Internal reproductive organs in females and their functions

These include:

• Cervix: Lower portion of the uterus which extends in the upper vagina, it produces secretions that clean the vagina, protect the uterus from infections.
• Uterus: formed of layers of muscles. Fertilized ovum: grows and develops into a fetus inside the uterus. It grows and expands to accommodate fetal growth and provide protection to the growing fetus.
• Endometrium: Is the lining of the uterus, cellular changes occur in response to the secretions of sex hormones resulting in cyclic menstrual bleeding (menstruation). Average menstrual cycle length is about 28 days in the majority of women. It is common in the first cycles after puberty to be irregular in duration and amounts and this is medically acceptable. Adolescent girls should be assured that the cycle will become regular without needs for medications in the majority of adolescents.
• Ovaries: Produce female sex hormones, develop ova and one is released every month.
• Fallopian tubes: An ovum travels along one of these tubes once a month, starting from the ovary. Sperm meets the ovum in the outer third of the tube (fertilization).