This group of organs is responsible for producing sex hormones, includingestrogenandprogesterone.
What Is the Reproductive System’s Role?
The female reproductive system produces egg cells and sustainspregnancy.
The external parts of the female reproductive system include the vulva, labia, and mons pubis.
Once a person goes through puberty, these external parts are covered withpubic hair.
The internal parts include the following:
The ovaries produce and release a mature egg eachmenstrual cycle.
The female reproductive system causes a person to experience menstrual periods.
Each month, a mature egg is released.
Parts of the Female Reproductive System
1.
Ovaries
Theovariesare small organs located on either side of the uterus.
Most people assigned female at birth are born with two ovaries.
The ovaries produce sex hormones and release mature eggs.
Once a person reaches puberty, the ovaries mature and begin secreting sex hormones.
For most people, theovaries release one eggeach month, a process known as ovulation.
The ovaries release hormones that affect ovulation and menstruation.
Fallopian Tubes
Thefallopian tubesare small tubes that transport the egg from the ovaries to the uterus.
The mature egg may become fertilized as it travels through the fallopian tubes.
The fallopian tubes contain different parts, including the:
3.
If no pregnancy occurs, the uterus sheds its lining during menstruation.
This is where a fertilized egg grows and develops into an embryo and a fetus.
The uterus grows during pregnancy to accommodate the growing fetus.
When it is time for childbirth, the muscular wall of the uterus contracts to push the baby out.
Cervix
Thecervix is a narrow structureat the lower part of the uterus that opens to the vagina.
This mucus also protects the body from infection by stopping bacteria from entering the uterus.
The cervix can open (dilate) to let out fluids like blood during a period.
It also occurs as a persons body prepares for childbirth.
Vagina
Thevagina is a muscular tubethat goes from the vaginal opening up to the cervix.
The vagina is made up of muscle tissue and can expand and contract as needed.
The vagina can become wider to allow a tampon or penis to enter it.
It can become wide enough to allow a baby to pass through during childbirth.
The vaginas walls are lined with mucous membranes to keep it moist.
Vulva
The vulva, part of the external female reproductive system, is outside the body.
The vulva is made up of:
7.
Clitoris
Theclitoris is a small sensory organlocated near the entrance to the vagina.
It is highly sensitive and contains thousands of nerve endings.
Most of the clitoris is located inside the body, but the clitoral hood and glans are external structures.
The clitoris is involved in sexual stimulation.
During arousal, the clitoris becomes swollen and is usually responsible forfemale orgasms.
It includes internal structures like the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes and external structures like the vulva.
The female reproductive system is involved in fertility, conception, pregnancy, and childbirth.
It produces the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, which affect the reproductive system’s functions.
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same.
National Cancer Institute.Female reproductive system.
Nemours Teens Health.Female reproductive system.
National Cancer Institute.Genital tract.
