Female reproductive system in 3D

Structure of the female reproductive organs

The uterus lies in the lesser pelvis between the urinary bladder in front and the rectum behind, usually tilted forward over the bladder. Its fundus is the rounded top above the openings of the uterine tubes. Each tube opens near the ovary through a funnel-shaped infundibulum fringed with fimbriae, widens into the ampulla, where fertilisation usually occurs, and narrows into the isthmus before entering the uterine wall.

The breast lies on the pectoral fascia. Its glandular lobes drain through lactiferous ducts that carry milk to the nipple, and suspensory ligaments run from the skin to the deep fascia.

What the 3D model shows

The urogenital view shows the female pelvic organs from the Human Reference Atlas: the uterus with its fundus, body and anterior and posterior walls; the uterine tubes with infundibulum, fimbriae, abdominal ostium, ampulla and isthmus; and the ovaries. The urinary organs are included: kidneys, ureters, bladder with fundus, trigone, neck and ureteral orifices, and the female urethra. The breast view shows the right breast with nipple, areola, areolar tubercles, mammary lobes, lactiferous ducts and sinuses, and suspensory ligaments. The model includes structures labelled as lactiferous sinuses, following a traditional anatomical scheme; these should not be interpreted as constant milk-storage reservoirs in the lactating breast.

How to study the female reproductive organs

Start with the urogenital view in the anterior view, then turn to the lateral view to see the uterus resting over the bladder. In the isolated view, follow the route of an egg: ovary, fimbriae, infundibulum, ampulla, isthmus, uterus. Use see-through mode on the bladder to find the trigone between the ureteral orifices. In the breast view, trace one lobe through its duct to the nipple. Then name every part from memory before checking the labels.