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Male and Female Reproductive Anatomy
Healthy Active Living 11
Testes
The paired oval testes, also known as the male gonads, hang in the scrotal
sac. Usually the right testis hangs higher than the left one by about 1 cm. The
testes hang outside the body because the temperature inside the body is too
high to produce sperm, so they are produced in the testes at about 3 °C lower
than body temperature.
Epididymis
At the back of the olive-shaped body of each testis is a cap formed by the
many coils of a 20-foot long tube called the epididymis. The function of the
epididymis is to collect the immature sperm from the testis.
As the sperm make their long journey through the epididymis they become
mature sperm. This journey takes about 20 days and during its course the
sperm become fertile and they also become able to move in a swimming
motion (doctors refer to the sperm then as ‘motile’).
Vas deferens
Joined to the epididymis is the vas deferens — a thick walled tube which
transports sperm from the epididymis up to the prostate gland. The section
of the vas deferens that is above the testis can be felt through the loose part
of the scrotum. When a vasectomy is performed, it is this part of the vas
deferens that is snipped.
The vas deferens empties into the ejaculatory duct, which passes through the
prostate gland to merge with the urethra.
The urethra
The urethra serves as the tube down which urine passes from the bladder
through the penis to the outside and also the tube down which semen is
ejaculated.
The prostate
The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that surrounds the urethra. Along with
the seminal vesicles it produces the fluid secretions that support and nourish
the sperm. Without this fluid to dilute them the sperm cannot move easily.
After the age of 40 the prostate enlarges and can press on the urethra. An
enlarged prostate is often the cause of urinary problems in older men.
Glans
The sensitive bulbous structure at the distel end of the penis
Typically, the glans is completely or partially covered by the foreskin except
by men who have been circumcised.
Bladder
The urinary bladder is a muscular sac in the pelvis, just above and behind the
pubic bone. When empty, the bladder is about the size and shape of a pear.
Urine is made in the kidneys, and travels down two tubes called ureters to
the bladder. The bladder stores urine, allowing urination to be infrequent
and voluntary. The bladder is lined by layers of muscle tissue that stretch to
accommodate urine. The normal capacity of the bladder is 400 to 600 mL.
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During urination, the bladder muscles contract, and two sphincters (valves)
open to allow urine to flow out. Urine exits the bladder into the urethra,
which carries urine out of the body. Because it passes through the penis, the
urethra is longer in men (8 inches) than in women (1.5 inches).
Scrotum
The scrotum is the protective sac of skin and muscle that contains the
testicles, the epididymis and part of the spermatic cord.
The epididymis is where the sperm created in the testes is stored. The
spermatic cord is made up of blood vessels, nerves, lymphatic vessels and the
vas deferens. The spermatic cord has layers of tough tissue to protect it from
damage. The vas deferens is the tube that carries the sperm between the
testes and epididymis to the urethra
Rectum
The rectum is about eight inches long and serves, basically, as a warehouse
for poop. It hooks up with the sigmoid colon to the north and with the anal
canal to the south
The rectum has little shelves in it called transverse folds. These folds help
keep stool in place until you're ready to go to the bathroom. When you're
ready, stool enters the lower rectum, moves into the anal canal, and then
passes through the anus on its way out.
Urethral Opening
The male urethra is a narrow fibromuscular tube that conducts urine and
semen from the bladder and ejaculatory ducts, respectively, to the exterior of
the body. Although the male urethra is a single structure, it is composed of a
heterogeneous series of segments: prostatic, membranous, and spongy.
Foreskin
The fold of skin which covers the head (the glans) of the penis. Also called the
prepuce.
The foreskin is thus not fully separable from the glans in about 96% of
newborn boys. By a year of 1 year, the foreskin can be retracted in 50% of
boys and by 3 years, the foreskin can be retracted in 80% to 90% of
uncircumcised boys.
Seminal Vesicles
The seminal vesicles are paired organs of the male genitourinary system.
Specifically, they are genital organs. The male genital organs include the
penis, testes, excretory genital ducts, ductus deferens, seminal vesicles,
prostate, and bulbourethral glands. Of these organs, the seminal vesicles,
prostate, and bulbourethral glands are considered accessory glandular
structures.
These organs work together to produce and excrete semen
Anus
The anus is the opening where the gastrointestinal tract ends and exits the
body. The anus starts at the bottom of the rectum, the last portion of the
colon (large intestine). The anorectal line separates the anus from the
rectum.
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Tough tissue called fascia surrounds the anus and attaches it to nearby
structures.
Circular muscles called the external sphincter ani form the wall of the anus
and hold it closed. Glands release fluid into the anus to keep its surface moist.
A plate-like band of muscles, called the levator ani muscles, surround the
anus and form the floor of the pelvis. A network of veins lines the skin of the
anus.
Inner Labia
two thin folds of skin between the labia majora, extending from the clitoris
backward on both sides of the vaginal orifice, ending between it and the labia
majora. Anteriorly each labium divides into an upper and a lower division.
The upper divisions pass above the clitoris and meet to form the preputium
clitoridis. The lower divisions pass beneath the clitoris and unite to form the
frenulum of the clitoris
Hymen
A hymen is the thin piece of tissue that partially blocks the entrance to the
vagina. It is sometimes called the maidenhead or cherry
Although some women are born without a hymen, most have one, and the
hymen varies in size and shape from woman to woman. The hymen usually
does not cover the entire vaginal opening, since there must be some way for
the menstrual fluid, or period, to leave the body
Vagina
The vagina is an elastic, muscular canal with a soft, flexible lining that
provides lubrication and sensation. The vagina connects the uterus to the
outside world. The vulva and labia form the entrance, and the cervix of the
uterus protrudes into the vagina, forming the interior end.
The vagina receives the penis during sexual intercourse and also serves as a
conduit for menstrual flow from the uterus. During childbirth, the baby
passes through the vagina (birth canal).
Cervix
The cervix is a cylinder-shaped neck of tissue that connects the vagina and
uterus. The cervix is made of cartilage covered by smooth, moist tissue, and
is about 1 inch across. There are two main portions of the cervix:
The part of the cervix that can be seen from inside the vagina during a
gynecologic examination is known as the ectocervix. An opening in the center
of the ectocervix, known as the external os, opens to allow passage between
the uterus and vagina.
The endocervix, or endocervical canal, is a tunnel through the cervix, from
the external os into the uterus.
The cervix produces cervical mucus that changes in consistency during the
menstrual cycle to prevent or promote pregnancy.
Uterus
A hollow, pear-shaped organ that is located in a woman's lower abdomen,
between the bladder and the rectum. The narrow lower portion of the uterus
is the cervix (the neck of the uterus).
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the inner layer (endometrium) of the uterus goes through a series of monthly
changes known as the menstrual cycle. Each month, endometrial tissue
grows and thickens in preparation to receive a fertilized egg. (ovulation)
Ovaries
The female gonad, one of a pair of reproductive glands in women. The
ovaries are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. Each ovary is
about the size and shape of an almond
The ovaries produce eggs (ova) and female hormones. During each monthly
menstrual cycle, an egg is released from one ovary. The egg travels from the
ovary through a fallopian tube to the uterus. The ovaries are the main source
of female hormones, which control the development of female body
characteristics, such as the breasts, body shape, and body hair. They also
help regulate the menstral cycle and pregnancy.
Sources:
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4705
http://www.globalrph.com/medterm.htm
http://www.getbodysmart.com/ap/site/resourcelinks/links.html