MALE AND FEMALE

REPRODUCTIVE
SYSTEM
Objective

Locate the major parts of the male

reproductive system.
Describe the function of the major
parts of the male reproductive
system.
 Male Reproductive System

Vas Deferens
4
Seminal Vesicle 5
Ejaculatory Duct
8 Prostate Gland 6
Prostate
Urethra Cowper’s Gland 7
9

Epididymis 3
Penis
10
Scrotum 2
11 Glans
Testes 1
Male Reproductive System
Major Function: Makes sperm cells
(gametes) which can fertilize female
gametes to produce a zygote.
Scrotum

• A pouch of skin
that hangs from
the body below the
pelvic cavity.

• Contains two
testes and their
associated ducts.
Scrotum
•
• The scrotum has a temperature of
about 93.2F ( 34c) - the rest of the
body is usually 98.6F

• Sperm formation
occurs most rapidly
at this cooler temp.
Scrotum

• Two muscles (the cremaster and the

dartos) pull the scrotum close to the
body when it is cold and relax when it
is warm.
Testes
 The primary reproductive organs of
the male reproductive system.
Seminiferous Tubules

-Are the specific location of

meiosis, and the subsequent
creation of male gametes,
namely spermatozoa.
 Epididymis
 The epididymis
holds the testes in
place and connects
the testes to the
Vas Deferens.
Vas Deferens
 Drains the testes and epididymis, carrying sperm to the pelvic
cavity.
 The vas deferens is a long, muscular tube that travels from the
epididymis into the pelvic cavity, to just behind the bladder. The vas
deferens transports mature sperm to the urethra, the tube that carries
urine or sperm to outside of the body, in preparation for ejaculation.
 The Prostate gland is a
male reproductive organ
whose main function is
to secrete prostate fluid,
one of the components
of semen.
 The muscles of the
prostate gland also help
propel this seminal fluid
into the urethra during
ejaculation 
 The fluid excreted by the prostate
makes up about one-third of the total
volume of semen and contains various
enzymes, zinc and citric acid.
 Though prostate fluid is slightly acidic,
another fluid in semen made by the
seminal vesicles leaves semen
slightly alkaline, or basic.
 This alkalinity helps protect sperm and
prolong their life after they are
deposited in the acidic environment of
the vagina, according to the biology
textbook, "Life: The Science of
Biology, Eighth Addition" (Sinauer
Associates, 2008).
Penis
 The penis delivers sperm into
the female reproductive tract.
Glans
 The enlarged end of the penis.
Prepuce
 Loose foreskin that covers the
glans penis.
Penis
 The shaft of the penis is
composed of erectile tissue and
the urethra.

The opening is called the

External urethral orifice.
Erectile Dysfunction
 Impotence is the inability of a man to have an
erection.
 Causes may include
 Injury to nerves, arteries, are muscles

 Medications for high blood pressure, antihistamines, and

depression

 Psychological factors such as anxiety, guilt, depression,

and fear of sexual failure cause up to 20 % of all cases
 Male Reproduction Vocabulary
Male Reproductive

Circumcision: a process that surgically removes the

flap of skin that covers the glans of the penis. This is
usually done a few hours or days after birth.

Smegma - substance that collects under the foreskin.

Ejaculation: the passage of sperm from the penis, a

result of a series of muscular contractions.

Semen: Contains sperm from the testes, sugar from

the seminal vesicles, and fluid from the prostate
gland. This fluid nourishes and helps sperm move
through the urethra.

Nocturnal Emission (wet dream): a normal,

involuntary ejaculation of semen while a male is
asleep.

Impotence: the failure to get or maintain an erection.

Vasectomy: surgical procedure for sterilization of the

male.
Time Line:

Infancy Erections begin

Ages 11-14 Secondary sex characteristics appear

Ages 13-16 Sperm produced in adult amounts

(puberty)

Late teens Peak sexual urges for boys

Throughout life If good health is present, there is the

sex urge and ability to father children.
 Male Reproductive System

Vas Deferens
4
Seminal Vesicle 5
Ejaculatory Duct
8 6
Prostate Gland

Urethra Cowper’s Gland 7

9

Epididymis 3
Penis
10
Scrotum 2
11 Glans
Testes 1
Female Reproductive
System
 Produces eggs

 Provides location and

nutrition for the
development of eggs
 Internal Female Reproductive
Fallopian Tubes
System
3
2 Fimbria

Ovary 1 4 Uterus

5 Endometrium

Bladder 13

Urethra 12
6
Clitoris 11 Cervix

Labia Major 10

Labia Minor 9

Hymen Vagina Anus

8
7 14
The Ovaries

Size: 1.5 – 3
cm

Location:
positioned
against
posterior wall
of pelvic
cavity
Ovaries
 Produces female gametes
and hormones

 Female gametes are called

ova

 Secrete the hormones

estrogen and progesterone
Close-up of Ovary
Quick Comparison

Female Male
Structure Counterpart
Ovaries
Ova
Progesterone/
Estrogen
Ovarian Follicle
Quick Comparison

Female Male
Structure Counterpart
Ovaries TESTES
Ova SPERM
Progesterone/ TESTOSTERONE
Estrogen
Ovarian Follicle SEMINIFEROUS
TUBULES
Overview of Ova Production
 Each ovarian follicle contains a single
oocyte (a cell that will become an egg)

 The ovaries contain follicles in many

stages of maturation.

