Page 87 - 86 human physiology part-2

Chapter 16

Wolffian duct Prostate Skene's glands

Bladder, urethra, distal
Urogenital sinus Bladder, urethra
vagina
Bulbourethral
Urogenital sinus Bartholin's gland
gland
Genital swelling Scrotum Labia majora

Urogenital folds Distal urethra Labia minora
Genital tubercle Penis Clitoris
Prepuce Foreskin Clitoral hood

Bulb of penis Vestibular bulbs
Glans penis Clitoral glans

Crus of penis Clitoral crura

Differences between male and female reproductive systems

The differences between the female and male reproductive systems are based on the functions of
each individual's role in the reproduction cycle. A male who is healthy, and sexually mature,
continuously produces sperm. A woman's ova (eggs) are completely formed during fetal development.

At about 5 months gestation, the ovaries contain approximately six to seven million oogonia,
which then go through meiosis, and are matured into oocytes.

The ovaries of a newborn baby girl contain about two million oocytes. This number declines to
300,000 to 400,000 by the time puberty is reached. On average, 400 oocytes are ovulated during a
woman's reproductive lifetime.

When a young woman reaches puberty around age 12 or 13, an ova (one of the matured oocytes) is
discharged from alternating ovaries every 28 days. This continues until the woman reaches menopause,
usually around the age of 50 years. Occytes are present at birth, and ages as a woman ages. This may
be one reason older women are more likely to have a hard time becoming pregnant or more likely to
have children with genetic defects.

Female Reproductive System

• Produces eggs (ova)
• Secretes sex hormones
• Receives the male spermatazoa during sexual intercourse
• Protects and nourishes the fertilized egg until it is fully developed
• Delivers fetus through birth canal
• Provides nourishment to the baby through milk secreted by mammary glands in the breast

External Genitals

Vulva

302 | Human Physiology