The Human Reproductive System

1
The Human Reproductive System
2
The Male Reproductive System

• Function of the Male Reproduction System
• Production of sperm (male reproductive cells).
• Transfer of sperm to the females body during
  sexual intercourse.

3
The Male Reproductive System

• Testosterone
• The male sex hormone, produced in the testes,
  which initiates physical changes (secondary sex
  characteristics), including
• Broadening of the shoulders
• Development of muscles
• Facial and other body hair
• Deepening of the voice
• It also causes sperm production

4
The Male Reproductive System

• External Organs
• Testes
• Two small glands that produce sperm at a rate of
  100 million per day.
• Males continue to produce sperm throughout their
  lifetime.

5
The Male Reproductive System

• 2. Scrotum
• The sac that protects sperm by keeping the testes
  at a temperature slightly below the normal body
  temperature of 98.6 F

6
The Male Reproductive System

• If body temperature rises, the muscles of the
  scrotum relax, lowering the testes away from the
  body. If body temperature drops, the muscles
  contract, pulling the testes closer to the body.
• Any clothing or other restraint that holds the
  testes too close to the body can interfere with
  sperm production.

7
The Male Reproductive System

• Penis
• Tube-shaped organ, composed of spongy tissue
  containing many blood vessels, attached to the
  trunk of the body just above the testes.

8
The Male Reproductive System

• When blood flow to the penis increases, it
  becomes enlarged and erect . This normal body
  function is called an erection.

9
The Male Reproductive System

• The penis releases semen, a thick fluid
  containing sperm and other secretions from the
  male reproductive system

10
The Male Reproductive System

• At the height of sexual arousal, a series of
  muscular contractions known as ejaculation may
  occur.
• Fertilization (the joining of a male sperm cell
  and a female egg cell) can result if ejaculation
  occurs during sexual intercourse.

11
The Male Reproductive System

• At birth a male has a covering of loose skin,
  called the foreskin, over the tip of the penis.
• Some parents choose circumcision (the surgical
  removal of the foreskin) for their male children.
• It is often performed for cultural or religious
  reasons, but is not considered medically
  necessary today.

12
The Male Reproductive System

• Internal Organs
• Epididymis
• The tubes in each testes join the epididymis, a
  larger coiled tube where sperm mature and are
  stored.

13
The Male Reproductive System

• 2. Vas Deferens
• A pair of connecting tubes, each about 18 inches
  long, that lead to the seminal vesicles and
  prostate gland.
• The thick muscular walls propel the sperm forward
  in powerful spurts just before ejaculation.

14
The Male Reproductive System

• Seminal Vesicles
• Two inch long glands that are attached to the vas
  deferens near the base of the bladder.
• They produce a fluid containing nutrients and
  mixes with sperm to make them more mobile and
  provide nourishment.

15
The Male Reproductive System

• Prostate Gland (a small gland that surrounds the
  urethra) and Cowpers Gland (located below the
  prostate gland) secrete fluid that mixes with the
  sperm-containing fluid to form semen.
• Fluid from the Cowpers glands also neutralizes
  the acid content before semen is ejaculated.

16
The Male Reproductive System

• Urethra
• The passageway through which both semen and urine
  leave the body.
• Semen and urine do not pass through the urethra
  at the same time. A muscle near the bladder
  contracts, preventing urine from entering the
  urethra when semen is present.

17
The Male Reproductive System

• Sperm
• Each sperm cell is made up of 3 parts
• The head contains the genetic material from the
  male and is surrounded by the acrosome, a gel
  that helps it penetrate the outer layer of the
  female egg cell.
• The midpiece is the motor that supplies the
  energy.
• The tail helps propel the sperm forward.

18
The Male Reproductive System

• When the sperm cell reaches egg cell, the
  acrosome dissolves the outer jelly layer
  providing a passageway for the sperm cell.
• Once one sperm cell penetrates the egg cell and
  releases its genetic material, the egg cell
  hardens to prevent further sperm cells from
  penetrating the cell.

19
The Male Reproductive System

• Care of the Male Reproductive System
• Get regular check-ups by a physician every 12-18
  months.
• Shower or bathe daily, thoroughly cleansing the
  penis and scrotum. Uncircumcised males should
  take care to wash under the foreskin.
• Use a protective cup or supporter during physical
  activities to shield external reproductive organs
• Perform regular self-examinations of the scrotum
  and testicles for signs of cancer and report any
  changes to a physician.
• Practice abstinence. Abstain from sexual activity
  before marriage to avoid contracting STDs.

