Anatomy and Physiology

• 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.
 If the ovulated egg is fertilized by a man’s sperm following sexual intercourse, it
will implant in the endometrium, the lining of the uterus that becomes the placenta
during pregnancy. The placenta nurtures the fertilized egg as it develops and grows
into a baby.

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.

The blastocyst implants in the 3

wall of uterus.The amniotic sac
begins to form.

The area that will become the 5

brain and spinal cord (neural
tube) begins to develop.

The heart and major blood 6

vessels are developing. The
beating heart can be seen during
ultrasonography.

The beginnings of arms and legs 7

appear.

Bones and muscles form. The 9

face and neck develop.
Brain waves can be detected.
The skeleton is formed. Fingers
and toes are fully defined.

The kidneys begin to function. 10

Almost all organs are completely
formed.
The fetus can move and respond
to touch (when prodded through
the woman's abdomen).
The woman has gained some
weight, and her abdomen may
be slightly enlarged.

2nd Trimester

The fetus's sex can be identified. 14

The fetus can hear.

The fetus's fingers can grasp. 16

The fetus moves more
vigorously, so that the mother
can feel it.
The fetus's body begins to fill out
as fat is deposited beneath the
skin. Hair appears on the head
and skin. Eyebrows and
eyelashes are present.

The placenta is fully formed. 20

The fetus has a chance of 24

survival outside the uterus.
The woman begins to gain
weight more rapidly.

3rd Trimester

The fetus is active, changing 25

positions often.
The lungs continue to mature.
The fetus's head moves into
position for delivery.
On average, the fetus is about
20 inches long and weighs about
7 pounds. The woman's
enlarged abdomen causes the
navel to bulge.
Delivery 37-42