Transcript KIN 312 Family Life and Wellness

The Reproductive System
KIN 312
Anatomy of the Male
Anatomy of the Male
Anatomy of the Male
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Epididymis: The long, winding, tightly coiled tube that
lies on the back side of each testicle and carries sperm
from the testes to the vas deferens. The epididymis is
where sperm collect and fully develop prior to traveling to
the vas deferens.
Prostate: A chestnut-sized gland located below the
urinary bladder that completely surrounds the urethra.
The prostate gland produces a thin fluid that neutralizes
the normal acidity of the urethra and enables the sperm
to pass through the urethra without harm.
Scrotum: The external sac of skin that holds the testes.
Anatomy of the Male
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Seminal vesicles: A pair of glands located on
each side of the male urinary bladder. The
seminal vesicles secrete seminal fluid that
becomes part of the semen (the thick, whitish
fluid containing reproductive cells and other fluids
that is discharged through the urethra during
ejaculation). Seminal fluid nourishes the sperm
and helps it move through the urethra.
Testes: The egg-shaped male reproductive
glands that secrete the male sex hormone
testosterone and produce sperm. The testes are
also called the testicles.
Anatomy of the Male
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Ureter: A long, narrow tube that carries urine from each
kidney (the organ that filters waste products from your
blood) to the urinary bladder.
Urethra: The tube that carries urine from the urinary
bladder to the outside of the body. In males, the urethra
also carries semen.
Urinary bladder: An elastic, muscular sac located in
the lower part of the pelvic cavity that collects urine
before it is excreted.
Vas deferens: The tube on either side of the scrotum
that carries sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory
duct, which is connected to the urethra.
The Male
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Sperm production begins at puberty at
continues throughout life, with several
hundred million sperm being produced
each day.
Once sperm form they move into the
epididymis, where they mature and
are stored.
The Male
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Sperm pass through the vas deferens and
connect to a short ejaculatory duct that
connects to the urethra. The urethra passes
through the penis and opens to the outside.
Secretions from the seminal vesicles add
fructose and prostaglandins to sperm as they
pass. The prostate gland secretes a milky
alkaline fluid. The bulbourethral gland secretes
a mucus-like fluid that provides lubrication for
intercourse. Sperm and secretions make up
semen.
Anatomy of the Female
The Female
Anatomy of the Female
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Ovaries
The ovaries are the main reproductive
organs of a woman. The two ovaries,
which are about the size and shape of
almonds, produce female hormones
(estrogen and progesterone) and eggs
(ova). All the other female reproductive
organs are there to transport, nurture and
otherwise meet the needs of the egg or
developing fetus.
The Female
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Fallopian tubes
The fallopian tubes are about 10 cm long and begin as
funnel-shaped passages next to the ovary. They have a
number of finger-like projections known as fimbriae on
the end near the ovary.
When an egg is released by the ovary it is ‘caught’ by
one of the fimbriae and transported along the fallopian
tube to the uterus. The egg is moved along the fallopian
tube by the action of cilia — hairy projections on the
surfaces of cells at the entrance of the fallopian tube —
and the contractions made by the tube.
Fertilization
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It takes the egg about 5 days to reach the
uterus and it is on this journey down the
fallopian tube that fertilization may occur if a
sperm penetrates and fuses with the egg.
The egg, however, is only usually viable for 24
hours after ovulation, so fertilization usually
occurs in the top one-third of the fallopian
tube.
The Female
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Uterus
The uterus is a hollow cavity about the size of
a pear (in women who have never been
pregnant) that exists to house a developing
fertilized egg.
The main part of the uterus (which sits in the
pelvic cavity) is called the body of the uterus,
while the rounded region above the entrance
of the fallopian tubes is the fundus and its
narrow outlet, which protrudes into the
vagina, is the cervix.
The Female
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Vagina
The vagina is a fibromuscular tube that extends
from the cervix to the vestibule of the vulva.
The vagina receives the penis and semen during
sexual intercourse and also provides a
passageway for menstrual blood flow to leave
the body.
Female Genitals
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The female external genitals are
collectively known as the vulva.
The labia minora is a thin membrane of
folded skin just outside the vaginal
opening. The labia majora cover and
protect the genital area.
A clitoris, important in arousal, is a short
shaft with a sensitive tip covered by a fold
of skin.
Ovulation
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The ovarian cycle lasts usually 28
days. During the first phase, the egg
matures within a follicle.
At midpoint of the cycle, the egg is
released from the ovary in a process
known as ovulation.
Ovulation
Fertilization
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The period after ovulation is called the luteal
phase, and it is marked by a slight, but clearly
measurable, increase in body temperature.
Following ovulation, the egg travels the
fallopian tube toward the uterus. If the egg is
fertilized by a sperm (conception), then "
implantation" should take place in the uterus (if
implantation takes place outside the womb, this
is an ectopic pregnancy.
Fertilization
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Ectopic pregnancy can occur in several places but the most common is in the fallopian tube).
Pregnancy begins if "implantation" occurs. If the
egg is not fertilized, it will "expire" in about 24
hours.
Without fertilization, levels of certain hormones
will decrease , causing the lining of the uterus
to break down and shed - otherwise known as
menstruation, or a woman's "period". The first
day of bleeding is "Day 1" of the next menstrual
cycle.