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How reproductive systems work

The male reproductive system consists of two major parts: the testes, where sperm are
produced, and the penis, according to Merck Manuals. The penis and urethra belong to both the
urinary and reproductive systems in males. The testes are carried in an external pouch known as
the scrotum, where they normally remain slightly cooler than body temperature to facilitate
sperm production.

The external structures of the female reproductive system include the clitoris, labia minora, labia
majora and Bartholin's glands, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The major internal organs of the
female reproductive system include the vagina and uterus — which act as the receptacle for
semen — and the ovaries, which produce the female's ova. The vagina is attached to the uterus
through the cervix, while the fallopian tubes connect the uterus to the ovaries. In response to
hormonal changes, one ovum, or egg — or more in the case of multiple births — is released and
sent down the fallopian tube during ovulation. If not fertilized, this egg is eliminated during
menstruation.

Fertilization occurs if a sperm enters the fallopian tube and burrows into the egg. While the
fertilization usually occurs in the oviducts, it can also happen in the uterus itself. The egg then
becomes implanted in the lining of the uterus, where it begins the processes of embryogenesis
(in which the embryo forms) and morphogenesis (in which the fetus begins to take shape).
When the fetus is mature enough to survive outside of the womb, the cervix dilates, and
contractions of the uterus propel it through the birth canal.

Variations in the reproductive system

Around 49.5 percent of the world's population is female, so there are slightly more men on the
planet than women, according to World Bank. A person's sex is determined by what
reproductive system the person has, but it isn't always so simple. Some humans are born with
parts of both male and female reproductive systems or incomplete reproductive organs of one
sex or the other. Those with both male and female reproductive parts are considered intersex.
Sometimes children are labeled as male or female, depending on how complete or functional
one sexual reproductive system is over the other. Then, the other organs are removed.

The male reproductive system

The main tasks of the male reproductive system are to produce sperm cells and to introduce
sperm into the female reproductive tract. Sperm are produced in the testes, the pair of male
reproductive glands located in the scrotum, a skin-covered sac that hangs from the groin. Within
each testis are hollow tubules called seminiferous tubules where sperm cells are produced. The
testes also secrete the male hormone testosterone, which stimulates development of the
reproductive structures and secondary sexual characteristics (such as deepened voice) at
puberty.

After production, sperm cells move to a highly coiled tube called the epididymis, where they
mature and are stored. During ejaculation (the ejection of sperm from the penis during orgasm),
sperm travel from the epididymis through a long tube called the vas deferens to the urethra. The
urethra is a single tube that extends from the bladder to the tip of the penis (and through which
urine passes out of the body). Secretions from three different glands mix with sperm before it is
ejaculated, forming the seminal fluid, or semen. Ejaculated semen may contain as many as 400
million sperm.

Words to Know

Fertilization: The union of an egg and a sperm that initiates the development of a new individual
with genetic material from both parents.

Follicle: A sac in the ovary that contains a developing egg surrounded by a group of cells.

Gene: A section of a chromosome that carries instructions for the formation, functioning, and
transmission of specific traits from one generation to another.

Hormone: A chemical produced in living cells that is carried by the blood to organs and tissues in
distant parts of the body, where it regulates cellular activity.

Menstruation: The monthly shedding of the uterine lining and blood in a nonpregnant female.

Ovary: One of the paired female sex organs that produces eggs and sex hormones.

Ovulation: The release of a mature egg from an ovary.

Ovum: A female sex cell.

Puberty: The period of development of the sexual structures and secondary sexual
characteristics in humans and higher primates.

Semen: Fluid containing sperm, nutrients, and mucus that is ejaculated from the penis during
orgasm.
Sperm: A male sex cell.

Testis: One of a pair of male sex glands that produces sperm and sex hormones.

The female reproductive system

The main tasks of the female reproductive system are to produce ova, receive sperm from the
penis, house and provide nutrients to thedeveloping embryo (fetus), give birth, and produce
milk to feed offspring. Ova are produced in the ovaries, oval-shaped organs in the groin that also
produce sex hormones. At birth, a female's ovaries contain hundreds of thousands of
undeveloped eggs, each surrounded by a group of cells to form a follicle (sac). However, only
about 360 to 480 follicles reach full maturity.

During puberty, the action of hormones cause several follicles to develop each month. Normally,
just one follicle fully matures, rupturing and releasing an ovum through the ovary wall in a
process called ovulation. The mature egg enters one of the paired fallopian tubes, where it may
be fertilized by a sperm and move on to the uterus to develop into a fetus. The lining of the
uterus, called the endometrium, prepares for pregnancy each month by becoming thicker. The
lining is shed during menstruation if fertilization does not occur.

The uterus, or womb, is the organ in which a fetus develops and receives nutrients and oxygen.
At its base lies the cervix, which widens during birth to allow passage of the fetus. The vagina is a
muscular tube extending from the uterus to the outside of the body. It is the receptacle for
sperm that is ejaculated during sexual intercourse and also forms part of the birth canal. The
external genital organs, or vulva, include the labia, clitoris, and mons pubis. The labia are folds of
skin on both sides of the openings to the vagina and urethra. The clitoris, a small, sensitive organ
located in front of the labia, is comparable to the male penis. The mons pubis is a pad of fatty
tissue above the clitoris.

