The reproductive system

 Where are the female reproductive organs?

Most of the female reproductive organs are inside the body. 

• Two ovaries, one on the left and the other on right of the body, produce ova. These are the female reproductive cells. 

• Fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus. 

• The uterus is a hollow, muscular organ. During pregnancy it expands to hold the growing foetus. The cervix is at the bottom of the uterus, separating it from the vagina. 

• The vagina connects the interior reproductive parts to the outside of the body. 

• The vulva is the external part of the female reproductive system. It is formed of folds of flesh called labia, which protect the entrance to the vagina and the opening of the urethra.

Where are the male reproductive organs?

Most of the male reproductive organs are outside the body. 

• The testicles are two organs within the scrotum. They contain the testes, which are the glands that produce spermatozoa. 

• The penis is a tube-shaped organ with many nerve endings. The urethra runs down the penis to an opening at the tip. During reproduction, spermatozoa leave the penis and enter the vagina. 

The prostate and the seminal vesicles are accessory glands that are located inside the body.

 The testes are connected to the accessory glands via the vas deferens. These glands produce a fluid that mixes with the spermatozoa to produce semen. Semen is released down the urethra.

How are the male and the female reproductive cells different?

Both male and female reproductive cells, or gametes, are needed in human reproduction. The ovum is the largest cell in the human body. The spermatozoon is much smaller and more mobile.

When does the reproductive system develop?

Babies are born with a reproductive system, but it is not fully developed in the first years of life. From the ages of about eleven to seventeen, the reproductive system develops and becomes mature. This is called puberty and causes physical changes in everyone. 

It also leads to emotional development. 

• Inside the body, the reproductive system becomes active.

 • The exterior of the body changes as secondary sexual characteristics appear. 

• Puberty can be a difficult time for many adolescents, as hormonal changes affect their emotions. 

• Towards the end of puberty, emotions become more stable. Mental maturity includes a sense of responsibility and of the consequences of actions. Adulthood includes both sexual and mental maturity.