Reproductive system is the group of organs that function in the creation of offspring. Organs of the reproductive system make and distribute gametes (sex cells). Gametes combine to form offspring, beginning with a process called fertilization . In humans and other mammals , organs of the female reproductive system help support a living thing as it grows inside its mother. The reproductive system is one of the body’s major organ systems.
Different organs make up the reproductive systems of males and females. In males, the organs of reproduction include the testes , epididymis, ductus deferens, prostate gland , seminal vesicle, and penis . The organs of female reproduction include the ovary , fallopian tube , uterus , and vagina .
The male reproductive system.
The testes are the male gonads (sex organs). They secrete the hormone testosterone and produce sperm cells, the male gametes. Sperm cells have a long, taillike projection called a flagellum that enables them to move within the reproductive system.
The epididymis and ductus deferens are a system of tubes that store sperm cells and carry them from the testes to the penis. The prostate and the seminal vesicle are glands whose secretions mix with sperm cells to create a fluid called semen. The secretions provide nourishment and protection for sperm cells and create a medium in which these cells can move.
The penis is the male sexual organ. It contains a tube called the urethra. Upon sexual arousal, the penis becomes engorged with blood and erect. With sufficient stimulation, ejaculation may occur. During ejaculation, semen is delivered to the urethra and propelled from the tip of the penis.
The female reproductive system.
The ovaries are the female gonads. They produce oocytes, the female gametes, sometimes called egg cells. The ovaries also produce and secrete the hormones estrogen and progesterone . These hormones cause the growth and development of female sexual characteristics and play an important role in preparing a woman’s uterus for pregnancy .
The vagina functions as the female sexual organ. During sexual intercourse, sperm cells are delivered by the penis into the vagina.
An egg cell is released by one of the ovaries about every 28 days and enters into the fallopian tube. This process is called ovulation. If sperm cells are present near the time of ovulation, fertilization may occur within the fallopian tube. The resulting fertilized cell is called a zygote. After dividing several times, the zygote becomes an embryo . The embryo travels to the uterus, or womb, where it implants and develops into a fetus.
The uterus supports the fetus as it develops for about 38 weeks. At the time of childbirth , called labor, the muscular walls of the uterus produce contractions, making possible the delivery of the baby through the vagina.
