(1) Oviduct (Fallopian Tube):
- The oviduct is a narrow tube that connects the ovary to the uterus. It plays a key role in reproduction by transporting the ovum (egg) released from the ovary towards the uterus.
- It is also the site where fertilization takes place. When a sperm enters the female body and travels up the reproductive tract, it meets the ovum in the oviduct, and fertilization usually occurs here.
(2) Uterus:
- The uterus is a muscular, pear-shaped organ where the implantation of the fertilized egg (zygote) takes place. The inner lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, prepares itself each month to receive the fertilized egg.
- After implantation, the uterus provides a protective and nourishing environment for the embryo and later the fetus to grow and develop until birth. It also contracts during childbirth to push the baby out.
(3) Ovary:
- The ovaries are the primary female reproductive organs. They are responsible for the production and release of ova (eggs), typically one egg every month during the menstrual cycle.
- In addition to producing eggs, the ovaries also secrete important hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. These hormones regulate the menstrual cycle, maintain the uterine lining, and support pregnancy.