During pregnancy, the female hormones estrogen and progesterone stimulate enlargement of
the breasts and mammary glands. About two days after birth, blood levels of these hormones
drop, and the pituitary gland releases the hormone prolactin, which stimulates the production of
milk. Milk flows through small openings in the nipple of each breast to the nursing infant.

HUMAN REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Human reproductive system, organ system by which humans reproduce and bear live offspring.
Provided all organs are present, normally constructed, and functioning properly, the essential
features of human reproduction are (1) liberation of an ovum, or egg, at a specific time in the
reproductive cycle, (2) internal fertilization of the ovum by spermatozoa, or sperm cells, (3)
transport of the fertilized ovum to the uterus, or womb, (4) implantation of the blastocyst, the
early embryo developed from the fertilized ovum, in the wall of the uterus, (5) formation of a
placenta and maintenance of the unborn child during the entire period of gestation, (6) birth of
the child and expulsion of the placenta, and (7) suckling and care of the child, with an eventual
return of the maternal organs to virtually their original state.

For this biological process to be carried out, certain organs and structures are required in both
the male and the female. The source of the ova (the female germ cells) is the female ovary; that
of spermatozoa (the male germ cells) is the testis. In females, the two ovaries are situated in the
pelvic cavity; in males, the two testes are enveloped in a sac of skin, the scrotum, lying below
and outside the abdomen. Besides producing the germ cells, or gametes, the ovaries and testes
are the source of hormones that cause full development of secondary sexual characteristics and
also the proper functioning of the reproductive tracts. These tracts comprise the fallopian tubes,
the uterus, the vagina, and associated structures in females and the penis, the sperm channels
(epididymis, ductus deferens, and ejaculatory ducts), and other related structures and glands in
males. The function of the fallopian tube is to convey an ovum, which is fertilized in the tube, to
the uterus, where gestation (development before birth) takes place. The function of the male
ducts is to convey spermatozoa from the testis, to store them, and, when ejaculation occurs, to
eject them with secretions from the male glands through the penis

Male and Female Reproductive Organs

Both male and female reproductive organs have internal and external structures. Reproductive
organs are considered to be either primary or secondary organs. The primary reproductive
organs are the gonads (ovaries and testes), which are responsible for gamete (sperm and egg
cell) and hormone production. The other reproductive structures and organs are considered
secondary reproductive structures. Secondary organs aid in the growth and maturation of
gametes and developing offspring.

Structures of the female reproductive system include:

Labia majora - Larger lip-like external structures that cover and protect sexual structures.

Labia minora - Smaller lip-like external structures found inside the labia majora. They provide
protection for the clitoris and for the urethra and vaginal openings.
Clitoris - Very sensitive sexual organ located in front of the vaginal opening. It contains
thousands of sensory nerve endings and responds to sexual stimulation.

Vagina - Fibrous, muscular canal leading from the cervix (opening of the uterus) to the external
portion of the genital canal.

Uterus - Muscular internal organ that houses and nurtures female gametes after fertilization.
Also called the womb, the uterus is where a developing fetus resides during pregnancy.

Fallopian tubes - Uterine tubes which transport egg cells from the ovaries to the uterus.
Fertilization typically occurs in these tubes.

Ovaries - Female primary reproductive structures that produce gametes and sex hormones.
There is one ovary on each side of the uterus.

The male reproductive system consists of sexual organs, accessory glands, and a series of duct
systems that provide a pathway for fertile sperm cells to exit the body. Male reproductive
structures include the penis, testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate gland.

Male Reproductive System Organs

The male reproductive system consists of sexual organs, accessory glands, and a series of duct
systems that provide a pathway for fertile sperm cells to exit the body.

Penis - Main organ involved in sexual intercourse. This organ is composed of erectile tissue,
connective tissue, and skin. The urethra extends through the length of the penis, allowing urine
and sperm to pass.

Testes - Male primary reproductive structures that produce male gametes (sperm) and sex
hormones.

Scrotum - External pouch of skin that contains the testes. Because the scrotum is located outside
of the abdomen, it can reach temperatures that are lower than that of internal body structures.
Lower temperatures are necessary for proper sperm development.

Epididymis - System of ducts that receive immature sperm from the testes. Its function is to
develop immature sperm and to house mature sperm.

Ductus Deferens or Vas Deferens - Fibrous, muscular tubes that are continuous with the
epididymis and provide a pathway for sperm to travel from the epididymis to the urethra

Ejaculatory Duct - Duct formed from the union of the ductus deferens and seminal vesicles. Each
ejaculatory duct empties into the urethra.

Urethra - Tube that extends from the urinary bladder through the penis. This canal allows for the
excretion of reproductive fluids (semen) and urine from the body. Sphincters prevent urine from
entering the urethra while semen is passing through.

Seminal Vesicles - Glands that produce fluid to nurture and provide energy for sperm cells.
Tubes leading from the seminal vesicles join the ductus deferens to form the ejaculatory duct.

Prostate Gland - Gland that produces a milky, alkaline fluid which increases sperm motility. The
contents of the prostate empty into the urethra.

Bulbourethral or Cowper's Glands - Small glands located at the base of the penis. In response to
sexual stimulation, these glands secrete an alkaline fluid which helps to neutralize acidity from
urine in the urethra and acidity in the vagina.

Similarly, the female reproductive system contains organs and structures that promote the
production, support, growth, and development of female gametes (egg cells) and a growing
fetus.

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