Male Reproductive system
Overview of the Male Reproductive System
The function of the male's reproductive system is to produce sperm, the male gamete, and the other components of semen. The system also helps to deliver the semen into the vagina in order to fertilize the female's egg; also known as conception.The male reproductive system is composed of few primary organs, but numerous accessory organs. The primary organs include the scrotum, the testes, and penis. The accessory organs include the spermatic ducts/cords, the epididymis, ductus deferens, the urethra, ejaculatory duct, semen, and glands -- the Cowper's Gland (bulbourethral gland), the prostate gland, and the seminal vesicles.
Anatomy of the male reproductive system
Male Reproductive System:
Scrotum - A hollow sac that houses the testes and epididymis. This sac descends inferior to the pelvic region and it only serves but few functions. It has one main function of protection, but it also thermoregulates the testes and epididymis.
Testes - (singular; testis) The testes are the essential primary organ for the male reproductive system. They, similar to the ovaries in the female, produce the sexual reproduction hormones (testosterone) and the sperm cells that carry the genetic information. About 12 trillion sperm cells are produced in one's lifetime and about 400 million of them are released during one ejaculation. There are networks of vessels, nerves, and ducts that travel through and out of the testes, allowing the flow of semen and preventing them to descend too inferior. The testes must lie within the scrotum because it regulates the temperature. Although they may hang in a vulnerable location, the inside of the human body is much too hot for them, and the spermatids to survive.
Penis - Although the most prominent organ in the male reproductive system, the penis is not the primary organ, but it plays a significant role. The penis is an external, excretory and sex organ. The penis is composed of many parts such as erectile tissue (corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum), many veins, and the external opening of the urethra which excretes urine and semen during sexual stimulation and/or intercourse. There are three (3) distinct regions of the penis; the root, the body, and the glans. -- The root of the penis connects it to the bones of the pelvis through many tough ligaments; the body of the penis is cylindrical in shape and contains erectile tissue that is hardened and enlarged through sexual stimulation; the glans penis is the widened tip, or "head," of the penis in which houses the opening of the urethra.
Epididymis - (plural; epididymides) Appearing as a tightly coiled mass of thin tubes, the epididymis is another essential accessory organ in reproduction. The epididymis matures the sperm cells made by the testes in order for them to be able to fertilize ova in the female during sexual intercourse. The sperm cells, once matured, are sent off into the series of spermatic ducts that lead to excretion.
Ductus Deferens - Also known as Vas Deferens, this duct takes the sperm cells produced by the testes and matured by the epididymis and takes them through the pelvic cavity until ready for ejaculation. The ductus deferens not only serves as as a transportation system for sperm cells, but it also stores the sperm cells until ready for ejaculation.
Ejaculatory Duct - After leaving the ductus deferens, the sperm is transported to the ejaculatory ducts and then to the urethra.
Urethra - The urethra is a tube that carries, or excretes, fluids from the body. Present in both males and females, the urethra is used during urination. In the male reproduction system, though, sperm is also released from the urethra.
Semen - A combination of fluids and hormones creates the secretion known as semen. The sperm cells provide the base for semen, but throughout its' travel through the ducts, it picks up nutrients, hormones, and additional fluid that causes a physical change in its' appearance.
Cowper's Gland - Also known as the Bulbourethral Gland, are exocrine glands that pea-sized and located inferior to the prostate gland. The Cowper's glands protect sperm before it passes through, and exits, the urethra. When sexually stimulated, these glands secrete an alkaline liquid that kills any acidic urine that may still be present within the urethra. Also known as "pre-ejaculation," the alkaline fluid allows the sperm to remain in tact and ready for fertilization.
Prostate Gland - Only found in men, the prostate is a walnut sized gland that grows continuously and may eventually cause urination issues by blocking the urethra. One purpose of this gland is its' contribution to the production and ejaculation of semen. Similar to the bulbourethral glands, the prostate secretes "milky" white mixture of simple sugars (fructose, glucose, etc.) as well as alkaline chemicals, and enzymes. This mixture of fluids make up a majority of semen composition. The simple sugars in semen serve as nutrients to sperm, the alkaline chemicals serve to break down any acidic urine in the female reproduction tract, and the enzymes serve to break down the proteins within the semen in order to release the sperm and allow fertilization.
