The female reproductive tract consists of the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.

The external portion of the female reproductive tract is known as the vulva. The vulva includes the inner and outer lips, or labia. The hair-covered outer labia are called the labia majora (major lips). The labia minora, small inner lips partially hidden by the labia majora, are remnants of tissue whose embryologic counter part in the male develops into the scrotum. The clitoris, a small organ at the junction of the labia minora in the front of the vulva, is the embryologic counterpart of the male penis. The clitoris undergoes erection during erotic stimulation and plays an important role in orgasm.

The vagina, a narrow passage about 8 - 10 cm long and about 3 cm wide, spans the area between the vulva and cervix. It opens outward through the cleft between the labia minora, or vestibule. The vagina's elastic tissue, muscle, and skin and have enormous ability to stretch so as to accommodate the penis during the sex act and the passage of a baby at birth. The vagina is actually a potential space; it is only a real space when the penis enters it or during childbirth. At other times, the vaginal walls are collapsed against one another; a cross-section of a relaxed vagina would resemble the letter H.

The cervix, which is the lowermost part of the uterus, protrudes like a bottleneck into the upper vagina. The cervix opens into the uterus through a narrow canal, the lining of which contains glands that produce cervical mucous. The cervix is particularly vulnerable to infections and other diseases such as cancer.

The uterus, which consists of strong muscle fibres, is able to grow and stretch from its normal size resembling a pear to accommodate the full-term pregnancy. The valve-like transition between the cervix and uterine cavity enables a baby to grow within the uterus without prematurely dilating the cervix and thereby endangering the pregnancy through miscarriage or premature birth. The lining of the uterus, which nurtures and supports the developing embryo, is known as the endometrium.

The fallopian tubes are two narrow 10cm long structures that lead from either side of the uterus to the ovaries. At the end of the fallopian tubes are finger-like protrusions known as fimbriae.

The ovaries are two almond-like structures that are attached to each side of the pelvis adjacent to the fimbriae. The ovaries both release eggs and discharge certain hormones into the blood stream. The process of releasing the egg or eggs is called ovulation.

These eggs - each about the size of a grain of sand - are the largest cells in the human body. They are also known as ova, or oocytes. A woman is born with her lifetime supply of eggs inside the ovaries, and each month the ovaries select a number of these eggs for maturation. However, only one egg, and sometimes two, actually reach the stage where they are mature enough to be released and possibly fertilised. The ovaries absorb eggs that do not mature after ovulation.

Eggs mature in blister-like structures known as follicles that project from the surface of the ovaries. At ovulation, the egg is not simply expelled into the abdominal cavity. Instead, the fimbriae at the end of the fallopian tubes gently vacuum the surface of the ovaries to retrieve the egg and direct it through the fallopian tube for possible fertilisation.