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• Cervix: A small hole at the end of the vagina through which sperm
passes into the uterus. Also serves as a protective barrier for the uterus.
During childbirth, the cervix dilates (widens) to permit the baby to descend
from the uterus into the vagina for birth.
• Uterus: A hollow organ that houses the baby during pregnancy. During
childbirth, the uterine muscles contract to push out the baby. Each month,
unless a fetus has been conceived, the uterine wall sheds its lining (see The
Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation below).
• Ovaries: Two organs that produce hormones and store eggs. Each
ovary releases one egg per month.
• Fallopian tubes: Muscular tubes that eggs released from the ovaries
must traverse to reach the uterus.
Female Anatomy
Events Weeks of
Pregnancy
1st Trimester
Fertilization occurs. 2
The fertilized egg (zygote)
begins to develop into a hollow
ball of cells called the blastocyst.
2nd Trimester
3rd Trimester