The Reproductive System

Do you know how you were born? Do you know how you came to be? The reproductive system is the system that made that all possible. Without the reproductive system you wouldn’t have been born. In order to produce offspring, the male and female reproductive systems have to be different. Each system has different parts, problems and care. Each system have different purposes, the male reproductive system’s function is to produce sperm, while the female reproductive system’s function is to produce ova, store ova and house a fertilized egg.

The male reproductive system is divided into two categories: internal and external reproductive organs. External organs are outside the body and internal organs are inside the body.

The external reproductive organs are the penis, testes, scrotum, epididymis, and seminiferous tubules, which are in the testes. The penis allows liquid waste and semen to leave the body. The testes, which are comprised of seminiferous tubules, produce sperm. Sperm mixes with seminal fluids to produce semen. Semen is released through the penis and sperm in the seminal fluid has the ability to fertilize an egg. The scrotum protects and holds the testes and epididymis. The epididymis stores sperm. It also allows them to mature

The internal reproductive organs are the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, Cowper’s gland, and the prostate gland. The vas deferens extends from each epididymis. They allow the sperm to leave the scrotum and mix with seminal fluids. The seminal vesicles, Cowper’s gland, and the prostate gland have similar functions. They are located at the base of the penis and they produce and store seminal fluid.

There are numerous problems that affect the male reproductive system. Problems of the testes include testicular trauma, testicular torsion, testicular rupture, and testicular cancer. Testicular trauma is receiving a blow to the testes and minor pain occurs. OUCH! They may seem painful but other problems are even more serious. Testicular torsion is the twisting of one testical cutting off blood supply. Another serious but extremely rare problem is testicular rupture. It is caused by the testical being crushed and blood leaks into the scrotum. Treatment for both includes surgery within 6 hours of receiving the injury. One of the most serious problems is testicular cancer. It is the number one cancer in males ages 15 to 35. It can, however, be detected early by performing monthly testicular self-exams. (TSEs)

There are problems that occur in areas other then the testes. The best known problem is prostate caner. It isn’t as easy to detect as testicular cancer, but it can be removed by surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Another problem of the prostate, which is common with aging, is an enlarged prostate gland. It can be correct by surgery, and it is not a major problem. Other problems that don’t affect a certain organ are sterility and inguinal hernias. Sterility is inability to produce sperm is sufficient numbers. There is no known cure for this disease. Inguinal hernia is the final major problem. It is the pushing of organs into the abdominal pain, causing a weakened abdominal wall. It can be corrected by surgery.

Caring for the male reproductive system is important. You can bathe or shower daily. It is important that you avoid wearing tight fitting underwear and clothing. Be sure to wear protective gear to protect from testical injuries. Perform monthly TSEs to detect cancer. Finally be sure to eat healthy food containing plenty of vitamins and minerals.

The female reproductive system is a complex and important system. All parts of the female reproductive system are inside the body. The system serves three main functions: to store ova, to produce ova, and to house a fertilized egg until it is ready to live on its own.

The system is comprised of a variety of different parts. The first part is the ovaries. The ovaries contain thousands of immature ova at first that eventually mature during puberty. The ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone which allow the ova to mature. Next are the fallopian tubes. They are tubes that carry the ova from the ovaries to the uterus. The uterus is a pear shaped organ. It shelters and nourishes a developing baby, or fetus. The endometrial lines the uterus. It thickens during