BIOMEDICAL

PERSPECTIVE
IN GENDER
& SEXUALITY
Lesson 4
  Differentiate the female
and male reproductive
systems;
OBJECTIVES
 Understand the basis for
physiologic processes in
females & males
  Humans experience various
physical and emotional
changes from childhood to
adulthood*
Introduction  These stages are based on
human growth and
development from
childhood, adolescence,
adulthood, and old age*
  female sexual anatomy is
designed for the production
and fertilization of ovum, as
well as carrying and
The delivering infant offspring.
Biological  Puberty signals the final
Female development of primary
and accessory organs that
support reproduction*
 Composed of internal &
external sex organs (?)*
Internal Female Sex Organ
 Internal Female Sex Organs
Vagina Cervix Uterus
- a collapsible canal - Small end of - Or womb
extending from uterus to which
- Organ within pelvic
vaginal opening back vagina leads.
zone where fetus is
& upward into body - It is the opening in carried
to cervix & uterus. cervix leading to
- During arousal, it is interior of uterus.
engorged with blood.
This aids its expansion
and triggers the
release of lubricants
from vaginal mucosa
 Internal Female Sex Organs
Fallopian Tubes
- The two tubes leading
from the ovaries into the
uterus
- They carry egg cells from
the ovaries to uterus
- This is where fertilization
occurs
Ovaries
- The small, paired organs
located near the lateral
walls of the pelvic cavity.
- Produce estrogen &
progesterone
- Also produce ova, egg
cells, & bring them to
maturity

