Living beings produce offspring to ensure the survival of their species. Likewise, human beings give birth to offspring. Fertilization takes place when a sperm and an ovum meet each other during intercourse. They unite and an egg is formed. This fertilized egg is called a fetus that gets implanted in the uterus of the female. This fetus grows and develops as a child. This system of fertilization and producing offspring is known as the reproductive system. In this unit, we will study the female reproductive system and the male reproductive system.
A. Female Reproductive Systeem
The female reproductive system is a group of organs in a female and their functions that contribute to the reproductive process.It produces the essential sex hormones and ova. It makes a favorable environment for the growth and development of a fetus. Finally, the child is born. It can be divided into internal and external parts.
a. External Female Reproductive Organs
The group of external reproductive organs is collectively known as vulva. It includes labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, hymen and vestibules.
Labia majora are skin folds that are Situated On both Sides Of a vagina. They are made up of fibrous and fat tissues. During puberty, hairs grOW On the skin of the labia majora.The labi minora are the small folds of thin and delicate skin that lie just inside the labia majora. They surround the opening to the vagina and urethra. Clitoris is located above the vestibules. It is made up of erectile tissues. It is very sensitive. Hymenis a thin piece of tissue that is covering the vaginal opening. It is formed by the fragments of tissues. Thearea between the labia minora is a vestibule. It contains the opening to the urethra and the vaginal opening.
b. Internal Female Reproductive Organs
The description of internal female reproductive organs is presented here.
1 . Vagina
Vagina is a muscular canal that joins the cervix to the outside of the body. It is 7 to 10 cn1 long and 4 to 7 cm wide. The muscle walls ofthe vagina are thick and elastic.The basic functions are to provide a passageway for blood from the uterus during menstruation, receive the penis during sexual intercourse, and provide a passagewayfor a child during delivery.It also connects the internal and the external organs of the female reproductive system.
2. Uterus
Uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped muscular organ. It helps to nourish and house a fetus until the fetus is ready to be delivered. It is also known as a womb. It is about 7.5 cm long and 5 cm wide. Its wall thickness is 2.5 cm on average. The average weight is 60 grams in an adult woman. However, its weight and size increase during pregnancy due to the growth of the fetus. The pelvic floor muscles are supporting it. If the pelvic floor nluscles become weak due to injury and even the normal aging process, the uterus can move downwards from its nonnal position. This condition is known as uterine prolapse. Teenage pregnancy and difficult labour can cause this problem.The Government of Nepal is treating this proble111 free of cost.
3. Fallopian Tube
Fallopian tubes are the nanow tubes that are attached to the upper part of the uterus. They are 10 to 12 cm long and about 3 cm wide. They serve as pathways for the ovum to travel from the ovaries to the uterus. Fertilization normally occurs in the fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg then moves to the uterus, where it implants into the uterine lining.
4. Ovary
Ovaries are small, oval-shaped glands that are located on either side of the uterus. They are about 2.5 cm long, 1.5 cm wide and 1 cm thick. It weighs 8 to 10 gram. The ovaries produce eggs and hormones. An ovary releases an egg each month. This process of producing egg is called ovulation.
B. Male Reproductive System
The male reproductive system is a group of organs in a male and their functions that contribute to the reproductive process. It produces the essential sex hormones and Penis sperm. It also produces the protective fluid that helps to transport the sperm. It is made up of internal and external parts.
a. Testes
The men have normally two testes. They lie in the scrotum under the penis. Each testis has 200 to 300 lobules. They produce sperm and testosterone.
b. Epididymnis
The epididymis is a long, coiled tube that rests on the backside of each testis. It is formed of seminiferous tubules. It carries and stores sperm cells that are created in the testes. It helps the sperm to pass into the vas deferens. It is also the job of the epididymis to bring the sperm to maturity.
c. Vas Deferens
The vas deferens is a long, muscular tube that extends fr01n the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.It is about 45 cm in length. The vas deferens helps to transport mature sperms to the urethra for ejaculation.Vasectomy is done by cutting and tying the vas deferens,so sperm cannot travel to the sen1inal vesicle.
d. Seminal Vesicle
The seminal vesicleis a sac-like pouch that is attached to the vas deferens. It is 4 to 5 cm long. It produces semen and provides nutrition to the sperm.
e. Ejaculatory Duct
The ejaculatory ductis formed by the fusion of the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles. It is 2 cm long. It delivers the semen and sperm into the urethra.
f. Prostate Gland
The prostate gland is located below the urinary bladder.It secret essentinal fluid that protects the spenn. It also provides mobility to the sperm. Some older men should face prostate problems such as a frequent urge to urinate. trouble starting to pee, and painful ejaculation. These problems can be easily cured in health institutions.
Urethra is a narrow tube that begins at the lower opening of the bladder and extends to the urethral orifice.It is about 18 to 20 cm in length. The main function of the urethra isto expel the urine and the sperm out of the body.
h . Penis
The penis is an external organ of the male reproductive system. It is composed of erectile tissues so that it becomes enlarged, hardened, and erected during sexual stimulation. It returns to its normal position after ejaculation of semen. It is sometimes found erected in the morning at the time of getting up; it is normal. The main function of the penis is to take part in sexual intercourse and deliver the semen into the vagina. It allows for the excretion of urine.