Learning About the Reproductive Systems

What You Will Learn Physical and emotional changes during puberty. Functions of the female and male reproductive organs. Identify concerns of reproductive health. Identify ways to protect reproductive health.

Puberty The stage of growth and dvelopment when both the male and female body becomes capable of producing offspring is called puberty. Both males and females experience puberty. This may not occur at the same time.

Female Puberty When a female is around 8 yrs. old, the pituitary gland increases its production of a hormone called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This hormone causes the ovaries to secrete estrogen, which is the hormone that stimulates the development of female secondary sex characteristics and effects the menstrual cycle.

Female Puberty Secondary sex characteristics are the physical and emotional changes that occur during puberty. – Emotional Changes – sexual feelings, changes in mood, strong physical attractions to individuals. – Physical changes – widening hips, increased breast size, growth of pubic hair, beginning of menstruation.

Female Puberty During puberty a female must become comfortable with her maturing body. Body Image – is the perception a person has of his/her body’s appearance. A female is more likely to have a positive body image when she is well educated about her body. Because females mature at different rates, she should try to avoid comparing herself to anyone else.

Female Reproductive System The female reproductive system consists of organs in thee female body that are involved in producing offspring. There are 2 types of organs – External female reproductive organs – Internal female reproductive organs

Female Reproductive System External Organs – Mons Pubis – fatty tissue that covers the front of the pubis bone used for cushion. – Labia Major – heavy fold of skin that surround the opening of the vagina. – Labia Minora – 2 smaller folds of skin located inside the labia major. The clitoris and the opening of the urethra are located within the labia minora.

Female Reproductive System External Organs – Clitoris – a small structure located above the opening of the urethra. – Hymen – A thin membrane that stretches across the opening of the vagina.

Female Reproductive System Internal Organs – Ovaries – Female reproductive glands that produce ova (Eggs) and estrogen. A female is born with between 200,000 and 400,000 immature eggs in her ovaries. About 375 of these mature and are released in a female’s lifetime. During puberty each developing ova is incased in a small hallow ball called follicle. Each month during menstrual cycle an egg matures and is released.

Female Reproductive System When an egg is released from an ovary, it enters one of the fallopian tubes. A fallopian tube is a tube through which an egg moves from the ovary to the uterus. A female has 2 fallopian tubes that are about 4 inches long.

Female Reproductive System The uterus is a muscular organ that receives and supports the fertilized egg during pregnancy and contracts during childbirth to help with delivery. The cervix is the lowest part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.

Female Reproductive System The vagina is a muscular tube that connects the uterus to the outside of the body. The vagina is the female organ for sexual intercourse, the birth canal, and the passageway for menstrual flow.

Female Reproductive Health During adolescence, females start to take more and more responsibility for their own health care. What you need about female reproductive health.

Male Puberty During male puberty the pituitary gland increases its production of a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH). LH travels through the bloodstream to the testes and causes them to secrete testosterone. Testosterone is a hormone that produces the male secondary sex characteristics.

Male Puberty Secondary sex characteristics are the emotional and physical changes that occur during puberty. – Emotional Changes – Males may become angry, say things they don’t mean, fell insecure or edgy, experience sexual feeling and strong physical attractions to the opposite sex. – Physical Changes – Increase height, deep voice, growth of pubic and facial hair, enlargement of penis, scrotum, and testes, formation of sperm.

Male Reproductive System The male reproductive system consists of organs in the male body that are involved in producing offspring. There are 2 types of organs – External male reproductive organs – Internal male reproductive organs

Male Reproductive System External Organs – Penis – The male sex organ used for reproduction and urination. – Scrotum – A saclike pouch that hangs under the penis and holds the testes. Regulates the temp of the testes. – Testes – Male reproductive glands that produce sperm cells and the hormone testosterone. – Sperm – Male reproductive cells.

Male Reproductive System Internal Organs – Seminiferous tubules – Network of coiled tubes in which sperm are produced. – Epididymis – A comma shaped structure along the upper rear surface of the testes. This is where sperm matures. – Vas deferens – 2 long thin tubes that act as a passageway for sperm and a place for sperm storage.

Male Reproductive System Internal Organs – Seminal vesicles – 2 elongated saclike glands the base of the bladder that secrete a fluid rich in sugar that nourishes the sperm and helps them move. – Ejaculatory duct – A short straight tube that passes into the prostate gland and opens into the urethra and serves as a passageway for sperm and urine to leave the body.

Male Reproductive System Internal Organs – Prostate Gland – gland that produces a fluid that helps keep sperm alive. – Cowper’s glands – 2 small glands located beneath the prostate gland that secrete a lubricating fluid into the urethra as part of the semen.