Female & male anatomy 101 Emily Turner Introduce topic and why it is important to have knowledge about anatomy and the differences between men and women. Emily Turner

Why anatomy? (Well.. Why Not?) Sexual activity is a well rehearsed hot topic discussion amongst all people alike. It is important to understand the differences in males versus females and the crucial role each gender play in the sexual activity itself. It is highly persuaded to understand “…the relationship between form and function. If there is little anatomy being taught, then we must not value the anatomical conceptualizations of the human body.” (Boone)

Male Anatomy

Seminal Vesicle The seminal vesicle plays a crucial role in the male’s fertility. It helps produce healthy semen and functional sperm. The alkaline fluid it produces, also rich in fructose, is a major part of the seminal fluid. Also, provides energy-giving secretions to the whip-like action of sperm tails.

Ejaculatory Ducts Located where the seminal vesicles connect at the excretory duct by the base of the bladder, there are two short ejaculatory ducts. There is one on each side, moving through the complete prostate gland. They end at the opening of the urethra’s prostatic Portion. These ducts provide part of the pathway in which the sperm exits the body during ejaculation.

Prostate Gland The Prostate is roughly the size of a walnut positioned at the bottom of the bladder. Both the ejaculatory ducts and urethra pass through the prostate. It is composed of muscle fibers and glandular tissue. It secrets roughly thirty percent of the seminal fluid during ejaculation. The alkalinity of this fluid helps Overcome the unwanted climate of acidity of the males urethra and the females vaginal tract. This also provides a preferred environment for sperm to reside. PROSTATE CANCER: Is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer, often times leading to death. Symptoms may start with pelvis and lower back pain and urinary complications. Easily detected in the early stages.

Cowper’s Gland Also known as bulbourethral glands, are two small (pea-sized) structures located on the side of the urethra right underneath where the urethra emerges from the prostate gland. The connection to the urethra is formed by small ducts on the glands. During sexual arousal, these glands produce a slippery, mucus-like fluid that appears as a droplet on the tip of the penis. Much like the prostate’s fluids, the Cowper’s Gland alkaline fluid also buffers the acidity of the urethra.

Vas Deferens A long, thin duct that travels up through the scrotum inside the spermatic cord in which the sperm empties from the epididymis. During ejaculation, the smooth walls of the vas deferens provide sperm an easy way out, propelling them outward. A Vasectomy is a common, permanent procedure that sterilizes men by closing the vas deferens tubes, prohibiting the release of sperm out of the penis.

Epididymis The Epididymis is crucial for sperm processing. It is highly assumed to be a chamber for storage of sperm while they are continually maturing, or ripening for several weeks. Throughout this storage phase, the sperm is inactive.

Testicles Testes have two major functions: (1) to secrete sex hormones and (2) the production of sperm. An infant’s testicles are supposed to descend through the inguinal canal from the abdomen to the scrotum. Failure to descend is called cryptorchidism. It is suggested that men examine their own testes often to check for any observable differences.

Scrotum Or Scrotal Sac, is a loose pouch of skin that can be remembered as an inside out pocket of skin from the abdominal directly underneath the penis. The scrotal sac consists of two layers; the outermost layer is thinner, darker and typically becomes covered in hair. The inner layer is known as the tunica dartos, which is composed of smooth muscle fibers and fibrous connective tissues. ***The scrotal sac has two compartments, each housing a single testis.

Penis The penis consists of nerves, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, and three parallel cylinder-like spongy tissues. There is no actual bone in the penis. With help from the muscles at the base, the penis ejects both urine and semen through the urethra. The head, or glans penis, is the acorn shaped tip that connects directly to the shaft. The Cavernous Bodies, or corpora cavernosa, are the two side by side cylinders accompanied by a third cylinder, Spongy Body, or corpus spongiosum. These spongy tissues are heavily supplied with blood. An engorged penis, due to sexual arousal, results in a penile erection.

Foreskin Also known as Prepuce, is a loose covering over the glans penis. In some males the foreskin covers the entire glans and other males have only a portion covered. The foreskin can be removed typically quite easy in a procedure called Circumcision. It is the surgical removal of this sleeve of skin and can be done because of religious, ritual or health reasons.

Female Anatomy

Cervix The cervix is positioned at the back of the vagina. The cervix contains mucus-secreting glands. During sexual intercourse, the sperm moves through the vagina into the uterus through the os, the opening in the center of the cervix. Women can simply see their own cervix through using a speculum, or feel it using two fingers and inserting them into the vagina.

Vagina The vagina is a canal that opens between the labia minora and extends into the body. It angles upward towards the spine, cervix and uterus. The walls are able to expand during sexual arousal, but is originally three to five inches long. The vagina has three layers: mucous, muscle and fibrous tissue. The walls of the vagina resembles a mouth and normally makes secretions to help maintain a chemical balance. During orgasm, the walls of the vagina contract rhythmically.

Bartholin’s Gland The Bartholin Glands are located on either side of the Vagina and produce the lubrication for the opening of the vagina. They typically produce only a few drops of fluid just before orgasm.

Fallopian Tubes There are two four-inch fallopian tubes, extending from the uterus toward each ovary. They aid in the transportation of the egg from the ovary with it’s fringelike projections called Fimbriae. Once inside the actual tube, small hairlike cilia and contractions of the tube walls transport the egg (approximately one inch every twenty-four hours).

Ovary There are two ovaries, each about the size of an almond, at the ends of the two fallopian tubes. They are endocrine glands that produce the sex hormones estrogens, projesterone, inhibin and relaxin.

Uterus Or womb, is hollow, thick and pear-shaped. About three inches long and two inches wide (at least, in a women who has never had a child). The Uterus is held in the pelvic cavity by ligaments. The walls of the uterus contain three layers. The outermost layer is perimetrium, the middle layer myometrium and the innermost layer is endometrium. The endometrium is rich in blood vessels and nourishes the zygote (potential baby!) and is a source of hormone production.

Clitoris The clitoris consists of the external shaft and glans of the internal crura. These are located below the mons area where the lips converge. The clitoris is comparable to a penis in regards to the sensitivity due to the amount of nerve endings located there. It is a stimulating area for women and its only purpose is sexual pleasure and arousal.

Similar Structures ** Males & Females

Rectum & Anus The rectum and anus area is the same for both males and females. It store’s feces for elimination from the body. They play a large role in sexual activity amongst gay men. Rectum

Bladder The bladder’s function is to act as reservoir for urine. It is a muscle-like sac that is roughly the size of a pair. During urination the bladder contracts and the sphincters open to release the flow of urine. The bladder can stretch to accommodate the amount of urine.

Urethra It is a short tube that connects the bladder to the urinary opening. In women, it is located between the clitoris and the vaginal opening. In men, it is within the prostatic portion rooting back to the two ejaculatory ducts (one on each side).

Let’s Apply What We’ve Learned: The Human Reproductive System http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFpVy9OCI4o&feature=related

Citations and Credibility Boone, Tommy. (2001). Anatomy: The forgotten piece of the beginning. Professionalization of Exercise Physiology online. Vol. 4 No. 6 (online) Crooks, Robert, and Karla Baur. Our Sexuality. 11th ed. Redwood City, CA. Benjamin Cummings, Pub., 1990. Print. http://www.webmd.com/ Google Images