Male and Female Reproductive Systems
General description
Although the organs of the reproductive systems in the male and in the female are very different, their primary functions are identical, i.e. the continuation of human life through procreation.
In addition, organs of both male and female reproductive systems secrete hormones which influence growth and development and sexual characteristics.
Structures and Functions in the Male
The primary functions of the male organs of reproduction are procreation, to make spermatozoa and inject them into the female,and hormone secretion. The internal organs include two testes, two epididymides, two seminal ducts and vesicles, two ejaculatory ducts, two spermatic cords, the urethra, the prostate and other glands. The scrotum and penis are external reproductive organs.
Penis
The penis is used to eject semen and spermatozoa during sexual intercourse. It also passes urine during excretion.
Prepuce (foreskin)
A fold of skin covering the end of the penis is called the prepuce.
Scrotum
The scrotum is a pouch suspended in front of the upper part of the thighs. It is divided into two compartments each containing one testis and one epididymis. A spermatic cord leads from each compartment and suspends the testis.
Testes
The two glandular organs suspended one on each side of the scrotum by a spermatic cord are the testes. The testes produce the male cell, spermatozoa,and the hormone testosterone which influences growth and development in the male.
Spermatic cord
There are two spermatic cords, one connected to each testis, consisting of cord to a testicular artery, a testicular venous plexus, lymph vessels,a deferent duct and nerves.
Epididymis
The epididymis, a long looping tube leading from the top of the testis to the deferent duct is the organ through which spermatozoa pass. It lies along the upper portion of the testis.
Deferent duct (vas deferens)
The deferent duct or vas deferens is part of the spermatic cord. It runs from the testis to the seminal vesicle. Spermatozoa pass up the deferent testis,duct from the where they are created.
Ejaculatory duct
A short duct from the seminal vesical joins the deferent duct to form the ejaculatory
duct. This duct discharges seminal fluid containing sperm into the urethra.
Seminal vesicles
There are two pouch like ducts; the seminal vesicles, which store semen and join the deferent ducts to form the ejaculatory ducts.Secretions which aid sperm motility are added to the semen by the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland.
Prostate gland
The prostate gland also contributes to the seminal fluid, but its function is not completely understood. It surrounds the neck of the bladder and head of the urethra.
Reproductive System – Male
Structures and Functions in the Female
The reproductive system of the female produces ova (eggs) which, if fertilised by a spermatozoon from a male, grow into a fetus (foetus) in the uterus, until it is born. An important function of some of the reproductive organs is the secretion of hormones which help stimulate body development and female sexual characteristics, regulate the menstrual cycle, and make pregnancy possible.
Uterus
The uterus is a hollow muscular organ in the pelvic cavity; it is also known as the womb. After puberty the uterus goes through a regular cycle of changes known as the menstrual cycle. Hormones stimulate a thickening of the lining (endometrium) and an increase in blood supply. The womb is prepared in this manner to receive and implant the fertilized ovum.
Menstrual cycle
The cycle is an integral part of the reproductive mechanism. As described above, the uterus is prepared for pregnancy each month, if the ovum is not fertilised within about 48 hours after its release,hormonal stimuli are withdrawn resulting in the disintegration of the endometrium. As the womb lining separates from the wall to which it is attached, some bleeding occurs. This is called menstruation or the menstrual period.
Ovaries
After puberty, under cyclic hormonal influence, one of the two ovaries is stimulated to release an egg (ovum) about once a month. This is called ovulation.
Ovaries release oestrogen which controls development of the female characteristics. They also release progesterone which promotes gestation during the menstrual cycle.
Cervix
The neck of the uterus at the point where it joins the vagina is known as the cervix.
Fallopian tubes
The fallopian (uterine) tubes link the ovaries with the uterus. They convey the ovum from the ovary to the uterus. The ovum may be met and penetrated by a sperm in this tubal passageway. The fertilized ovum normally then continues its journey through the tube and enters the womb.
Vagina
The vagina is a canal leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body.
Vulva
External female genitalia are the labia majora and minora, clitoris, vestibule, hymen
and several glands. Collectively, the external organs are referred to as the vulva.
Reproductive System – Female
Breasts
The breasts develop in females at puberty. After a baby has been born the production of milk is stimulated by the pituitary gland.
