The Male Reproductive System
The male reproductive system is a group of organs that work together to produce biological children. It includes
both internal and external parts.
External Parts
● Scrotum: A loose, pouch-like sac of skin that hangs behind the penis. It acts as a climate-control
system for the testes, keeping them at a slightly cooler temperature (between 97 and 99 degrees
Fahrenheit or 36 and 37 degrees Celsius) which is ideal for normal sperm development. Special muscles
in the scrotum's wall contract to pull the testes closer to the body for warmth and protection, and relax to
move them away to cool down.
● Testes (Testicles): Oval-shaped organs located in the scrotum. The spermatic cord holds them in
place and supplies them with blood. The testes have two main functions: producing the male hormone
testosterone and producing sperm cells through a process called spermatogenesis. Inside the testes
are coiled tubes called the seminiferous tubules where sperm production takes place.
Internal (Accessory) Parts
● Vas deferens: A long, muscular tube that carries mature sperm from the epididymis to the pelvic cavity,
just behind the urinary bladder. It transports sperm in preparation for ejaculation.
● Ejaculatory ducts: These ducts are formed where the vas deferens joins with the seminal vesicle ducts.
They move through the prostate gland, where they collect fluid to add to the semen before emptying into
the urethra.
● Urethra: The tube that carries urine from the bladder outside the body. In males, it also carries semen
out of the body when they reach an orgasm.
The Female Reproductive System
The female reproductive system is a complex network of organs that are responsible for producing ova (eggs),
providing a place for fertilization, and carrying a fetus to term.
Internal Parts
● Vagina: A muscular canal that connects the cervix (the lower part of the uterus) to the outside of the
body. It's designed to widen to accommodate a baby during delivery and then shrink back to its original
size. The lining of the vagina contains mucous membranes that help keep it moist.
● Cervix: The lowest part of the uterus. A small hole in the center allows sperm to enter and menstrual
blood to exit. During pregnancy, the cervix dilates (opens) to allow a baby to come out during a vaginal
childbirth. It also prevents things like tampons from getting lost inside the body.
● Uterus: A hollow, pear-shaped organ that holds a fetus during pregnancy. It's supported by your pelvic
floor muscles and ligaments.
● Ovaries: Small, oval-shaped glands located on either side of the uterus. They produce eggs and female
hormones.
The Uterus: A Closer Look
How big is your uterus?
● Non-pregnant size: A non-pregnant uterus is about the size of a fist or a small upside-down pear. It's
approximately 3 inches long and 2 inches wide at its widest part, about 1 inch thick, and weighs around 1
ounce.
How big is your uterus during pregnancy?
Your uterus is one of the most remarkable organs in your body. It can stretch from the size of a lemon to the
size of a watermelon during pregnancy.
● 12 weeks: The uterus is about the size of a grapefruit and can be felt above the pubic bone.
● 20 weeks: The uterus is typically at the level of the belly button.
● 36 weeks: The uterus reaches its highest point, extending from the pubic area to the bottom of your rib
cage.
● At birth: The uterus can weigh up to 2 pounds and has a volume 500 to 1000 times greater than its non-
pregnant state.
After about six weeks postpartum, the uterus undergoes a process called involution and shrinks back to its
pre-pregnancy size (though it may be slightly larger than it was before the first pregnancy).
Sections of the Uterus
The uterus is divided into several parts:
● Fundus: The topmost and widest part of the uterus, which is where the fallopian tubes connect. This is
where a fertilized egg typically implants during pregnancy.
● Corpus (Body): The main body of the uterus, located between the fundus and the cervix. This is the part
that expands significantly to accommodate the growing baby during pregnancy.
● Isthmus: The narrow lower part of the uterus that is just above the cervix.
● Cervix: The lowest part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
Layers of the Uterus
The uterus is made of three layers:
1. Perimetrium: The outermost, protective layer.
2. Myometrium: The highly muscular middle layer. This layer expands during pregnancy and contracts
during labor to push the baby out.
3. Endometrium: The innermost lining.
What happens to the uterus during menstruation and pregnancy?
● During the menstrual cycle: The lining of the endometrium thickens and becomes rich with blood to
prepare for a fertilized egg. If an egg is not fertilized, the lining of the uterus sheds, which is your
menstrual period.
● During pregnancy: If the egg is fertilized by sperm, the fertilized egg (called a blastocyst) burrows into
the endometrial lining. This is known as implantation, and it's when pregnancy officially begins. The
uterus grows and stretches like a balloon to accommodate the growing baby, and its muscles contract
during labor to help push the baby out.