GENITAL SYSTEM
MALE GENITAL SYSTEM
It consists of:
A- Testis. B- Genital ducts. C- Accessory sex glands. D- Penis.
A- Testis:
An oval organ (5 x 3 x 2.5 cm) present inside skin sac called scrotum.
Function:
1- Formation of the sperms (spermatozoa).
2- Secretion of male sex hormone (testosterone hormone).
B- Genital Ducts:
1- Epididymis: An extremely coiled tubule forming coma-shaped structure lies on
the posterior surface of the testis.
Function:
a- Storage and maturation of the sperms.
b- Secretion of nutritive substance for the sperms.
2- Vas deferens: A thick-walled narrow lumen duct, about 45 cm in length. It is the
continuation of the epididymis, enters the abdomen where it unites with the
seminal vesicle behind the urinary bladder to form the ejaculatory duct. Function:
It transport the sperms to urethra.
3- Urethra: It transports the sperms to the vagina.
C- Accessory Sex Glands:
1- Seminal vesicle: A highly tortuous tube, lies on the back of the urinary bladder.
It unites with vas deferens to form the ejaculatory duct which opens in the
prostatic part of the urethra.
Function: It secretes nutritive substances rich in protein, fructose and vitamin C.
2- Prostate: It is a cone-shaped glandular organ surrounding the upper part of the
urethra below the neck of the urinary bladder, it opens by many ducts on the
urethra and it secretes alkaline secretion to neutralize the acidity in vagina.
3- Bulbourethral gland: A small gland lies beside the membranous urethra. It
secretes mucous to lubricate the urethra.
N.B.: Sperms, seminal vesicle secretion, prostatic secretion and secretion of
epididymis, all together form the semen.
D- Penis: It is an erectile organ for copulation (sexual intercourse). It consists of 3
elongated erectile masses, 2 dorsally: corpora cavernosa and one ventrally corpus
songiosum which contains the penile urethra. The penis is has 2 parts: Root (the
hidden part) and body the free pendulous part). The distal expanded part of the
body is called glans penis which is covered by skin fold called prepuce.
Male genital system
FEMALE GENITAL SYSTEM
1- Ovary: Oval (almond) shaped, measuring 3 x 2 x 1 cm attached to the lateral
margin of the uterus by the ligament of ovary.
Function:
a- Production of ova (female germ cells).
b- Production of female sex hormones: oestrogen and progesterone.
2- Uterine (Fallopian) tubes: 10 cm tube opens in the upper lateral part of
uterine cavity connecting it with the ovary. Its lateral end is called infandibulum
(funnel) which has many finger like processes (fimbriae) descend around the
ovary.
Function:
a- It receives the ovum from the ovary.
b- Passage for the sperms from uterus to the ovum.
c- Fertilization (the union of one sperm and ovum) occurs in its lateral 1/3.
3- Uterus: A hollow pear-shaped organ with thick muscular wall. It measures 3 x 2
x 1 inches. It is divided into 3 parts:
a- Fundus: the part of uterus above the level of uterine tubes.
b- Body: the part below the level of the uterine tubes.
c- Cervix: the lower narrow part which enters the vagina.
Function: Reception, retention and nutrition of the fertilized ovum (zygote) until
the formation of full term foetus. It is the site of the menstrual cycle.
4- Vagina:
Muscular tube, extends upwards and backwards from the vulva (♀ external
genital organ) to the uterus.
Its anterior wall is 7½-8 cm and its posterior wall is 9-10 cm.
The upper end is pierced by the cervix of uterus and the lower end is the vaginal
orifice.
Functions: a- Passage of menstrual blood. b- Birth canal.
c- Sexual intercourse to introduce the sperms.
5- Female External Genital Organs (Vulva): consists of the following parts:
a- Labia majora: Two prominent skin folds containing hairs and fat. They unite
above to form mons pubis which is rounded elevated part of subcutaneous fat
over the symphysis pubis.
Ligament of ovary
b- Labia minora: Two thin skin folds with no hairs and fat, lie on the inner
surfaces of the labia majora. The space between the 2 labia minora is called
vestibule of vagina.
c- Vestibule of vagina: It receives 2 orifices:
1. Urethral orifice.
2. Vaginal orifice: Median opening lies below the urethral orifice. It is closed
by perforated fold of mucous membrane in virgin called the hymen.
d- Clitoris: A small erectile organ similar to penis lies one inch above the
urethral orifice.