Female Reproductive System

The function of the external female reproductive structures (the genitals) is twofold: To enable

sperm to enter the body and to protect the internal genital organs from infectious organisms. The

main external structures of the female reproductive system include:

● labia majora: The labia majora enclose and protect the other external reproductive
organs. Literally translated as "large lips," the labia majora are relatively large and fleshy,
and are comparable to the scrotum in males. The labia majora contain sweat and
oil-secreting glands. After puberty, the labia majora are covered with hair.
● Labia minora: Literally translated as "small lips," the labia minora can be very small or
up to 2 inches wide. They lie just inside the labia majora, and surround the openings to
the vagina (the canal that joins the lower part of the uterus to the outside of the body) and
urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body).
● Bartholin's glands: These glands are located beside the vaginal opening and produce a
fluid (mucus) secretion.
● Clitoris: The two labia minora meet at the clitoris, a small, sensitive protrusion that is
comparable to the penis in males. The clitoris is covered by a fold of skin, called the
prepuce, which is similar to the foreskin at the end of the penis. Like the penis, the
clitoris is very sensitive to stimulation and can become erect.
● Anus:Its primary purpose is to control the exit of feces from the body during defecation.

● The Perineum is the area between the genitals and the anus. 7 It supports the pelvic
floor, the bottom of the pelvic cavity that holds your intestines, bladder, and other internal
organs.

The internal reproductive organs in the female include:

● Vagina: The vagina is a canal that joins the cervix (the lower part of uterus) to the outside
of the body. It also is known as the birth canal.
● Uterus : A uterus is also called the womb. It is a muscular, inverted pear-shaped organ of the female
reproductive system. The walls of the uterus consist of three layers- the inner glandular layer, the
middle thick layer, and the outer thin layer. These three layers are maintained by ligaments which are
 attached to the pelvic wall which then opens into the vagina from a narrow cervix. The cervix is the
lower constricted part of the uterus that is divided into two portions. The upper supravaginal portion
communicates with the body of the uterus and the lower vaginal portion projects into the anterior wall
of the vagina.The cervical canal along with the vagina creates the birth canal. The vagina is a
muscular tube which starts at the lower end of the uterus to the outside.
● Ovaries: Ovaries act as the main female sex organs that produce the female gamete and various
hormones. These organs are situated one on both sides of the lower abdomen. Each ovary measures
about 2 to 4 cm in length which is then connected to the uterus and pelvic wall through ligaments. The
ovary is surrounded by a thin covering of epithelium, encloses the ovarian stroma and is divided into
two zones – outer cortex and the inner medulla.
● The cortex consists of various ovarian follicles in different stages of development. The ovarian
follicle is called the basic unit of the female reproductive system. Each oviduct is divided into three
anatomical regions- ampulla, isthmus, and infundibulum.
● Fallopian tubes: a pair of muscular tubes and funnel-shaped structures, extend from the
right and left of the superior corners of the uterus to the edge of the ovaries. These tubes
are enclosed in small projections called fimbriae that swipe over the ovaries to pick up
released ova and deliver them to the infundibulum for supplying the uterus. Each
fallopian tube is covered by cilia that functions by carrying the ovum to the uterus.
Male Reproductive System

The male reproductive system is a network of external and internal organs that function to
produce, support, transport, and deliver viable sperm for reproduction. Prenatally, the male sex
organs are formed under the influence of testosterone secreted from the fetal testes; by puberty,
the secondary sex organs further develop and become functional. Sperm is produced in the testes
and is transported through the epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory duct, and urethra.
Concomitantly, the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral gland produce seminal
fluid that accompany and nourish the sperm as it is emitted from the penis during ejaculation and
throughout the fertilization process.

Testes, also known as the testicles, are two oval organs housed within the scrotum that are
suspended by a cable-like structure called the spermatic cord. The testes are responsible for
producing sperm and the hormone testosterone.

Within the testes is a network of coiled tubes called seminiferous tubules. These tubules are
responsible for producing the sperm through a process called spermatogenesis

The epididymis is a long, tightly coiled tube situated at the back of each testicle into which
sperm is passed from the seminiferous tubules. It is within the epididymis that spermatozoa
(sperm cells) will begin to mature until they are capable of fertilization.

The vas deferens, also known as the sperm duct, is a long, thin tube that starts at the epididymis
and connects to a passageway known as the ejaculatory duct. During orgasm, powerful
muscular contractions will propel sperm from the vas deferens, where it will combine with
various fluids to form semen.During a vasectomy, the vas deferens is cut or ligated (closed) to
prevent sperm from exiting the testes and epididymis.

The accessory glands are organs that secrete fluids that lubricate, nourish, preserve, and transport
sperm. Together, they are responsible for producing a substance called seminal fluid that
combines with sperm to form semen.

The three organs that make up the accessory glands are:

 Seminal vesicles: These are a pair of glands situated behind the bladder that produces fluids rich in a
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sugar called fructose (that nourishes sperm) and a substance called prostaglandin that triggers sperm

motility (movement).

Prostate gland: This walnut-sized gland situated below the bladder contains ducts that secrete a fluid
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called prostatic fluid that creates the ideal environment for sperm to survive.

Bulbourethral glands: Also known as the Cowper's glands, these organs secrete fluids that help
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neutralize the acidity of the female vagina while providing lubrication at the tip of the penis in the form

of pre seminal fluid ("pre-cum").

The Penis is the male organ for sexual intercourse and urination.It is a complex organ made up
of different structures that work in coordination to enable erections (the enlargement and
stiffening of the penis during sexual stimulation), ejaculation (the discharge of semen during
sexual orgasm), and urination.

Sponge-like Erectile Tissue that contains thousands of large spaces that fill with blood when
you’re sexually aroused. As the penis fills with blood, it becomes rigid and erect, which allows
for penetration during sex.

Scrotum is a sac of thick skin that protects and surrounds the testes. It also controls the
temperature of the testes since they have to be at a slightly lower temperature than the body
temperature for suitable sperm creation. The muscles in the wall allow the testes to hang far from
the body or shrink to pull them closer for protection and warmth.

Overall the function of the male urethra is to allow passage of urine and semen. The urethra
connects the distal portions of the urinary system, such as the urinary bladder, to the external
environment and allows for urine excretion from the body