20
Problems of the Male Reproductive System

• Inguinal Hernia
• A separation of tissue that allows part of the
  intestine to push into the abdominal wall near
  the top of the scrotum. Straining the abdominal
  muscles or lifting heavy objects can cause a tear
  in this tissue.

21
Problems of the Male Reproductive System

• Symptoms include a lump in the groin area near
  the thigh, pain in the groin, or in severe case,
  partial or complete blockage of the intestine.
• Surgery is often needed to repair the defect in
  the muscle wall.

22
Problems of the Male Reproductive System

• 2. Sterility
• The inability to reproduce.
• Can result from too few sperm (fewer than 20
  million/ml of seminal fluid) or sperm of poor
  quality.

23
Problems of the Male Reproductive System

• It can result from
• Environmental hazards
• Exposure to x-rays or other radiation
• Toxic chemicals
• Lead poisoning
• Hormonal imbalance
• Certain medications
• Use of drugs or smoking
• Certain diseases
• Malfunction of an internal reproductive organ

24
Problems of the Male Reproductive System

• 3. Enlarged Prostate Gland
• Prostate gland can enlarge for reasons such as
  infection, a tumor, or old age.
• When the gland enlarges it tends to squeeze the
  urethra, resulting in frequent or difficult
  urination.

25
Problems of the Male Reproductive System

• Treatments include
• Special exercise to improve bladder control
• Medication to shrink an enlarged prostate or
  relax the prostate muscle
• Surgery to remove excess tissue

26
Problems of the Male Reproductive System

• 4. Prostate Cancer
• Prostate cancer is the second highest incidence
  of cancer in males.
• Cancer is an uncontrollable growth of abnormal
  cells

27
Problems of the Male Reproductive System

• Early detection is important because it can be
  treated if localized to the gland.
• Treatment includes
• Surgical removal
• Radiation therapy
• Hormone therapy

28
Problems of the Male Reproductive System

• 5. Testicular Cancer
• Occurs most often between the ages of 15 and 35.
• First sign is a slight enlargement of one of the
  testes.
• There may be no pain or just a dull ache in the
  abdomen and groin

29
Problems of the Male Reproductive System

• Hard lumps, or nodules, on the testes may be a
  sign of cancer and should be checked by a
  physician.
• It can be cured in 90 of cases if it is caught
  early.

30
The Female Reproductive System

• Function of the Female Reproduction System
• Stores ova (female reproductive cells).
• Nourishes and protects each fertilized ovum from
  the beginning of pregnancy through birth.

31
The Female Reproductive System

• Vagina
• A muscular, elastic passageway that extends from
  the uterus to the outside of the body through
  which sperm cells from the male enters the
  reproduction system.
• During delivery of a baby, the vagina is known as
  the birth canal.

32
The Female Reproductive System

• 2. Ovaries
• Two almond shaped female sex glands located on
  each side of the body in the lower abdominal
  area.
• They house the ova and produce the female sex
  hormones.
• Females are born with over 400,000 immature ova,
  the exact number of eggs that she will have
  throughout her lifetime.

33
The Female Reproductive System

• The ovaries release one mature ovum each month in
  a process called ovulation.
• One ovary releases a mature ovum one month, and
  the other ovary releases a mature ovum the next
  month.

34
The Female Reproductive System

• 3. Fallopian tube
• A pair of 4 tubes with finger-like projections
  that draw the released ovum in and protect it.
• If sperm cells introduced during sexual
  intercourse are present in the fallopian tube, it
  may unite with an ovum and fertilization occurs
  resulting in a cell called a zygote (fertilized
  egg).

35
The Female Reproductive System

• Uterus
• A small, muscular, pear-shaped organ
• Normally about the size of a fist, but expands as
  fetus grows.
• Once a zygote is formed, it leaves the fallopian
  tubes and implants on the wall of the uterus.

36
The Female Reproductive System

• Ectopic Pregnancy
• Occurs if a zygote implants on the walls of the
  fallopian tube instead of in the uterus.
• It usually results in a miscarriage but can be
  deadly for the mother because the fallopian tube
  may rupture and cause massive bleeding.

37
The Female Reproductive System

• Cervix
• The neck of the uterus
• Cervix dialates, or opens, during labor to allow
  the full grown fetus to travel into the birth
  canal.

