• produce sex hormone, testosterone
• produce and store the male reproductive cells, sperm
• deliver sperm to the female reproductive system to
join with an egg in the process of fertilization.
• Testes - two small glands that
produce the male sex cells, sperm –
100 million per day starting at
puberty.
• Testosterone – male sex hormone
also produced in the testes that
start sperm production.
• Scrotum - holds testicles, keeps at
specific temperature.
Male Reproductive System
Front View
Urinary bladder
Vas deferens
Urethra
Penis
Seminal vesicle
Prostate gland
Bulbourethral gland
Epididymis
Testis
Slide 5 of 22
• Undescended testis: when one or
both of the testes may not descend
into the scrotum before birth.
• Penis – an external sexual organ
through which sperm leave the
body. The tip is covered with loose
skin, called the foreskin.
• Circumcision – surgical removal of
the foreskin of the penis (visual)
1. Sperm produced in the testes will mature and be
stored in the epididymis.
2. During sexual arousal sperm will travel from the
epididymis through the vas deferens to the
3. Seminal Vesicles where fluid is added to give the
sperm energy for mobility.
4. Next the prostate gland adds fluid to protect the
sperm as the two vas deferens join to form the
urethra at the base of the bladder. The urethra is
the common passageway for both semen and urine.
5. The bulbourethral gland adds fluid that protects the
sperm from acidic conditions in the urethra.
Side View
Urinary bladder
Vas deferens
Urethra
Penis
Epididymis
Seminal
vesicle
Testis
Prostate gland
Bulbourethral gland
Scrotum
Slide 8 of 22
- Semen are released from the penis during
the process of ejaculation.
1. Semen – thick fluid containing sperm and
other secretions from reproductive
system.
2. Ejaculation – series of muscular
contractions and semen is expelled from
the penis.
3. Fertilization – union of a sperm and an egg.
4. Nocturnal Emission or wet dream – usually
occurs when a male begins to produce sperm,
occurs normally when the male ejaculates
during sleep.
• Dry well after showering to prevent fungal infections that can
cause jock itch
• Avoid a number of serious infections of the reproductive system
and other body systems by refraining from sexual activity
• Wearing a cup during athletic
activities
• Take care when lifting heavy
objects. An inguinal hernia can
result when part of the intestine
pushes into the scrotum.
• Monitor your body for signs of possible
medical problems
• Pain when urinating, unusual discharge, or sores
on the genitals
• Examine the testes for testicular cancer. 1/3 of
testicular cancer cases occur in young men in
their teens and twenties. (visual)
• Enlarged Prostate
• Prostate Cancer – 2nd most common cause of
cancer death among older men
• Diagnose Infertility – a condition of being
unable to reproduce generally caused by
• Exposure to chemicals
•Having mumps after puberty
• Having undescended testis
• Produce and store
female reproductive
cells: eggs (ova)
• Produce sex hormones
and provide a
nourishing environment
in which a fertilized
egg can develop
• 2 almond size glands
where eggs are produced
• Two important functions 1produce the female sex
hormones estrogen and
progesterone and 2release mature egg cells
about once a month
during ovulation
• Two passageways that carry eggs
away from the ovary and to the uterus
or womb
• This is also where fertilization usually
takes place if sperm are present
• Hollow, muscular, pearshaped organ with a
narrow base called the
cervix
• The site where a
fertilized egg can
develop and grow
• Also called the birth
canal, the vagina is
a hollow, muscular
and elastic
passageway
leading from the
uterus to the outside
of the body
• Sperm first enter the
females body
through the vagina
• Females are born with
the only eggs they will
ever have
• Starting around puberty,
females will usually
produce one mature
ovum each month during
the process called the
menstrual cycle
• Average cycle lasts 28 days (it can
also be normal for some individuals to
go longer or shorter than this)
• Diet, Stress, Exercise, Weight gain or
loss can affect the cycle
• Puberty is also a time when the cycle
can be irregular
• Menopause occurs between 45-55
when the ovaries will no longer
release eggs, gradually the menstrual
cycle stops and a woman can no
longer become pregnant
Days 1–4 The uterine
lining is shed during
menstruation.
The Menstrual Cycle
Days 23–28 The
unfertilized egg enters the
uterus.
Days 5–13 An egg
matures in one of
the ovaries, and the
uterine lining starts
to thicken.
Maturing
Egg
Egg
Days 16–22 The egg
travels through the
fallopian tube to the
uterus, and the uterine
lining continues to
thicken.
Egg
Days 14–15 The ovary
releases the mature egg
during ovulation.
• During the first half of the cycle, an egg matures in
one of the ovaries and the lining of the uterus, the
endometrium, thickens
• Ovulation: Sometime near the middle of the cycle
(ie. day 14) a mature egg is released and travels
into the fallopian tube
• This is when a female is most fertile, or able to
become pregnant
• It can take 7 days for the egg to travel from the
fallopian tube to the uterus
• Menstruation (Menstrual Period): several days
later, IF fertilization didn’t take place around
ovulation, the uterine lining (endometrium) breaks
down and passes out of the female’s body. This
stage will last 3-5 days on average
• Abdominal cramps possibly
caused by contractions of the
uterus
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) –
nervous tension, mood swings,
headaches, bloating, irritability
experienced before the menstrual
period
• Doctors recommend reducing
salt, sugar and caffeine intake
and get regular exercise or
other stress relieving techniques
• Rare but serious medical condition associate with
tampon use and a bacterial infection that can
possibly lead to death
• Seek medical attention immediately if you
experience these symptoms: sudden high fever, rash,
vomtting, diarrhea, dizziness
• Lower your risks by using the lowest absorbency
needed and change tampons often
• Cleanliness
• Daily washing of the external vaginal area
and regularly change sanitary pads or
tampons during menstruation
• Female hygiene sprays, douches, and
deodorants are not necessary and may be
harmful if they cover up signs of an infection
or cause irritation
• Sexual Abstinence
• The only way to eliminate the risk of sexually
transmitted infections is to abstain from sexual activity
• Prompt Treatment for Infections
• Some infections may not be related to sexual activity
• Vaginitis caused by yeast, bacteria, or other
microorganisms can cause thick discharge, odors, itching,
and burning sensations during urination. Seek a doctor
if you ever notice these symptoms
•Monitor the body for possible signs of medical
problems
• Self-Breast Exam performed by all women
(including teens) once/month, a week after
their menstrual period, to detect Breast
Cancer
• A yearly checkup of the reproductive
system is recommended for all
females who have reached puberty
• A doctor will examine the breasts
and genitals and may perform a
pelvic exam and Pap smear. A Pap
smear is a sample of cervical cells
examined under a microscope to
detect cervical cancer
• Mamograms – x-rays of the breast
that can help detect breast cancer.
These are usually performed at about
age 40
Doctors can also detect and treat other
reproductive problems
• Ovarian Cysts –
growths on the
ovaries
• Endometriosis –
when the
endometrium grows
outside the uterus
in the pelvic area
• Infertility – the inability to become
pregnant. This is most often due to a
blocked fallopian tube and problems
with ovulation