Seminal Vesicle - Small sacs in which seminal fluid is stored for later use.
Scrotum - A hollow sac that houses the testes and epididymis. This sac descends inferior to the pelvic region and it only serves but few functions. It has one main function of protection, but it also thermoregulates the testes and epididymis.
Testes - (singular; testis) The testes are the essential primary organ for the male reproductive system. They, similar to the ovaries in the female, produce the sexual reproduction hormones (testosterone) and the sperm cells that carry the genetic information. About 12 trillion sperm cells are produced in one's lifetime and about 400 million of them are released during one ejaculation. There are networks of vessels, nerves, and ducts that travel through and out of the testes, allowing the flow of semen and preventing them to descend too inferior. The testes must lie within the scrotum because it regulates the temperature. Although they may hang in a vulnerable location, the inside of the human body is much too hot for them, and the spermatids to survive.
Penis - Although the most prominent organ in the male reproductive system, the penis is not the primary organ, but it plays a significant role. The penis is an external, excretory and sex organ. The penis is composed of many parts such as erectile tissue (corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum), many veins, and the external opening of the urethra which excretes urine and semen during sexual stimulation and/or intercourse. There are three (3) distinct regions of the penis; the root, the body, and the glans. -- The root of the penis connects it to the bones of the pelvis through many tough ligaments; the body of the penis is cylindrical in shape and contains erectile tissue that is hardened and enlarged through sexual stimulation; the glans penis is the widened tip, or "head," of the penis in which houses the opening of the urethra.
Epididymis - (plural; epididymides) Appearing as a tightly coiled mass of thin tubes, the epididymis is another essential accessory organ in reproduction. The epididymis matures the sperm cells made by the testes in order for them to be able to fertilize ova in the female during sexual intercourse. The sperm cells, once matured, are sent off into the series of spermatic ducts that lead to excretion.
Ductus Deferens - Also known as Vas Deferens, this duct takes the sperm cells produced by the testes and matured by the epididymis and takes them through the pelvic cavity until ready for ejaculation. The ductus deferens not only serves as as a transportation system for sperm cells, but it also stores the sperm cells until ready for ejaculation.
Ejaculatory Duct - After leaving the ductus deferens, the sperm is transported to the ejaculatory ducts and then to the urethra.
Urethra - The urethra is a tube that carries, or excretes, fluids from the body. Present in both males and females, the urethra is used during urination. In the male reproduction system, though, sperm is also released from the urethra.
Semen - A combination of fluids and hormones creates the secretion known as semen. The sperm cells provide the base for semen, but throughout its' travel through the ducts, it picks up nutrients, hormones, and additional fluid that causes a physical change in its' appearance.
Cowper's Gland - Also known as the Bulbourethral Gland, are exocrine glands that pea-sized and located inferior to the prostate gland. The Cowper's glands protect sperm before it passes through, and exits, the urethra. When sexually stimulated, these glands secrete an alkaline liquid that kills any acidic urine that may still be present within the urethra. Also known as "pre-ejaculation," the alkaline fluid allows the sperm to remain in tact and ready for fertilization.
Prostate Gland - Only found in men, the prostate is a walnut sized gland that grows continuously and may eventually cause urination issues by blocking the urethra. One purpose of this gland is its' contribution to the production and ejaculation of semen. Similar to the bulbourethral glands, the prostate secretes "milky" white mixture of simple sugars (fructose, glucose, etc.) as well as alkaline chemicals, and enzymes. This mixture of fluids make up a majority of semen composition. The simple sugars in semen serve as nutrients to sperm, the alkaline chemicals serve to break down any acidic urine in the female reproduction tract, and the enzymes serve to break down the proteins within the semen in order to release the sperm and allow fertilization.
Seminal Vesicle - Small sacs in which seminal fluid is stored for later use.
