Male & Female Reproductive System

Female Male Mons Pubis Labia Urethra Perineum Vagina Cervix Uterus Scrotum Testicle Sperm Epididymis Vas Deferens Seminal Vesicles Prostate Gland Cowper Gland Ejaculation Semen Seminal Fluid Urethra Urinary Bladder Penis Mons Pubis Labia Urethra Perineum Vagina Cervix Uterus Endometrium Fallopian tubes Ovaries Ovum

A five year old girl asked the question that every parent dreads, “Mommy, how are babies made?” The mom did her best to explain, but the daughter still looked confused. “But what about kittens?” she asked. “Well, it is exactly the same way.” I said. “Wow!” she said excitedly, “My Daddy can do anything!”

FERTILIZATION / Conception The end purpose for the ova and the sperm When the sperm penetrates the surface of the ova and enters inside. The 23 chromosomes from each sex cell combine and begin to multiply to begin to form a new human being!!!

Conception Conception occurs when one sperm penetrates an egg wall – fertilization Ovum remains a living cell only about 24 hours – then it begins to deteriorate Sperm can survive 36-72 hours in the uterus and fallopian tubes. Millions of sperm in the semen fluid enter the vagina. Hundred make it to the fallopian tubes to meet the egg. Sperm = Fish Semen = River

The egg and the sperm each contain 23 chromosomes. Sperm determine if the baby will be a boy or a girl: XX = girl XY = boy *Sperm X=girl and Y=boy *Egg = X or X chromosome = girl Together the fertilized egg contains the 46 chromosomes needed to produce a human being

Fertilization normally occurs in the fallopian tube. The newly formed cell begins to divide and is referred to as a Zygote. Zygote continues through the fallopian tube and enters the uterus. If the zygote attaches to the inside of the fallopian tube it is known as an Ectopic or tubal pregnancy – . Zygote bounces around on the uterine wall until it finds an appropriate area to implant itself and begins to form: **Placenta **Umbilical Cord **Amniotic Sac **Embryo Complex process – if any part of this process goes wrong, the progression will cease and expulsion will occur: **Late Period **Miscarriage

Menstrual Cycle “Monthly Flow” Usually begins at about 12 or 13 and continues until about 50. Menstrual cycle can be affected by illness, emotional upset, change in physical environment, etc. (roommates) Most cycles are about 28 days, may vary from 17-35 days and still be regular. Not uncommon for girls prior to pregnancy to be irregular and some women remain irregular through reproductive years.

Menstrual Cycle “Monthly Flow” Average length of flow is 4 - 6 days. Day the flow begins is counted as day #1. If ovum (egg) is not fertilized then the lining of the uterus is discarded. This creates the flow of blood and tissue from the uterus through the vagina.

Ovulation Ovulation occurs about 14 days before the next menstruation period. This is true even in irregular cycles. Most women are not aware of ovulation. May create a little discomfort on side where the ovary is ovulating (each ovary every other month) Basal body temperature will drop 0.2° F – 0.4°F about the time of ovulation. Doctor’s Wheel

The Menstrual Cycle During Menstruation Days 1-5 Menstruation occurs and the lining of the uterus, with a small amount of blood, leaves the body. At this time, another egg is maturing in the ovary.

The Menstrual Cycle After Menstruation Days 6-15 The lining of the uterus repairs itself and once again prepares for a fertilized egg. Around days 13-15 an egg is released from an ovary. This is called OVULATION

Before Menstruation Days 16-28 If the egg is fertilized by the male sperm cell, it embeds itself in the wall of the uterus (endometrium lining). If the egg is not fertilized, the blood vessels in the wall of the uterus shrinks and breaks down. The menstruation cycle begins again.

Menstrual Cycle Day 1 – Menstruation begins (bleeding) Day 1-5 – Bleeding Continues Day 6-9 - Ovum is maturing and endometrium lining is thin Day 10 – 14 - Endometrium lining thickens and hormones rise. Around Day 14 – Ovum bursts out of the ovary Day 15 – After 24 hours the egg is done Day 15-28 – Egg travels down to thickened lining and either is implanted or it dissolves Day 26 – In the absence of fertilization, hormone levels drop and the endometrium lining breaks down Day 28 – Menstruation prepares to begin again. 18

Related Menstrual Terms Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FHS): a substance which brings to life a few of the ovum in one of the ovaries. Luteinizing Hormone (LH): causes the follicle to burst, and allows ovum to fall into the opening of the fallopian tube. Ova –plural, Ovum—singular: the female reproductive cell. Ovaries: organs holding a woman’s eggs. Estrogen: the hormone responsible for secondary sex characteristics and for the sex drive in females. The “egg producing” hormone. Progesterone: builds up the lining of the uterus to prepare it for the fertilized ovum.; the “egg-setting” hormone. Ovulation: time when the egg is released from the ovary.

