A New Life Has Begun Trivia Quiz

Answer: Ovary

Medical professionals estimate that there are about one million eggs in the ovaries of newborn girls. That number drops until adolescence when there are an estimated 300,000 eggs in the ovaries. Each month, it is typical for one egg to be released midway through the menstrual cycle. If that egg is not fertilized, menstruation occurs. If it is fertilized, pregnancy occurs. If multiple eggs are released and fertilized, fraternal (non-identical) births can occur.

The ovaries are also responsible for making the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Answer: Testes

The testes are two organs that hang outside the male body below the penis. They are each about the size of a large olive. The testes are responsible for making sperm. A sperm cell must enter a female egg in order for fertilization and pregnancy to occur.

The testes also make testosterone, a hormone that is important during adolescence. It is responsible for developing muscles, deepening the voice, and growing body hair during that time.

Answer: Fallopian tubes

Most women have two fallopian tubes. Each tube is 10-13 cm (4-5 inches) long and 0.5-1.2 cm (0.2-0.6 inch) in diameter. The fallopian tubes transport the egg, or ova, from the ovary every month. In most cases, sperm will fertilize the egg while it is in the fallopian tube as it travels down to be implanted in the uterus. If the fertilized egg implants in the fallopian tube, that is called an ectopic pregnancy and is dangerous due to the possibility of rupture caused by the growing fetus.

In most cases, those pregnancies are medically terminated. Permanent contraception can be obtained by blocking the ends of these tubes.

Answer: Urethra

The male urethra is a tube that runs through the penis. It connects with the bladder and allows urine to pass through when the bladder is full. The urethra also acts as a passageway for semen and sperm to pass through during sexual acts. When men experience orgasms and the penis is inside a woman's vagina, sperm travels into her womb, increasing the likelihood that one or more sperm cells will fertilize an egg(s) that has been released by the woman.

Answer: Epididymis

The epididymis is a coiled tube that rests on the back side of each testicle. Sperm that is produced in the testes remains immature and not capable of fertilizing the eggs that are released by the female. It remains immature until it passes through the epididymis. During sexual arousal, small muscles contract and force the now-mature sperm from the epididymis on its journey towards the urethra in preparation for ejaculation.

Answer: Endometrium

The endometrium is a thin layer that lines the uterus in preparation for implantation of a fertilized egg. If an egg does implant in the uterus, the endometrium helps to maintain a healthy pregnancy by supplementing oxygen and nutrients to the growing fetus. If implantation does not occur, the endometrium swells and sheds from the body during menstruation, and a new uterine lining is formed.

Answer: Vagina

The vagina is a tube that receives the penis during procreation. It is also the tube that leads from the body that allows babies to leave the womb during childbirth. The vagina can change in size and shape. For example, if a woman is not sexually aroused, the vagina is typically 5-10 cm long (2-4 inches).

However, if sexual arousal or childbirth is occurring, the vagina can stretch to approximately 20 cm (8 inches) long.

Answer: Cowper's glands

There are two bulbourethral glands in the male reproductive system. These are also called Cowper's glands. They are about the size and shape of a pea, and are located at the internal base of the penis. Their main function is to add fluids to the semen during ejaculation. This enhances the motility of the sperm.

Answer: Scrotum

The scrotum is a sac of skin in which the testes rest. The testes make sperm. In order to efficiently do that, they must be a few degrees cooler than the inside of the body. The scrotum helps with this by keeping the testes outside of the body. The scrotum also provides some protection to the testes.

Answer: Cervix

The cervix is a very important part of the female reproductive system. It lies at the base of the uterus. When women are fertile during their menstrual cycles, the cervix produces something called cervical mucus that helps sperm to travel along towards the uterus and fallopian tubes.

It also provides protection to the uterus from bacteria and other foreign objects. The cervix opens during the birthing process to allow the baby to pass through.