9- growth and reproduction

penis

penis

primary sexual organ, means for urine elimination, semen is released from here, three chambers fill with blood

scrotum

sac which contains testes, provides proper temp control for sperm production by moving up and down to control temp

testes

function is to produce spermatozoa and the male hormone testosterone, contains seminiferous tubules which coiled structures that produce sperm cells

epididymis

the epididymus is like the “nursery” for sperm cells, it takes 64 days for sperm to produce

vas deferens

duct which carries sperm cells from where they are stored to the seminal gland

prostate gland

secrets ejaculatory fluid, alkaline fluid which thins the sperm cells and protects them as they move through the acidic area of the vagina

cowpers gland

below prostate gland at each side of base of penis, secrets base lubrication fluid which neutralizes acidity within the urethra, this fluid is noticeable before ejaculation

seminal vesicle

this also produces ejaculatory fluid: cowpers, prostate, and seminal vesicle all produce seminal fluid, seminal fluid + sperm= semen

urethra

a duct which carries semen and urine out of the penis

ovaries

stores ovums or egg cells, produces hormones, estrogen which is responsible for female changes in adolescence, progesterone which prepares the blood enriched lining of the uterus every month and maintains it if the ovum is fertilized or releases the lining if ovum isn’t fertilized, 400-500 ovums mature and are released during menstruating years

fallopian tubes

similar in purpose to the vas defrens, conveys ovum from ovary to the uterus, fertilization of ovum occurs here

uterus

hollow thick muscular organ that is pear-shaped, situated between the bladder and rectum between fallopian tubes

2 parts: corpus- body of uterus, cervix- opening to the uterus

muscular structure causes contractions just before ovulation, during labor, and just prior to and at end of her period; uterus is normally 3x4in, but during pregnancy can stretch to 12x12in

vagina

muscular tube that functions as the birth canal, receives penis during intercourse

hymen

false “symbol of virginity”, connective tissue which partially closes the external opening of the vagina

clitoris

focal point of female sexual response, small cylindrical erectile tissue

labia minor

inner folds of skin which surround the vagina, provide lubrication fluid

labia major

outer folds of skin which surround the vagina

urethra

duct which carries urine out of the body

female sex cell

ovum

put