped bone found just inferior to the mandible. The hyoid is the only bone in the body that does not form a joint with any other bone—it is a floating bone.
- Vertebrae. Twenty-six vertebrae form the vertebral column of the human body. They are named by region: Cervical (neck) - 7 vertebrae. Thoracic (chest) - 12 vertebrae.
- Ribs and Sternum. The sternum, or breastbone, is a thin, knife-shaped bone located along the midline of the anterior side of the thoracic region of the skeleton.
Aug 30, 2018 · The human skeletal system consists of all of the bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments in the body. Altogether, the skeleton makes up about 20 percent of a person’s body weight.. An adult’s ...
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The body is a complex and intricate system, made up of various organs, muscles, and bones. Understanding the different parts of the female body is essential for overall health and well-being. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the body parts diagram woman, highlighting key structures and their functions. 1. Head and Neck.
