The Anatomy of the
Human Reproductive
System
High School Course Lesson Plan
Joanna Aceves
7/19/2011
FHS Section 2450-042
Human Reproductive Anatomy
Introduction
Understanding the anatomy of the reproductive organs is a base for the introduction of
sexuality. Knowledge of proper terminology and function will facilitate the discussion on of the
physical role each body plays in sexual and reproductive activity. The lesson plan will cover the
male and female anatomy as well as the functions they serve. Activities will reinforce the
material covered and allow the student to interact with their peers and parents about subject
matter that should be openly discussed.
Objectives
The lesson objective is to familiarize students with the basic development, function and terminology of
both the male and female reproductive systems. The outline will cover general areas of discussion as
well as topics of interest to be presented in informative, yet open manner. The students should be
encouraged to interact in a respectful and appropriate manner. Lesson should be broken up into
individual days per gender, this will allow amply time for questions and discussion on subject matter as
well as avoid overwhelming students.
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Outline
Embryology
The embryo begins to distinguish between male and female in the 9th week of
development
The same embryonic bodies form genitals for both sexes
o Mesoderm
The process will continue until the 20th week, when sex can be determined by
ultrasound
System Similarities
Both systems are dormant until puberty
Primary sex organs, gonads, produce gametes
o Ovaries; 1 released per month
o Testies; 100,000,000 produced per day
Accessory reproductive organs used for sexual intercourse
Autonomic nervous system stimulates arousal and climax
o Clitoris
o Glans of Penis
Protection of reproductive organs
o Labia Majora
o Scrotum
Secretion of mucin for lubrication
o Vestibular glands
o Bulbourethral glands
Anatomy of the Female Reproductive System
External Structures (vulva)
o Mons Veneris
 Mound of Venus
 Fatty tissue pads between the pubic bone and skin
 Grows hair at puberty
o Labia Majora
 Outer lips
 Begin next to the thigh and extend inward
 Encase labia minora and urethral opening
o Labia Minora
 Inner lips
 Hairless
 Join at the clitoral hood and extend downward
 Contain sweat and oil glands, blood vessels and nerve endings
 General size and length varies with each individual; there is no
standard
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o
Clitoris
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o
Vestibule
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o
o
Consists of shaft (length between glans and body), glans(head
housing high concentration of nerve endings)and the crura(tip
of cavernous body)
Cavernous bodies engorge with blood during arousal
Clitoris will increase in size closer to ovulation
Same nerve ending concentration as the head of a penis
Only purpose is for sexual pleasure
Area inside the labia minora
Sensitive to touch
Houses the urinary and vaginal openings
Urethral opening
Excretion site of urine from the bladder
Introitus
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Opening of the vagina
Located between the anus and the urinary opening
Partially covered by the hymen, this tissue usually present at
birth
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Skin between the vaginal opening and the anus
Perineum
Mid structures
o Vestibular bulbs
 Arousal causes bulbs to fill with blood making the vagina
lengthen and vulva to swell
 Analogues to spongy tissue in the penis
o Bartholin’s glans
 Located on each side of the vaginal opening
 Secrete a few drops of liquid during sexual arousal
Internal Structures
o Vagina
 Opening that leads into the body, towards the small of the back
 Composed of 3 tissue layers
 Mucous-produce secretions that help maintain chemical
balance
 Muscle-concentrated around vaginal opening
 Fibrous- involved in vaginal contraction and acts as
connective tissue to other pelvic structures
 Grafenberg Spot is a system of glands and ducts analogues t the
prostate gland
o
Cervix
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Located at the back end of the vagina
Secrets mucus
Opening of the cervix is called the os
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o
Uterus
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Womb
Hollow, tear drop shaped
Endometrium
 Inner layer of uterus
 Nourishes zygote
 Produces hormones
o
Fallopian Tubes
 Consists of 2 four-inch tubes from the uterus to the ovaries
 Fimbriae cover the ovaries
 Cilia in tubes carry egg for fertilization
o
Ovaries
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Consists of 2 almond shaped structures at the end of the
fallopian tubes
Produce sex hormones
 Estrogens are involved in physical sex characteristics
and help regulate menstrual cycles
 Progesterone help regulate menstrual cycle and
promote maturing of uterine lining in preparation for
pregnancy
 Ovulation is the release of a mature egg
Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System
External Structure
o Penis
 Made of spongy tissue, fibrous tissue, nerves and blood vessels
 Root extends in the pelvic cavity
 Shaft includes external portion to the end of the head
 Glans refers to the head
 2 cavernous bodies run parallel above the single spongy body
 Large concentration of blood vessels
 When sexually excites, all 3 fill with blood causing an
erection
 Skin is usually hairless
 Foreskin covers the head
 Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin
 The corona is a rim around the glans portion of the penis
 The frenulum is connective tissue that holds the shaft to the
glans on the underside of the penis
Internal Structures
o Scrotum
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Also known as scrotal sac
Pouch of skin that forms a pocket of the abdominal wall directly
below the penis
Outer layer is dark skin , may have hair. Inner layer is muscle
fiber and connective tissue
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Testes
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Secrete sex hormones called androgens
 Most common is testosterone
Produce sperm
 Seminiferous tubules aid in production and storage
 Epididymis stores sperm while they mature; inactive at
this stage
Vas Deferens
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Drain sperm from epididymis to spermatic cord
 Sperm travel from vas deferens to the ejaculatory
duct(also formed by seminal vesicles) where they enter
the urethra for ejaculation
Seminal Vesicles
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Two separate compartments house the testes
Spermatic cords suspend the testes as well as house the vas
deferens (tubes that carry sperm)
Cremasteric muscles can contract, causing upward movement
of the testes.
Sensitive to temperature changes
Small glands that follow the vas deferens
Secrete fluid that will protect and nourish sperm(about 70% of
seminal fluid)
Prostate Gland
 Located at the base of the bladder
 Secretes final 30% of seminal fluid
 Both ejaculatory ducts and urethra pass through the prostate
 Alkaline fluid helps counteract the acidity of the male urethra
Cowper’s Gland
 Also known as the bulbourethral glands
 Located on each side of the urethra
 Connected to urethra by small ducts
 Secrete mucus-like substance at sexual arousal
 May contain active sperm
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Discussion Topic
Why are we so prone to using nicknames for our body parts?
Discuss advantage of proper terminology and how it decreases confusion. Open up
discussion about what terms individuals grew up with for certain structures and what is
popular in our culture.
How much of the information was new to you?
Has the information been covered in other classes? Have parents been proactive about
providing information? Stress that this is not taboo information but basic human
anatomical understanding.
How does the media affect your perception of what is a “standard or desired” body”
Individual variances are normal, not everyone will look or function the same.
Expectation to meet the standards set by other is unhealthy and can be harmful to our
own general health. We should be respectful of our individuality.
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Class Activities
Anatomical Drawings
The instructor should read a description or the structure and students must properly
name and draw the structure. This could be used as a quiz to make sure students study
hand outs and memorize proper terminology.
Follow the path from gamete production to child birth
Start from the production of sperm and egg and follow the path to fertilization to fetus
to birth. This activity will allow the flow through both bodies to be followed a swell as
give a more functional picture of the organ system. Having the students discuss the
process will allow them to interact as well as help one another to understand the
process.
Labeling
Have students label the provided worksheets
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Female Anatomy
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Female Anatomy
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Male Anatomy
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Male Anatomy
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