Reproductive SystemByAndrew Streidenberger

Female Reproductive System

Female organs description and functions

Ovaries- Site of egg production & hormone productionFollicles:- Attached to the ovaries- Are the cells that contain every egg a woman will ever need in her lifetime- Ruptures during ovulation to release an egg into the oviduct for fertilizationCorpus Luteum- The remains of the follicles after ovulation- Produces hormonesOviducts/Fallopian Tubes- Propels the egg towards the uterus via. finger-like structures called fimbrea- Site of fertilizationFimbrea- Located on the walls of the oviduct- Made of cilia to sweep the egg through the tubes into the uterusUterus- Location of egg implantation- Site of a developing embryo if fertilization occurs- Lined by the endometrium, a wall of blood vessels that thicken to become placenta and is shed every month during ovulation

Cervix, Vagina, & Clitoris

Cervix- Entrance- Holds the baby (if any) in the uterus, blocks any liquid from coming out with a wall of mucus which covers the opening of the cervixVagina- Located below the cervix- Birth canal- Exit for menstruation- Receptacle for penisClitoris- Made up of erectile tissue- Sensitive (has many nerve endings

Childbirth

When you are ready to have your baby, you'll go through labor. Contractions let you know labor is starting. When contractions are five minutes apart, your body is ready to push the baby out.

During the first stage of labor, your cervix slowly opens, or dilates, to about 4 inches wide. At the same time, it becomes thinner. This is called effacement. You shouldn't push until your uterus is fully effaced and dilated. When it is, the baby delivery stage starts. Crowning is when your baby's scalp comes into view. Shortly afterward, your baby is born. The placenta that nourished the baby follows.

Mothers and babies are monitored closely during labor. Most women are healthy enough to have a baby through normal vaginal delivery, meaning that the baby comes down the birth canal without surgery. If there are complications, the baby may need to be delivered surgically by a Cesarean section.

Ectopic Pregnancy

The uterus, or womb, is an important female reproductive organ. It is the place where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant. If you have an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg grows in an abnormal place, outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes. The result is usually a miscarriage.

Ectopic pregnancy can be a medical emergency if it ruptures. Signs of ectopic pregnancy include

Abdominal pain

Shoulder pain

Vaginal bleeding

Feeling dizzy or faint

Get medical care right away if you have these signs. Doctors use drugs or surgery to remove the ectopic tissue so it doesn't damage your organs. Many women who have had ectopic pregnancies go on to have healthy pregnancies later.

Ectopic pregnancy

Male Reproductive System

Male organs descriptions

The purpose of the organs of the male reproductive system is to perform the following functions:

To produce, maintain, and transport sperm (the male reproductive cells) and protective fluid (semen)

To discharge sperm within the female reproductive tract during sex

To produce and secrete male sex hormones responsible for maintaining the male reproductive system

How Does the Male Reproductive System Function?

The entire male reproductive system is dependent on hormones, which are chemicals that regulate the activity of many different types of cells or organs. The primary hormones involved in the male reproductive system are follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone.

Follicle-stimulating hormone is necessary for sperm production (spermatogenesis), and luteinizing hormone stimulates the production of testosterone, which is also needed to make sperm. Testosterone is responsible for the development of male characteristics, including muscle mass and strength, fat distribution, bone mass, facial hair growth, voice change, and sex drive.

References

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/medical

http://www.fertilityfactor.com/infertility_taking_charge_female_reproductive_system.html