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The human reproductive systemThe female reproductive system

The human reproductive system is different in males and females. When a sperm and egg join, the egg is fertilised and a baby starts to develop. Its mother provides all a baby鈥檚 needs until it is born.

Part of ScienceBody systems

The female reproductive system

The human female reproductive system contains these parts:

  • oviducts
  • ovaries
  • uterus
  • cervix
  • vagina
Shows the oviduct, ovary, uterus, bladder, cervix, vagina and urethra
Figure caption,
The parts of the human female reproductive system. The bladder empties into the urethra but they are not part of the reproductive system

Ovaries

The two (one of them is called an ovary) contain hundreds of undeveloped female (sex cells). These are called (one of them is called an ovum) or egg cells. Women have these cells in their bodies from birth, whereas men produce new sperm continually.

Oviducts

Each ovary is connected to the by an . This is sometimes called a Fallopian tube or egg tube. The oviduct is lined with , which are tiny hairs on cells. Every month, an egg develops, becomes mature and is released from an ovary. The cilia waft the egg along inside the oviduct and into the uterus.

Uterus and cervix

The , also called the womb, is a muscular bag with a soft lining. The uterus is where a baby develops until its birth.

The is a ring of muscle at the lower end of the uterus. It keeps the baby in place while the woman is pregnant.

Vagina

The is a muscular tube that leads from the cervix to the outside of the woman's body. A man's penis goes into the woman's vagina during sexual intercourse.