What’s a reproductive system?

Sex and Sexuality

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by Sammy Mack (whyzz expert) >> more about the author

Reproductive systems, sometimes called sexual organs, are the sets of organs humans need to make a baby or “reproduce” (that’s where we get the name!). They are also the body parts that make men and women physically different from one another.

A man’s reproductive system includes the penis, testicles, vas deferens and prostate. Most of a man’s reproductive system—including penis and testicles—is outside his body.

A woman’s reproductive system is made up of a vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and breasts. Unlike men, most of a woman’s reproductive system is located inside her body through an opening between her legs. This opening connects several of her reproductive parts to her uterus, which is where a baby grows during pregnancy. The uterus is pretty close to the stomach, which is why it sometimes looks like a pregnant woman has a baby in her tummy.

One male and one female system are needed to reproduce, and that is why boys and girls have certain body parts that are different.

- In males, most of the reproductive system is visible on the outside of the body. The testicles are located in the scrotum, a sac of skin between a man’s legs and underneath his penis. This is where the body produces sperm, the small cells that carry half the genes a baby will inherit from a parent. The vas deferens and prostate are part of a duct system that functions to help transport sperm out of the body through the penis.

- In a woman, most of the reproductive system is located inside the body. The vulva, the opening to the vagina, is located between a woman’s legs, below a smaller opening, called the urethra. The vagina is a tube that connects to the cervix, which is the opening of the uterus. On either side of the uterus, there are fallopian tubes connected to ovaries. Ovaries are home to the ova, the eggs that carry the other half of the genetic material a baby will inherit from a parent!

- Even though boys and girls are born with these reproductive systems, the organs don’t become functional until they’ve matured and gone through puberty.

How do other animals reproduce?

Some animals, like humans, give birth to their young. Some animals lay eggs that hatch later. What other animals can you think of that give birth? Which ones lay eggs?