Reproductive system
AnimalsEdit
See also: Sexual reproduction § Animals
In mammals, the major organs of the reproductive system include the
external genitalia (penis and vulva) as well as a number of internal organs, including
the gamete-producing gonads (testicles and ovaries). Diseases of the human
reproductive system are very common and widespread,
particularly communicable sexually transmitted diseases.[3]
Most other vertebrate animals have generally similar reproductive systems
consisting of gonads, ducts, and openings. However, there is a great diversity of
physical adaptations as well as reproductive strategies in every group of vertebrates.
VertebratesEdit
Vertebrate animals all share key elements of their reproductive systems. They all
have gamete-producing organs or gonads. In females, these gonads are then
connected by oviducts to an opening to the outside of the body, typically the cloaca,
but sometimes to a unique pore such as a vagina or intromittent organ.
HumansEdit
Main article: Human reproductive system
The human reproductive system usually involves internal fertilization by sexual
intercourse. During this process, the male inserts his erect penis into
the female's vaginaand ejaculates semen, which contains sperm. The sperm then
travels through the vagina and cervix into the uterus or fallopian tubesfor fertilization
of the ovum. Upon successful fertilization and implantation, gestation of
the fetus then occurs within the female's uterus for approximately nine months, this
process is known as pregnancy in humans. Gestation ends with birth, the process of
birth is known as labor. Labor consists of the muscles of the uterus contracting,
the cervix dilating, and the baby passing out the vagina (the female genital organ).
Human's babies and children are nearly helpless and require high levels of parental
care for many years. One important type of parental care is the use of the mammary
glands in the female breasts to nurse the baby.[4]
The female reproductive system has two functions: The first is to produce egg cells,
and the second is to protect and nourish the offspring until birth. The male
reproductive system has one function, and it is to produce and deposit sperm.
Humans have a high level of sexual differentiation. In addition to differences in nearly
every reproductive organ, numerous differences typically occur in secondary sexual
characteristics.
MaleEdit
Main article: Male reproductive system
The male reproductive system is a series of organs located outside of the body and
around the pelvic region of a male that contribute towards the reproduction process.
The primary direct function of the male reproductive system is to provide the male
sperm for fertilization of the ovum.
The major reproductive organs of the male can be grouped into three categories.
The first category is sperm production and storage. Production takes place in
the testes which are housed in the temperature regulating scrotum, immature sperm
then travel to the epididymisfor development and storage. The second category are
the ejaculatory fluid producing glands which include the seminal vesicles, prostate,
and the vas deferens. The final category are those used for copulation, and
deposition of the spermatozoa (sperm) within the male, these include
the penis, urethra, vas deferens, and Cowper's gland.
Major secondary sexual characteristics includes: larger, more muscular stature,
deepened voice, facial and body hair, broad shoulders, and development of
an adam's apple. An important sexual hormone of males is androgen, and
particularly testosterone.
The testes release a hormone that controls the development of sperm. This hormone
is also responsible for the development of physical characteristics in men such as
facial hair and a deep voice.
FemaleEdit
Main article: Female reproductive system
The human female reproductive system is a series of organs primarily located inside
of the body and around the pelvic region of a female that contribute towards
the reproductive process. The human female reproductive system contains three
main parts: the vulva, which leads to the vagina, the vaginal opening, to the uterus;
the uterus, which holds the developing fetus; and the ovaries, which produce the
female's ova. The breasts are involved during the parenting stage of reproduction,
but in most classifications they are not considered to be part of the female
reproductive system.
The vagina meets the outside at the vulva, which also includes
the labia, clitoris and urethra; during intercourse this area is lubricated by mucus
secreted by the Bartholin's glands. The vagina is attached to the uterus through
the cervix, while the uterus is attached to the ovaries via the fallopian tubes. Each
ovary contains hundreds of egg cells or ova (singular ovum).
Approximately every 28 days, the pituitary gland releases a hormone that stimulates
some of the ova to develop and grow. One ovum is released and it passes through
the fallopian tube into the uterus. Hormones produced by the ovaries prepare the
uterus to receive the ovum. It sita her and awaits the sperm for fertilization to occur.
When this does not occur i.e. no sperm for fertilization, the lining of the uterus, called
the endometrium, and unfertilized ova are shed each cycle through the process
of menstruation. If the ovum is fertilized by sperm, it attaches to the endometrium
and the fetus develops