Male and Female Reproductive System – Function

The reproductive system , also called the genital system, is responsible for providing the right conditions for our reproduction. The male reproductive system is responsible for ensuring the production of the male gamete ( sperm ) and depositing it inside the woman’s body. The female reproductive system, in turn, produces the female gamete ( secondary oocyte ) and also serves as a place for fertilization and development of the baby.

Reproductive system function

Male and Female Reproductive System: The male and female reproductive systems work together to ensure the multiplication of our species . Both the male and female genital systems are responsible for the production of gametes , that is, for the production of cells that will unite in fertilization and give rise to the zygote . Gametes are produced in the so-called gonads , the testes being the male gonads and the ovaries the female gonads. The testes produce sperm , while the ovaries produce secondary oocytes, popularly called eggs .

Sperm are deposited inside the female’s body at the time of copulation, and fertilization takes place within the female reproductive system, most often in the fallopian tube. After fertilization, the zygote forms, which begins a series of cell divisions as it is carried towards the uterus. The embryo implants itself in the endometrium of the uterus, and its development begins there. Human gestation lasts about 40 weeks.

male reproductive system

The male reproductive system ensures the production of sperm and the transfer of these gametes to the female’s body . It is made up of external and internal organs. The penis and scrotum are the so-called external reproductive organs of the male, while the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, ejaculatory ducts, urethra, seminal vesicles, prostate and bulbourethral glands are internal reproductive organs .

• Testicles : These are the male gonads and are located inside the scrotum, also known as the scrotum. They are made up of several coiled tubes called seminiferous tubules, in which sperm will be produced. In addition to producing gametes, it is in the testes that the production of testosterone , a hormone related, among other functions, with sexual differentiation and spermatogenesis occurs.
• Epididymis: after leaving the seminiferous tubules, spermatozoa go to the epididymis, formed by spiral tubes. There, sperm mature and become motile.

• Deferent duct: at the time of ejaculation, spermatozoa travel from the epididymis to the vas deferens. This duct meets the seminal vesicle duct and becomes called the ejaculatory duct , which opens into the urethra.
• Urethra: It is the duct that opens to the external environment. It runs through the entire penis and serves as a place of passage for semen and urine , being, therefore, a common channel to the urinary and reproductive system.
• Seminal vesicles: the male body has two seminal vesicles, which form secretions that make up about 60% of the semen volume . This secretion contains several substances, including fructose, which serves as an energy source for the sperm.
• Prostate: secretes a fluid that also makes up semen. This secretion contains anti-clotting enzymes and nutrients for the sperm.
• Bulbourethral glands: the male body has two bulbourethral glands. They are responsible for secreting a clear mucus that neutralizes the urethra, removing urine residues that may be present there.
• Penis: is the organ responsible for copulation. It is formed by erectile tissue that fills with blood at the time of sexual arousal. In addition to the erectile tissue, in the penis it is possible to observe the passage of the urethra, through which the semen will pass during ejaculation.

If you want to go deeper into the topic of this topic, read: Male Reproductive System .

female reproductive system

The female reproductive system will serve as a place for fertilization and also for the development of the baby , in addition to being responsible for the production of female gametes and hormones. As in the male, the female reproductive system has external and internal organs. The external organs are generally called the vulva and include the labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, and the openings of the urethra and vagina. Internal organs include the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina.

• Ovaries: in the female body there are two ovaries, which are responsible for producing female gametes. These organs also produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone, related to the maintenance of the menstrual cycle , and estrogen is also related to the development of secondary sexual characteristics.

• Fallopian tubes: In a woman’s body, there are two fallopian tubes, which have one end that crosses the wall of the uterus and the other that opens close to the ovary and has extensions called fimbriae. Fertilization usually takes place in the fallopian tubes.
• Uterus: It is a muscular organ, pear-shaped, in which the baby develops during pregnancy. The organ wall is thick and has three layers. The thickest layer is called the myometrium and is made up of a large number of smooth muscle fibers. The innermost part, called the endometrium, stands out for being lost during menstruation. The cervix, also called the cervix, opens into the vagina.
• Vagina : It is an elastic channel into which the penis is inserted during sexual intercourse and sperm is deposited. This channel is also where the baby passes during normal delivery.
• Vulva : is the female external genitalia. The labia majora, the labia minora, the vaginal opening, the opening of the urethra and the clitoris are part of the vulva. The latter is formed by erectile tissue and has many nerve endings, being a place of great sensitivity.

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