Editing Female reproductive system (section)

{{About|the human female reproductive system|the female reproductive systems of other organisms|reproductive system}}
{{Additionalcitations|date=November 2019}}
{{Short description|Reproductive system of female humans}}
{{Infobox anatomy
| Name        = Female reproductive system (human)
| Latin       = systema genitale femininum
| Image       = File:Female reproductive system lateral 1.png
| Caption     = Pictorial illustration of the female reproductive system and nearby organs
| Width       = 
| Caption2    = 
| Precursor   = 
| System      = 
| Artery      = 
| Vein        = 
| Nerve       = 
| Lymph       = 
}}
<!--Structure
*including a brief description of 
****location and size 
**course
** insertions attachments
*Possible subsections 
**blood supply 
**lymphatic drainage
**innervation if these are complex enough
*(no need to duplicate information provided in the infobox). If covered on the same page, 
*subsections may be devoted to individual substructure
*Variations, describing variations, if appropriate
*Development, discussing the embryological/foetal and early-life development of the structure. May be included as a subsection in 'structure', especially for minor anatomical structures.
*Histology, where appropriate
*Function or Physiology as appropriate
*Clinical significance, discussing related diseases, medical associations with the structure, and use in surgery.
*Society and culture, which may be excluded in minor anatomical structures.
*History, describing the structure and the etymology of the word. Etymology may be included as a separate subsection, if sufficient information exists.
*Other animals, which may include comparative anatomy for discussing non-human anatomy in articles that are predominantly human-based.
*Additional images to store high-quality images. 
*The lead should begin by stating in the most general form the location and purpose of the structure. For example, ** ex:The metatarsals are bones found in the human foot
**link to the commons image category for images may be provided in the 'see also' section. If article makes use of anatomical terminology, please add {{Anatomy-terms}} or {{AT}} as the first link in the 'see also' section.
If the article uses text from public domain source, please add appropriate tags such as {{Gray's}} as the first link in the section relating to references.-->

[[File:Scheme female reproductive system-number-full-cropped.svg|thumb|
{{{1|}}}
1. '''[[Vulva]]''':
2.&nbsp;[[Labia majora]];
3.&nbsp;[[Labia minora]];
4.&nbsp;[[Vulval vestibule|Vestibule]];
5.&nbsp;'''[[Clitoris]]''': (with
6.&nbsp;Glans and
7.&nbsp;Body).
8.&nbsp;[[Bulb of vestibule]]<br>
9. '''[[Vagina]]''':
10.&nbsp;[[Hymen]];
11.&nbsp;Lumen;
12.&nbsp;Wall;
13.&nbsp;[[Vaginal fornix|Fornix (lateral)]]<br>
14. '''[[Uterus]]''':
'''Parts''':
15.&nbsp;[[Cervix]];
16.&nbsp;[[Body of the uterus|Body]] and
17.&nbsp;[[Fundus uteri|Fundus]].
18.&nbsp;Orifices: external and internal;
19.&nbsp;[[Cervical canal]];
20.&nbsp;[[Uterine cavity]];
'''Layers''':
21.&nbsp;[[Endometrium]];
22.&nbsp;[[Myometrium]] and
23.&nbsp;[[Perimetrium]]<br>
24. '''[[Fallopian tube]]''':   
25.&nbsp;[[Isthmus of Fallopian tube|Isthmus]];
26.&nbsp;[[Ampulla of Fallopian tube|Ampulla]];
27.&nbsp;[[Infundibulum of uterine tube|Infundibulum]];
28.&nbsp;[[Fimbriae of uterine tube|Fimbriae]] (with
29.&nbsp;Fimbria ovarica)<br>
30. '''[[Ovary]]'''<br>
31. '''Visceral pelvic [[peritoneum]]''':
32.&nbsp;[[Broad ligament of the uterus|Broad ligament]] (with
33.&nbsp;[[Mesosalpinx]];
34.&nbsp;[[Mesovarium]] and
35.&nbsp;[[Mesometrium]])<br>
'''Ligaments''':
36.&nbsp;[[Round ligament of uterus|Round]];
37.&nbsp;[[Ovarian ligament|Ovarian]];
38.&nbsp;[[Suspensory ligament of ovary|Suspensory of ovary]]<br>
'''Blood vessels''':
39.&nbsp;[[Ovarian artery]] and [[Ovarian vein|vein]];
40.&nbsp;[[Uterine artery]] and [[Uterine veins|veins]];
41.&nbsp;[[Vaginal artery]] and [[Vaginal venous plexus|veins]]<br>
'''Other''':
42.&nbsp;[[Ureter]];
43.&nbsp;[[Pelvic floor]] ([[Levator ani]]);
44.&nbsp;[[Femoral head]]; 
45.&nbsp;[[Hip bone]]; 
46.&nbsp;[[Internal iliac artery|Internal iliac vessels]] (anterior branches);
47.&nbsp;[[External iliac artery|External iliac vessels]];
48.&nbsp;[[Abdominal cavity]]]]
The human '''female reproductive system''' is made up of the internal and external [[sex organ]]s that function in the [[Human reproduction|reproduction]] of new [[offspring]]. The reproductive system is immature at birth and develops at [[puberty]] to be able to release matured [[ova]] from the [[ovary|ovaries]], facilitate their [[Human fertilization|fertilization]], and create a protective environment for the developing [[fetus]] during [[pregnancy]]. The '''female reproductive tract''' is made of several connected internal sex organs—the [[vagina]], [[uterus]], and [[fallopian tube]]s—and is prone to infections.<ref name="cdc1">{{cite journal |last1=Scoullar |first1=Michelle J. L. |last2=Boeuf |first2=Philippe |last3=Peach |first3=Elizabeth |title=Mycoplasma genitalium and Other Reproductive Tract Infections in Pregnant Women, Papua New Guinea, 2015–2017 - Volume 27, Number 3—March 2021 - Emerging Infectious Diseases journal - CDC |url=https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/3/20-1783_article |journal=Emerging Infectious Diseases |year=2021 |volume=27 |issue=3 |pages=894–904 |access-date=9 October 2022 |language=en-us |doi=10.3201/eid2703.201783 |pmid=33622474 |pmc=7920647 |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009103800/https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/3/20-1783_article |url-status=live }}</ref> The vagina allows for [[sexual intercourse]] and [[childbirth]], and is connected to the uterus at the [[cervix]].  The uterus (or womb) accommodates the [[embryo]] by developing the [[uterine lining]].

