Our Sexual and Reproductive Anatomy

Our Sexual and
Reproductive Anatomy
Attitudes Toward Genitalia
How Do You Feel About Your Genetalia?
Attitude
Men
• Having
• How do you feel about female
positive, negative, or
mixed feelings or thoughts toward a
person, object, or idea
Women
• How do you feel about male
genitals?
• About your own genitals?
genitals?
• About your own genitals?
Why Is This Important?
• Research has found that attitudes
and feelings toward one’s genitalia
are related to sexual enjoyment.
External Female Anatomy
Vulva
• A term for the external female
genitalia, including:
• mons veneris
• labia majora
• labia minora
• clitoris
• clitoral hood
• vaginal opening
• urethral opening
External Female Anatomy
Mons Veneris
Description and Location
• The soft layer of fatty tissue overlaying
the area where the pubic bone comes
together
• covered with pubic hair
Function
• Covers and cushions the pubic bone
• Contains nerve endings: pleasurable to
the touch
External Female Anatomy
Labia Majora (outer lips)
Description and Location
• Elongated folds of skin that extend from
the mons to the perineum
Function
• Covers and protects the vaginal and
urethral openings
External Female Anatomy
Labia Minora (inner lips)
Description and Location
• Elongated folds of skin that meet at the
clitoral hood
Function
• Cover and protect the vaginal and
urethral openings
External Female Anatomy
Clitoral Hood
Description and Location
• The skin that covers and protects the
clitoris
Function
• During sexual stimulation it becomes
engorged with blood, becoming sensitive
and assisting with clitoral stimulation
External Female Anatomy
What is the only sex structure in men and women with no known
purpose other than to excite pleasure?
The Clitoris
External Female Anatomy
The Clitoris
Description and Location
• 1” long, and one-quarter inch diameter
of spongy tissue located above the urethral
opening
• Composed of two cylinders called the
“corpora cavernosa”
• “The glans” is the only visible part
• Developed from the same embryonic
tissue as the penis
Function
• The clitoris has as many nerve endings
as an entire penis, making it extremely
sensitive
External Female Anatomy
Sexual Arousal and Clitoral
Stimulation
• During sexual stimulation the
clitoris becomes engorged with blood
and increases in size
• The clitoris will pull back against
the pubic bone, disappearing from
view
• The penis does not come in direct
contact with the clitoris. The clitoris
is stimulated by the clitoral hood
rubbing back and forth
The Vaginal Opening
The Hymen
Bulbocavernosus Muscle
Description and Location
Description and Location
• A ring of sphincter muscles that
•A thin membrane that only partially seals
surrounds the vaginal opening
the vagina (it has a central opening)
Function
Function
• Keeps the vaginal opening loosely closed • Separates the vaginal opening and
most of the time
urinary tract system during fetal
development
Internal Female Anatomy (Sexual)
The Vagina
Sexual Arousal and the Vagina
Description and Location
• In an unstimulated state, the vagina is
• Located behind the bladder and in front
3-5 inches long and the walls are
collapsed
of the rectum
Function
• Serves as the depository for sperm
during intercourse, as well as the birth
canal
• Only after a woman becomes aroused
does the vagina expand to accommodate
a penis
Internal Female Anatomy (Sexual)
The “PC” Muscle
Description and Location
• A large muscle that surrounds the
vagina
Function
• Innervated with nerves; transmits
sensation of penetration
• Contraction increases friction
Internal Female Anatomy
Internal Female Anatomy
(Reproductive)
Cervix
Description and Location
• The round structure between the vagina
and uterus
Function
• Servers as a barrier between the vagina
and the uterus
• Allows the passage of sperm,
endometrial tissue, and fetuses
Internal Female Anatomy
(Reproductive)
The Uterus (tiny but powerful)
Description and Location
• Measures 3 x 3 inches long, but is
capable of expanding to accommodate a
fetus
Function
• A fertilized egg will attach itself to the
wall of the uterus and from there develop
Internal Female Anatomy
(Reproductive)
Fallopian Tubes
Description and Location
• Extent 4 inches laterally to the side of
the uterus toward the ovaries. Fallopian
tubes do not actually touch the ovary
Function
• Fimbria from fallopian tubes “pick up”
an egg that has been expelled from an
ovary
Internal Female Anatomy
(Reproductive)
The Ovaries
Description and Location
• Female gonad – developed from the
same embryonic material as the testicles
Function
1. To produce eggs (ova)
2. To produce female hormones (estrogen
and progesterone)
External Male Anatomy
Circumcised (left) and uncircumcised (right)
External Male Anatomy
The Penis
The Penis: Internal Structure
Description
Description
• Average size flaccid: 3.75”
• Average size erect: 4.5 – 6”
• Corpora cavernosa
• Parallel cylinders of spongy tissue
that run along the top of the shaft
Function
1. Expel urine
2. Expel and deposit sperm
• Corpora spongiosum
• Cylinder of spongy tissue
surrounding the urethra
Function
• Become tumescent (swell with blood
to create an erection)
External Male Anatomy
External Male Anatomy
The Glans
The Corona
Description and Location
Description and Location
• The round, smooth head of the penis
• The raised rim at the border of the
Function
• Pleasurable to the touch
shaft and the glans
Function
• Most sensitive area of the penis
External Male Anatomy
The Scrotum
Description
• The pouch beneath the penis that
contains the testicles
Function
• Contains muscle fibers and sweat
glands to maintain the temp. (93
degrees)
Internal Male Anatomy
Male Internal Anatomy
The Testicles
Description
• Male gonads – develop from the same
embryonic tissue as the ovaries
Function
1. To produce sperm
2. To produce hormones (testosterone)
Male Internal Anatomy
The Duct System
Four Parts
1. The Epididymis
Description and Location
• Elongated cord structure at the back of
the testicles
Function
• Location where sperm mature
Male Internal Anatomy
The Duct System
2. Vas Deferens
Description and Location
• 14 – 16” cord that carries the sperm
from the epididymis to the seminal
vesicles
Function
1. To transport sperm out of the body
Male Internal Anatomy
The Duct System
3. Ejaculatory Ducts
Description and Location
• One-inch long paired tubes that pass
through the prostate gland
Function
• To carry sperm through the prostate
where it mixes with fluids from the
prostate and the seminal vesicles to form
semen
Male Internal Anatomy
The Duct System
4. Urethra
Description and Location
• Passage way from the bladder to the
exterior of the body
Function
• Expel urine
• Expel semen
The Internal Male Anatormy
Semen is just 1% Sperm!
