Menstrual Cycle PDF

Male Reproductive System Testes: Male humans have two testes. They are situated in a bag of skin known as the scrotum. Scrotum lies outside the pelvic cavity. Spe...

Male Reproductive System Testes: Male humans have two testes. They are situated in a bag of skin known as the scrotum. Scrotum lies outside the pelvic cavity. Sperm Duct: These are thin ducts that arise from the testes. Prostrate Gland: This gland is an accessory gland in males which pours its secretions into the sperm duct along with the seminal fluid from the testes and into the penis. Urethra: Functions as a common pathway for the seminal fluid and urine in males. It is longer in males and shorter in females. Penis: Is an organ which lies outside the body and functions to eliminate both urine and Image Source: plannedparenthood semen. Female Reproductive System Ovaries: They give rise to the female gamete or the egg. Each ovary releases one egg alternatively each month. Ovulation is the process of release of an egg from either one of the ovaries. Fallopian tubes: Also known as the oviducts, these tubes arise from the ovaries and end at the uterine fundus. Their function is to carry the egg once it is released into the uterus where it can fuse with the male sperm. Uterus: It is a large muscular organ that is present in the pelvic cavity. The uterus is the region of action during the menstrual cycle, fertilization and the development of the fetus. Image Source: s-cool.co.uk Female Reproductive System Cervix: Is a circular muscle ring that is present towards the lower end of the uterus that dilates at the time of delivery of the baby. Vagina: Is a muscular tube-like structure that is present at the lower end of the cervix and leads towards the outside of the female body. The vagina functions as the pathway for the penis to enter the female body and deposit the sperms which then swim their way to the uterus to fertilize with the female egg. Image Source: s-cool.co.uk Recall The inflammation of epididymis. Epididymitis Recall The inability to get and keep an erection. Erectile Dysfunction Recall Inflammation of the head of the penis. Balanitis Recall Life-threatening condition caused by the human-immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Recall Also known as being infertile. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Reproduction Reproduction is the process by which organisms make more organisms like themselves. But even though the reproductive system is essential to keeping a species alive, unlike other body systems, it's not essential to keeping an individual alive. Reproduction In the human reproductive process, two kinds of sex cells, or gametes, are involved. The male gamete, or sperm, and the female gamete, the egg or ovum, meet in the female's reproductive system. When sperm fertilizes (meets) an egg, this fertilized egg is called a zygote. The zygote goes through a process of becoming an embryo and developing into a fetus (Hirsch, 2019) Reproduction Reproduction in human beings is by sexual reproduction where both the male and female gametes fertilize to give rise to an embryo. The fertilization of human embryo occurs inside the body of the female. Thus, it is called Internal Fertilization. Human Beings are viviparous organisms who give rise to embryos directly instead of laying eggs. (toprr, n,d.)  Menstrual Cycle Image Source: menstrupedia.com  Menstrual Cycle The menstrual cycle is a natural process. It is a complex cycle controlled by female hormones that cause regular bleeding (periods). The menstrual cycle has four phases: menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase.  Menstrual Cycle When a girl child is born, the primary oocytes already occur. When the child reaches puberty, the process of meiosis continues to give rise to the secondary oocyte. This secondary oocyte is released from each ovary alternatively in every alternate month. 1. Menstruation Menstruation is commonly known as a period. When you menstruate, your uterus lining sheds and flows out of your vagina. Your period contains blood, mucus and some cells from the lining of your uterus. The average length of a period is three to seven days. 2. The follicular phase The follicular phase starts on the first day of your period and lasts for 13 to 14 days, ending in ovulation. The pituitary gland in the brain releases a hormone to stimulate the production of follicles on the surface of an ovary. Usually, only one follicle will mature into an egg. This can happen from day 10 of your cycle. During this phase, your uterus lining also thickens in preparation for pregnancy. 3. Ovulation Phase Ovulation is when a mature egg is released from an ovary and moves along a fallopian tube towards your uterus. This usually happens once each month, about two weeks before your next period. Ovulation can last from 16 to 32 hours. 3. Ovulation Phase It is possible to get pregnant in the five days before ovulation and on the day of ovulation, but it’s more likely in the three days leading up to and including ovulation. Once the egg is released, it will survive up to 24 hours. If sperm reaches the egg during this time, you may get pregnant. 4. The luteal phase After ovulation, cells in the ovary (the corpus luteum), release progesterone and a small amount of estrogen. This causes the lining of the uterus to thicken in preparation for pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum dies, progesterone levels drop, the uterus lining sheds and the period begins again.