The Function Of The Female Reproductive System

The Function Of The Female Reproductive System

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The Function Of The Reproductive System

Function One: Production Of Female Sex Cells

Supporting Images Of Function One

Function Two: Puberty Changes

Supporting Images For Function Two

Function Three: Fertilization

Supporting Images And Video Resources For Function Three

The growth of the egg through cell divisions until it is released known at ovulated ovum from the ovary ready to be fertilised. The ruptured follicle in the ovary then forms a type of glandular tissue called a corpus luteum and this eventually breaks down to form corpus albicans.

A closer view of the growth and development of the egg.

How Fertilization Happens By Dr. Paulien Moyaert

Fertilization explained – sperm and egg fusion by Henrik’s Lab

Function Four: Pregnancy

Supporting Images and Video Resources For Function Four.

The main symptoms that appear throughout pregnancy

The number of cell divisions that appears during the initial period.

The development journey for the baby by Bupa Health

Function Five: Childbirth/Labour/Parturition

What Hormones Are Secreted By The Placenta?

Video and Imaging Resources For Function Five

A comparison between natural and surgical delivery of the baby

The umbilical cords present, illustrating the clinical presentation of the arteries and nerves towards the foetus.

A comparison of the blood circulation before and after birth

A graph presenting the series of female hormones and their levels throughout the pregnancy period.

Levels of hCG throughout pregnancy by Pampers Source

A range of hormones secreted by the ovaries

The structural layers of the female reproductive system

The contractions of the uterine during pregnancy

An alternative presentation of the uterine muscles

Key steps of implantation after ovulation and fertilization,

The growth of a normal breast development

Episiotomy is one of the main techniques to help with labour and expanding the reproductive system.

Function Six: Stability Of The Pelvis

Supporting Images For Function Seven.

Alterations in the position of the pelvis are influenced by the movement of the lumbar spine, whether it is moving forward (increased inclination), moving backward (decreased inclination), turning to the side (lateral), or lateral rotation. ASIS – Anterior Superior Iliac Spine. PIS – Posterior Iliac Spine. The pubic symphysis is where the pelvis joins together on either side of the ramus

Function Seven Menstruation

Supporting Images of Function Seven

Function Eight: The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovary (HPO) Axis

Supporting Images For Function Eight

An overview on the role of several hormones released from the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and ovaries.

References

Biology Insights (2025) Why Are HCG Levels Higher in the Morning? Available at: https://biologyinsights.com/why-are-hcg-levels-higher-in-the-morning/ (Accessed: 25^th August 2026)

Chumduri, C. and Turco, M.Y. (2021). Organoids of the female reproductive tract. Journal of Molecular Medicine, 99(4), pp.531–553. doi:10.1007/s00109-020-02028-0.

Cleveland Clinic (2023) Decidual Cast. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24742-decidual-cast (Accessed: 25^th August 2026)

National Health Service (2026) Early or delayed puberty. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/early-or-delayed-puberty/ (Accessed: 22^nd August 2026)

Pampers (2022) hCG Levels in Early Pregnancy. Available at: https://www.pampers.co.uk/pregnancy/healthy-pregnancy/article/hcg-levels (Accessed: 22^nd August 2026)

Teach Me Anatomy (n.d.) The female reproductive tract. Available at: https://teachmeanatomy.info/pelvis/female-reproductive-tract/ (Accessed: 7^th August 2026)

The Eve Appeal (2026) Gynaecological cancers. Available at: https://eveappeal.org.uk/information-and-advice/gynaecological-cancers/ (Accessed: 7^th August 2026)

An Overview: The Supporting Tissues Of The Female Reproductive System.

The role of the female reproductive system is supported by its organs, supporting tissues, hormones, prostaglandins, blood vessels, and nerves.

Organ: These are different types of tissues that join together to form a structure and have a specific function.

Hormone: This is a chemical messenger produced by structures called glands and is released into the blood to target organs and start a response.

Prostaglandins: This is a type of fatty acid (eicosanoid) that helps organs to function. In the case of the female reproductive system, especially after the release of the egg from the ovary, during menstruation (period), after the egg has been fertilised and is ready to be stuck on the wall of the womb, pregnancy, and childbirth.

Blood vessels: These are tubes that carry blood around the body to organs and tissues.

Lymphatic vessels. There are vessels that carry fluid called lymph and passes through filtering structures called lymph nodes. Its purpose is to boost immune system and bath tissues.

Nerves: These consist of nerve fibres that start, integrate, and conduct signals.

Muscles: They are muscle fibres containing proteins (actin, myosin and intermediate filaments) and connected together to help with movement.

Supporting Images

The structure of each type of organ system

Examples of different types of prostaglandins

Alternative presentation of the blood vessels

A view of the blood vessels and nerves of the female reproductive system.

A closer presentation of the blood vessel network that ultimately connects to the aorta.

A closer view of the direction of the flow of the lymph fluid gets filters through the lymph nodes and reconnect to the bloodstream.

A hierachal diagram that presents the different lymph nodes in the womb (uterus)

Muscular layer of the womb (myometrium) highlighted alongside the other layers of the female reproductive tract.

The different muscles in the female reproductive system

The structure of a type of muscle cell called smooth that is predominantly found in the female reproductive system, gastrointestinal tract, breathing tubes in the respiratory system and blood vessels.

Please see images to support your understanding of the following explanation.

There are several groups of nerves that go through the belly wall (hypogastric nerve plexus) to supply the female reproductive system and connect with the spine/backbone.

Specific sections of the spine: the lower end of the thoracic (T11 – T12), lumbar (L1) and sacrum (S2-S4).

Superior hypogastric plexus

It has two or three nerves.

One nerve accompanies the ovarian artery and supply nerve fibers to the ovary and outer parts of the uterine tube.

The end of parts of the nerves (terminal fibers) interacts with the fibers present in the uterine (womb) to stimulate the uterine tube.

The nerves then send a signal to the spinal cord through the spinal roots present at the back (posterior). It is aimed at the 10^th and 11^th nerve in the thoracic segment of the spine. Some are able to enter the 9^th and 12^th position of the thoracic nerves.

The ovarian plexus is stimulated by the sympathetic nerves that are activated during fight or flight response.

The middle hypoglastic plexus.

This is subdivided into right and left hypogastric nerves.

The middle hypoglastic plexus helps to supply the ovaries, the uterine tube and blood vessels and gives off bundle of nerves (fascicles) to the common and external iliac arteries.

Inferior hypogastric plexus

The nerves have an effect on the womb (uterus), cervix and vagina.

How?

The blood vessels namely arteries of the vagina, uterus and spiral arteries.
The nerves on the upper part of the vagina has structures called ganglia. They are subdivided into smaller nerve fibres that affect the arteries in the vagina and also affect the muscle in the vagina, urethra and the vulva.
The other nerves near the uterine artery affects the body and fundus/gravis of the womb as well the muscle of the womb (myometrium).
The end part of the nerves (terminal fibres) supplies the narrow part of the uterine tube called the isthmus and the end part of the womb. They interact with superior and middle hypogastric plexus.

Neupsy Key (n.d) Innervation of Female Reproductive Organs. Available at: https://neupsykey.com/innervation-of-female-reproductive-organs/ (Accessed: 22^nd August 2026)To find out more about nerve plexuses, please visit: Plexuses

The Function Of The Female Reproductive System