Female Reproductive Duct System

The funnel-shaped opening of the oviduct that picks up the released egg with the help of cilia is called the oviducal funnel.

The thin membrane partially covering the vaginal opening in young females is called the hymen.

The lower part of the uterus is very narrow and is called cervix.

The female reproductive duct system consists of the fallopian tubes (oviducts), uterus, cervix, and vagina - collectively called the female accessory ducts. They form a continuous pathway from the ovary to the outside of the body, serving functions of egg transport, fertilisation, implantation, fetal development, and childbirth.

Pathway: Ovary → Infundibulum → Ampulla → Isthmus → Uterus → Cervix → Vagina

The fallopian tube is a pair of thin, muscular, ciliated ducts that extend from near each ovary to the uterus.

Four structural regions:

• The inner wall is lined with ciliated epithelium – cilia beat rhythmically toward the uterus to move the ovum along.
• Secretory (peg) cells in the lining produce nutrient fluid that nourishes the ovum during transport.

The uterus is a single, hollow, inverted pear-shaped muscular organ situated in the pelvic cavity. It is the site of implantation and development of the embryo/fetus.

Three parts of the uterus:

• Fundus - dome-shaped upper region above the fallopian tube openings
• Body (Corpus) - main central region
• Cervix - narrow lower portion opening into the vagina

Three layers of the uterine wall (outer → inner):

• During each menstrual cycle, the endometrium thickens to prepare for implantation.
• If fertilisation does not occur, the endometrium sheds as menstrual flow.
• During pregnancy, the myometrium expands to accommodate the growing foetus, then contracts forcefully during delivery.

The cervix is the narrow, cylindrical lower portion of the uterus that connects the uterine body to the vagina.

• Its internal cavity is called the cervical canal.
• Has two openings: Internal OS (toward uterus) and External OS (toward vagina).
• The cervical canal, together with the vagina, forms the birth canal through which the baby passes during delivery.

Functions of the cervix:

• Acts as a gateway – regulates the passage of sperm into the uterus
• Produces thick mucus to protect the uterus from infection
• Dilates during labour to allow the baby to pass through
• Remains tightly closed during pregnancy to retain the fetus

The vagina is a muscular, elastic, tubular structure (~8–10 cm) connecting the cervix to the external genitalia (vulva).

Functions:

• Sperm reception - receives semen during copulation
• Menstrual outlet - passage for menstrual blood
• Birth canal - final passageway during childbirth
• Route for sperm travel toward the uterus

The Hymen:

• A thin membrane partially covering the vaginal opening.
• Present in young females; variability is normal.
• Can rupture due to physical activities (sports, exercise, cycling) – not a reliable indicator of virginity.