Dictionary

female An individual of the sex that bears young or that produces ova or eggs, or a person who has a particular physical appearance, chromosome constitution, or gender identification. See also female chromosome complement.

female chromosome complement The whole set of chromosomes for a female. The large majority of females have a 46, XX chromosome complement (46 chromosomes, including 2 X chromosomes). A minority of females have other chromosome complements, such as 45, X (45 chromosomes, including 1 X chromosome) or 47, XXX (47 chromosomes, including 3 X chromosomes).

female external genitalia The external genital structures of the female, including the labia minora, labia majora, and the clitoris.

female genital mutilation See circumcision, female.

female gonad See ovary.

female internal genitalia The internal genital structures of the female, which include the ovaries, the Fallopian tubes, the uterus, the uterine cervix, and the vagina. These are, collectively, the female organs of reproduction.

female organs of reproduction The ovaries, which produce eggs (ova) and female hormones; the Fallopian tubes, which transport the egg from the ovaries to the uterus; the uterus, which receives the egg for fertilization and provides a growth environment for the developing embryo and fetus; the cervix, the lower, narrow part of the uterus that…

female pelvis The lower part of the abdomen that is located between the hip bones in a female. The female pelvis is usually more delicate than, wider than, and not as high as the male pelvis. The angle of the female pubic arch is wide and round. The female sacrum is wider than the male’s,…

female urethral meatus See female urethral opening.

female urethral opening The external opening of the transport tube that leads from the bladder to discharge urine outside the body in a female. The urethra in a female is shorter than the urethra in the male. The meatus (opening) of the female urethra is below the clitoris and just above the opening of the…

femoral Having to do with the femur.

femoral artery The continuation of the external iliac artery after it passes under the inguinal ligament. The femoral arteries supply oxygenated blood from the heart to the lower extremities.