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• Vagina: A muscular passageway that leads from the vulva (external genitalia)
to the cervix.
• Cervix: A small hole at the end of the vagina through which sperm passes
into the uterus. Also serves as a protective barrier for the uterus. During
childbirth, the cervix dilates (widens) to permit the baby to descend from the
uterus into the vagina for birth.
• Uterus: A hollow organ that houses the baby during pregnancy. During
childbirth, the uterine muscles contract to push out the baby. Each month,
unless a fetus has been conceived, the uterine wall sheds its lining (see The
Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation below).
• Ovaries: Two organs that produce hormones and store eggs. Each ovary
releases one egg per month.
• Fallopian tubes: Muscular tubes that eggs released from the ovaries must
traverse to reach the uterus.
The Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation
Each month a woman’s body goes through a menstrual cycle. A woman can
become pregnant only during ovulation, a several-day phase in the middle of the
menstrual cycle when one of the ovaries releases an egg.
Female Anatomy
Events Weeks of
Pregnancy
1st Trimester
The woman's last period before 0
fertilization occurs.
Fertilization occurs. 2
The fertilized egg (zygote)
begins to develop into a hollow
ball of cells called the blastocyst.
3rd Trimester
Delivery 37-42