The placenta is a vital organ that develops during pregnancy and serves as the interface between the mother and the fetus. Its primary functions include nourishing the fetus with oxygen and nutrients, and removing waste products from the fetal blood.
Oxytocin is the hormone that triggers labor by stimulating uterine contractions. It is often called the “love hormone” because it plays a role in childbirth and breastfeeding. Estrogen and progesterone regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, while HCG is used to confirm pregnancy but does not trigger labor.
The corpus luteum forms from the remnants of the follicle after ovulation and secretes estrogen and progesterone. These hormones help maintain the endometrium, preparing it for potential implantation of a fertilized egg. If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum degenerates, leading to a decrease in hormone levels and the onset of menstruation.
The vagina is commonly referred to as the birth canal because it is the passage through which a baby is delivered during childbirth. It also serves as the conduit for menstrual flow and the site of sexual intercourse. The uterus is where the fetus develops, the ovaries produce eggs, and the fallopian tubes transport eggs from the ovaries to the uterus.
The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects it to the vagina. It serves as a passageway for menstrual blood to exit the body, for sperm to enter the uterus, and it dilates during childbirth to allow the baby to pass through. The endometrium is the uterine lining, the ovaries produce eggs, and the fallopian tubes transport eggs.
