Reproduction in human beings involves the fusion of male and female gametes that produces in their reproductive system.
Male Reproductive System:
The male reproductive system comprises:
- Testicles (testes): A pair of oval-shaped organs masked in a pouch known as the scrotum. They manage the production of sperms and the male hormone testosterone.
- Scrotum: It is a sac-like organ that hangs under the penis and behind it. It is the house of the testes, or testicles, and maintains a temperature that is needed for the production of sperm by it.
- Vas deferens: The sperms produced in testes are stored in a tube known as the epididymis. Here the sperms get matured and pass to the urethra via the muscular tube known as vas deferens.
- Accessory glands: This includes three glands, namely the prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and Cowper’s gland. The secretions from the mentioned three glands mix to form a fluid known as semen. Semen nourishes the sperm, raises the volume, and helps in lubrication.
- Penis: The penis is a cylindrical tube that serves as both an excretory organ, and a reproductive organ. It transfers sperms into the vagina during sexual intercourse.
Female Reproductive System:
The female reproductive system is active before, during, and after fertilization as well. It comprises the following parts:
- A pair of ovaries: A pair of ovaries produce and stores ovum in them. They also produce a female hormone known to be estrogen.
- Fallopian tubes (Oviducts): They are the area of fertilization. They connect both the ovaries with the uterus.
- Uterus: Uterus is the place of development for the embryo.
- Vagina: The part that connects the cervix to the external female body parts is called a vagina. It is the passage for the penis during coitus as well as a fetus during transfer.