Female Reproductive System

 Like the male reproductive system is made of internal and external structures  The internal organs provide the environment in which a fertilized egg can develop into a baby

Ovaries  Two ovaries are small organs, they are about the size of an almond  Located a few inches below the waist one on each side of the body  They release progesterone, estrogen and mature egg cells  OVULATION – the process of once puberty begins the release of ONE ripened egg every single month  The egg release is no larger than a type writer dot

Fallopian Tubes  There are two fallopian tubes or oviducts  These are small tubes that carry released eggs from the ovaries  They lie on each side of the body  The fingerlike ends of the fallopian tubes draws the egg into the opening  Because eggs cannot swim like sperm, tiny hairs sweep the egg in  The fallopian tube is usually where fertilization occurs

Uterus  Each fallopian tube leads into the uterus  This is a hallow pear shaped organ located between the two ovaries and behind the urinary bladder  The uterus is where the fertilized egg will develop and grow into a baby  The uterus is several layers of tissue and a rich supply of blood to protect and nourish a developing fetus

Cervix  This is the narrow base of the uterus  When a baby is ready to be born the cervix expands to allow the baby to pass through

Vagina  This is the birth canal, a hollow muscular passage leading from the uterus to outside the body  Sperm enters the body through the vagina  The walls of the vagina are very elastic, which allows it to expand dramatically during child birth