The Reproductive System Part 1

Male Reproductive System

The main function of this system is to produce sperm and deliver them to the female body so that one sperm can unite with one ovum to create a new human that includes the genetic material of both the male and the female.

Female Reproductive System

The main function of this reproductive system is to produce an egg for fertilization each month then, once fertilized, to nourish and protect the growing fetus until childbirth.

Scrotum

This is a sack-like structure surrounding the testicles. It protects and supports the testicles.

Testicles (Testes)

These are two small, egg-shaped glands that produce the sperm.

Seminiferous tubules

Sperm are formed within this of each testicle.

Epididymis

This is the coiled tube at the upper part of each testicle.

Spermatic cord

Attached to each testicle extending upward from the epididymis.

Penis

The male sex organ that transports the sperm into the female vagina. Made up of three columns of erectile tissue.

Vas Deferens

Also called the ductus deferens. It is a long, narrow continuation of each epididymis. They join the urethra.

Seminal Vesicles

These are the glands that secrete a thick yellow substance that nourishes the sperm cells. They are located at the base of the urinary bladder.

Ejaculatory Duct

This tube begins at the vas deferens and passes through the prostate gland. It then empties into the urethra.

Prostate Gland

This gland lies under the bladder and surrounds the end of the urethra where the vas deferens enters the urethra. It secretes a very thick, alkaline fluid into the semen. This fluid aids the motility of the sperm.

Bulbourethral Glands

There are two. Also called Cowper’s glands. The glands secrete pre-ejaculate during sexual arousal that helps flush out residual urine and foreign matter in the urethra. It also lubricates the urethra so the sperm pass through unencumbered.

Mons Pubis

This is the rounded, fleshy prominence located over the pubic symphysis.

Vulva

Consists of the labia, clitoris, Bartholin’s glands, and vaginal orifice.

Clitoris

This organ is sensitive and contains erectile tissue. It is located anterior to the urethral meatus and the vaginal orifice.

Bartholin’s Glands

These two small, round glands produce a mucus secretion to lubricate the vagina.

Labia Major and Labia Minora

These are lip-type structures that protect the external genitalia and urethral meatus in the vagina.

Vaginal Orifice

This is the exterior opening of the vagina.

Breasts

The fatty tissue that include the mammary glands suspended by ligaments between the skin and pectoral muscles.

Mammary Glands

These glands produce milk for the nourishing the newborn infant. They include lactiferous ducts that carry milk from the mammary glands to the nipple.

Ovaries

These are a pair of small, almond-shaped organs in the lower abdomen, on either side of the uterus. They produce and store eggs (ova) and make hormones that control the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Ova

This is the medical term for the egg, or female gametes. They are present at birth. After puberty, one egg (normally) matures and is released each month for potential fertilization by the sperm from the male.

Fallopian Tubes

There are two of them that extend from the upper end of the uterus to a point near the ovary.

Fimbriae

This is the fringed, finger-like extensions of the infundibulum.

Uterus

This is a pear-shaped organ with muscular walls. Inside is a mucous membrane lining that has a rich supply of blood vessels.

Vagina

The muscular tube lined with mucosa extending from the cervix to the outside of the body.

Cervix

The lower, narrow portion that extends into the vagina.

Menstrual Cycle

A natural monthly process in the female body that regulates hormone production and prepares the reproductive system for a potential pregnancy, averaging 28 days in length.

Perimenopause

The female transitions between regular menstrual periods and no periods at all.

Menopause

The normal termination of menstruation in a women during middle age.

Ovulation

The release of a mature egg from a follicle on the surface of one of the ovaries.

Fertilization

During sexual intercourse (also called copulation or coitus), the male ejaculates about 100 million sperm into the female’s vagina. The sperm travel upward through the vagina, into the uterus, and into the fallopian tubes.

Conception

When a sperm penetrates and fertilizes the descending ovum. The union is the beginning of new life and forms a single cell - a zygote.

Chorion

The outer membrane that encloses the embryo.

Placenta

This is a temporary organ that forms in the uterus to allow the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and waste products between the mother and growing fetus. Also secretes hormones to maintain pregnancy.

Amniotic Sac

The innermost membrane surrounding the embryo in the uterus. Amniotic fluid is the liquid that protects the fetus inside the uterus.

Afterbirth

This is the placenta and fetal membranes expelled after birth of the baby.

Umbilical Cord

The tube that carries blood, oxygen, and nutrients from the placenta to the growing fetus and transports waste from the fetus to be disposed of through the mother’s excretory system.

Gestation

The period of development of the baby in the uterus. it lasts for about 280 days, or 40 weeks.

Pregnancy

The condition of having a developing baby in the uterus.

Due Date

Technical term is the estimated date of confinement (EDC). it is calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period.

Nulligravida

A woman who has never been pregnant.

Nullipara

A woman who has never borne a viable child.

Primigravida

A woman during her first pregnancy

Primipara

A woman who has borne one viable child.

Multiparous

A women who has given birth two or more times.

The First Stage of Childbirth

Gradual dilation and effacement of the cervix and rupture of the amniotic sac.

The Second Stage of Childbirth

This stage begins when the cervix is dilated to 10 cm. Contractions become stronger and more frequent. The mother can begin pushing the child through the vagina.

The Third Stage of Childbirth

The placenta is expelled from the mother as the afterbirth.