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 .
