It consists of ovary and oviduct. In birds generally, only the left organs are functional; the right set are formed but later regress. The avian oviduct, in contrast to nominal counterpart in mammals (uterine tube), represents the entire genital tract and extends from the ovary to the cloaca.
Ovary
The functioning ovary appears as a cluster of many spheres, each of which is attached by a very slender stalk. Each sphere is a developed ovum or yolk enclosed in a thin membrane or follicle. Yolk color varies from pale straw to deep reddish yellow or orange. A hen in laying condition has 900-3600 ova.
Oviduct
The oviduct in female corresponds to the vas deferens in male. In allaying hen it is a large coiled tube occupying much of the left abdominal cavity. It is covered with blood vessels. It is divided into five regions:
i) Funnel (infundibulum) – receives the yolk from the ovary
ii) Magnum – secretes thick albumen or white
iii) Isthmus – secretes the shell membranes. The membranes give some protection to the egg contents from outside contamination
iv) Uterus – secretes the thin white, the shell and the shell pigment.
v) Vagina – it holds the egg until it is laid.
marto answered the question on
April 16, 2019 at 12:01