VMBO Year 2 · HAVO/VWO Years 2–3 · Reproduction and sexuality · Section 4.1
Reproductive organs
Sex characteristics
A baby's sex is usually recorded at birth using visible sex characteristics. Primary sex characteristics are present from birth, including the penis and scrotum in typical male anatomy, and the vulva in typical female anatomy.
The vulva includes the labia, clitoral glans and vaginal opening. Other reproductive structures lie inside the body.
Intersex describes variations in sex characteristics that do not fit typical definitions of male or female bodies. These variations may involve chromosomes, hormones or anatomy and may be noticed at birth or later. Gender identity is a separate aspect of a person. Health needs vary between individuals.
External reproductive organs
The reproductive system includes organs involved in reproduction. Some structures are visible externally.
Typical female external anatomy
The vulva includes:
- Clitoral glans: The sensitive external tip of the clitoris, partly covered by the clitoral hood.
- Inner labia: Folds of skin around the urethral and vaginal openings.
- Outer labia: Outer skin folds that usually develop hair during puberty.
Labia vary naturally in size, shape and colour. Inner labia may extend beyond the outer labia; neither arrangement is more normal.
Typical male external anatomy
- Penis: Contains a sensitive glans, often covered by a foreskin.
- Scrotum: A pouch of skin containing the testes and associated structures. Its appearance and hair coverage vary.
Typical female internal anatomy
The uterus, oviducts and ovaries form much of the internal reproductive system. The ovaries contain immature egg cells.
The vagina is the canal leading towards the cervix and uterus. Near its entrance there may be a variable rim of tissue called the hymen. Its appearance does not show whether someone has had sex.
Most of the clitoris lies internally and includes erectile tissue that fills with blood during arousal.
Typical male internal anatomy
The penis also contains erectile tissue. The testes produce sperm cells. The epididymides, lying alongside them, allow sperm to mature and be stored temporarily.
The sperm ducts carry sperm towards the pelvic reproductive glands, including the prostate. Semen leaves through the urethra, which runs through the penis.
Glossary
- Scrotum
- The skin pouch containing the testes and epididymides.
- Uterus
- The organ in which an implanted embryo can develop during pregnancy.
- Epididymides
- Coiled structures beside the testes where sperm mature and are stored temporarily.
- Inner labia
- Skin folds around the urethral and vaginal openings.
- Outer labia
- Outer skin folds of the vulva, usually hair-bearing after puberty.
- Clitoris
- A sensitive organ involved in sexual sensation, with both external and internal parts.
- Clitoral glans
- The sensitive external tip of the clitoris.
- Clitoral hood
- The fold of skin partly covering the clitoral glans.
- Egg cells
- Female sex cells, or ova.
- Glans penis
- The sensitive tip of the penis.
- Oviducts
- Tubes through which an egg can travel towards the uterus; also called fallopian tubes.
- Ovaries
- Organs containing developing egg cells and producing reproductive hormones.
- Sex
- Biological characteristics involving reproductive anatomy, chromosomes and hormones, commonly described as male or female, with natural variations.
- Sex characteristics
- Physical features associated with biological sex.
- Reproductive organs
- Structures involved in reproduction.
- Intersex
- An umbrella term for variations in sex characteristics outside typical male or female patterns.
- Hymen
- A variable rim or fold of tissue near the vaginal entrance.
- Penis
- An organ through which urine and, during ejaculation, semen leave the body.
- Primary sex characteristics
- Sex characteristics present from birth.
- Testes
- Organs producing sperm cells and hormones such as testosterone.
- Urethra
- The tube carrying urine out of the body; in typical male anatomy it also carries semen at a different time.
- Vagina
- The canal connecting the external vaginal opening to the cervix.
- Reproductive system
- The organs and structures involved in reproduction.
- Foreskin
- The fold of skin covering the glans penis when present.
- Vulva
- The external genital structures of typical female anatomy.
- Sperm ducts
- Tubes transporting sperm from the epididymides towards the ejaculatory ducts.
- Erectile tissue
- Tissue that fills with blood during sexual arousal.