Reproductive Systems

the female reproductive system

anatomy

• Ovaries: holds eggs and produces hormones.  At birth, females hold 200,000-400,000 immature eggs

• Fallopian Tubes: passageway between the ovaries and uterus

  • Where fertilization occurs.

  • Uterus: where the fetus develops

  • Cervix: neck of uterus which dilates during child birth

  • Vagina: also called the birth canal; passageway from the uterus out of the body

  • Clitoris: small tissue in front of vaginal opening.  Sexually stimulated during intercourse

  • Hymen: membrane over the vaginal opening, some females are born without it.  May tear during physical activity or intercourse. It has several openings for menstrual flow

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reproductive health

• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): tension, irritability, bloating, mood swings a woman may experience. Probably caused by hormones or nutritional inadequacies.  Usually affects women in their 30’s

• Breast Cancer: second most common cancer among women after lung cancer.  A lump in the breast

• Cervical Cancer: pap smear of the cervix taken during a pelvic exam, used to detect the cancer

• Ovarian Cancer: Next most common cancer after lung, breast, and colon cancer

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the menstrual cycle

• Ovulation:  Each month, an egg is released from one of the ovaries into the fallopian tubes
  • An egg can live about 2 days in a fallopian tube
• Fertilization:  Sperm enters the egg
  • If the egg has been fertilized, it moves to the uterus and attaches to the wall where it will develop
• Menstruation:  When the egg is not fertilized, the muscles of the uterus contract and cause the lining to break down and pass through the vagina, and out of the body
  • Menstruation may last 3-7 days and about 2-3 tablespoons of blood is normally lost
  • Muscle contractions may cause abdominal cramps
  • Because of low body fat or high levels of exercise, some women may stop menstruating which is called amenorrhea
  • As women get older there is a decrease in estrogen and eventually a cessation of the menstrual cycle called menopause

the male reproductive system

anatomy

• sex hormones: testosterone and estrogen

• Testes: a gland where hormones and sperm are produced.

• Scrotum: a sac which holds the testes.  Can shrink when cold to bring testes closer to body.

• Seminal Tubules: within testes.  Produces sperm.

• Epididymis: within testes.  Stores sperm.

• Seminal Vesicles, Prostate Gland, Cowpers Gland: forms semen which carries and nourishes sperm.

• Vas Deferens: tube which connects epididymis to urethra.

• Urethra: tube through which urine or sperm travels (not at the same time)

• Penis: organ through which the urethra passes.  When filled with blood, it becomes erect

• Ejaculation: the release of semen

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reproductive health

• Circumcision: removal of a fold of skin on the penis called the foreskin.  Uncircumcised males must wash thoroughly (smegma)
• Inguinal Hernia: part of the intestine pushes through the abdominal wall into the scrotum
• Prostate Cancer: second most common cancer in men after lung cancer
• Testicular Cancer: 12% of the cancers in men age 12-34.  It is a hard lump on the testicle.  May have an ache in the lower abdomen
• Castration: removal of the testicles

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