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3. Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology
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Definitions
Uterus - also called the “womb”; this is where a fertilized egg implants and develops
Vagina - the canal leading to the uterus; this is where the penis goes during intercourse
Cervix - the opening of the uterus; this is what “dilates” during the birth process
Ovaries - stores all of the woman’s eggs; also produces estrogen and progesterone
Fallopian Tubes - catch the egg and direct the egg to the uterus
Clitoris - sensitive gland on the external genitalia that is stimulated to produce orgasm
Female Hormones - Estrogen, Progesterone
The Female Reproductive Cycle - the average menstrual cycle lasts 28 days, but can vary between 21-35 days. Only 15% of women have 28-day cycles. The days of bleeding are called the menses or “period” averaging 4 to 6 days. Each cycle involves complex interactions between the brain, pituitary gland, ovaries and uterus and each cycle begins with the first day of bleeding, or day One.
The Menstrual Cycle - has 2 phases:
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The normal menstrual cycle will release one egg every month. On average, girls begin menstruating at about 12˝ years and continue until the average age for the last menses (menopause) which is 51. The egg, once released from the ovary, survives only 24 hours.
M
1
During the first phase, the ovary matures an egg; this takes roughly 14 days. Around the 14th day the matured egg is released from the ovary; this is called ovulation.
Definitions
Penis - a man's reproductive and sex organ that is formed of spongy tissue and fills with blood during sexual excitement, a process known as erection. Urine and semen pass through the penis
Scrotum - a sac of skin, divided into two parts, enclosing the male reproductive organs — testes,
epididymides, and a part of the vasa deferentia
Testicles - two ball-like glands inside the scrotum that produce sperm
Semen - fluid containing sperm that is ejaculated during sexual
excitement. Semen is composed of seminal fluid from the seminal vesicles, fluid
from the prostate, and fluid from the Cowper's gland
Epididymis - a long tube that is located near each testicle. The epididymis is the tube in which the sperm from the testicles are removed away from the testicles.
Prostate gland - a sex gland in men. The prostate gland secretes a
slightly alkaline fluid that forms part of the seminal fluid, a fluid that
carries sperm. It is about the size of a walnut, and surrounds the neck of
the bladder and urethra
Urethra - the tube that carries urine from the bladder. It is partly muscular and partly glandular, with ducts opening into the prostatic
portion of the urethra. It is made up of three lobes: a center lobe, with one
lobe on each side
Seminal Facts
- Sperm can live for up to 7-10 days
- The ejaculate contains roughly 300 million sperm
- Pre-ejaculate: may be only one drop but can contain many sperm; the man can often tell if he has released this pre-ejaculate
Self-test Questions
The Cervix stores all of the woman’s eggs and produces estrogen and progesterone.
True
How many eggs do the ovaries typically produce each monthly cycle?
False
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