Female Reproductive System

Female Reproductive System

The female reproductive system consists of the following parts:

1. Ovaries

• Ovaries are the primary reproductive organs in females.
• These are located in the abdominal cavity of females near the kidneys and are oval in shape.
• Every female has 2 ovaries .
• The ovaries produce mature female gametes called ova or eggs .
• The also produce the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone .
• The ovary has thousands of immature eggs called follicles which mature at the time of puberty.

2. Oviducts

• These are present just above the ovaries.
• It is also known as the fallopian tube .
• Fertilization (i.e. fusion of male and female gametes) takes place in the oviduct.

3. Uterus

• It is an elastic bag-like organ to which both the oviducts attach.
• Uterus is the organ where growth and development of the fertilized egg takes place.

4. Cervix

• It is a narrow opening which connects the uterus to vagina .

5. Vagina

• Vagina is a tubular structure which receives the sperms from the penis.
• It is also known as ‘birth canal’ because the baby comes out of this passage after completing its development in the uterus.

Note: Unlike males, the females have different openings for passage of urine (urethra) and of vagina .