 One follicle reaches maturity every

month and the oocyte is released from
its ovary
Close-up of Ovary
THE FALLOPIAN TUBES OR UTERINE
TUBES
Ducts of the Female Reproductive System

 Unlike the male reproductive

system, the female
reproductive system is open
at the ovarian end
Ducts of the Female Reproductive System

 Also unlike the male system,

the female reproductive
ducts are separate from the
urinary system
Turn and talk
 Name at least 2 ways that
the ducts of the female
reproductive system are
different from the male
reproductive system
Ducts: Uterine Tubes
Ducts: Uterine Tubes
 Begin at the end of the ovary

 The open end (hollow end) is

open to the ovaries

 The open end has fimbriae

Ducts: Fimbriae

Fimbriae
 Wrap partially
around ovaries
 Help sweep

oocytes into
ovarian tube
How do ooctyes get to the
uterus?
 Fimbriae and cilia sweep ooctyes
and fluid toward the uterus

 Peristaltic contractions of the

smooth muscles also move ooctyes

 The uterine tube opens into the

lumen of the uterus
Some drawbacks to the open-ended
design

 Some oocytes do not make it

into the uterine tube

 Some ooctyes are fertilized

before they reach the uterus.
This egg will be aborted by
the body.
Name this structure
Name this structure
Name this structure
Name this structure
Quick Check

 Which reproductive organ

in the female is the
counterpart to the male
testis?
Quick Check

 At ovulation, how does the

oocyte move to the
uterus?
Quick Check

 What are two major

differences between the
male and female
reproductive duct
systems?
The Uterus
 Also known as the
womb
 Hollow organ

located behind the

bladder and in front
of the rectum
 Receives an egg to

be fertilized and
nourished.
 Layers of the Uterine Wall
 Outer Layer:
Perimetrium – provides
added and support to
the uterus.
 Smooth muscle layer:

Myometrium – induce
uterine contractions.
 Inner mucosal layer:

Endometrium
Endometrium

 The layer which engulfs

and nourishes a fertilized
egg

 This layer is shed during

menstruation
The Cervix

 The narrow passageway

which connects the lumen
of the uterus to the vagina
Quick Check

 List the 3 layers of the

uterus

 Describe their location and

role in the reproductive
system
 Vagina
 A thin-walled
structure below the
uterus
 Called the birth canal

– baby passes
through it during birth
 Is an acidic

environment to
prevent bacterial
infection
Quick Check

Where is the uterus

located?
Quick Check

How many layers does

the uterine wall have?
Quick Check

What connects the

uterus to the vagina?
 Vulva…
External Female Reproductive System
Mons Pubis

Clitoris

Labia Majora Opening of the

Uretha

Labia Minora Opening of the

vagina

Hymen
Perineum

Anus
 Abnormal pregnancies

 If the fertilized egg

implants somewhere
outside the uterus it is
called an ectopic
pregnancy.

 Implantation in the uterine

tube is called a tubule
pregnancy. This results in
a medical emergency.
Female Reproductive Vocabulary
 D&C(Dilation and Curettage) -a
common minor operation on women.
The canal of the uterus is dilated
and the lining of the uterus is
scraped with a spoon-shaped
instrument called a curet.
 Endometriosis: presence in
abnormal locations of fragments of
the membrane which lines the uterus
(endometrium).

 Episiotomy: is a surgical incision

through the perineum made to
enlarge the vagina and assist
childbirth.
 Hysterectomy: surgical removal of the uterus,
either through an abdominal incision, or through
the vagina, which leaves no abdominal scar.

 Menarche: woman’s first menstrual cycle.

 Menopause: around the age of 45-55, the
menstrual cycle stops. A woman is no longer
capable of getting pregnant.
 Orgasm: Orgasm is
characterized by the massive
release of muscle tension
which has built up during
excitement.

 Ovulation: release of an egg

from the ovaries.

 Pap Smear: a test that can

detect cervical cancer and
some sexually transmitted
infections.

 Tubal Ligation: an
operation for sterilization of
women.
 PMS (Premenstrual
Syndrome): a syndrome
whose symptoms may
become incapacitating:
emotions get out of control,
headaches, water
retention, irritability, and
painful uteral cramps.
 Time Line:

 Ages 9-12 Secondary sex characteristics appear

 Ages 11-14 Menstrual cycle begins

 Late 20-30’s Peak sexual urges

 Ages 45-55 Menopause (cycle stops,

but sex urge continues)
Final Practice
 Compare the structures of the female
reproductive system to the male system

 Key Words:
 Ovary
 Ovarian Follicle
 Ooctye
 Uterine tube
 Fimbriae
 Uterus (and its 3 layers)
 Cervix
 Vagina