REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS: PARTS & FUNCTIONS

Urethra

is the tube that passes through the penis to the outside of the body which carries urine and sperm.

Epididymis

is a coiled J-shaped tube located on the back of each testicle. It stores the sperm for two to four days after they have been produced.

Vas deferens

is the tube that receives sperm from the epididymis of each testicle

Scrotum

is a pouch of skin that hangs from the penis which houses the testes and it protects the sperm by keeping the temperature of the testes slightly lower than the normal body temperature in order for the sperm to survive.

Testes

They are made up of coiled tubules in which the sperm are produced. They produced the male sex hormones called testosterone for the production of sperm.

Penis

is a soft, tubular organ that hangs front of the body and is the ex-temal sexual organ of the male through which the sperm are delivered into the female's body.

Ejaculation

When the penis becomes larger and stiffer due to increase blood flow during _

Testosterone

Male sex hormones used for the production of the sperm

Vas deferens

a tube that is about 18 inches long that loops over the urinary bladder

Urethra

a common tube where urine and semen passes'; the valve within the urethra prevents the mixing of urine and sperm

Seminal vesicles

it secretes a thick fluid that nourishes the sperm

Ejaculatory ducts

are the tubes that are lined with muscles. These muscles contract to force the semen out of the body during ejaculation

Ovaries

are small and almond-shaped organs. It is located inside the female; one on each side of the body, a few inches below the waist.

Estrogen & Progesterone

hormones that the ovaries secretes

Ovulation

when the ovaries produce and release one ripened egg every 28 days

Fallopian tubes

are 2 tubes that extend from each ovary into the uterus. Their main function is to house the egg until fertilization. Afterward, it provides a passage way leading the sperm to the egg and the fertilized egg to the uterus.

Uterus

is a hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ located between the 2 ovaries.

Cervix

a narrow structure within an inch-long canal connecting the lower end of the uterus to the upper portion of the vagina

Vagina

is the hollow tube leading from the cervix to the outside of the body. The wall is elastic which allows it to expand during childbirth and sexual intercourse

Vulva

The external genitalia that includes the mons veneris, labia minora, labia majora, clitoris, and vaginal orifice

Mons veneris

is the hairy skin-covered pad of fat over the pubic bone

Labia minora

is the small lips covered with the modified skin

Labia majora

is the large lips covered with pubic hair

Clitoris

is the small almond-shaped erectile tissue located between the junction of the two minora

Vaginal Orifice

is the opening into the vagina