Female Reproductive Organs
The female reproductive organs include the vagina, uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
These organs are shown inFigure22.3. The breasts are not shown in this figure. They
are not considered reproductive organs. However, they are involved in reproduction. They
containmammaryglandsthatsecretemilktofeedababy. Themilkleavesthebreastthrough
the nipple when the baby sucks on it.
Figure 22.3: This drawing shows the organs of the female reproductive system. It shows the
organs from the front. Find each organ in the drawing as you read about it in the text. ( 17 )
Thevaginais a cylinder-shaped organ. One end of the vagina opens at the surface of the
body. The other end joins with the uterus. During sexual intercourse, sperm may deposited
in the vagina. The sperm move through the vagina and into the uterus. During birth, a
baby passes from the uterus through the vagina to leave the body.
Theuterusis a hollow organ with muscular walls. The narrow part of the uterus where it
connects with the vagina is called thecervix. The uterus is where a baby develops until
birth. The walls of the uterus expand as the baby grows. The muscular walls of the uterus
push the baby out during birth.
The twoovariesare small, oval organs on opposite sides of the uterus. Each ovary contains
thousands of eggs. The eggs do not fully develop until a female has gone through puberty.
About once a month, an egg completes its development and is released by the ovary. The