ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF
REPRODUCTION
Labia Majora – outer lips surrounding all the
other structures.
Labia Minora – inner lips surrounding the
vestibule where sweat and oil glands located.
Mons Veneris – pads of fatty tissue between
pubic bone and skin
Perineum - area of skin separating the
genitalia from the anus.
Prepuce - clitoral hood
Urethral Opening – end of the tube connecting
to bladder and used for urination.
Vaginal Opening – also known as the introitus
Vestibule - area surrounding the urethral
opening and vagina.
Vulva – all the external genital structures taken
together.
INTERNAL PARTS
Cervix - small end of uterus to which vagina
leads. It is the opening to interior uterus.
Fallopian Tube - it carries the egg cells from
ovaries to uterus, also this is where the
fertilization occurs.
Ovaries – it produces estrogen, progesterone,
and ova or egg cells.
Uterus – Womb, organ within pelvic zone
where fetus is carried.
Vagina – collapsible canal extending from the
vaginal opening back and upward into body to
cervix and uterus.
PUBERTY
The MENSTRUAL CYCLE marks the beginning of
the puberty for females. The menstruation
begins about 14 days after ovulation (plus or
minus one to two days). The overall cycle is
governed by the hypothalamus as it monitors
hormone levels in the bloodstream.
MENSTRUAL CYCLE
MENSTRUAL PHASE.
- This occurs if the ovum is not fertilized and
does not implant itself into the uterine lining.
The continued high levels of estrogen and
progesterone causes the pituitary gland to stop
releasing FSH and LH.
PROLIFERATIVE PHASE.
It occurs when the hypothalamus stimulates
the pituitary gland to release FSH that
stimulates ovaries to produce estrogen and
causes ova to mature in the ovarian follicles.
The endometrium is repaired, thickens, and
becomes well-vascularized in response to
increasing levels of estrogens.
SECRETORY PHASE.
It occurs when the pituitary gland releases LH
causes the ovary to release a mature ovum and
causes the remaining portion of the follicle to
develop into the corpus luteum.
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE
MENSTRUAL CYCLE
PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME (PMS)
DYSMENORRHEA
AMENORRHEA
MENOPAUSE
SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS
Widening of hips and pelvis
Enlargement of breasts
MALE
EXTERNAL PARTS
Corona – rim of glans where it arises from the
shaft
Frenulum – is the thin strip of skin connecting
the glans and shaft on the underside of the
penis.
Penis – glans that is particularly sensitive to
stimulation.
Perineum - area of skin separating the
genitalia from the anus.
Prepuce – foreskin covering the head of the
penis
Scrotum – it is the sac that encloses the two
compartments housing the testes.
Urethral Opening – found on head of penis this
is the end tube connected to bladder and used
for urination.
INTERNAL PARTS
Ejaculatory Ducts – connect vas deferens to
urethra
Prostate – gland producing alkaline secretions
that account for about 30% of semen volume.
Seminal Vesicles – two glands that produce
alkaline fluid rich in fructose sugar, comprising
70% of semen volume.
Testes – produces androgen, particularly large
quantities of testosterone, and sperm cells.
Urethra – tube within the penis that carries
sperm and semen the rest of the way to the
opening of the penis.
Vas Deferens – travels from testicle toward
urethra carrying sperm;
THE PROCESS OF REPRODUCTION
TERMS
OVULATION
- the process when a mature ovum is released
from the ovary and travels to the fallopian
tube for possible fertilization.
FERTILIZATION
- union of the sperm and the ovum.
PREGNANCY
- the process when an offspring develops
within the mother’s womb
PREGNANCY
It officially starts when a fertilized egg implants
in the lining of the uterus. Pregnancy happens
2-3 weeks after sexual intercourse.
The conception is the process that begins with
the fertilization of an egg and ends with the
implantation.
Once the embryo attaches to the inner lining of
the uterus, a fetus develops within five to
seven days from a ball of cells floating in the
uterus, which officially begins pregnancy.
A normal pregnancy lasts 37-42 weeks (nine
months). This is measured from the first day of
the last period. Pregnancy is discussed in
terms of TRIMESTERS.

After eight weeks, the embryo is officially

referred to as a fetus.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF EARLY

PREGNANCY IN THE GROWING ADOLESCENT?

There are serious health risks associated with

early pregnancy because a young woman’s
body is not mature enough to handle bearing a
child.

OBSTRUCTED LABOR

FISTULA