Date : November 2, 3, 4, and 7, 2016

Topic : COORDINATED FUNCTIONS OF THE REPRODUCTIVE, ENDOCRINE, AND NERVOUS SYSTEMS

Objective : Describes the parts of the reproductive system and their functions (S10LT-IIIa-33)
Discussion :
Human Reproductive System
 Responsible in perpetuation/reproduction of human species.

I. Human Male Reproductive System

 The main functions of male reproductive system are to produce sperm cells and to deposit it to the
female reproductive system.

A. PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTION

1. SCROTUM (“pouch”)
 Description: sac of skin that hangs
outside at the root of the penis.
 Function: Protective covering and
acts as a climate control system for
the testes.

2. TESTES (Singular: Testis)

 Description: olive-sized organs
approximately 4 cm (1.5 inches)
long and 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter.
 Function: produce sperm
(spermatogenesis) and androgens,
primarily testosterone.

3. PENIS (“tail”)
 Description: copulatory organ. It is
about 10.7-19.1 cm (4.2-7.5 in.)
when erect. The penis consists of
root, shaft or body, glans penis or
head and foreskin or prepuce.
 Function: Designed to deliver sperm into the female reproductive tract.

Male Duct System – sperm travel from the testes to the outside of the body through a system of ducts.

4. EPIDIDYMIS (Epi=beside; didymis=the testes)

 Description: 3.8 cm (1.5inches) long, coiled and comma-shaped tube.
 Function: store sperm and transport it from the testes.

5. DUCTUS DEFERENS (“carrying away”) / VAS DEFERENS

 Description: about 45 cm (18 inches) long. It runs upward as part of the spermatic cord from the epididymis
and eventually joins the duct of seminal vesicles to form the ejaculatory duct.
 Function: carry ejaculatory sperm out of the epididymis.

6. URETHRA
 Description: the terminal (end) portion of the male duct system.
 Function: it serves as urinary and reproductive systems and ejaculate (propels) semen when the man
reaches orgasm.

Accessory Reproductive Glands – glands produce the bulk of semen (sperm plus accessory gland secretions).

7. SEMINAL VESICLES
 Description: lie on the back wall of the bladder. Each gland is about the shape and length (5 to 7 cm) of a
little ginger.
 Function: secrete yellowish viscous alkaline fluid containing fructose sugar, ascorbic acid, a coagulating
enzyme (vesiculase) and prostaglandins.

8. PROSTATE GLAND
 Description: single gland about the size and shape of a chestnut and just in front of the rectum.
 Function: secretes fluid that nourishes, protects and activate sperm. It is milky, slightly acid fluid that
contains citrate (a nutrient source) and several enzymes (fibronolysin and acid phosphatase). Letting the
urine and semen flow out of the body.
 9. BULBOURETHRAL GLANDS/COWPER’S GLAND
 Description: pea-sized gland situated below the prostate gland.
 Function: produce a thick, clear mucus that drains into the spongy urethra. This secretion, which is released
prior to ejaculation, neutralizes traces of acidic urine in the urethra.

B. MALE SEXUAL RESPONSE

a. ERECTION
 Enlargement and stiffening of the penis, results from
engorgement of the erectile bodies with blood, which allows it
to penetrate the female vagina.
b. EJACULATION (Ejac=to shoot forth)
 Propulsion of expels semen from the male duct system into the
vagina.

C. Unlocking of Difficulties:
a. Sperm or Spermatozoa – The male gamete or reproductive cell involved in sexual reproduction. It is produced
by a male organism that unites with the egg of a female organism forming a zygote.
b. Androgens – male sex hormone responsible for the development of male sexual characteristics.

II. Human Female Reproductive System

 The main functions of female reproductive system are to produce egg cells, and protect and nourish
the offspring until birth.

Parts and their Function

A. External Ganetalia
 Female reroductive structure lie external
(outside) to the vagina.
 Also called the vulva ("covering”) or
pudendum (“shameful”)

1. MONS PUBIS (“mountain on the pubis”)

 Fatty, rounded area overlying the pubic
symphysis. After puberty, this area is
covered with pubic hair.
 Contains oil-secreting (sebaceous) glands
that release substances that are involved
in sexual attraction (pheromones).

2. LABIA MAJORA (“Larger Lips”) (Singular:

labium majus)
 Female counterpart, or homologue, of the
male scrotum.
 Their function is to cover and protect the
inner, more delicate and sensitive
structures of the vulva.

3. LABIA MINORA (“Smaller Lips”) (Singular: labium minus)

 Two thin, hair-free skin folds, homologous to the ventral panis. Enclose a recess called the vestibule.
 Their function is to cover and protect the inner, more delicate and sensitive structures of the vulva.

4. VESTIBULE OR VULVAR VESTIBULE

 Part of the vulva between the labia minora into which the urinary meatus (urethral orifice or opening),
the vaginal orifice (opening) and greater vestibular glands open.

5. URETHRAL ORIFICE (URETHRAL OPENING)

 Passage of urine out of the body.

6. VAGINAL ORIFICE (VAGINAL OPENING)

 Passage of menstruation and child during delivery. Receives the penis.

7. GREATER VESTIBULAR GLANDS

 Glands release mucus into vestibule and help to keep it moist and lubricated, facilitating intercourse.
Homologous to the bulbourethral glands of male.
 8. CLITORIS / HEAD (“hill”)
 A small, protruding structure, composed largely of erectile tissues that is homologous to the penis of
the male.

9. PREPUCE OF CLITORIS
 Fold of skin fold that hooded the clitoris and formed the junction of the labia minora folds.

B. INTERNAL GANITALIA

10. VAGINA (“sheath”) / BIRTH CANAL

 Description: Copulatory organ. A thin
walled tube, 8-10 cm (3 to 4 inches)
long. It lies between the bladder and
the rectum and extends from the cervix
to the body exterior.
 Function: provides passageway for
delivery of an infant and for menstrual
flow. Receives the penis (and semen)
during sexual intercourse.

11. CERVIX (“neck of the uterus”)

 Description: Lower part of the uterus
in the human female reproductive
system. In a non-pregnant woman, the
cervix is usually between 2 and 3
cm long and roughly cylindrical in
shape.
 Function: allow flow of menstrual blood
from the uterus into the vagina, and
direct the sperms into the uterus
during intercourse.

12. UTERUS (Latin for “womb”)

 Description: Hallow, thick-walled organ located in the pelvic.
 Function: Receive, retain and nourish fertilized ovum.

13. UTERINE TUBES / FALLOPIAN TUBE / OVIDUCTS

 Description: about 10 cm (4 inches) long and leading from the ovaries of female into the uterus.
 Function: Receive the ovulated oocyte and provide site where fertilization can occur and transport the
ova from the ovary to the uterus each month

14. OVARIES
 Description: flank the uterus or each side, are shaped like almonds and about twice as large.
 Function: produce egg cell (oogenesis) and produce and release two groups of sex hormones—
progesterone and estrogen.