Female and Male Reproductive System Functions (no diagrams)

testes

produce sperm and testosterone

sperm

male sex cell

testosterone

male sex hormone

ovaries

holds eggs, makes progesterone and estrogen

progesterone

hormone that maintains the lining of the uterus and helps prepare the uterus for implantation of fertilized ova

estrogen

female sex hormone

scrotum

a thin skinned sac that holds the testes and controls the temperature inside of the testes

epididymis

storage area for sperm to mature

vas deferens

the passageway for the sperm to travel from the
testes to the glands, cut in a vasectomy

seminal vesicle

that provides the nutrients for the sperm through the fluid it produces

prostate gland

adds a fluid to help neutralize acidic environment of the vagina

seminal fluid (semen)

sperm + fluid

cowpers gland

produces a clear fluid to prepare the urethra for the semen

urethra

passageway for urine and semen going through the penis, on its way out of the male's body.

penis

reproductive organ that contains erectile tissue.

nocturnal emission

an ejaculation while the male is sleeping

circumcision

the surgical removal of the foreskin on the end of the penis

vasectomy

a permanent method of contraceptive that prevents the release of sperm when a man ejaculates.

ovum/ova

female sex cell

fallopian tube

passageway for eggs to travels from the ovary to the uterus, fertilization takes place here.

ectopic pregnancy

when the fertilized egg attaches to the fallopian tube instead of the uterus

uterus

also known as the womb, where the baby grows and develops

endometrium

inside layer of uterus that thickens and flows out in menstruation if the woman does not become pregnant

myometrium

middle layer (of uterus) of muscle that contracts during labor

perimetrium

outside layer of uterus

cervix

opening of the uterus that forms the mucus plug during pregnancy

vagina

also known as the birth canal

hymen

thin membrane covering the opening of the vagina.

labia

folds of tissue that cover and protect the opening of the urethra and vagina.

clitoris

part of the female reproductive system that contains erectile tissue

vulva

the external genital area

menopause

when a woman stops menstruating and cannot become pregnant anymore, normally occurs around age 50