Seminal Vesicles
Description and Location
• Two structures located between the
bladder and the rectum
Function
• Produces 70% of the volume of semen
• Produces fructose (sugar) bases
The Internal Male Anatomy
Semen is just 1% Sperm!
The Prostate Gland
Description and Location
• Gland located near the front of the
rectum
Function
• Produces 30% of the volume of semen
(sugars, vitamins, chemicals for
coagulation)
• Stimulation is pleasurable
The Internal Male Anatomy
Semen is just 1% Sperm!
Cowper’s Gland
Description and Location
• Gland located below the prostate
Function
• Secretes alkaline fluid (a base) prior to
ejaculation (i.e., pre-come)
Male Circumcision
Historical Origins
It Began As A Ritual
It Began As A Ritual
• Dates back as far as 4000 B.C. in Egypt
• Evidence from mummies
• Adopted as a religious rite :
• Jewish: “Boys are circumcised on the
•0 – 1400 A.D. Practice of circumcision
8th
day of life to symbolize the covenant
with God made by Abraham (Genesis
17:9-14)
•Muslim: “Boys are also often
circumcised as a religious ceremony,
often at 13 years of age”
• Jesus was circumcised (in accordance
with Jewish practice), but Christianity
has gone back on forth on the topic
spread across the world as a religious
ritual
• 1400 – 1600s (The Renaissance)
Foreskin gained popularity as being a
pleasurable appendage; incidence of
circumcision declined
Male Circumcision
Historical Origins
And Then Came the Puritans
• 1700’s: attitudes toward sexual
behavior became more conservative
• Highly negative attitude toward
masturbation
• Circumcision became widely practiced
in the USA and England as an means to
prevent boys from masturbating
Male Circumcision
Historical Origins
A Medical Era
• Mid 1800’s: Following the antimasturbation motives, the medical
community adopted circumcision as a
routine practice for the sake of good
hygiene
The 1900’s
• Circumcision rates reached their peak
in England (and the rest of the
Western/English-speaking world) during
the 1950’s and have since fallen sharply
• In the USA, however, circumcision
rates continued to increase, peaking
during the 1970’s at 90%
Male Circumcision
Some Facts
We’re Alone On This One…
• The USA is the only remaining
developed country that still widely
practices routine circumcision
• Today, 60 – 70% of male infants born
in the USA are circumcised
• Fewer than 25% of boys are
circumcised in England, Canada, New
Zealand, and Australia
• 80 – 85% of men throughout the world
are uncircumcised
Male Circumcision - Australia
Year
1930
1935
1940
1945
1950
1955
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
Percentage of Males
Being Circumcised
61
67
73
79
84
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
11
12
Male Circumcision
Argument FOR circumcision
Health Benefits
Health Benefits
• Circumcised infants are 5 – 20 times
• Debated: May reduce the risk of
less likely to get a urinary tract infection
contracting and transmitting several
STI’s including HIV
• In rare instances urinary tract
infections can lead to kidney
damage
• Young boys (5 – 12 yrs): Less likely to
get infections caused by bacteria from
poor hygiene
• Foreskin secretes oily fluid,
creates smegma
• Eliminates chance of Phimosis: when
the foreskin is too small, causing painful
erections
Other Reasons
• Cosmetic purposes
• Desire to have child be “normal”
Male Circumcision
Argument AGAINST circumcision
Decreased Sensitivity
• 15 square inches of nerve-rich tissue is
removed
Unnecessary Practice
• With minimal hygiene efforts
infections can be prevented
• Costly ($100 or more and some
insurance providers won’t cover
circumcision)
• Chance of complications during
surgery (hemorrhage/infection)
• 1999: The American Academy of
Pediatrics declared a formal opposition
to routine circumcision
Do Your Kegels!
Women
Purpose
Practicing Kegels
• Exercise to strengthen the PC muscles
• Contract the PC muscles for 3-10
(the muscles surrounding the vagina)
seconds, then relax the muscles for 3-10
seconds for 10 repetitions.
• Regain muscle strength after childbirth
• More control/pleasure during sexual
intercourse
How To Do Them
• To learn what it feels like to contract
the PC muscle, stop urination with your
legs open
• After the PC muscle is identified, insert
a finger into the vagina and contract the
PC muscle until you feel it squeeze the
finger
• Repeat several times per day
Do your kegels!
Men
Purpose
• Exercise to strengthen the sphincter
muscles
• More control/pleasure during anal
intercourse
Practicing Kegels
• Contract the PC muscles for 3-10
seconds, then relax the muscles for 3-10
seconds for 10 repetitions.
• Repeat several times per day