Structures of the male reproductive system
Penis: Male sex organ that where semen is ejaculated when a man has an orgasm
Testes: Make testosterone and generate sperm
Epididymis: Store sperm for maturation
Vas deferens: Long tube that transports sperm to the urethra
Ejaculatory ducts: Empty into the urethra
Urethra: Tube that allows semen to be ejaculated
Seminal vesicles: Produce sugar-rich fluid that provides sperm with energy to help them move.
Prostate gland: Helps nourish the sperm
Testes: Make testosterone and generate sperm
Epididymis: Store sperm for maturation
Vas deferens: Long tube that transports sperm to the urethra
Ejaculatory ducts: Empty into the urethra
Urethra: Tube that allows semen to be ejaculated
Seminal vesicles: Produce sugar-rich fluid that provides sperm with energy to help them move.
Prostate gland: Helps nourish the sperm
Structures of the female reproductive system
Vagina: The canal that joins the cervix to the outside of the body. It is also known as the birth canal.
Uterus: Pear-shaped organ that is home to the developing fetus. It is divided into two parts and can easily expand to hold a developing baby
Ovaries: Ovaries produce eggs and other hormones.
Fallopian tubes: Narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of the uterus and serce as tunnels for the egg cells to travel from the ovaries to the uterus.
Uterus: Pear-shaped organ that is home to the developing fetus. It is divided into two parts and can easily expand to hold a developing baby
Ovaries: Ovaries produce eggs and other hormones.
Fallopian tubes: Narrow tubes that are attached to the upper part of the uterus and serce as tunnels for the egg cells to travel from the ovaries to the uterus.
The life of a sperm cell
Sperm are produced in the testes which are located in the scrotum. From there they are transferred to the epididymis which are also found in the scrotum. There they mature and are stored. During ejaculation sperm are forced into the vas deferent. They then go to the seminal vesicles which empty into the ejaculation ducts which then empty into the urethra where they are released from the body.
The life of an egg
Eggs are produced in the ovaries. Each egg is released into the abdominal cavity near the fallopian tubes or oviducts. Cilia in the oviduct setup currents in order to draw the egg in. If sperm are present in the oviduct the egg will be fertilized near the fallopian tube and travel to the uterus. This trip takes about a week. If the egg was not fertilized then it dries up and leaves the body about two weeks later through the uterus. This is called menstruation.