Female sexual organs

Female sexual organs in pants

Understanding female sexual organs

female sex organs

Cervix - The lower, narrow portion of the uterus.

Clitoris - A sexual organ that sits within the folds of the clitoral hood at the top of the labia minora externally, and internally has two legs (or crura) which go around either side of the vagina. When stimulated the clitoris produces sexual pleasure.

Fallopian tubes - Two tubes which carry eggs from the ovaries, where they're produced, to the uterus, where they can be fertilised. It's here that the egg (or ovum) can be fertilised by male sperm - this process is called conception [link to conception]. Also known as uterine tubes.

Fimbriae - A fringe of tissue that moves the egg from the ovary into the fallopian tube.

Labia minora - Lip-like structures which sit on each side of the vaginal opening within the labia majora (which you can see outside the body). When a female is sexually aroused the labia swell slightly and darken.

Ovary - One of two-egg producing organs that are linked to the uterus by the fallopian tubes. Once a month the ovaries release an egg (or ovum) into the fallopian tubes. If the egg isn't fertilised then the egg, and some of the lining of the uterus, become a period.

Urethra - The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the urethral opening.

Urethral opening - This opening sits within the labia and between the clitoris and the vaginal opening - it's where urine leaves the body.

Uterine ostium - The opening of the cervix between the uterus and vagina.

Uterus - The uterus is also known as the womb. If conception occurs then the egg attaches itself to the uterine wall and may begin to develop into a foetus, and possibly eventually a baby - this is called pregancy.

Vagina - A tubular space that links the vaginal opening to the uterus. This is where the erect penis moves in and out of when having vaginal intercourse.

The sexual organs visible outside a woman (the vaginal opening, clitoral hood, labia minora and labia majora) are often grouped together and called the vulva.

 

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The Information Standard: Certified member

This article was last reviewed on 7/6/2012 by Peter Kelly

Date due for the next review: 31/10/2014

Content Author: Allison Macbeth

Current Owner: Health Promotion

More information:

Female reproductive system  Teen Health.

Innies & Outies: The Vagina, Clitoris, Uterus and More. Scarleteen. 2011

On the rag: a guide to menstruation. Scarleteen. 2011 

Encyclopedia Britannica. Fimbria of the fallopian tube  

Anatomy. Medline Plus. 2012  

Gray, Henry. Gray's anatomy. 1918 

Reproduction - The female reproductive system. BBC. 2012 

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