Lesson 4: Anatomy & Physiology of Reproduction
It produces about 60% of seminal fluid. Their thick,
DEFINITION OF TERMS
REPRODUCTION- PROCESS of producing offsprings
GENITALS-external sex organs
PRIMARY SEX CHARACTERISTICS – sex characteristics that are present at
birth.
SECONDARY SEX CHARACTERISTICS – sex characteristics that emerge
during puberty.
A. Male Reproductive System
 Testes – the paired primary organs of the male.
 Duct System – accessory organs forming the male duct
system, which transports sperm from the body, are the
epididymis, ductus deferens, and urethra
 Urethra - extends from the base of the urinary bladder to
the tip of the penis. Terminal part of the male duct
system. It has three main regions;
- Prostatic Urethra - surrounded by the
prostate gland.
- Membranous Urethra - spanning the
distance from the prostatic urethra to the
penis.
- Spongy (Penile) Urethra - running within the
length of the penis and opening to the body
exterior via external urethral orifice.
 Accessory glands and Semen - the accessory glands
include the paired seminal vesicles, the single prostate,
and the paired bulbourethral glands (see previous slide).
These glands produce the bulk of semen, the sperm-
containing fluid that Is propelled out of the male’s
reproductive tract during ejaculation.
 Seminal Vesicle - it is located at the base of the bladder.
yellowish secretion is rich in sugar (fructose), vitamin C,
prostaglandins, and other substances that nourish and
activate the sperm passing through the tract
 Prostate – a single dough-nut shaped gland about the
size of peach pit. It encircles the upper(prostatic) part of
the urethra just inferior to the urinary bladder.
o Prostate fluid is milky and plays role in activating
the sperm.
o During ejaculation, the fluid enters the urethra
through several small ducts. The prostate has a
reputation as a common cause of health
problems.
o HYPERTROPHY- an increase in its size independent
of the body’s growth. Affects nearly every older
man and strangles the urethra.
a. Prostatitis - inflammation of the
prostate. Single most common reason
for a man to consult a urologist
b. Prostate Cancer - the third most
prevalent cancer in men. Most cases
are slow-growing
 Bulbourethral Glands - tiny, pea-sized glands inferior to
the prostate gland. Produce a thick, clear mucus that
drains into the penile urethra. Cleanses the urethra of
trace acidic urine prior to ejaculation. Serves as a
lubricant during sexual intercourse
 Semen - milky white, somewhat sticky mixture of sperm
and accessory gland secretions. Mature sperm cells are
streamlined cellular “tadpoles” containing little
cytoplasm or stored nutrients. Sperm are very sluggish
under acidic conditions (below pH6). The relative
alkalinity of semen as whole (pH 7.2-7.6) helps neutralize
the acidic environment (pH 3.5-4) of the females vagina,
protecting the delicate sperm. Contains antibiotic
chemicals that destroys certain bacteria, the hormone
relaxin, enzymes that enhance sperm motility, and
substance that inhibit an immune response in the female
reproductive tract.
 External Genitalia - include the scrotum and the penis.
o Scrotum is a divided sac of skin with sparse hairs
that hangs outside the abdominal cavity,
between the legs at the root of the penis. Hangs
loosely from its attachments, providing the testes
with a temperature that is below body
temperature. -3 Celsius (5.4 Fahrenheit) lower
o Penis - functions to deliver sperm into the female
reproductive tract. The skin-covered penis consists
of a shaft, which ends in an enlarged tip, the glans
penis. The skin covering of the penis is loose, and it
 folds downward to form a sleeve of skin, the INTERNAL FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM STRUCTURES:
prepuce or foreskin, Around the proximal end of
the glans penis
- In United States, the foreskin is surgically
removed shortly after birth in procedure
called circumcision. Internally, the spongy
urethra is surrounded by three elongated
areas of erectile tissue. A spongy tissue that
fills with blood during sexual excitement.
Causes penis to enlarge and become rigid
that is called erection. 1. Vagina - collapsible canal extending from vaginal
opening back and upward into body to cervix and
B. Female Reproductive System
uterus.
- The female sexual anatomy is designed for the
2. Cervix - small end of uterus to which vagina leads
production and fertilization of ovum, as well as carrying
(neck)
and delivering infant offspring.