Nipple
The nipple is the conical protuberance in each breast from which the lactiferous ducts discharge.They contain erectile tissue and are surrounded by a pigmented area called the areola.
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Pregnancy begins when an ovum in the female is fertilised by a spermatozoon from the male. The embryo starts to form in the uterus and grows on to become a fetus.
The average length of a pregnancy is 273 days, commonly lasting between 259 and 293 days. The birth of a child begins with labour, and normally the baby is delivered head first, through the vagina.
Embryo
The term used for a developing fetus during the first two months of pregnancy is an embryo.
Fetus
The fetus is the unborn offspring in the post embryonic period i.e. after major structures have been outlined — from seven or eight weeks after fertilisation, until birth.
Placenta (afterbirth)
During pregnancy the placenta develops in the womb. It is connected to the fetus by the umbilical cord. The placenta transfers nourishment and oxygen from the mother to the baby’s bloodstream and waste products from the baby to the mother. The bloodstream of the fetus and the mother are kept separate by a membrane. After delivery of the fetus the placenta is expelled.
Umbilical cord
The embryo/fetus is connected to the placenta by the umbilical cord. This flexible structure provides passage to the two umbilical arteries and umbilical vein which circulates the bloodstream between fetus and placenta. In the newborn the cord measures about 50cm in length.
Amniotic cavity
The amniotic cavity is a membranous sac in which the embryo develops. Filled with
amniotic fluid, it provides a protected environment for the developing baby.
Amniotic fluid
Protective liquid, amniotic fluid surrounds the fetus in the amniotic cavity.
Puerperium
The period of 42 days following the birth of the fetus is the puerperium.
Childbirth
The time at which a child is born is referred to as childbirth.
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Glossary of Terms Reproductive System
Cervical os
(ser’vi-kl os) Opening in the cervix (lower end) of the uterus.
Clitoris
(kli’to-ris) Erectile organ of sexual stimulation in the female.
Ejaculatory duct
(e-jak-u-la’to-re) Passage from which semen is discharged into the male urethra.
Endometrium
(en-do-me’tre-um) Lining of the uterus.
Epididymis
(ep-i-did’i-mis) (pl. – mides) Small but lengthy convoluted tube which
begins at its attachment to the testis and ends in the vas deferens.
Fallopian tube
(fal-lo’pe-an) Tubal passageway in which the egg travels from the ovary to the uterus.
Fertilization
(fer-ti-li-sa’shun) Union of ovum and spermatozoon.
Genitals; genitalia
(jen’i-tals, jen-i-ta’le-ah) Organs of reproduction.
Hormones
(hor’mons) Complex chemical substances which profoundly affect organ and body
growth, development and activities. The ovaries and testes produce hormones.
Hymen
(hi’men) Membranous tissue fold which partially covers the external opening of the vagina.
Labia majora
(la’be-a ma-jo’ra) Two outer borders of raised, fleshy tissue extending from the mons pubis down past the vaginal opening.
Labia minora
(la’be-a mi-no’ra) Two inner borders of tissue between the labia majora and the vaginal opening.
Mammary glands
(mam’er-e) Breasts.
Menstrual cycle
(men’stroo-al) Rhythmic hormonal activity which prepares the female reproductive
organs for fertilisation of the ovum. If fertilisation does not occur, hormones are withdrawn causing the endometrium to be shed.
Menstruation
(men-stroo-a’shun) Normal uterine bleeding which usually occurs monthly as the endometrium is shed by the non-pregnant female.
Mons pubis
(monz pu’bis) Rounded hairy mound of tissue covering the pubic bone.
Ovary
(o’vah-re) One of the two female glands which produce the ovum for reproduction.
Ovulation
(ov-u-la’shun) Discharge of the egg from the ovary.
Ovum
(o’vum) Female egg cell of reproduction.
Penis
(pe’nis) Male organ of sexual union.
Perineum
(per-i-ne’um) Space between the vagina and rectum or between scrotum and rectum.
Pregnancy
(preg’nan-ce) Condition in which the fertilised egg normally is implanted in the uterine lining, grows and develops for about nine months until the infant is capable of living in the outside environment.
