Parts of Male Reproductive system and their functions
Penis - Penis is the external male organ with a tip called glans. It is covered with foreskin that may be
removed through circumcision.
Scrotum - Scrotum is a pair of pouch like sacs that contains the testes. It also controls the testes,
temperature because they must be slightly cooler than the body to produce sperm cells.
Testes - Testes (singular, testis) are the glands that produce the sperm cells and the male sex hormone
called testosterone.
Epididymis - The epididymis is a narrow, coiled tube that stores sperm cells.
Urethra - The urethra in males is the passageway of both urine from the urinary bladder and semen from
the glands.
Seminal Vesicles - Seminal vesicles are saclike pouches attached to the vas deferens. It contributes to
the semen production, a sugar-rich fluid which provides energy for the sperm cells’ motility.
Vas Deferens - The vas deferens is a long, muscular tube that serves as the passageway of the sperm
cells released from the testes. It also connects the testes to the seminal vesicle and the urethra.
Cowper’s Gland - Coper’s gland, also called as bulbourethral gland, is one of the two pea-sized
organs found beneath the prostate gland. It is responsible for releasing fluid that flushes out foreign
matters and neutralizes the acidic urine in the urethra.
Prostate gland - Prostate gland is a gland located between the bladder and the penis. It produces fluid
that nourishes and protects the sperm.
Parts of the Female Reproductive System
Ovary - The ovary produces egg cells as well as the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.
Female humans have two ovaries. About 70, 000 potential egg cells are already present in the ovaries of
a female when she is born. However, only about 500 of these eggs will mature.
The mature eggs are released one by one every month once the female reaches puberty and until she is
about 43 – 55 years old. The mature egg cell leaves the ovary through the fallopian tube.
Fallopian tube - The fallopian tubes lead the egg from the ovary to the uterus. This is also the usual site
of fertilization of the egg cell and sperm cell. Female humans have two fallopian tubes, each connecting
to an ovary to the side of the uterus.
Uterus - Also called the womb, The uterus is a hollow muscular organ located at the lower abdomen. It
has a soft, smooth inner lining called the uterine or endometrium. This lining becomes thicker as it
accumulates blood and nutrients to accommodate the unborn baby as it develops. It is also the site where
the fertilized egg is implanted. If the egg cell is not fertilized it, together with the uterine lining, it will
break down and is discharged during menstruation.
Cervix - The cervix is located at the lower part of the uterus. It is a narrow opening between the uterus
and the vagina. During childbirth, it expands to allow the passage of the baby.
Vagina - Also called the birth canal, the vagina is a hollow, muscular tube that extends from the cervix
to the vaginal opening called vulva. It expands to let the baby pass during normal delivery.