Anatomy
A woman’s uterus is where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant. Understanding the anatomy of the uterus may be helpful to you when discussing treatment options such as a hysterectomy with your doctor.
The uterus is just one part of the female reproductive system. Other parts include the vagina, the ovaries, and the fallopian tubes.
- The ovaries are the organs that produce and contain eggs. Working with the brain and the central nervous system, the ovaries also control your hormonal cycle. They play a part in the release of the hormone estrogen, which sparks the start of the menstrual cycle and the release of one egg per month until menopause.
- The fallopian tubes are the tubes that eggs travel through as they move from the ovaries to the uterus.
- The uterus is where the fertilized egg is normally implanted and nourished as it grows during pregnancy. It is the lining of the uterus that builds up and sheds with each menstrual cycle.
- The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus and connects the uterus to the vagina.
- The vagina, or birth canal, is the passage from the cervix to the genital area.