CHAPTER 3: FEMALE SEXUAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Gynecological Health Concerns

•

Hysterectomy

(removal of the uterus) or

oophorectomy

(removal of the ovaries) – Used in cases of cancer of the cervix, uterus or ovaries – Hysterectomy is most frequently performed U.S. operation (33% of women undergo by age 65) – Also used to treat fibroids (non-cancerous growths), endometriosis, pelvic pain, and irregular bleeding – Hysterectomy may decrease sexual response in many women; oophorectomy induces the same hormonal changes associated with menopause unless replacement hormones are taken – More common in poor and less educated women

THE BREASTS

Breasts

• Breasts are a

secondary sex characteristic

men and women : something other than genitals that distinguishes • Mammary glands produce milk after pregnancy • Areola is darker area • Nipple is in center of areola & has openings for milk

Cross-Section of Breast

Breast Health Problems

• Breast Lumps: can be detected by self exam – Cysts (fluid-filled sacs) – Fibroadenomas (solid, round, benign tumors) – Malignant tumor • Breast cancer – Treatments: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation – Risk factors: age, hormones, smoking, family history – Reconstructive breast surgery – Early detection & treatment boosts survival

CHAPTER 4 MALE SEXUAL ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

Male genitalia are as diverse as female genitalia

The Penis

• • • • Consists of nerves, blood vessels, fibrous tissue & spongy tissue; no bones!

Interior portion of the penis is the root Head of the penis is called the glans; this is surrounded by a ridge called the corona Remainder of penis is the

shaft

The Penis

• • Like the vagina, the penis has 3 layers of tissue: 2 cavernous bodies, and 1 spongy body These fill with blood during sexual excitation, creating an erection

• •

The foreskin & circumcision

The glans of the penis is covered by a loose layer of skin called the foreskin Some cultures practice removal of the foreskin, usually in infant boys

• • • •

Circumcision for health?

1971: American Academy of Pediatrics states that there is no medical benefit to circumcision 1989: AAP states that there are “potential benefits” 1999: AAP states that there are “insufficient data” to recommend circumcision 2012: AAP states that the health benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks

Circumcision: pros and cons

• • • •

Cons:

Complications can arise (rare) Foreskin removal may cause trauma from pain Reduced sexual enjoyment (?-controversial) Cannot be easily reversed • •

Pros:

Circumcision reduces rates of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV Also reduces risk of urinary tract and bladder infections, and of cancer

For many parents, medical concerns are secondary to religious/cultural or appearance concerns

The scrotum

•

Scrotum testicles

– : pouch with two chambers for each of two or

testes

• Has two layers:

skin layer

: skin is darker than on rest of body and becomes covered with hair at puberty; analogous to labia majora in women –

tunica dartos

: muscle layer • Pulls sac closer to body in cold temperatures

The scrotum and testes

• • • • Testes are the equivalent of the ovaries in females Make sperm and also testosterone and other hormones Spermatic cord holds each testis Also contains the vas deferens, which delivers sperm from the testes to the penis (a vasectomy is surgical closing off of the vas deferens)

The testes

• Male

gonads

(testes) are outside the body unlike female gonads (ovaries) • This is true for most but not all mammals • Sperm survive yet at a temp slightly cooler than body temperature

Castration

•

Castration

: surgical removal of the testes; drastically decreases testosterone and male sexual behavior; destroys fertility •

Eunuchs:

men or boys who have undergone castration • Castration has been used as punishment; many cultures have castrated slaves or servants • Castration before puberty was used until the 19 th century in Europe to preserve the singing voices of boys; some boys’ voices still underwent changes

The testes: function

• • • Seminiferous tubules: site of sperm production Sperm travel from there to the epididymis, where they are stored Interstitial cells between seminiferous tubules make most of the body’s testosterone

Testicular problems: Cryptorchidism

• • • In male fetuses, testes develop inside the abdominal cavity and usually descend into the scrotum by birth Cryptorchidism: failure of the testes to descend; affects 3–5% of male infants Can result in infertility and increased risk of cancer, but can be treated very effectively with hormones and/or surgery

• • • • •

Testicular problems: testicular cancer

Most common cancer in males age 20–35 Accounts for 1–2% of all cancers in males Risk factors include smoking, family history, white race, and cryptorchidism Usually shows up as a mass in one testicle, can be detected by male genital self-exam (described in book) Early detection results in greater than 90% survival

• • • •

The prostate

The prostate makes seminal fluid, the fluid in which sperm leave the body Seminal fluid + sperm = semen 50% of men over age 60 and 90% of men over age 90 experience benign prostatic hyperplasia or an enlarged prostate This can cause urinary issues!

Prostate cancer

• • • • Second most common cancer in American males (after skin cancer) Risk factors are: old age, family history, high fat diet, African-American race 218,000 U.S. men are diagnosed each year and 28,000 U.S. men die from it each year Can be detected with a blood test (somewhat controversial) or with a physical examination (digital rectal examination)

“

Male and female reproductive anatomy shows more similarities than differences

” How strongly do you agree or disagree with this statement? Support your answer with specific

evidence.

1 strongly disagree 2 somewhat disagree 3 neutral 4 somewhat agree 5 strongly agree