Human ovaries in the mature state show only a single follicle (egg nest) developing at a time. Therefore, the cat ovary, which shows many follicles in various states of development, is superior for illustrative purposes.
The mammalian ovary is covered with a layer of mesothelium continuous with the serrous membrane, the mesovarium, that suspends the ovary. The cells covering the ovary are cuboidal rather than squamous and are known as germinal epithelium but these are not the antecedents of the oocytes. Oocytes are dervived from yolk sac endoderm in the embryo.
Connective tissue, the tunica albuginea underlies this epithelial layer. Internal to the tunica are numerous (up to 400,000) small primordial follicles. Most of these follicles will never develop but will be resorbed, a phenomenon known as atrisia or involution. Only a few follicles, with their contained primary oocytes will develop and be ovulated.
The area of the ovary containing follicles in various stages of development is the cortex. Follicles are "egg nests" that nurture and protect the developing oocytes. Follicular epithelium is also secretory, producing estrogen and other growth factors before ovulation and progesterone, estrogen, and other products after ovulation when the follicle converts into a corpus leuteum.
The area between follicles is the stroma and is made of collagenous fibers and fibroblasts.
The cat ovary shows follicles in various stages of development from primordial follicles to primary follicles to secondary preovulatory (Graffian) follicles. Meiosis 1 is completed in the Graffian follicle just prior to ovulation.
Internal to the cortex is the highly vascular medulla, lacking follicles. Collagenous and elastic fibers are present with fibroblasts constituting the cellular elements. Nerves and blood vessels enter the ovary at the concave part of the medulla.

Primoridal follicles are present prepartum and either become atritic or develop into primary follicles at puberty. The latter consist of a layer of squamous to cuboidal cells surrounding a primary oocyte.
Continued development of a primary follicle produces a secondary follicle which involves stratification of the follicular cells to form a stratum granulosum. A prominent basement membrane separates the granulosum from the connective tissue internal and external thecal layers.
A cavity, the antrum, develops within the granulosum and secretes liquor folliculi consisting of the femal sex hormone estrogen as well as other growth factors that promote ovulation, thicken the lining of the uterus, and cause growth of ductal cells in the mammary gland.
Continued growth and the completion of meiosis 1 result in a mature, (Graafian) preovulatory follcicle.

Detailed observation of a mature follicle shows a distinct primary egg membrane, the zona pellucida, probably produced by both granulosum cells with a nutritive role. It will adhere to this membrane after ovulation as the corona radiata.
The oocyte with its covering corona and the isthmus of granulosum cells that join it to the remainder of the granulosum of the follicle are known as the cumulus oophorus or discus proligerous.
The theca interna is thought to be secretory, probably producing androgens (male sex hormones). These are likely converted to estrogens by the granulosum cells, causing an increase in the amount of liquor folliculli which bulges the follicle to the surface of the ovary just prior to ovulation.

The infant ovary illustrates the large number of primordial follicles that are present prepartum in mammalian females. In contrast to the male, whose gonial cells divide mitotically from puberty until death, the final number of gonial cells (up to 400,000) has been achieved during fetal life in the female. Most will become atritic and never ovulate.

After the thecal layers and the ovarian wall rupture at ovulation, the secondary oocyte, surrounded by the zona pellucida and corona radiata, is released into the peritoneal cavity. Peristalsis of the smooth musculature of the infundibulum of the fimbriated end of the oviduct aids in captuing the oocyte and moving it further down the oviduct. The liquor folliculi also spills into the peritoneal cavity leaving behind a follicle, empty except for granulosum and thecal cells. The granulsosum cells divide rapidly filling the former follicle with highly folded endocrine tissue which constitutes the corpus luteum. Cells from the theca interna become glandular in nature and contribute to the formation of the corpus luteum. This "yellow body" secretes progesterone and estrogen, which cause secretion and glandular elaboration in the lining of the uterus. Ductal tissue of the mammary gland is also stimulated by these secretions.
The corpus luteum undergoes infiltration with connective tissue at the time of menstruation or during the last week of pregnancy

The infiltration of connective into the degenerating corpus luteum changes the gland into an inactive white scar known as a corpus albicans (white body). This connective tissue has its origin in thecal cells. Most of these undergo some involution but some persist even in the senile (post menopausal) ovary. The remainder of the senile ovary is vascular connective tissue with no trace of follicles.

The infundibular portion of the oviduct (fallopian tube) terminates in many elongated finger like processess called fimbria that adhere closely to the surface of the ovary. The muscular layers contract during ovulation in peristalitic fahsion and aid in capturing the oocyte and funneling it toward the uterus.
The oviduct is lined with ciliated and non-ciliated columnar epithelium. Cilia beat toward the uterus and aid in moving the oocyute downward while non-ciliated cells are likely secretory in nature.
Underlying the epithelium is a thin supporting connective tissue layer called the lamina propria. This is underlayed by two layers of smooth muscle, an inner circular and an outer longitudinal layer. An outer serous membrane, the serosa covers the surface of the oviduct.