38
The Female Reproductive System

• The Female Breast
• Mammary glands produce breast milk. During
  delivery of a baby, your brain releases a hormone
  that triggers the production of breast milk.
• Coopers ligaments help support the breast

39
The Female Reproductive System

• Menstruation
• If the ovum does not become fertilized, the
  lining of the uterus breaks down into blood,
  tissue, and fluids which pass through the cervix
  and vagina in a process called menstruation.

40
The Female Reproductive System

• Menstruation
• The menstrual flow usually lasts 3-5 days.
• After the menstrual period ends, the lining of
  the uterus thickens again, preparing for the
  possibility of receiving a fertilized egg.

41
The Female Reproductive System

• The menstrual cycle is the time from the
  beginning of one menstrual period to the onset of
  the next. (usually 28 days).
• Ovulation occurs at approximately the 14th day of
  the menstrual cycle.

42
The Female Reproductive System

• Menstruation begins between the age of 10 and 15.
• Although hormones control the menstrual cycle,
  poor nutrition, low body fat, stress, and illness
  can cause irregular menstrual cycles.

43
The Female Reproductive System

• Menstrual cycles may be irregular in the
  beginning, but become more predictable with
  maturity.

44
The Female Reproductive System

• Care of the Female Reproductive System
• Get regular check-ups by a physician every 12-18
  months.
• Shower or bathe daily, thoroughly cleansing the
  vaginal area.
• Use a supportive bra during physical activities
  to protect the breasts and prevent stretching of
  the Coopers ligaments.
• Perform regular self-examinations of the breasts
  for signs of cancer and report any changes to a
  physician.
• Practice abstinence. Abstain from sexual activity
  before marriage to avoid contracting STDs.

45
Problems of the Female Reproductive System

• Menstrual Cramps
• At the beginning of a menstrual period, a female
  may experience abdominal cramps which are usually
  mild and last for several hours.
• Light exercise or a heating pad may help relieve
  the cramps.
• If cramps are severe or persistent, medical
  attention may be necessary

46
Problems of the Female Reproductive System

• 2. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
• It may occur several days to two weeks before a
  menstrual period.
• Symptoms may include nervous tension, anxiety,
  irritability, bloating, weight gain, depression,
  mood swings, and fatigue.
• Its cause is unknown but may be related to a
  hormonal imbalance.

47
Problems of the Female Reproductive System

• 3. Toxic Shock Syndrome
• A potentially fatal syndrome occurring most
  frequently with young women between the age of 15
  and 19, but can occur in any women who uses
  tampons during their menstrual period.
• May be caused by a bacterial infection
  (Staphylococcus Aureus).
• Signs include aching muscles, bloodshot eyes, a
  sore throat, a sudden high fever, vomiting,
  diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, and a sunburn like
  rash.

48
Problems of the Female Reproductive System

• 4. Infertility
• The inability to become pregnant.
• Affects as many as 8 of women.
• Causes include a blocked fallopian tube,
  endometriosis, or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  (PID)

49
Problems of the Female Reproductive System

• Blocked Fallopian Tube
• The leading cause of infertility and may be
  caused by Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

50
Problems of the Female Reproductive System

• b. Endometriosis
• Where uterine tissue grows outside the uterus and
  appears on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and in
  the abdominal cavity.

51
Problems of the Female Reproductive System

• c. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• An infection of the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and
  surrounding areas which can damage the
  reproductive organs.
• It is usually caused by an STD.

52
Problems of the Female Reproductive System

• Ovarian Cysts
• A fluid-filled sac located on an ovary.
• They are usually small and non-cancerous
• Small cysts usually dissolve on their own, while
  large cysts may needs to be surgically removed.

53
Problems of the Female Reproductive System

• 6. Cancer
• Common sites include the breast, cervix, uterus,
  and ovaries.
• Breast cancer affects 1 out of 8 females. Most
  lumps are found during a monthly breast exam
• 80 of tumors found are non-cancerous

54
Problems of the Female Reproductive System

• Cervical Cancer is usually detected through a PAP
  test where cells are extracted and examined under
  a microscope.
• A PAP test should be performed every 1-2 years
  after a women reaches the age of 18 or has become
  sexually active.
• Early sexual activity, a family history of
  cervical cancer and other factors are related to
  an increased incidence of cervical cancer.

• Most forms of cervical cancer are caused by the
  Human Papillomavirus (HPV), an STD.

55
Problems of the Female Reproductive System

• Ovarian cancer