Sex Organs: Structure, Function & Diseases

Sex organs are those structures in the body that allow determination of a person’s physical sex. Their main function is sexual reproduction.

What are sex organs?

Schematic diagram showing the anatomy of the male sex organs. Click to enlarge. Sexual organs are those orange by which the sex of a human being is predominantly determined and by which reproduction is made possible. Depending on their function, a distinction is made between sexual organs and reproductive organs. The sexual organs include, for example, the penis and vagina, while the reproductive organs include, among others, the uterus. Furthermore, a distinction is made between the primary sexual characteristics and the secondary sexual characteristics. The primary sexual characteristics are already present before birth and are used for reproduction. They include the vagina, fallopian tubes, uterus, testicles and penis. In comparison, the secondary sexual characteristics develop only in the course of puberty and are not directly related to reproduction. They include, among other things, the female breast and male chest or beard hair.

Anatomy and structure

The structure of the sex organs of females and males is visibly different, but they develop from the same tissue in the early embryonic stages. The differences between the sexes manifest themselves only as the fetus continues to develop. A newborn is identified as a girl or boy based on its external sex organs. A woman’s external sex organs are composed of the mons veneris, the labia majora and minora, the external clitoral area, and the vaginal opening. The breast tissue with the mammary glands is also part of the external sex organs. The external sex organs of males include the penis and the scrotum. The testes themselves, along with the epididymis, vas deferens, gonads, and prostate, are included in the internal male sex organs. In women, the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina are included in the internal sex organs.

Function and tasks

The main function of the male reproductive organs is to produce seminal fluid to fertilize an egg. Sperm cells are produced in the testes, which are stored in the epididymis. The testicles are located in the scrotum because the germ cells of males depend on a lower temperature than prevails in the body. After the production of seminal fluid in special glands and the prostate gland, it is transported through the vas deferens. The penis ensures that the sperm can actually penetrate deep into the vagina. However, the penis can only penetrate the vagina when it is stiff. This is possible because the penis consists of three erectile tissues in which blood can be stagnated. The tasks of the female reproductive organs are mainly related to the production of eggs and the creation of a suitable environment for carrying a child to term. The ovaries produce the oocytes, which are transported through the fallopian tubes towards the uterus. In the uterus, the fertilized egg can then implant and develop into a baby. The vagina serves as the entry port for the erect penis. The glans is primarily responsible for the sensation of sexual pleasure in men; in women, the pleasure center is the clitoris.

Diseases and complaints

There are a variety of problems and complaints that can occur in the intimate area. These can have a wide variety of causes. The most common is itching and pain in the genital area. If there is pain during urination, it may be a urinary tract infection. This is more common in women and can also lead to increased vaginal discharge. Men can also suffer from inflammation in the intimate area. These include inflammation of the glans or foreskin, prostatitis or testicular inflammation. It is not uncommon for men to suffer from so-called phimosis, i.e. a narrowing of the foreskin, in which the foreskin cannot be pulled over the glans. In addition to these gender-specific diseases, however, there are also genital complaints that occur in both men and women. These include, above all, sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis.If left undetected, these diseases can severely damage the body and even lead to infertility.