Major Parts of Male Reproductive System

1. Urethra – is the tube that passes through the penis to the outside of the body,
which carries urine and sperm.
2. Penis – is a soft, tubular organ that hangs in front of the body and is the external
sexual organ of the male through which the sperm are delivered into the
female’s body.
3. Testes – are made up of coiled tubules in which the sperm are produced. They
produce the male sex hormones called testosterone for the production of
sperm.
4. Epididymis – is coiled J-shaped tube located on the back of each testicle. It
stores the sperm for 2 to 4 days after they have been produced.
5. Vas deferens – is the tube that receives sperm from the epididymis of each
testicle.
6. Scrotum – is a pouch of skin that hangs behind the penis, houses the testes, and
protects sperm by keeping the temperature of the testes slightly lower than the
normal body temperature in order for the sperm to survive.
Male Organs that Work Together Specific Function
1. Vas deferens Is about 18 inches (45 cm) long and loops
over the bladder.
2. Urethra The valve within the urethra prevents the
mixing of urine and sperm.
3. Seminal vesicles The two seminal vesicles at the base of the
bladder secrete a thick fluid that nourishes
the sperm.
4. Ejaculatory ducts Are the tubes that are lined with muscles.
These muscles contract to force the semen
out of the body during ejaculation.

Sperm cell – is produced by the testes. It fertilizes the egg to become a matured
ovum. Testes produced million of minute sperm cells, which can be observed
under microscope.
Major Parts of Female Reproductive System
1. Fallopian tube – is a small tube extending
from the ovary into the uterus.
2. Uterus – is a pear-shaped organ where a
fertilized egg develops.
3. Ovary – is a small almond-shaped organ
that produces egg cells.
4. Cervix – is a narrow structure connecting
the lower end of the uterus to the vagina.
5. Birth canal – consists of an elastic wall,
which allows it to expand during
childbirth.
 Parts and Functions of the Female Reproductive System
1. Ovaries – they secrete hormones called estrogen and progesterone to produce mature egg
cells. The eggs begin to mature when the female reaches puberty. During puberty, the ovaries
usually produce and release one ripened egg every 28 days. This process is called ovulation.
2. Fallopian tube – is to contain the egg until fertilization takes place and to provide a
passageway leading the sperm to the egg and fertilized egg to the uterus.
3. Uterus or womb – it is here that a fertilized egg develops and grows into a baby. However, if
the egg remains unfertilized, the uterus sheds, then leaves the body as menstrual discharge.
4. Cervix - is a narrow structure connecting the lower end of the uterus to the vagina.
5. Vagina or birth canal – is the hollow tube leading from the cervix to the outside of the body.
The wall is elastic, which allows it to expand during childbirth and sexual intercourse.
6. Vulva – is the external genitalia that includes the ff. parts:
a. mons veneris – the hairy skin-covered pad of fat over the pubic bone.
b. labia minora – the small lips covered with modified skin .
c. labia majora – the large lips covered with pubic hair.
d. clitoris – the small almond-shaped erectile tissue located below junction of two
minora.
e. vaginal orifice – the opening into the vagina.
 Gland Hormones Function
Testes (Male) Testosterone It regulates the development of the
male sex organs in the embryo. It
also controls sex drive and secondary
sex characteristics at puberty.
Ovaries (Female) Estrogen It controls sex drive and regulates
the development of female
secondary sex characteristics at
puberty.
Progesterone It controls the development of
endometrium (mucus membrane
lining the womb) during the
menstrual cycle and maintenance of
uterus during pregnancy.
Pituitary Prolactin It stimulates the production of milk
in the mammary glands.
Luteinizing hormone (LH) In females, it stimulates ovulation,
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) maturation of egg cells, and
progesterone production; whereas in
males, it stimulates sperm and
testosterone production.
 Event Highlights of a 28-day Menstrual Cycle
Phase Events Duration (days)
Follicular Phase • During menstruation, 1-5
the endometrium breaks
down.
Ovulation • In the ovary, the follicle 6-13
matures and rebuilds
the endometrium.
• Secondary oocyte is 14
released from the ovary.
Luteal Phase • Formation of the corpus 15-28
luteum; endometrium
thickens and develops.