Procreation
(pro-kre-a’shun) Entire process of creating new life.
Prostate
(pros’tate) Gland in the male which surrounds the bladder neck and contributes secretions to seminal fluid.
Puberty
(pu’ber-te) Time of appearance of adult secondary sex characteristics (breast and body development, ovulation and menstruation in the female; voice change, hair distribution, and functional spermatozoa in the male)
Pubic
(pu’bik) Pertaining to the bone beneath the mons pubis.
Reproduction
(re-pro-duk’shun) Process of creating new life by fusion of male spermatozoon with female ovum.
Scrotum
(skro’tum) Two compartment pouch of tissue located externally on the male body; contains the testes.
Semen
(se’men) Thick white fluid which contains sperm and other secretions; discharged by the male during sexual intercourse.
Seminal duct
(sem’i-nal) Two channels which convey semen.
Seminal vesicle
(ves’i-kl) Two small pouches attached to the bladder which join with the seminal ducts to form the ejaculatory ducts.
Sperm; spermatozoon
(sper-mah-to-zo’on) (pl. -zoa) Male germ cell.
Spermatic cord
(sper-ma’tik) Tubal passageway by which the testis is suspended in the scrotum.
Sperm motility
Ability of male germ cells to move about.
Testes
(tes’tes) (sing. -is) The two glands situated in the male scrotum which produce sperm.
Uterus
(u’ter-us) Hollow muscular organ in the female which houses and nourishes the
fertilized ovum until it becomes a viable infant; also called the womb.
Vagina
(vah-ji’nah) Passageway for infant birth and reception of the male penis during the sexual act.
Vas deferens
(vas def’er-ens) The excretory duct of the testis; also called ductus deferens.
Vestibule
(ves’ti-bul) Entrance to the vagina.
Viable
(vi’ah-bl) Capable of living in the environment outside the mother’s body.
Vulva
(vul’vah) External genitalia of the female.
Exercises on the Male and Female Reproductive Systems
A. Write in the table below the medical terms for the numbered items in the diagram. Then check your answers against the fully labelled diagram in this section.
B. Write in the table below the medical terms for the numbered items in the diagram. Then check your answers against the fully labelled diagram in this section.
C. Write in the table below the medical terms for the numbered items in the diagram. Then check your answers against the fully labelled diagram in this section.
D. Read the definitions of terms below. Each describes an organ, a part, or function of the reproductive system. You may refer to the previous text to fill in the appropriate word or phrase.
Definition
- The pouch suspended in front of the upper thighs of the male body which encases the testes.
- The male cell of reproduction produced in the testes.
- The male hormone produced in the testes.
- Pouch-like ducts in which semen is stored.
- The gland which surrounds the neck of the bladder And contributes to the seminal fluid.
- A fold of skin covering the end of the penis.
- A short duct from the seminal vesical which joins the deferent duct.
- The egg which is produced in the ovaries of a female about once a month.
- The tubes which convey the ovum to the uterus.
- A hollow muscular organ in the pelvic cavity, which goes through a regular cycle of changes after puberty.
- Two female hormones which are secreted by the ovaries.
- The canal leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body.
- The collective term given to the external female genitalia.
- The gland which stimulates the production of milk after a baby is born.
- The pigmented area surrounding the conical protuberance in each breast.
E. Use a medical dictionary to look up the meaning of these terms which are commonly used in describing conditions related to the reproductive system.
Relating to male reproduction:
anorchism
balanitis
circumcision
cryptorchism
epididymitis
hydrocele
orchidectomy
orchitis
phimosis
prostate
varicocele
vasectomy
abortion
amenorrhoea
amniocentesis
Bartholin’s glands
choriocarcinoma
dysmenorrhoea
dystocia
eclampsia
ectopic pregnancy
endocervicis
endometriosis
endometritis
fibroids
gravid
hydrosalpinx
hysterectomy
incomplete abortion
labour (3 stages)
leucorrhoea
mastectomy
mastitis
menopause
menorrhagia
menses
metrorrhagia
missed abortion
multipara
oligomenorrhoea
oophoritis
Papanicolaou test
parturient
placenta praevia
primipara puerperium
salpingitis
salpingoophorectomy
vaginitis