The infundibular portion of the oviduct is followed distally by the ampullar region. Instead of fimbriae the lining of this portion of the oviduct is thrown into longitudinal folds called plicae. The lining is a mixture of cilliated and nonciliated columnar epithelium.
A thin lamina propria underlies the columnar epithelium. Inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle layers lie outside the lamina propria.

The oviduct is covered by a thin serosa. Isthmus and interstitial (intramural) regions lie distal to the ampulla and closely resemble it in structure.

The uterus arises as an embryological fusion of the two oviducts. Their muscular layers are greatly increased in amount, and muscle fibers run in many directions. This thick muscularis is the myometrium which experiences considerable growth during pregnancy. The serosa or perimetrium covers part of the uterus.
The epithelium is of ciliated and non-ciliated simple columnar cells and is referred to as the endometrium. These cells invaginate deeply into the stroma of the endometrium forming glands whose secretion nourishes the newly implanted embryo until a placenta develops.
The stroma is a mesenchyme like connective tissue which serves as a lamina propria. The endometrium thickens during the menstrual cycle under the influence of ovarion hormones and the glands deepen and become 'lacy'.
The endometrium is richly supported with spiral blood vessels in the inner layer (stratum functionale) which become eschemic prior to menstruation to prevent excessive blood loss. These distal arteries regenerate after mensturation.
The first phase of the endometiral cycle takes place as a result of the secretion of estrogens from the developing follicle. This phase shows many mitoses in the glands and stroma. Glands remain tubular rather than branched at this time. This lasts until ovulation at midcycle. This tissue repair which culminates in proliferation begins from the proximal part of the endometrium, the stratum basale, which is never shed at menstruation. This phase is known as follicular, proliferation, or hyperplasitic.

The proliferative phase begins at the end of menstruation. The basalis layer of the endometrium is never shed and it is from this portion that regeneration of stroma and surface epithelium glands begins.
An area referred to as the functionale, adjacent to the lumen, is the only part of the endometrium which is shed.

The secretory, progravid or leuteal phase of the endometrium follows the proliferative phase and is under control of the corpus luteum which secretes estrogen and progesterone. Under the influence of these female steroid hormones the endometrium thickens, the glands develop branches at right angles to their tubular protion giving a lacy appearance. Secretion from glandular cells fills the lumen of the gland. The outer part (functionale) of the endometrium imbibes water. Next, new blood vessel growth occurs, making this area extremely succulent.
If fertilization does not occur the succulent endometrium undergoes a kind of 'clenching' of blood vessels. With a lack of blood vessels to the area, a condition known as ischemia develops.

One or two days after hypoxia (ischemia) causes degeneration of the functionale, this portion of the endometrium is shed together with considerable amounts of blood and secretory product, resulting in the phenomenon of menstruation. While the basale remains intact the functionale presents a very degenerate, ragged appearance characteristic of the menstrual phase of the uterus. As the menstrual flow begins a new follicle commences development and the functionale soon begins repair leading to a new proliferative phase.

The uterus is said to be senile when its endometrium no longer undergoes cyclic changes. Usually this occurs as the result of ovarian failure to produce follicles and or, corpora lutea to stimulate the endometrium. Usually several corpora albicans are evident in the senile uterus.
The lining is simple columnar with very few flands. The endometrium is thin and the stroma component is most prominent. Gestation at this stage is impossible and the woman is said to be menopausal.

The cervical region of the uterus shows the epithelium thrown into folds. Glands are often large and branched. This portion of the uterus, which projects into the vaginal vault does not undergo cyclic changes.
The cervical canal is the zone of juncture between the columnar epithelium of the uterus and the stratified squamous epithelium of the vagina.
The cervix is rich in connective tissue but largly lacking muscularis layers.

The cervix has an epithelial lining of columnar cells. The bulk of this portion of the organ is dense connective tissue of fibroblasts, collogen fibers, and elastic fibers.
The glandular secretion from the cervix is largely mucous. During ovulation this mucous becomes thin and increases in amount, an adaptation to aid sperm in their journey to fertilize the oocyte.

The mucosa of the vagina is composed of a highly papillated, stratified squamous epithelium underlayed by a thick connective tissue lamina propria. The wall is thrown into folds called rugae. Papillae from the lamina propria are abundant. A great deal of smooth muscular tissue is present.
The vagina is unique in that it contains no glands. Lubrication during sexual activity comes from cervical glands or those embedded in the labia.