Turn to this page

Male Anatomy 21

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male Reproductive Organs

Male Reproductive Organs

Male Reproductive Organs

Male Reproductive Organs

Male Reproductive Organs

Male Reproductive Organs

Male Reproductive Organs

Male Reproductive Organs

Male Reproductive Organs

Male Reproductive Organs

7. Scrotum A sac-like pouch located behind the penis that holds each testes and helps regulate temperature for sperm production. 43

6. Testicles or Testis The two testes are small organs that lie in the scrotum and produce sperm and the male hormone testosterone. The testicles are the male sex gland. The testicles are outside the body because the male sperm that is manufactured in the testes need cooler-than-body temperature for normal growth and development. They are the counterpart to the female ovary. Loss of one does not impair the function of the other. Four to five billion sperm cells are produced each month. 44

Testosterone The male reproductive hormone made by the testicles which causes the changes of puberty. This hormone causes secondary sex characteristics, production of sperm and sexual urge. It is produced in the testicles and enters the bloodstream at a fairly constant rate. 45

Sperm The microscopic cells produced by the male's testicles which can fertilize the female's ovum. They are tiny, living cells 100 times smaller than a pencil dot. (the smallest cell in a mans body Enough sperm would fit on the head of a pin to re-populate the earth if each sperm fertilized an egg. It is destroyed by warm body temperature, acidic environment. It can survive in a women’s body for 5-8 days. Any sperm not ejaculated are passed in the urine. 46

Swimming for your life A sperm is a tiny package with a big responsibility – to fertilize the egg and create a human life. So that tiny package is loaded with “gear” for its important journey. A few facts: Daily sperm production by a healthy man: 10 million to 50 million Contents of average ejaculation: 50 million sperm; 25 million moving; 20 million deformed Maturation: 72 hours Average swimming speed of a sperm: 8 inches per hour

9. Epididymis The structure that forms a mass over the back and upper part of each testes. Sperm are stored there for as long as six weeks while they ripen to maturity. 48

1. Cowpers Gland Two small pea-sized glands located beneath the prostate gland on both sides of the base of the penis. They secrete a clear, sticky fluid that helps to neutralize the acidity of the urethra. 49

8. Vas Deferens two long, thin tubes that serve as a passageway for sperm and a place for sperm storage. The contraction of the vas deferens along with the action of the cilia help transport the sperm through the vas deferens. 50

3. Seminal Vesicles two small glands that secrete a fluid that nourishes and enables the sperm to move. 51

2. Prostate Gland surround the urethra beneath the bladder. The gland secretes an alkaline fluid that neutralizes the acid found in the male urethra and the female reproductive tract. Without the action of the secretions of the prostate gland, many sperm would die and fertilization of an ovum would be impossible. 52

5. Urethra A dual purpose tube that both semen and urine pass through to leave the body. Semen and urine never mix. Special muscles or sphincters surround the urethra. During urination, one sphincter will relax so that the pressure from the bladder will push urine out from the body. During ejaculation, another sphincter will relax so that semen can flow through the urethra to the outside of the body. 53

4. Penis The male organ for sexual intercourse, reproduction, and urination. The reproductive purpose of the penis is to deposit semen in the vagina during sexual intercourse. The head of the penis or glans contains many nerve endings. At birth the glans is covered by a loosely fitting skin called the foreskin. When the penis is erect it is 5-7 inches long An erection occurs when the sponge-like chambers in the penis fill with blood. 54

SEMEN: a combination of fluid that is produced in the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and Cowper's gland. This fluid nourishes and helps sperm move through the urethra. 55

EJACULATION the passage of sperm from the penis, a result of a series of muscular contractions. 56

External Male Reproductive Testosterone: the male reproductive hormone made by the testicles which causes the changes of puberty. Penis: the organ of transfer of sperm to female. Scrotum: pouch-like sac holding both testicles in a separate compartment that hang underneath the penis. Testicles – Testes Gland: two glands in the male, located in the scrotum, which produce male hormones (testosterone).

Internal Male Organs Sperm: the microscopic cells produced by the male’s testicles which can fertilize the female’s ovum. Prostate Gland: a man’s gland that helps make semen. Cowper’s Glands: behind the base of the penis which secretes fluid to make semen and neutralize acid during sexual excitement. Ejaculatory duct: a short straight tube that passes into the prostate gland and opens into the urethra.

Urethra: a tube that connects with the vas deferen to carry sperm cells out of the body. Epididymis: the structure that forms a mass over the back and upper part of each testes. Vas Deferens (singular): two tubes leading from the epididymis to the seminal vesicles. Seminal Vesicles: two pouch-like structures which serve to store mature sperm until ejaculated.

Other related concerns Circumcision: A process that surgically removes the flap of skin that covers the glans of the penis. Semen: the thick, sticky fluid which contains sperm ejaculated by the male from the penis during orgasm (climax). Nocturnal Emissions: normal, involuntary ejaculation of semen and sperm while a male is asleep. Impotence: the failure to get or maintain an erection Vasectomy: surgical procedure for sterilization of the male.

External Female Anatomy Vulva: woman’s external genital area. Pudendum or Pubes: the area in the body where the sex organs are located. Mons Pubis: a mound of fatty tissue which covers the pubic bone. Labia Majora: (large lips) two folds of skin running from the mons pubis to below the vaginal opening Labia Minora: two smaller folds of tissue which lie just within the labia majora. Clitoris: a small, pea-shaped bump at the front of the labia that contains erectile tissue (counter part to male penis.) Urethra: below the clitoris, the opening to the bladder.

Internal Organs Hymen: a narrow fold of tissue encircling the entrance to the vagina. Vagina: passageway between the uterus and the outside of a woman’s body. Cervix: Opening from the uterus to the vagina. Uterus: place where the baby grows in a woman’s abdomen. Oviducts (Fallopian Tubes): two tubular structures leading from the ovaries to the uterus Ovaries: organs holding a woman’s eggs.

Front View

Internal Female Anatomy— 66

Female Reproductive Organs

Female Reproductive Organs

Female Reproductive Organs

Female Reproductive Organs

Female Reproductive Organs

Female Reproductive Organs

Female Reproductive Organs

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female

Female