The uterus also produces secretions which help the transit of [[sperm]] to the fallopian tubes, where sperm fertilize the ova. During the [[menstrual cycle]], the ovaries release an ovum, which transits through the fallopian tube into the uterus. If an egg cell meets with sperm on its way to the uterus, a single sperm cell can enter and merge with it, creating a [[zygote]]. If no fertilization occurs, [[menstruation]] is the process by which the uterine lining is shed as blood, mucus, and tissue.

Fertilization usually occurs in the fallopian tubes and marks the beginning of [[human embryogenesis|embryogenesis]]. The zygote will then [[Mitosis|divide]] over enough generations of cells to form a [[blastocyst]], which [[implantation (embryo)|implants]] itself in the wall of the uterus. This begins the period of [[gestation]] and the embryo will continue to [[prenatal development|develop]] until [[pregnancy#Childbirth maturity stages|full-term]]. When the [[Fetal viability|fetus has developed enough to survive outside the uterus]], the cervix dilates, and [[Childbirth|contractions of the uterus propel it through the birth canal]] (the vagina), where it becomes a [[newborn]]. The [[breasts]] are not part of the reproductive system, but [[mammary gland]]s were essential to nourishing infants until the modern advent of [[infant formula]].

Later in life, a woman goes through [[menopause]] and menstruation halts. The ovaries stop releasing eggs and the uterus stops preparing for pregnancy.

The external sex organs are also known as the ''genitals'', and these are the organs of the [[vulva]], including the [[labia]], [[clitoris]], and [[vulval vestibule|vestibule]].<ref name="Ellis 2013">{{Cite book |last=Ellis |first=Harold |title=Clinical anatomy: applied anatomy for students and junior doctors |last2=Mahadevan |first2=Vishy |date=2013 |publisher=Wiley-Blackwell |isbn=978-1-118-37376-7 |edition=13th |location=Chichester, West Sussex, UK}}</ref> The corresponding equivalent among males is the [[human male reproductive system|male reproductive system]].