3. Uterus - womb, organ within pelvic zone where fetus is
FEMALE EXTERNAL GENITALIA consist of the following: carried;
4. Fallopian tubes - carry egg cells from ovaries to uterus,
this is where fertilization occurs
5. Ovaries - produce estrogen and progesterone.

PUBERTY
 MENSTRUAL CYCLE - marks the beginning of puberty in
females. First episode occurs between II to 15 years of age
referred to as menarche. Menstruation pertains to the
a. Vulva – all the external genital structures taken sloughing off of the uterine lining if conception has not
together; occurred.
b. Mons veneris - pads of fatty tissue between pubic bone
and skin; Female secondary sexual characteristics emerge
c. Labia majora - outer lips surrounding all the other
after puberty:
structures.
 Widening of Hips and Pelvis
d. Prepuce - clitoral hood (foreskin above and covering
 Enlargement of Breast
clitoris);
e. Clitoris - glans (head), shaft, and crura (root), the clitoris SUMMARY

is particularly sensitive to stimulation; Despite differences in physical appearance, the sexual organs
of men and women arise from the same structures and fulfill
f. Labia minora - inner lips surrounding the vestibule
similar functions. Ova and sperm are the basic units of
where sweat and oil glands, extensive blood vessels, reproduction; their union can lead to the creation of a new life.
and nerve endings are located
g. Vestibule -area surrounding the urethral opening and
vagina
h. Urethral opening - end of tube connecting to bladder
and used for urination;
i. Vaginal opening-also called introitus
j. Perineum - area of skin separating the genitalia from
the anus
Lesson 5: The Process of Reproduction
Female Puberty
 Begins at about 18-13 years of age; The Physical changes
of female puberty
 breast development
 rounding of the hips and buttocks
 growth of the hair in the pubic region and underarm
 start of menstruation
Maturation of Boys
-lags about two years behind of girls.
How does one ovulate?
 MAJOR LANDMARK OF PUBERTY
 females in the onset of the menstrual cycle, the
monthly ovulation cycle that leads to menstruation (loss
of blood and tissues lining the uterus) in the absence of
pregnancy.
 Normally, it lasts around 28 days, on the average, but
can be as short as 21 or as long as 40 days. Ovulation
happen about 10-16 days before the start of the next
period.
o Menstrual Cycle - Is from the first day of a period until the
day before the next period starts.
How does a pregnancy occur?
 For pregnancy to proceed, the sperm needs to meet up
with egg. It happens 2-3 weeks after sexual intercourse.
 The sperm penetrates the egg in the fallopian tube where
fertilization takes place and eventually, becomes an
Embryo (fertilized egg).
 Once it attaches the inner lining of the uterus
(endothelium), a fetus develops within five to seven days
from the ball of cells floating in the uterus, which officially
begins pregnancy.
 a normal pregnancy lasts 37-42 weeks (nine months).
Pregnancy is discussed in terms of trimesters (three-month
periods). After eight weeks, the embryo is officially referred
to as Fetus.
Conception
 Is the process that begins with fertilization of an egg by the
sperm and ends with implantation
 Ejaculation or coming - releases the sperm via the penis
into the vagina.
Teen Pregnancy
 pregnancy in a female under the age of 20. Has
tremendous impact on the educational, social, and
economic lives of young people.
Contraception:
a. Condom - rubber sheath that fits over the penis
b. Implantable hormone device - a small, flexible plastic tube.
c. Calendar method
d.Sterilization
+Vasectomy - passageway for the sperm is surgically
tied.
+Tubal Ligation - passageway for the egg is surgically
tied.
e. Birth control pill - contains synthetic estrogen.
f. Birth control injection - given in the first days of the
menstruation and then every 2-3 months.
g. Withdrawal - removal of the penis from the vagina before
ejaculation.
h. Intrauterine Device - small contraceptive devices that are
inserted into the uterus (womb) to prevent pregnancy.
Health Effects of Early Pregnancy:
a. Obstructed Labor - also known as labor dystocia. It
is a failure to progress due to mechanical problems
b. Caesarean Section - a cut is made in the abdomen
and the baby is removed directly from the uterus.
c. Fistula - an abnormal connection between two body
parts, such as an organ or blood vessel and another
structure. Fistulas are usually the result of an injury or
surgery.
Complications During Teenage Pregnancy:
 Excessive vomiting
 Severe anemia
 Hypertension
 Convulsions
 Difficulty in breast feeding
 Premature and low birth weight babies
 Infection
 Prolonged labor
 High maternal mortality or
 death