BIOMEDICAL

PERSPECTIVE IN GENDER
AND SOCIETY
LESSON 4:
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOCOLOGY OF
REPRODUCTION

JEMELYN MERIDA, LPT

LECTURER I
THE BIOLOGICAL FEMALE
• Anatomy- the study of body structure in relation to
body parts.
• The female sexual anatomy is designed for the
production and fertilization of ovum, as well as
carrying and delivering infant offspring.
• Puberty signals the final development of primary and
accessory organs that support reproduction.
• Vulva- all the external genitals taken together;
The female external
• Mons veneris- pads of fatty tissue between
pubis bone and skin; genitalia consists of the
• Labia majora- outer lips surrounding all the following:
other structures;
• Prepuce- clitoral hood (foreskin above and
covering clitoris)
• Labia minora- inner lips surrounding the
vestibule where sweat and oil glands,
extensive blood vessels, and nerve endings
are located;
• Vestibule- area surrounding the urethral
opening and vagina, which is highly sensitive
with extensive blood vessels and nerve
endings;
• Urethral opening- end of tube connecting to
bladder use for urination;
• Vaginal opening- also called introitus; and
• Perineum- area of skin separating the genitalia
from the anus; distance is less in females than
males.
• Vagina- collapsible canal extending from
vaginal opening back and upward into
body to cervix to uterus. During arousal, it FEMALE INTERNAL
is engorged with blood. This aids its REPRODUCTIVE STRUCTURE
expansion and triggers the release of
lubricants of vaginal mucosa;
• Cervix- small end of uterus to which vagina
leads. It is the opening in cervix leading to
interior of uterus.
• Uterus- womb, organ within pelvic zone
where fetus is carried;
• Fallopian tubes- carry egg cells from
ovaries to uterus, this is where fertilization
occurs; and
• Ovaries- produce estrogen and
progesterone. Estrogen influences female
sex characteristics and initiates menstrual
cycle. Progesterone aids in regulation of
menstrual cycle and promotes mature
development of uterine lining to allow for
zygote implantation. Also produce ova, egg
cells, and bring them to maturity.
Name five physical changes
that take place in female
during puberty.
PUBERTY
• The menstrual cycle marks the beginning of puberty in females.
• The first episode occurs between 11 to 15 years of age referred to as
menarche.
• Menstruation- sloughing off of the uterine lining in conception has not
occurred. It may last within two to six days which follows a cycle ranging
from 24 to 42 years.
• Regardless of the length of the cycle, menstruation begins about 14 days after
ovulation (plus or minus one to two days).
• The overall cycle is governed by the hypothalamus as it monitors hormone
levels in the bloodstream.
• It involves changes in endometrium in response to the fluctuating blood
vessels of ovarian hormones. There are three phases as described and
shown in the figure below.
• Menstrual phase. This occurs if the ovum is not fertilized and does not implant
itself into the uterine lining.
• Proliferative phase- it occurs when the hypothalamus stimulates pituitary gland
to release FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) that stimulates the ovaries to
produce estrogen and causes ova to mature in the ovarian follicles.
Endometrium is repaired, thickens, and becomes well-vascularized in response
to increasing levels of estrogens.
• Secretory phase- it occurs when the pituitary gland releases LH (luteinizing
hormone) that causes the ovary to release the mature ovum and causes the
remaining portion of the follicle to develop into the corpus luteum. The corpus
luteum, produces progesterone. Endometrial glands begin to secrete nutrients,
and lining becomes more vascular in response to increasing level of
progesterone.
Female secondary sexual characteristics
emerge after puberty:
• Widening of hips and pelvis- accommodates
giving birth, but also results shift in center of
gravity.
• Enlargement of breasts- both the glandular
and fatty tissues of the breasts develop
considerably.
 More female characteristics:
• Generally shorter than men;
• Greater proportion of body weight composed of fat
than men;
• Two X chromosomes reduces expression of many
sex-linked conditions;
• Lower mortality rate at every age and longer
projected lifespan than men.
THE BIOLOGICAL MALE
 Male external genitalia consist of the
following structures:
• Prepuce- foreskin covering head of penis, removed in male
circumcision;
• Penis- glans (head), shaft, and root. The glans is particularly
sensitive to stimulation. During arousal, these become
engorged with blood, resulting erection;
• Corona- rim of glans where it arises its shaft;
• Frenulum- thin strip of skin connecting glans and shaft on
underside of penis;
• Scrotum- sac that encloses the two compartments housing the
testes;
• Urethral opening- found on head of penis
this is the end of tube connected to bladder
and used for urination. It also tube which
internal structures deliver semen by which
male ejaculates; and
• Perineum- area of skin separating the
genitalia from the anus, distance is greater
in males than females.
 The male internal reproductive organs:
• Testes- produce androgen, particularly large quantities of
testosterone, which greatly influence male development and
drive sexual motivation; also produce sperm cells in virtually
unlimited quantity over the entire course of the lifespan;
• Vas deferens- travels from testicle toward urethra carrying
sperm;
• Seminal vesicles- two glands that produce alkaline fluid rich in
fructose sugar, comprising some 70% of semen volume;
• Ejaculatory ducts- connect vas deferens to urethra;
 NAME FIVE PHYSICAL
CHANGES THAT TAKE
PLACE IN MALE DURING
PUBERTY
 • Prostate- gland producing alkaline secretions that
account for about 30% of semen volume; and
• Urethra- tube within penis that carries sperm and
semen the rest the way to the opening of the penis.
MORE MALE CHARACTERISTICS
• Generally taller and greater proportion of body weight composed of
water;
• Proportionately larger heart and lungs, presumably to handle greater
blood fluid volume;
• Exposure to greater levels of testosterone resulting in heavier body
and facial hair, but also increased frequency and degree of
baldness; and
• Single X chromosome resulting in sex-linked conditions such as
colorblindness and hemophilia.
MALE HORMONES
- testosterone is the major male hormone produced mainly by
the testes, but there are other glands called the adrenal glands
that also produce some testosterone.

