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Anatomy and Physiology

• Vagina: A muscular passageway that leads from the vulva (external genitalia) to the cervix.

• 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.

The Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation

Each month a woman’s body goes through a menstrual cycle. A woman can become pregnant only during

ovulation, a several-day phase in the middle of the menstrual cycle when one of the ovaries releases an egg.

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 If the ovulated egg is fertilized by a man’s sperm following sexual intercourse, it will implant in the

endometrium, the lining of the uterus that becomes the placenta during pregnancy. The placenta nurtures the

fertilized egg as it develops and grows into a baby.

Female Anatomy

Events Weeks of Pregnancy

1st Trimester

The woman's last period before 0

fertilization occurs.

Fertilization occurs. 2

The fertilized egg (zygote) begins to

develop into a hollow ball of cells
called the blastocyst.

The blastocyst implants in the wall of 3

uterus.The amniotic sac begins to
form.

The area that will become the brain 5

and spinal cord (neural tube) begins to
develop.

The heart and major blood vessels are 6

developing. The beating heart can be
seen during ultrasonography.

The beginnings of arms and legs 7

appear.

Bones and muscles form. The face and 9

neck develop.

Brain waves can be detected.

The skeleton is formed. Fingers and

toes are fully defined.

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The kidneys begin to function. 10

Almost all organs are completely

formed.

The fetus can move and respond to

touch (when prodded through the
woman's abdomen).

The woman has gained some weight,

and her abdomen may be slightly
enlarged.

2nd Trimester

The fetus's sex can be identified. 14

The fetus can hear.

The fetus's fingers can grasp. The 16

fetus moves more vigorously, so that
the mother can feel it.

The fetus's body begins to fill out as

fat is deposited beneath the skin. Hair
appears on the head and skin.
Eyebrows and eyelashes are present.

The placenta is fully formed. 20

The fetus has a chance of survival 24

outside the uterus.

The woman begins to gain weight

more rapidly.

3rd Trimester

The fetus is active, changing positions 25

often.

The lungs continue to mature.

The fetus's head moves into position

for delivery.

On average, the fetus is about 20

inches long and weighs about 7
pounds. The woman's enlarged
abdomen causes the navel to bulge.

Delivery 37-42