Male Reproductive System
Figure 1: The Male Reproductive System . Figure adapted from True Relationships and reproductive health
The male reproductive system comprises of the penis, scrotum, testes, epididymis, vas deferens, prostate, and the seminal vesicles. The penis is the visible shaft and the cone-shaped end that has the opening of the urethra. The scrotum is a thick-skinned sac that covers and protects the testes which are oval in shape, usually 4 to 7 centimeters in length and amount up to 3 teaspoons volume wise. The epididymis is a coiled tube that is about 6 meters in length. The vas deferens is a firm tube ( Evans & Ganjam, 2017). Prostate lies under the bladder and surrounds the urethra. The seminal vesicles are situated above the prostrate.
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The penis is made up of circular shaped chambers that have sponge-like tissues with large spaces that fill with blood when the man is sexually aroused. The scrotum is tasked with the regulation of temperatures around the testes for normal sperm development. The testes produce testosterone hormone and sperm cells ( Evans & Ganjam, 2017).
The Female Reproductive System
Figure 2: The Female Reproductive System . Figure adapted from WebMD
The female reproductive system is made up of the labia majora (large outer lips), labia minora (small lips), Bartholdi’s glands situated next to the vaginal opening, the clitoris that is the sensitive protrusion, the vagina or birth canal, the uterus (a hollow pear-shaped organ), the ovaries that are oval in shape and situated on both sides of the uterus, and the fallopian tubes that are attached to the upper part of the uterus ( Evans & Ganjam, 2017).
The labia majora contains sweat and oil-secreting glands while Bartholdi’s glands produce mucus. The clitoris is sensitive for stimulation. The vagina is the birth canal and the uterus holds a developing fetus until birth. Ovaries produce ova and hormones while fallopian tubes serve as a pathway for ova. Fertilization of the egg by sperm takes place in the fallopian tubes ( Evans & Ganjam, 2017).
| Similarities | Differences |
| Both have two genital tubes | Only the female has the organ for pregnancy and child birth |
| Develop similar structure of sex glands | Most male parts occurs outside the body while females’ most parts occur inside |
| Same amount of bones | Males have two openings while females have three openings for secretions. |
References
Relationships and reproductive Health . (2019) . Reproductive systems. Retrieved from https://www.true.org.au/Health-information
WebMD . (2020) . Your Guide to the Female Reproductive System. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/guide/your-guide-female-reproductive-system#1
Evans, T. J., & Ganjam, V. K. (2017). Reproductive anatomy and physiology. In Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology (pp. 7-37). Academic Press.