MALE SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS THAT

EMERGE AFTER PUBERTY
• No monthly cycle;
• Elongation of vocal cords (lower voice)
• Broader shoulders; and
• Deeper chest cavity.
 LESSON 5: THE PROCESS OF
REPRODUCTION
• Ovulation- the process when a mature ovum is
released from the ovary and travels to the
fallopian tube for possible fertilization.
• Fertilization- union of the sperm and the ovum.
• Pregnancy- the process when an offspring
develops within the mother’s womb.
 HOW DOES ONE OVULATE?
• Major landmark of puberty among females is the onset of the
menstrual cycle, the monthly ovulation cycle that leads to
menstruation (loss of blood and tissues lining the uterus) in
the absence of pregnancy. The menstrual cycle is from the
first day of a period until the day before next period starts.

• It lasts around 28 days, on the average, but can be as short

as long as 40. Whatever the length, ovulation will happen
about 10-16 days before the start of the next period.
 HOW DOES PREGNANCY OCCUR?
• For pregnancy to proceed, the sperm needs to meet up with an
egg. Pregnancy officially starts when a fertilized egg implants in
the lining of the uterus. Pregnancy happens 2-3 weeks after
sexual intercourse.
• CONCEPTION- process begins with fertilization of an egg by the
sperm and ends in implantation.
• A normal pregnancy lasts 37-42 weeks (nine weeks). This is
measured from the first day of the last period. Pregnancy is
discussed in terms of trimesters (three-month periods), since
each trimester is very different from the rest. After eight weeks,
the embryo is officially to as a fetus.
..\..\..\Downloads\Conception explained.mp4
 WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT
PREGNANCY?
Teenage pregnancy has a tremendous impact on the
educational, social, and economic lives of young people.
Early parenting reduces the likelihood that a young
woman will complete high school and pursue the
necessary post-secondary education needed to compete
in today’s economy. Although there is a decline in
teenage pregnancy rates it has been steady over the past
two decades. Teen are still engaging in sexual activity
and teen girls are still getting pregnant.
 Equipping the youth with the knowledge,
skills, and attitudes necessary to protect
themselves against unwanted pregnancy and
provide them access to reproductive
healthcare are needed.
Chart for Contraception
Contraceptive implant
• A contraceptive implant is a flexible plastic rod about the size of
a matchstick that is placed under the skin of the upper arm.
• Contraceptive implants offer effective, long-term contraception.
• he contraceptive implant isn't contraindicated for use in women
who are overweight. However, it's possible the device may not
be as effective in women with a body mass index (BMI) above
30.
- The contraceptive implant can prevent
pregnancy for up to three years. It must
be removed and replaced at the three-
year point to continue offering protection
from unintended pregnancy.
- To remove the device, your health care
provider will inject a local anesthetic in
your arm beneath the implant. He or she
will make a small incision in your skin and
will push the implant toward the incision
until the tip is visible and can be grasped
with forceps.
- A contraceptive implant can prevent
pregnancy for up to three years. It must
be removed and replaced every three
years to continue prevent pregnancy.
 What are the health effects of early pregnancy
in the growing adolescent?
• There are serious health risks associated with early pregnancy because
a young woman’s body is not mature enough to handle bearing a child.
• “obstructed labor”- when a woman is under 20, the pelvic area (the
bone surrounding the birth canal) is still growing and may not be large
enough to allow the baby to easily pass through the birth canal.
• If a young woman is not physically mature, the uterus may tear during
the birth process, and she may die due to blood loss.
• “caesarian section”- a cut is made in the abdomen and the baby is
removed directly from the uterus.
• Fistula- when a baby’s head tear the vagina causing a hole between the
vagina and bladder or between the vagina and the rectum.
Younger women who become pregnant face a higher risk than older
women in developing a number complications. These complications
can be any or a combination of the following manifestations:
• Excessive vomiting;
• Severe anemia;
• Hypertensions;
• Convulsions;
• Difficulty in breast feeding (if the girl is too young to produce milk);
• Pre mature and low weight babies;
• Infection;
• Prolonged labor; and
• High maternal mortality death.
• Ages of 20-30 years are the safest period of women’s
life for child bearing.
• The major difference between girls in their early teens
and older women is that girls aged 12-16 years are
still growing.
• The pelvis, or the bony birth canal, of a girl can grow
wider by as much as 20% between the time she
begins menstruating and the time she is 16 years old.
• The widening of the pelvis can make the crucial
difference between a safe delivery and obstructed
labor.
OUTPUT #3
In a short coupon bond, draw a
mind map showing ways to avoid
the pressure to have sex.