Female Anatomy
The female anatomy has a different physical build than the male anatomy.
Resources
Female Anatomy
External Anatomy
Breasts
Are located on the chest made of fat, muscle, ligament tissue, and an elaborate network of blood vessels and glands. These areas are specialized for producing milk to breastfeed. They are sized and shaped differently from person to person and are determined by weight, exercise, age, and pregnancy & breastfeeding. The more fat in the breast the bigger it is and the older the person is the more the breasts will sag. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, they will enlarge due to distribution of fat and tissue making the breast swell.
Major external components
- Breast tissue: is a complex system of tissues linked to nerves, blood vessels and a group of fat cells called adipose tissue. The size differs from one person to the other because of a mixture of genetics and body mass.
- Nipple: is the rounded area containing nine milk duct openings each where milk drains to feed a baby. It has several nerve endings (state of heightened sensitivity) making them a zone of sexual stimulation. Some women have nipples that stick out while others have flat or inverted nipples. They can also have hair and small bumps.Â
- Areola: is the pigmented circular area surrounding the nipple. It varies in size from person to person. It contains the Montgomery glands that are small and produce lubrication preventing the nipple from drying out, especially when nursing. They can grow in size during pregnancy and could remain larger and sometimes darker even after giving birth.Â
Internal components: The breasts are essentially made of fat. The size is determined by the amount of fat. However, the size doesn’t relate to the ability for the amount of milk production.
- Alveoli: are groups of milk producing cells inside the breasts.
- Lactiferous ducts: are passageways through which breast milk exits to feed a baby.
- Lobules: are groups of alveoli that drain into lactiferous ducts and then into lactiferous sinuses (area where milk is stored) that enable milk flow from the nipple.
- Mammary glands: start to develop after puberty in females due to the release of estrogen. These glands are in charge of milk production but only after childbirth.
Mons Pubis
is the fatty area shaped like an upside-down triangle that extends from the top of the pubic hairline to the clitoris. Its funstion is to protect the bone during sexual intercourse. The mons pubis is more prominent in females but is also present in males. The Mons Pubis is referred to as the mons in males and the mons veneris in females.
Vulva
refers to the external parts of a female’s genitals that comprises the labia majora, the labia minora, and the glans clitoris. Some people refer to this part as the ‘vagina’ but the vagina is only the opening through which you have intercourse and give birth.
Dam
is the area between your vulva and your anus that can be referred to as the perineum. It has several nerve endings that are enjoyable when stimulated.
Anus
is an opening that allows feces to leave your body. It is usually covered in pubic hair after puberty.
Internal Anatomy
Vaginal wall
Is a muscular tube that is exceptionally elastic and extends from the vaginal opening to the cervix. Its function is to allow menstrual blood to flow out, sexual intercourse and childbirth. Its size is conditional on different circumstances such as between 6.98 and 8.25 cm long and narrow when unstimulated, can stretch between 10.79 and 12.06 cm long during sex and whengiving bith, the tissues can expand enough to accommodate a baby.Â
Hymen
It is a thin tissue surrounding the opening to the vagina. Most hymens are shaped like a half-moon which enables menstrual blood to leave the vagina. However, some hymens are shaped in a way that it can interfere with menstrual flow, wearing tampons, or having intercourse. It can get torn after the use of tampons, playing sports, or having intercourse for the first time. It is also possible not to have a hymen at all and therefore can’t be linked with virginity.
Cervix
is a narrow tube made of tissue that separates the vagina from the rest of the uterus. It allows for menstrual blood to leave the uterus and to pass through the vagina. It also enables the semen to move through the cervix and enter the uterus. During childbirth, it can expand to allow a baby to move through the vagina.
Uterus
is a muscular organ that is hollow and located between the bladder and rectum in a womans’ pelvis. The lining of the uterus allows the egg to be fertilized and implanted. Its main purpose is to sustain the growing fetus prior to birth. If the egg isn’t fertilized, the uterine lining sheds (the menstrual period). The menstrual cycle length varies from one person to the other but typically happens every 28 days.Â
Ovaries
Are small circular organs that produce eggs attached to fallopian tubes on both sides of the body. However, not all females have two. They also produce hormones called estrogen (responsible for female physical features & reproduction) and progesterone (regulates menstruation and ovulation).
Fallopian tubes
Are muscular tubes that join the ovaries to the uterus. The main purpose is to allow the egg to move towards the uterus for possible fertilization. Ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants in this tube which can cause it to burst.