The body is made up of billions of cells working together to maintain the function of the thousands of tissue types that make up organs. Female and male bodies display sexual dimorphism--although both sexes share similar characteristics, they differ in general body shape and have different organs. Organs within the female reproductive system are exclusively found in females.
Vagina
One female reproductive organ is the vagina, an organ that connects the exterior of the body, the vulva, to the cervix and uterus. The vagina is surrounded by muscle tissue that can contract and expand, and the vaginal canal is lined with epithelial cells. The structure of the vagina allows for expansion to accommodate childbirth, and the vagina also expands during periods of sexual arousal to accomodate a penis. The opening to the vagina is covered by a thin membrane, called the hymen, which commonly ruptures as a result of sexual or physical activity or a physical examination.
Ovaries
Ovaries, the female gonads, make up a part of the female reproductive system. Each woman has two ovaries, and each ovary contains a number of cells called oocytes, also called eggs. The oocytes mature within cysts in the ovary, then break out of the cyst to be released during ovulation. Proper ovarian functioning and oocyte development is required for female fertility, and defects to the ovaries can cause disease and sterility.
The ovaries also act as exocrine glands--they produce and secrete hormones. One key hormone produced within the ovaries is estrogen, a female hormone that signals to a number of tissues throughout the body. Low levels of estrogen are associated with infertility, and chronically low estrogen levels can lead to diseases such as osteoporosis, according to the University of Michigan Health System.
Uterus
Another part of the female reproductive system is the uterus, an organ that houses a growing fetus during pregnancy. The uterus is surrounded by a series of muscle cells and lined with epithelial cells which make up the endometrial lining that undergoes changes in thickness over the course of the menstrual cycle. Before the onset of ovulation, endometrial cells respond to circulating hormone levels and proliferate, increasing the thickness of the uterine lining. During and following ovulation this thick uterine lining allows for embryo implantation and pregnancy should oocyte fertilization occur. If fertilization does not occur, the uterine lining is shed during menstruation in preparation for the next menstrual cy
Clitoris
The clitoris is a female sexual organ responsible for sexual pleasure. The clitoris contains tissue on the outside of the body--a button-like structure called the glands of the clitoris, covered by a skin hood--and also extends in towards the anterior wall of the vagina. During sexual arousal, the clitoris enlarges and becomes engorged with blood in preparation for stimulation. The clitoris also contains a high number of nerve endings, and clitoral stimulation induces pleasurable sensations and orgasm.
Mature Breasts
Although both males and females are born with a small amount of breast tissue, mature breasts develop exclusively in females during puberty. Each breast contains a branching structure made up of glandular tissue, composed of lobules and ducts. The lobules contain milk-producing and milk-secreting cells that facilitate lactation, while the ducts form the tubes that carry milk from the lobules towards the nipple. Surrounding the ducts and lobules are fat cells, blood vessels, lymph nodes and lymph vessels, as well as nerve tissue.
Female breast growth occurs as a result of hormone production during puberty, reports the Ohio State University Medical Center. As the ovaries mature, they begin to secrete female hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which stimulate breast growth. Estrogen promotes breast cell proliferation, allowing for breast enlargement, while progesterone promotes breast cell maturation. Defects in estrogen or progesterone production result in improper breast development.