Female Reproductive System
Overview of the female reproductive system
The function of the female's reproduction system is to not only produce gametes and sex hormones, but to also facilitate the fertilization of an ova by the male's sperm and support the offspring during the pregnancy and infancy. The female's reproductive system is different to the males' because it only contains few organs that make up the primary and accessory organs. The organs include the ovaries, the vagina, the vulva, the cervix, the uterus, the fallopian tubes, the breasts, and there are accessory features to these organs, which can be found at the link below.
Female Reproductive System:
Ovaries - Similar to the testes in males, the ovaries play the primary role in the system. They serve an important role by producing sex hormones that assist in reproduction and the gametes that help create an embryo. The ovaries are located on either side of the uterus, connected by the ovarian ligaments. The ovaries produce female sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, as well as the ovum (egg) that are needed for fertilization.
Vagina - Simply a pathway, but a pathway with multiple purposes. This elastic, muscular tube is meant truly for fertilization and reproduction. The vagina is the where the male's penis is inserted during sexual intercourse. The vagina leads up to the cervix and uterus, which also help with the reproduction process.
Vulva - The vulva is used as a collective term for the external genitalia of the female. The vaginal opening as well as the urethral opening, the clitoris, and the labia muscles are all included.
Cervix - The inferior tapered region of the uterus is known as the cervix. The main function of the cervix is movement, protection, and delivery of the fetus during the pregnancy process. The vagina ends once the cervix begins, and the cervix composes one third of the uterus.
Uterus - Commonly known as the "womb," the uterus plays the most important role during the actual pregnancy process. This is the muscular organ that develops as well as protects the embryo. The uterus has the ability to expand from the size of a fist to the size of a full-term baby during pregnancy, which is a larger stretch than any other organ.
Fallopian Tubes - Also known as uterine tubes, these tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus. Following ovulation, the ova are carried through these tubes into the uterus, and they may or may not be fertilized. The fallopian tubes act as a ligamentous pathway for ova which are needed for reproduction.
Breasts - The breasts are often forgot about when mentioning the female reproductive system, because they are not used until after the baby is born. These protruding glands are capable of producing milk which is later used to nourish a newborn baby. The breasts vary in size more than any other organ on either the male or female. They change during the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, and after menopause. They have few accessory parts such as the areola and nipple.
Ovaries - Similar to the testes in males, the ovaries play the primary role in the system. They serve an important role by producing sex hormones that assist in reproduction and the gametes that help create an embryo. The ovaries are located on either side of the uterus, connected by the ovarian ligaments. The ovaries produce female sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, as well as the ovum (egg) that are needed for fertilization.
Vagina - Simply a pathway, but a pathway with multiple purposes. This elastic, muscular tube is meant truly for fertilization and reproduction. The vagina is the where the male's penis is inserted during sexual intercourse. The vagina leads up to the cervix and uterus, which also help with the reproduction process.
Vulva - The vulva is used as a collective term for the external genitalia of the female. The vaginal opening as well as the urethral opening, the clitoris, and the labia muscles are all included.
Cervix - The inferior tapered region of the uterus is known as the cervix. The main function of the cervix is movement, protection, and delivery of the fetus during the pregnancy process. The vagina ends once the cervix begins, and the cervix composes one third of the uterus.
Uterus - Commonly known as the "womb," the uterus plays the most important role during the actual pregnancy process. This is the muscular organ that develops as well as protects the embryo. The uterus has the ability to expand from the size of a fist to the size of a full-term baby during pregnancy, which is a larger stretch than any other organ.
Fallopian Tubes - Also known as uterine tubes, these tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus. Following ovulation, the ova are carried through these tubes into the uterus, and they may or may not be fertilized. The fallopian tubes act as a ligamentous pathway for ova which are needed for reproduction.
Breasts - The breasts are often forgot about when mentioning the female reproductive system, because they are not used until after the baby is born. These protruding glands are capable of producing milk which is later used to nourish a newborn baby. The breasts vary in size more than any other organ on either the male or female. They change during the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy, and after menopause. They have few accessory parts such as the areola and nipple.
Information from this page was gathered from: http://www.innerbody.com/image/repmov.html & http://www.innerbody.com/image/repfov.html