Page 36 - (DK) Help Your Kids with Growing Up: A No-Nonsense Guide to Puberty and Adolescence

34 FEMALE PUBERT Y

Female sex organs SEE ALSO
‹
‹ 28–29 What is puberty?
30–31 Female hormones
The female sex organs have two main functions. The ovaries store ‹ 32–33 Changing body
and release the eggs needed for sexual reproduction, while the The menstrual cycle 36–37 ›
uterus supports and carries a baby as it develops during pregnancy.

On the inside GOOD T O KNO W
The internal sex organs are located between the Vaginal discharge
bladder at the front of the body and the rectum at During puberty, females will start to notice a
the back. They include the uterus, the vagina, and clear, yellow, or white fluid in their underwear.
two ovaries. Knowing the function of each part This fluid, known as vaginal discharge,
helps teens to understand how the female body is produced by the cervix. This discharge
works and why females have regular periods. helps to clean and moisten the vagina,
and to prevent infection. If, however, the
▽ Internal sex organs fluid changes colour, or is smelly, lumpy,
The primary function of the internal or itchy, then speak to a doctor.
sex organs is sexual reproduction.
Uterus
The uterus is about 7.5 cm (3 in) long
and 5 cm (2 in) wide. If the female germ
cell, known as the egg, is fertilized, the Fallopian tube
uterus protects and carries it as it The two fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to
develops into a baby. the uterus. Each tube is about 10 cm (4 in) long.

Ovary
Thousands of eggs, present
from birth, are stored in each
of the two ovaries. After
puberty, every 28 days (on
Endometrium average), one ovary will
The inner lining of the uterus thickens each release an egg which travels
month as part of the menstrual cycle in through the fallopian tube
preparation for a possible pregnancy. into the uterus.
Cervix
The entrance to the uterus, the
cervix stretches during labour
to allow a baby through.

Vagina
This muscular passage
connects the internal sex
organs to the external genitals.

034-035_Female_sex_organs.indd 34 24/03/2017 17:15