UNIT II: Biomedical Perspective in Gender and

Sexuality
Lesson 4: Anatomy
and Physiology
of Reproduction
Human experience has various
physical and emotional changes from
childhood to adulthood. These
changes are gradual and progress at
different ages and speed in different
people. These stages are based on
human growth and development
from childhood, adolescence,
adulthood, and old age.
This focuses on the adolescent stage of
human development, which is
characterized by dynamic changes in
physical and behavioral traits. Despite
differences in physical appearance,
the sexual organs of men and women
arise from the structures and fulfi ll
similar functions.
Each persons have a pair of
gonads
ovaries ; are female gonads; testes are
the male gonads. The female germ
cells are ova (egg) and the male germ
cells are sperm. Ova and sperm are the
basic reproduction; their union can
lead to the creation of new life
Anatomy and Physiology of
Reproduction

THE BIOLOGICAL
FEMALE
Anatomy is the study of body structure
in relation to body parts. The female
sexual anatomy is designed for the
production and fertilization of ovum,
as well as carrying and delivering
infant or offspring. Puberty signals
the fi nal development of primary and
accessory organs that support
reproduction.
Anatomy and Physiology of
Reproduction

THE FEMALE
EXTERNAL GENITALIA:
VULVA
– the global term
which describes all
of the female
external genital
structures taken
together.
MONS VENERIS
– also known as mons
pubis is a pad of fat
tissues over the
symphysis pubis. It has
a covering of coarse,
curly hairs, the pubic
hair. It protects the
pubic bone from
LABIA MAJORA
– outer lips
surrounding all the
other structures.
PREPUC
E – clitoral hood
(foreskin above
and covering
clitoris).
CLITORIS
– glans (head), shaft,
and crura (root), the
clitoris is particularly
sensitive to
stimulation.
LABIA MINORA
– inner lips
surrounding the
vestibule where sweat
and oil glands,
extensive blood
vessels, and nerve
endings are located.
VESTIBULE
– area surrounding the
urethral opening and
vagina, which is
highly sensitive with
extensive blood vessels
and nerve endings.
URETHRAL OPENING
– end of tube
connecting to bladder
and used for urination.
VAGINAL OPENING
– it is where the
menstrual blood
leaves your body and
where babies are born.
PERINEUM
– area of skin
separating the
genitalia from the
anus; distance is less in
female than males.
Anatomy and Physiology of
Reproduction

THE
INTERNAL
FEMALE
REPRODUCTIVE
STRUCTURE:
VAGINA
– collapsible canal extending
from vaginal opening back
and upward into the body to
cervix and uterus. During
arousal, it is engorged with
blood. This aids its expansion
and triggers the release of
lubricants from vaginal
function.
CERVIX
– the lower and narrow
end of the uterus (womb)
that connects the uterus
to the vagina (birth
canal). It widens during
the birth of a baby and
allows menstrual blood
to pass from the uterus
into the vagina.
UTERUS
– womb, organ
within pelvic
zone where
fetus is carried.
FALLOPIAN TUBE
– carry egg cells
from the ovaries to
uterus, this is
where the
fertilization
occurs.
OVARIES
– produce estrogen and
progesterone. Estrogen
influences female sex
characteristics and initiates
menstrual cycle. Progesterone
aids in regulation of
menstrual cycle and promotes
mature development of
uterine lining to allow for
zygote implantation.
OVARIES
– Also, produce ova, egg cells
and bring them to maturity.
As many as 1 million
immature ova are present at
birth, with about 400,000
surviving to puberty. Of these,
only 400-450 are typically
brought to maturity and
releases into the fallopian
tubes
Anatomy and Physiology of
Reproduction

