Female Reproductive System:The internal components of the female reproductive system include the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, uterus, and cervix. The ovaries, often referred to as "egg sacs," are two almond-shaped organs situated on either side of the uterus. Their primary roles are to produce eggs (ova) and secrete female hormones. During each menstrual cycle, an egg is released from an ovary and travels through a Fallopian tube to reach the uterus. These hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, are crucial for developing female physical traits like breasts, body shape, and hair, as well as for regulating the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.The Fallopian tubes, located on each side of the body, serve as passageways for the egg to move from the ovary to the uterus. They are lined with tiny, hair-like structures known as cilia, which play a vital role in guiding the egg's movement. These tubes are named after Gabriele Falloppio, a 16th-century Italian physician.The uterus, a hollow, pear-shaped organ, resides in a woman's lower abdomen between the bladder and rectum. Its upper section, called the corpus, consists of two tissue layers. In women of reproductive age, the inner layer, or endometrium, undergoes monthly changes as part of the menstrual cycle. The endometrial tissue thickens each cycle to prepare for a potential fertilized egg. If no fertilization occurs, this tissue breaks down and exits the body through the vagina as menstruation. The outer muscular layer of the corpus, known as the myometrium, expands during pregnancy to accommodate the developing fetus and contracts during labor to facilitate childbirth.The cervix, the lower, narrow portion of the uterus, forms a canal opening into the vagina. Meanwhile, the vagina is a muscular canal that extends from the cervix to the body's exterior. The term "vagina" derives from Latin, meaning "sheath" or "scabbard," metaphorically referring to its role in sexual intercourse.
