BIOMEDICAL PERSPECTIVE

IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY

LESSON OUTCOMES
1. Differentiate the female and the male
reproductive systems
Process of producing offsprings
External sex organs
Each person has a pair of gonads

Ovaries are the Female Gonads

Testes are the Male Gonads

The Gonads
THE BIOLOGICAL FEMALE
1. VULVA All the external genital structures taken
together.

2. MONS VENERIS Pads of fatty tissue between pubic bone and

skin

3. LABIA MAJORA Outer lips surrounding all the other structures

4. PREPUCE Clitoral Hood (foreskin above and covering

clitoris)

5. CLITORIS Glans (Head), Shaft, and Crura (Root). The

clitoris is particularly sensitive to stimulation.

6. LABIA MINORA Inner lips surrounding the vestibule where

sweat and oil glands, extensive blood vessels
and nerve endings are located.
7. VESTIBULE Area surrounding the urethral opening and
vagina which is highly sensitive with extensive
blood vessels and nerve endings
The female external genitalia
8. URETHRAL OPENING End of tube connecting to bladder and
used for urination

9. VAGINAL OPENING Also called INTROITUS

10. PERINEUM Area of skin separating the genitalia from

the anus, distance is less in females than
males
• The female internal reproductive structures
1. VAGINA Collapsible canal extending from vaginal
opening back and upward into body to
cervix and uterus. During arousal it is
engorged with blood. This aids its
expansion and triggers the release of
lubricants from vaginal mucosa.
2. CERVIX Small end of uterus to which vagina leads.
Is the opening in cervix leading to interior
of uterus.
3. UTERUS Womb, organ within pelvic zone where
fetus is carried
4. FALLOPIAN TUBES Carry egg cells from ovaries to uterus,
this is where fertilization occurs
5. OVARIES Produce estrogens and progesterone.
Produce ova, egg cells, and bring them to
maturity. As many as 1 million immature
ova are present at birth, with about
400,000 surviving to puberty. 400-450 are
brought to maturity and released into the
fallopian tubes
PUBERTY
MENSTRUAL CYCLE
• First episode occurs 11 to 15 years of age
referred as MENARCHE
• Menstruation pertains to the sloughing off of
the uterine lining if conception has not
occurred.
• It may last within two to six days which follows
cycle ranging from 24-42 days
• Menstruation begins about 14 days after
ovulation (plus or minus 1-2 days)
Age 45-50, a woman stops
menstruating as ova are
no longer brought to
maturity.

3-4 years of this

transition, women may
experience hot flashes,
night sweats, sleep
disturbances (resulting in
fatigue, irritability, short-
term memory loss,
difficult concentrating),
headache, anxiety,
depression, and difficulty
becoming sexually
aroused.
1. Generally shorter than men.
2. Greater proportion of body weight composed
of fat than men.
3. Two X chromosomes reduces expression of
many sex-linked conditions.
4. Lower mortality rate at every age, and longer
projected lifespan than men.
THE BIOLOGICAL MALE
1. PREPUCE Foreskin covering head of penis. Removed in
male circumcision.

2. PENIS Glans (head), Shaft, and Root. The glans is

particularly sensitive to simulation. Running the
length of the penis is the urethra surrounded by
the spongy body, the two cylindrical chambers
known as the cavernous bodies. During arousal
these become engorged with blood, resulting in
erection.
3. CORONA Rim of Glans where it arises from shaft

4. FRENULUM Thin strip of skin connecting glans and shaft on

underside of penis.

5. SCROTUM Sac that encloses the two compartments

housing the testes.
6. URETHRAL OPENING Found on the head of penis this is end of
tube connected to bladder and used for
urination. It is also tube to which internal
structures deliver semen by which male
ejaculates.
7. PERINUEM Area of skin separating the genitalia from
the anus, distance is greater in males than
females.
1. TESTIS Produce androgens, 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.
2. VAS DEFERENS Travels from testicle toward urethra
carrying sperm.

3. SEMINAL VESICLES Two glands that produce alkaline fluid

rich in fructose sugar, comprising
some 70% of semen volume. Alkaline
nature may stimulate sperm to start
self-propulsion and sugar may provide
sperm nutrients. Ducts carry fluid and
connect with Vas Deference forming
Ejaculatory Ducts.
4. EJACULATORY DUCTS Connects Vas Deferens to Urethra
5. PROSTATE Gland producing alkaline secretions
that account for about 30% of semen
volume. Alkaline nature may help
counteract otherwise acidic
environment of urethra and vagina
making them more hospitable for
sperm. Fluid passes through series of
ducts along wall of urethra.
6. URETHRA Tube within Penis that carries sperm
and semen the rest of 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 results in heavier body
and facial hair, but also increased
frequency and degree of baldness.
• Single X chromosomes result in
sex-linked conditions such as
colorblindness and hemophilia
MALE
HORMONES
TESTOSTERONE
Responsible for the
growth and
development of a boy
during adolescence and
for the development of
sperm and secondary
sexual characteristics.
Male Secondary Sexual Characteristics
emerge after Puberty
• No monthly cycle
• Elongation of vocal cords (lower voice)
• Broader shoulders
• Deeper chest cavity