The human reproductive systemThe female reproductive system is made up of the female sexual cells, the vagina, the labia, the clitoris, the urethra, the hymen, the uterus, the cervix, the fallopian tubes, ovaries, estrogen and progesterone. Female sex cells, otherwise known as an egg, which are created by the ovaries, combine with male sperm, give a home to a fertilized egg, and create an embryo. The vagina, also known as the birth canal, joins the bottom of the uterus (cervix) and contains male gametes during sex and provides permission for the birth of a baby. It is located towards the bottom of the pelvis. The lips can be divided into 2 parts, the labia majora and the labia minora. The labia majora, also known as the external labia, are an external sexual organ that connects to the thighs which are fleshy and on which pubic hair grows. The labia minora, otherwise known as the inner labia, protect the vagina and urethra and are located beneath the labia majora. The labia minora may have a different structure and may swell due to excitement. The clitoris is a tissue between the labia minora, which fills with blood and becomes erect during arousal. The clitoris appears to have been built for arousal and pleasure, the sensitive clitoris being having a foreskin (shaft) and two crucas, which have networks of sensitive nerves. The urethra is a tube that removes fluid from the bladder and draws urine from the body. The hymen is a thin tissue that extends across the opening of the vagina (Vanessa Cullins, 2013). The uterus, also known as the womb, is made up of two parts, the cervix and the body. The cervix, located at the top of the vagina, allows sperm to enter and blood due to menstruation to exit. The body expands to accommodate a developing baby and is shaped like a pear. The fallopian tubes... center of the paper... ilial cord, and are excreted with the mother's urine. After 9 months, when the baby is usually ready to be born, its head presses against the cervix as the mother and fetus both release a hormone called oxytocin, which induces labor. Mothers begin to have contractions, which become more frequent and painful as labor begins. As the walls of the cervix loosen, the mucus plug on the cervix loosens and amniotic fluid leaks out of the vagina when the mother's water breaks (Stephen Nowicki, 2012). The muscles contract to help push the baby through the vagina and out of the mother's body, the baby comes out head first and the placenta also comes out, also known as afterbirth. Some babies may have a cesarean section, in which the abdomen is cut. The umbilical cord is then cut from the baby, leaving a portion of it that dries up and leaves a scar, called the belly button.