Ovaries

The ovaries are the main reproductive organs of a woman. The two ovaries, which are about the size and shape of almonds, produce female hormones (oestrogen and progesterone) and eggs (ova). All the other female reproductive organs are there to transport, nurture and otherwise meet the needs of the egg or developing foetus.  

The ovaries are held in place by various ligaments which anchor them to the uterus and the pelvis. The ovary contains ovarian follicles, in which eggs develop. Once a follicle is mature, it ruptures and the developing egg is ejected from the ovary into the fallopian tubes. This is called ovulation. Ovulation occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle and usually takes place every 28 days or so in a mature female. It takes place from either the right or left ovary at random.

Fallopian tubes

The fallopian tubes are about 10 cm long and begin as funnel-shaped passages next to the ovaries. They have a number of finger-like projections known as fimbria on the end near the ovary. When an egg is released by the ovary it is ‘caught’ by one of the fimbriae and transported along the fallopian tube to the uterus. It takes the egg about 5 days to reach the uterus and it is on this journey down the fallopian tube that fertilisation may occur if a sperm penetrates and fuses with the egg. The egg, however, is only usually viable for 24 hours after ovulation, so fertilisation usually occurs in the top one-third of the fallopian tube.

Uterus

The uterus is a hollow cavity about the size of a pear (in women who have never been pregnant) that exists to house a developing fertilised egg. The main part of the uterus (which sits in the pelvic cavity) is called the body of the uterus, while the rounded region above the entrance of the fallopian tubes is the fundus and its narrow outlet, which protrudes into the vagina, is the cervix. 

Vagina

The vagina is a fibromuscular tube that extends from the cervix to the vestibule of the vulva. The vagina receives the penis and semen during sexual intercourse and also provides a passageway for menstrual blood flow to leave the body.

There are two major anatomical structures. The external anatomy is known as the vulva. The vulva is everything that is pink and soft (mucous tissue) and the labia majora (outer) and labia minora (inner). The vagina its self is a 7cm-10cm tube which extends from the vestibule to the cervix. 

The inside of the labia majora and all of the labia minora carry small glands. The secretion of these glands (different from this of the skin) “coats” this area and form a thin protective layer against urine, bacteria and menstrual blood.

Information sheets

The Female Reproductive System