Reproduction system usually involves internal fertilization by
sexual intercourse. During this process, the male inserts his erect penis into
the female's vagina and ejaculates semen, which contains sperm.
The
sperm will pass through the cervix into the uterus, and then into the fallopian
tubes for fertilization of the ovum (Only one sperm is required to fertilize
the ovum).
Upon
successful fertilization, the fertilized ovum travels out of the fallopian tube
and into the uterus, where it implants in the uterine wall. This is the
beginning of gestation (Pregnancy) continues for nine months, concluded with
childbirth (labor).
Both
males and females have the same types of organs,
1. Gonads or sex glands
2. Ducts or tubes to carry the sex cells and secretions
3. Accessory organs
The female reproductive system is a series of
organs primarily located inside of the body and around the pelvic region of a
female.
— Ovaries
— Fallopian Tubes
— Uterus
— Vagina
— Vulva
— Bartholin’s
Glands
OVARIES: Female gonads (sex
glands), Small almond-shaped glands located in the pelvic cavity, attached to
the uterus by ligaments. It contains follicles (Thousands of small sacs in the
ovaries), each follicle contains an immature ovum When an ovum matures; the
follicle enlarges and then ruptures to release the mature ovum. This process is
called ovulation, once in a month.
FALLOPIAN
TUBES: Two tubes, about 5 inches long, Attached with uterus lateral ends
has finger-like projections called Fimbriae. Tubes serve as a passageway for
ovum.
Peristalsis: The rhythmic
movement of the muscle layer of the tube that helps move ovum down toward the
uterus and Cilia: hair-like structures lining of tubes that keep the ovum
moving toward the uterus.
UTERUS: Hollow, muscular
pear-shaped organ located behind the urinary bladder, and in front of the
rectum. Uterus holds the fetus during pregnancy.
Three parts of the uterus
— Fundus or top section:
where fallopian tubes attach
— Body or corpus: the
middle section
— Cervix or narrow bottom:
a section that attaches to the vagina
Three layers of the uterus
Endometrium, Myometrium and
Perimetrium
VAGINA: Muscular tube that
connects cervix of uterus with the outside, Passageway for menstrual flow,
receives the sperm and semen from the male, Acts as the birth canal during
delivery of an infant.
BARTHOLIN’S
GLANDS: Two small glands located on either side of the vaginal opening,
Secret mucus for lubricating during intercourse.
VULVA: Structures that form the
external female genital area.
— Labia majora, Labia
minora, Mons pubis
Approximately
every 28 days, the pituitary gland releases a hormone that stimulates some of
the ova to develop and grow.
One
ovum is released and it passes through the fallopian tube into the uterus.
Hormones produced by the ovaries prepare the uterus to receive the ovum.
The lining of the uterus called the endometrium, and unfertilized ova are shed
each cycle through the process of menstruation.
If
the ovum is fertilized by sperm, it attaches to the Endometrium and the fetus
develops.
MALE REPRODUCTION SYSTEM
Parts
of Male reproduction system
— Testes
— Epididymis
— Vas deferens
— Seminal vesicles
— Ejaculatory ducts
— Prostate gland
— Cowper’s gland
— Urethra
— Penis
The function of the male reproductive system is to provide the male sperm for fertilization
of the ovum.
TESTES: Two male gonads or sex
glands, Located in the scrotum (sac suspended between the thighs outside the
body) where the temperature is lower for production of sperm. Produces
the male sex cell called sperm or spermatozoa
Produces
male hormones
1. The main hormone is testosterone
2. Aids in the maturation of sperm
3. Also is responsible for the secondary male sex characteristics such as body hair, facial hair, larger muscles and a deeper voice.
EPIDIDYMIS: Tightly coiled tube
about 20 feet long located above the testes in the scrotum receives the sperm
from the testes and stores the sperm while they mature and become motile,
produce fluid (Part of semen).
VAS
DEFERENS / DUCTUS DEFERENS: One on each side joins with the Epididymis,
extends up into an abdominal cavity, Curves behind the urinary bladder and joins
with a seminal vesicle.
SEMINAL
VESICLES: Two small pouch-like tubes located behind the bladder by the
junction of the vas deferens and the ejaculatory ducts. Produce the yellow
fluid for 75% of semen. Provide nourishment for sperm.
EJACULATORY
DUCTS: Two short tubes formed by the union of vas deferens and
seminal vesicles, Carry the sperm and semen, through the prostate gland into the
urethra.
PROSTATE
GLAND: Located below the urinary bladder on either side of the urethra.
Secrete prostate fluid (alkaline) part of semen. Muscular tissue in
the prostate contracts during ejaculation (expulsion of the semen from the
body) closes urethra to prevent the passage of urine through the urethra.
URETHRA: The tube that extends
from the urinary bladder through the penis to the outside of the body, Carries
urine from the urinary bladder and semen from the reproductive tubes
PENIS: External male
reproductive organ, Male organ of copulation or intercourse, Deposits the semen
in the vagina.
COWPER’S
GLANDS / BULBOURETHRAL: Two small glands located below the prostate,
Connected by small tubes to the urethra, Produces mucus that serves as a
lubricant for intercourse.
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