Uterus and Ovaries

The **ovaries** are the female gonads, resembling paired ovals of about 2–3 cm in length, each roughly the size of an almond. Positioned within the pelvic cavity, the ovaries are supported by the mesovarium, an extension of the peritoneum that connects them to the broad ligament. From the mesovarium, the suspensory ligament extends to house the ovarian blood and lymph vessels. Each ovary is also anchored to the uterus by the ovarian ligament. The uterus is a muscular organ responsible for nourishing and supporting a developing embryo. When a female is not pregnant, the uterus typically measures around 5 cm in width and 7 cm in length. It is divided into three sections: the fundus (the region of the uterus above the uterine tube openings), the body or corpus (the central region) and the cervix (the narrow, lower portion projecting into the vagina). The cervix produces mucus secretions, which, under high systemic plasma estrogen levels, become thin and stringy, facilitating sperm movement through the reproductive tract. *LICENSES AND ATTRIBUTIONS CC licensed content, Shared previously, Stephanie Fretham, Female Reproductive System, Authored by: OpenStax College. License: CC BY: Attribution. License Terms: Download for free at http://cnx.org/contents/voWXZKel@1.1:C2wzL6oj@1/Female-Reproductive-System*