The parts

A pair of ovaries lies within the abdominal cavity, in the pelvic region, close to the lateral walls. A transverse section of an ovary has two zones, the cortex and the medulla.

Ova are produced within the follicles. Primary follicles, and the various stages of ovum formation arising from them — Graafian follicles, corpora lutea and corpora albicantia — can be seen within the ovary.

The production of ova has begun from birth itself.

Ova released from the ovary enter a slender, long, muscular tube called the fallopian tube. Its end nearest the uterus is funnel-shaped, and around it are finger-like projections called fimbriae. These are important for drawing the ovum into the fallopian tube.

The uterus is a hollow structure with thick walls, situated within the pelvic cavity. It has three zones — the fundus, the body and the cervix. The pair of fallopian tubes connects to the fundus region; at the other end lies the cervix, the neck of the womb.

This is the part beyond the cervix of the uterus. The vagina opens to the external environment through the vaginal opening.