Estrogen
Influences female sex
characteristics and initiates
menstrual cycle
Progesterone
Aids in regulation of
menstrual cycle and
promotes mature
development of uterine
lining to allow for zygote
implantation
External Female Sex Organ
- The external
genitalia are the
accessory structures
of the female
reproductive system
that are external to
the vagina.
- They are also
referred to as the
vulva or pudendum.
 External Female Sex Organs
Vulva Mons Veneris Labia Majora
- the outer part of the - Mons pubis - Outer lips surrounding
female genitals. - Pads of fatty all the outer structures
- The vulva includes tissue between
the opening of the pubic bone &
vagina (sometimes skin.
called the vestibule), - During puberty, it
the labia majora, the becomes
labia minora and the covered with
clitoris hair.
 External Female Sex Organs
Labia Minora Clitoris Vestibule
- Inner lips surrounding - is particularly sensitive - Area surrounding the
the vestibule where to stimulation urethral opening and
sweat and oil glands, - This is a gland that is vagina.
extensive blood highly sensitive and is - It is highly sensitive with
vessels, and nerve made out of erectile extensive blood vessels
endings are located. tissue that can and nerve endings.
become erect during
arousal
 External Female Sex Organs
Urethral Opening Vaginal Opening Perineum
- End of tube - Also called the - Area of skin separating
connecting to vaginal vestibule or the genitalia from the
bladder and used for introitus anus;
urination. - The opening into the - distance is less in
vagina. females than males.
- It's located between
the urethra and the
anus
  The menstrual cycle marks the
beginning of puberty in females.*
 Menarche is a female’s first menstrual
cycle, marked by her first episode of
menstrual bleeding. Menarche occurs
Stage of during puberty preceded by breast
growth, axillary and pubic hair growth,
Puberty and a growth spurt.
 Menstruation pertains to the sloughing
off of the uterine lining if conception
has not occurred.
PHASES OF THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE
MENSTRUAL PHASE
- 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 to stop releasing
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
and luteinizing hormone (LH).
- Estrogen and progesterone levels
decrease causing the
endometrium to be sloughed off,
and bleeding ensues.
- It is during this time that ovarian
hormones are at their lowest levels.
PROLIFERATIVE PHASE
- occurs when the hypothalamus
stimulates the pituitary gland to
release FSH that stimulates the
ovaries to produce estrogen and
causes ova to mature in the
ovarian follicles
- Endometrium is repaired, thickens,
and becomes well-vascularized in
response to increasing levels of
estrogens.
SECRETORY PHASE
- occurs when the pituitary gland
releases LH that causes them to
release a mature ovum and
causes the remaining portion of
the follicle to develop into the
corpus luteum.
- The corpus luteum then, produces
progesterone.
- Endometrial glands begin to
secrete nutrients, and lining
becomes more vascular in
response to increasing level of
progesterone.
COMMON MENSTRUAL
PROBLEMS:
1. Premenstrual syndrome
(PMS)
2. Dysmenorrhea
3. Heavy menstrual
bleeding
4. amenorrhea
FEMALE SECONDARY SEXUAL
CHARACTERISTICS THAT EMERGE AFTER
PUBERTY:
1. Widening of hips and pelvis accommodates
giving birth, but also results in downward
shift in center of gravity.
2. Enlargement of breasts at puberty
3. Armpit and pubic hair will start to grow
4. Generally shorter than men
5. Greater proportion of body weight is
composed of fat than men
6. Lower mortality rate at every age and
longer projected lifespan than men
  Studieson different aspects
The of manhood were made
even before the coming of
Biological the 21st Century. Several
Male studies arose although there
is a clear dominance of
men over global economic
Introduction and political power from
the early course of life.*
  Male sexual anatomy is
designed for the production
and delivery of sperm for
The fertilization of the female’s
Biological ovum.
Male  Puberty signals the final
development of primary
and accessory organs that
support reproduction*
Cross-Section Side View of
the Male Sex Organs
The Interior Structure of the Penis
 Parts of the Male Sexual Anatomy
Prepuce Penis Root
- The foreskin covering - male sexual organ - The portion of the penis
head of penis consisting of the that extends internally
internal root and into the pelvic cavity
- Removed in male
the external shaft
circumcision
and glans
Shaft Glans Cavernous body
- the length of the penis - The head of the - the structures in the
between the glans penis which is richly shaft of the penis that
and the body endowed with engorge with blood
nerve endings during sexual arousal
 Parts of the Male Sexual Anatomy
Spongy body Scrotum Testis
- a cylinder that forms a - the pouch of skin - male gonad inside the
bulb at the base of the of the external scrotum that produces
penis, extends up into male genitals that sperm and sex
the penile shaft and encloses the testes hormones
forms the penile glans
Seminiferous
Spermatic cord tubules Interstitial cells
- a cord attached to the - thin, coiled - cells located between
testis that contains the structures in the the seminiferous tubules
vas deferens, blood testes in which sperm that are the major
vessels, nerves and are produced source of androgen in
cremasteric muscle
males
fibers
 Parts of the Male Sexual Anatomy
Epididymis Vans deferens Urethra
- the structure along - a sperm-carrying - the tube through which
the back of each tube that begins at urine passes from the
testis in which sperm the testis and ends at bladder to the outside
maturation occurs the urethra of the body
 Parts of the Male Sexual Anatomy
Seminal vesicles Prostate gland Cowper’s glands
- small glands adjacent - a gland located at - two pea-sized glands
to the terminals of the the base of the located along side the
vas deferens that bladder that base of the urethra in
secrete an alkaline produces about 30% the male that secrete
fluid (conducive to of the seminal fluid an alkaline fluid during
sperm motility) that released during sexual arousal
constitutes the ejaculation
Semen or seminal fluid
greatest portion of the
volume of seminal - a viscous fluid ejaculated through
fluid released during the penis that contains sperm and
ejaculation fluids from the prostate, seminal
vesicles and Cowper’s glands
MALE CHARACTERISTICS THAT EMERGE AFTER PUBERTY:

1. Generally taller and greater proportion of body weight is

composed of water
2. Proportionately larger heart and lungs, presumably to handle
greater blood fluid volume
3. Exposure to greater levels of testosterone resulting in heavier
body & facial hair, but also increased frequency and degree
of baldness
4. No monthly cycle
5. Elongation of vocal cords (lower voice)
6. Broader shoulders
7. Deeper Chest Cavity
- Summary*
 Brief Comparison of a Male and Female
MALE FEMALE
Social Role: Father Mother
Gender Masculine Feminine
Sex Chromosomes XY XX
Sex Hormones Testosterone/ Estrogen/Progestero
Androgen ne
Sex Cell Sperm Cell/ Egg Cell/
Spermatozoa Ova - Ovum
Gonadal Sex (Gonads) Testis Ovaries
Symbol Use
Organ Responsible for Sexual Penis Clitoris
Orgasm