Animal Reproduction

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The female gonads, the ovaries, lie in the abdominal cavity.

Each ovary contains many follicles, which are egg chambers consisting of a partially developed egg, called an oocyte, surrounded by support cells.

Once a month, an oocyte develops into an ovum (egg) by the process of oogenesis.

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Ovulation expels an egg cell from the follicle.

The remaining follicular tissue grows within the ovary, forming a mass called the corpus luteum.

The corpus luteum secretes hormones that help to maintain pregnancy.

If the egg is not fertilized, the corpus luteum degenerates.

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Oviducts and Uterus

The egg cell travels from the ovary to the uterus via an oviduct, or fallopian tube.

Cilia in the oviduct convey the egg to the uterus, also called the womb.

The uterus lining, the endometrium, has many blood vessels.

The uterus narrows at the cervix, then opens into the vagina.

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Vagina and Vulva

The vagina is a thin-walled chamber that is the repository for sperm during copulation and serves as the birth canal.

The vagina opens to the outside at the vulva, which consists of the labia majora, labia minora, hymen, and clitoris.

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Mammary Glands

The mammary glands are not part of the reproductive system but are important to mammalian reproduction.

Within the glands, small sacs of epithelial tissue secrete milk.

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Male Reproductive Anatomy

The male’s external reproductive organs are the scrotum and penis.

Internal organs are the gonads, which produce sperm and hormones, and accessory glands.

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Reproductive anatomy of the human male

Seminal vesicle (behind bladder)

(Urinary bladder)

Prostate gland

Bulbourethral gland

Erectile tissue of penis

Urethra

Scrotum

Vas deferens

Epididymis

Testis

Seminal vesicle

(Urinary bladder)

(Urinary duct)

(Rectum)

Vas deferens

Ejaculatory duct

Prostate gland

Bulbourethral gland

Vas deferens

Epididymis Testis Scrotum

(Pubic bone)

Erectile tissue

Urethra

Glans

Prepuce

Penis

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Testes = Male Gonads

The testes consist of highly coiled tubes surrounded by connective tissue. Sperm form in these seminiferous tubules. Leydig cells produce hormones and are scattered between the tubules.