Female reproductive system (human)
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Reverted to revision 221865583 by [[Special:Contributions/Closedmouth|Closedmouth]]; revert to something that won't make us even more of the laughing stock of the internet.
:''[[Female reproductive system]] redirects here. For the female reproductive systems of other organisms, see '''[[Sexual reproduction]]'''.''
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:3DScience female reproductive sagittal labeled.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The human female's reproductive system.]] -->
The '''female reproductive system''' contains two main parts: the [[vagina]] and [[uterus]], which act as the receptacle for the male's sperm, and the [[Ovary|ovaries]], which produce the female's ova. All of these parts are always internal; the vagina meets the outside at the [[vulva]], which also includes the [[labia (genitalia)|labia]], [[clitoris]] and [[urethra]]. The vagina is attached to the uterus through the [[cervix]], while the uterus is attached to the ovaries via the [[Fallopian tubes]]. At certain intervals, the ovaries release an [[ovum]], which passes through the fallopian tube into the uterus.
If, in this transit, it meets with sperm, the sperm penetrate and merge with the egg, [[fertilisation|fertilizing]] it. The fertilization usually occurs in the oviducts, but can happen in the uterus itself. The zygote then implants itself in the wall of the uterus, where it begins the processes of [[embryogenesis]] and [[morphogenesis]]. When developed enough to survive outside the womb, the cervix dilates and contractions of the uterus propel the fetus through the birth canal, which is the vagina.
The ova are larger than sperm and are generally all created by birth. Approximately every month, a process of [[oogenesis]] matures one ovum to be sent down the Fallopian tube attached to its ovary in anticipation of fertilization. If not fertilized, this egg is flushed out of the system through [[menstruation]].
==Vagina==
{{main|Vagina}}
The '''vagina''' is the tubular tract leading from the [[uterus]] to the exterior of the body in female [[mammal]]s, or to the [[cloaca]] in female [[bird]]s and some [[reptile]]s. Female [[insect]]s and other [[invertebrate]]s also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the [[oviduct]].
The vagina is the place where [[semen]] from the male is deposited into the female's body at the climax of [[sexual intercourse]], commonly known as [[ejaculation]].
==Cervix==
{{main|Cervix}}
The '''cervix''' is the lower, narrow portion of the [[uterus]] where it joins with the top end of the [[vagina]]. It is [[cylindrical]] or [[cone (geometry)|conical]] in shape and protrudes through the upper anterior vaginal wall. Approximately half its length is visible; the remainder lies above the vagina beyond view.
==Uterus==
{{main|Uterus}}
The '''uterus''' or '''womb''' is the major female reproductive [[organ (anatomy)|organ]] of [[human]]s. One end, the [[cervix]], opens into the [[vagina]]; the other is connected on both sides to the [[fallopian tubes]].
[[Image:Scheme female reproductive system-en.svg|thumb|right|A pictorial illustration of the female reproductive system.]]
The uterus mostly consists of [[muscle]], known as myometrium. Its major function is to accept a fertilized [[ovum]] which becomes implanted into the endometrium, and derives nourishment from blood vessels which develop exclusively for this purpose. The fertilized ovum becomes an [[embryo]], develops into a [[fetus]] and gestates until [[childbirth]].
==Oviducts==
{{Main|Fallopian tube}}
The '''Fallopian tubes''' or '''oviducts''' are two very fine tubes leading from the [[ovaries]] of female [[mammal]]s into the [[uterus]].
On maturity of an ovum, the follicle and the ovary's wall rupture, allowing the ovum to escape and enter the Fallopian tube. There it travels toward the uterus, pushed along by movements of [[cilia]] on the inner lining of the tubes. This trip takes hours or days. If the ovum is [[fertilisation|fertilized]] while in the Fallopian tube, then it normally implants in the [[endometrium]] when it reaches the uterus, which signals the beginning of [[pregnancy]].
==Ovaries==
{{main|Ovary}}
The '''ovaries''' are the place inside the female body where [[ovum|ova]] or [[egg (biology)|eggs]] are produced. The process by which the ovum is released is called [[ovulation]]. The speed of ovulation is [[periodicity|periodic]] and impacts directly to the length of a [[menstrual cycle]].
After ovulation, the ovum is captured by the [[oviduct]], where it travelled down the oviduct to the uterus, occasionally being [[fertilised]] on its way by an incoming [[spermatozoon|sperm]], leading to [[pregnancy]] and the eventual birth of a new human being.
The Fallopian tubes are often called the oviducts and they have small hairs ([[cilia]]) to help the egg cell travel.
==See also==
* [[Male reproductive system]]
{{Female reproductive system}}
{{Menstrual cycle}}
[[Category:Female reproductive system]]
[[bs:Ženski reproduktivni sistem]]
[[bg:Женски полови органи]]
[[da:Kvindens kønsorganer]]
[[es:Aparato reproductor femenino]]
[[eo:Virina seksaparato]]
[[fa:دستگاه تولید مثل در زنان]]
[[ko:여성의 생식 기관]]
[[hr:Ženski spolni sustav]]
[[it:Apparato genitale femminile]]
[[lt:Moters lytiniai organai]]
[[mr:मादीची जननेंद्रिये]]
[[ja:女性器]]
[[pl:Żeński układ płciowy]]
[[pt:Sistema reprodutor feminino]]
[[te:స్త్రీ జననేంద్రియ వ్యవస్థ]]
[[vi:Bộ phận sinh dục phụ nữ]]
[[zh:女性生殖系統]]