Which structure connects the uterus to the outside of the female body?

The structure that connects the uterus to the outside of the female body is the vagina. This muscular canal serves multiple functions: it acts as a passage for menstrual fluid to exit the body, it leads to the cervix and uterus during childbirth, and it is the site of intercourse. The vagina plays a vital role in the female reproductive system, facilitating the connection between internal reproductive structures and the external environment.

The fallopian tubes are responsible for transporting eggs from the ovaries to the uterus but do not connect to the outside of the body. The ovaries are the organs that produce eggs and hormones but are also located internally. The rectum, a part of the digestive system, does not have a reproductive function and is unrelated to the connection between the uterus and the outside. Understanding these distinctions highlights why the vagina is the correct answer in this context.