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THE FEMALE GENITAL ORGANS

The genital organs of woman consist of two ovaries, the Fallopian tubes, the uterus, or womb, and the vagina. The uterus is a pear-shaped body with the small end down, located behind the bladder. The wall of the uterus is very thick and is capable of expanding greatly. It is within this organ that the fetus, or developing child, has its growth before it is born. On each side of the uterus is an ovary, which is an organ corresponding to the testicle of the male. Connecting each ovary with the uterus is a Fallopian tube. The Fallopian tubes enter the uterus near the top. At the bottom of the uterus is the cervix, or neck of the uterus. This opens into the vagina, which is the inner passage which receives the penis of the male in sexual intercourse. The uterus enters the vagina at an oblique angle—almost at a right angle—so that at the end of the vagina two pockets are formed, one in front of the cervix and the other behind it. These are called the anterior fornix and posterior fornix respectively, the latter being the larger of the two. The term cul-de-sac is also sometimes applied to these cavities. At the front end of the vagina is a thin membrane, the hymen, or maidenhead, which partially covers the entrance to the vagina. This membrane is usually stretched or nicked on the first occasion of sexual intercourse, if not before.

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