1. Male and Female Anatomy
Reproductive System
Male and Female Anatomy

2. Female reproductive system
Terminology
Urethra: A tube through which urine passes from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Vagina: Passageway extending from the uterus to the outside of the body; canal through which the baby passes during delivery; passageway for the menstrual flow to the outside
Cervix: The mouth or opening into the uterus; protrudes into the uppermost part of the vagina
Uterus: A pear-shaped muscular organ located in the pelvic region; beginning at puberty the lining sheds periodically (usually monthly) during menstruation; baby develops during pregnancy

3. Female Reproductive system Continued
Uterine Lining: The lining in the uterus where implantation occurs.
Fimbria: Fringelike structure as at the opening of the fallopian tubes; especially around the ovum
Fallopian Tubes: Passageway for the egg from the ovary to the uterus; place where fertilization occurs
Ovaries: Oval-shaped structure located in the pelvic region; contains 300,000 to 500,000 eggs cells at birth; begins release of eggs at puberty
Ovum/Egg: About the size of a pinhead; if not fertilized, dissolves and is absorbed. Usually one is released monthly, if more than one it may result in multiple births.

4. Male reproductive system
Terminology
Penis: The male reproductive organ; used for secretion of sperm and urine
Scrotum: The pouch located behind the penis which contains the testicles; provides protection to the testicles; controls temperature necessary for sperm production and survival
Testes: Two round glands which descend into the scrotum following birth; produce and store sperm starting in puberty
Vas Deferens: Passageway for sperm, leading from the testicles and joining the urethra
Seminal Vesicle: A sac-like structure lying behind the bladder; secretes a thick fluid that forms part of semen

5. Male reproductive system Continued
Prostate Gland: A gland located in the pelvis; secretes a thick milky fluid that forms part of semen
Cowper’s Gland: A gland located in the pelvis; secretes a thick milky fluid that forms part of semen
Urethra: Tube through which urine and semen pass through out of body
Epididymis: A long-narrow duct, which sperm passes to the vas deferens
Bladder: Responsible for storing urine (not part of reproductive system)
Rectum: Used for passing bowel movements (not part of reproductive system)

7. Fertilization Process
Female
One egg, or ova, is released from its follicle in the ovary about every 28 days.
The egg is immediately drawn into the fallopian tube.
The egg has a window of about 24 hours to become fertilized.
- If fertilized, see conception below.
- If unfertilized, the egg is washed out of the body during menstruation along with the build up of blood and nutrients in the uterus.

8. Fertilization process continued
Male
While still in the male, sperm are mixed with secreted fluid to become semen
Through ejaculation, upwards of 200 million sperm are released into the women’s vagina
Sperm have the capacity to live for hours
- Many are killed by the acidic environment of the vagina
- Only 200 sperm reach the ovum
While moving through the uterus, sperm undergo capacitation, changes in the membrane that allow it to enter the ovum.
When sperm reach the ovum, they secrete an enzyme that softens the covering, allowing one sperm to enter.
- Some sperm reach within 5 minutes of ejaculation
- Average time 4-6 hours

9. Fertilization process continued
Conception
Conception, or fertilization, is the moment that the sperm enters the ovum’s covering and reaches its nucleus, marking the beginning of pregnancy.
- Whether the sperm is carrying an X or Y chromosome paired with the X chromosome of the ovum determine if a male or female is conceived.
- Fertilization usually happens in the upper 1/3 of the fallopian tube.
After three days of cell division, the zygote, now called a blastocyst, moves down the fallopian tube into the uterus and attaches itself to the endometrium, where it sinks down into the lining and becomes the womb.
- This process is called implantation
- This is where development continues until delivery
- Zygote: fertilization – week 2
- Embryo: week 3 – week 8
- Fetus: week 9 – end of pregnancy