PUBERTY STAGE
The menstrual cycle marks the beginning
of puberty in females. The first episode
occurs between 11 to 15 years of age
referred to as menarche. Menstruation
pertains to the sloughing off of the
uterine lining if conception has not
occurred. It may last within two to six
days which follows a cycle ranging from 24
to 42 days. Regardless of the length of the
cycle, menstruation begins about 14 days
after ovulation (plus or minus one to two
days). The overall cycle governed by the
hypothalamus as it monitors hormone
 MENSTRUAL
Menstrual
ThisPhase
PHASE
occurs if the ovum
Proliferative Phase
It occurs when
Secretory
It occurs
Phasewhen the
is
not fertilized and does hypothalamus the pituitary
gland LH
not implant itself the pituitary gland
stimulates releases
(Luteinizing Hormones)
into the uterine lining. to
release FSH causes the ovary to
that
The continued high Stimulating
(Follicle Hormones) release
a mature ovum and
levels of estrogen and that
stimulates the ovaries causes
the the
progesterone cause to
produce estrogen remaining
portion of the follicle
the pituitary to stop causes ova to mature in
and to develop into the
releasing
(FSH) and follicle- ovarian
the corpus luteum. The
stimulating hormone
luteinizing hormone (LH). follicles.
Endometrium is corpus luteum
then,
Estrogen and
progesterone level repaired
thickens, and becomes produces
progesterone.
decrease s vascularized in response
well- glands
Endometrical begin to
casing the
b increasing
to levels secrete nutrients, and
endometrium
sloughed off, and e of estrogens. the lining becomes
ensues. It is to
blessing during this more vascular in
time ovarian hormones
that response to increasing
are
at their lowest level of progesterone.
 Anatomy and Physiology of
Reproduction
Female secondary sexual characteristics
emerge after puberty:

fi. Widening of hips and pelvis – accommodates

2. Enlargement of Breast – at puberty, both

THE BIOLOGICAL
MALE - The male sexual anatomy is
designed for the production and
delivery of sperm for
fertilization of the female’s
ovum. Puberty signals the fi nal
development of primary and
accessory organs that support
Anatomy and Physiology of
Reproduction

THE MALE
EXTERNAL
GENITALIA:
PREPUCE
– foreskin covering
the head of penis,
removed in male
circumcision.
PENIS
– glans (head), shaft and root.
The glans is particularly
sensitive to stimulation.
Running the length of the penis
is the urethra surrounded by
the spongy body and two
cylindrical chambers known as
the cavernous bodies. During
arousal, these become
engorged with blood, resulting
in erection.
SCROTUM
– sac that
encloses the two
compartments
housing the
testes.
URETHRAL OPENING
– found on head of penis
this is the end of the
connected to bladder and
used for urination. It is
also tube to which
internal structures deliver
semen by which male
ejaculates.
PERINEUM
– area of skin
separating the
genitalia from the
anus, distance is
greater in males
than females.
Anatomy and Physiology of
Reproduction

THE MALE
REPRODUCTIVE
INTERNAL
STRUCTURE:
TESTES
– produces androgen,
particularly large
quantities of testosterone,
which greatly influence
male development and
drive sexual motivation;
also produce sperm cells
in virtually unlimited
quantity over the entire
course of the lifespan.
VAS DEFERENS
– travels from testicle
toward urethra carrying
sperm.
SEMINAL VESICLES
– two glands that
produce alkaline fl uid
rich in fructose sugar
comprising some 70% of
semen volume.
EJACULATORY DUCTS
– connect vas deferens
to
urethra.
PROSTATE GLAND
– gland producing
alkaline secretions that
account for about0% of
semen volume.
EPIDIDYMIS
– Sperm cells move from
testicles to epididymis,
where they finish
maturing and are stored.
URETHRA
– tube within penis that
carries sperm and semen
the rest of the way to the
opening of the penis.
 Anatomy and Physiology of
Reproduction
The testosterone is the major male
hormone produced mainly by the testes,
but there are other glands called the
adrenal glands that also produce some
testosterone. In case a man has lost his
testes, these glands would continue to
produce testosterone to support the
male physical appearance. Testosterone is
responsible for the growth and
development of a boy during adolescence
and for the development of sperm and
 Anatomy and Physiology of
Reproduction
Male secondary sexual characteristics that
emerge after puberty:

1. No monthly cycle;
2. Elongation of vocal cords (lower voice);
3. Broader shoulders; and
4. Deeper chest cavity
“Our body, our life is a
gift from above, and
may we value to use it
which is to reproduce
and to produce respect
and love towards
everyJUAN and
everyJUANA.