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Human Reproductive System

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Human reproductive system includes the male reproductive system, which consists of the testes, which produce sperm, and the female reproductive system, which consists of the ovaries, which produces egg. After fertilization takes place, the zygote formed by the fusion of egg and sperm, implants in the uterus, develops into an embryo, and finally into a fetus during pregnancy. The human reproductive system is essential for the development of offspring and the continuation of the species.

Reproduction in Human Beings

The reproductive process in the humans includes formation of gametes through the process of gametogenesis. In this process sperms are formed in males and ovum in the females. The fusion of the male and female gamete results in the formation of zygote. This is followed by the formation of blastocyst and its attachment to the uterine wall is known as implantation. The process of embryo development inside the uterus is known as gestation and is last for 9 months. The human reproductive system consists of :

  • Female reproductive system
  • Male reproductive system

Human Reproductive system Diagram

The labeled diagram of Human Reproductive System are shown below:

Human-Reproductive-System-Diagram

Female Reproductive System

The female reproductive system consists of a pair of ovaries, oviducts, uterus, cervix, vagina, and external genitalia located in the pelvic region. These parts of the system function together to support the processes of ovulation, fertilisation, pregnancy, and childbirth.

Female Reproductive System

The different parts of the female reproductive system are as follows:

  • Ovaries: Ovaries are the primary female sex organs that produce the female gamete (ovum) and ovarian hormones. Each ovary is about 2 to 4 cm in length. The ovaries are located one on each side of the lower abdomen. The ovary consists of ovarian stroma, which is covered by a thin epithelium layer. The stroma is further divided into two parts – a peripheral cortex and an inner medulla.
  • Uterus: The uterus, also known as the womb is an inverted pear-shaped organ. It is supported by ligaments attached to the pelvic wall. The cavity of the cervix is called the cervical canal and forms the birth canal along with the vagina. The division of the uterus consists of three layers of tissue. The outer thin membranous layer is called the perimetrium, a middle thick layer of smooth muscle is known as themyometrium and inner most glandular layer is called endometrium which lines the uterine cavity.
  • Fallopian tubes: Also known as the oviducts, are approximately 10-12 cm long and extend from each ovary’s outer layer to the uterus. The part closer to the ovary is known as the infundibulum which is funnel-shaped. It possesses finger-like projections called fimbriae, which help collect the ovum after ovulation. In the fallopian tube, fertilisation takes place.
  • Mammary organs: The mammary glands contain glandular tissue and a variable amount of fat. The glandular tissue of each breast has mammary lobes that are made up of cells called alveoli. The alveoli cells secrete milk, which is stored in the cavities of alveoli that open up into mammary tubules. Milk is sucked out through the lactiferous duct.
  • External genitalia: It includes mons pubis, labia majora, labia minora, hymen and clitoris.

Oogenesis

Oogenesis, the formation of mature female gametes, begins during embryonic development when millions of oogonia are generated within each fetal ovary. No additional oogonia are produced after birth.

  • These oogonia undergo division and the primary oocyte is surrounded by granulosa cells, forming a primary follicle.
  • Primary follicles are enclosed by layers of granulosa cells and a new theca, becoming secondary follicles, which subsequently transform into tertiary follicles with a fluid-filled antrum.
  • At this stage, the primary oocyte within the tertiary follicle grows and completes its first meiotic division, yielding a large haploid secondary oocyte and a small first polar body.
  • The secondary oocyte, retaining the nutrient-rich cytoplasm of the primary oocyte, is surrounded by a new membrane called the zona pellucida. The Graafian follicle ruptures through ovulation, releasing the secondary oocyte (ovum) from the ovary.

Male Reproductive System

The male reproductive system consists of a pair of testes, accessory ducts, glands and the external genitalia.

Male Reproductive Part

The testes are present outside the abdominal cavity within a pouch called the scrotum. The scrotum helps in maintaining the low temperature of the testes. Each testis is approximately 4 to 5 cm long and about 2 to 3 cm wide. Each testis contains testicular lobules, formed of highly coiled seminiferous tubules where sperms are produced. Each seminiferous tubule contains male germ cells (spermatogonia) and Sertoli cells. The male germ cells undergo meiotic divisions to form sperm, and Sertoli cells provide nutrition to the germ cells. The regions outside the seminiferous tubules, called interstitial spaces, contain tiny blood vessels and interstitial cells or Leydig cells, which produce and secrete testicular hormones called androgens.

The male sex accessory ducts include rete testis, vasa efferentia, epididymis and vas deferens. The male accessory glands include paired seminal vesicles, prostate and paired bulbourethral glands.

Reproduction Process in Human Being

The process of fusion of a sperm with an ovum is called fertilisation. A sperm secretes an acrosome, during fertilisation, which helps the sperm penetrate the ovum through the zona pellucida and induces changes in the membrane that block the entry of additional sperms. Thus, it makes sure that only one sperm can fertilise an ovum.

As the zygote is formed, the mitotic division starts, and the zygote moves through the isthmus of the fallopian tube called cleavage towards the uterus. The inner cell mass gets differentiated as the embryo, and the trophoblast layer gets attached to the endometrium of the uterus. The uterine cells divide rapidly after attachment to the wall of the uterus. The cells cover the blastocyst, which gets embedded in the endometrium of the uterus. This process of attachment is called implantation, and it results in pregnancy.

Function of the Human Reproductive System

The following are the functions of the human reproductive system. These are as follows:

  • In females, it regulates the menstrual cycle, and the release of eggs.
  • In males, it produces and delivers sperm for fertilisation.
  • Its primary role is to ensure the continuation of the species through the production of offspring.
  • It enables the fusion of sperm and egg, that results in the formation of a zygote.
  • It supports the early growth and development of the embryo.
  • In females, it supports pregnancy by facilitating implantation and nutrient exchange with the developing fetus through the placenta.
  • It produces hormones like progesterone, estrogen, lactin and testosterone that regulates reproductive processes and secondary sexual characteristics.

FAQs on Human Reproductive System

1. What is the Human Reproductive System?

Answer: 

The human reproductive system includes both male and female reproductive systems. It involves complex biological process responsible for the producing offspring.

2. What is Fertilisation?

Answer:

Fertilization is the union of a sperm cell from a male with an egg cell from a female. It results in the formation of a zygote that marks the beginning of embryonic development. 

3. What is the Placenta, and what is its Function?

Answer:

The placenta develops during pregnancy and provides essential nutrients and oxygen to the fetus while removing waste products. It also produces hormones to support pregnancy.

4. What are the key Differences between the Male and Female Reproductive Systems?

Answer:

The male reproductive system produces and delivers sperm, while the female reproductive system produces eggs, and supports pregnancy.

5. What is the Function of the Reproductive System?

Answer:

The function of the reproductive system is to produce offspring and ensure the continuation of the species through the production of gametes (sperm and eggs) and their fertilization.



Last Updated : 10 Oct, 2023
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