!Reproductive System - Overview
The  genital or sexual organs secure the ability to reproduce and thus, the survival of the kind by recombination of genetic material.

!!!Male
The major reproductive organs of the male can be grouped into three categories. 
*__Sperm production and storage __. 
Production takes place in the ((Reproductive - Ovary Testicle Germ Cells|testes)) which are housed in the temperature regulating scrotum, immature sperm then travel to the ((Reproductive - Seminal Duct, Prostate Ducts, Seminal Vesicle|epididymis)) for development and storage. 
*__Ejaculate production__ 
The ((Reproductive - Seminal Duct, Prostate Ducts, Seminal Vesicle|seminal vesicle)),  ((Reproductive - Prostate Gland|prostate gland)), and Cowper's gland secrete the medium for lubrication and transport of sperm.
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*__Copulation__ 
The ((Reproductive - Seminal Duct, Prostate Ducts, Seminal Vesicle|vas deferens)) connect testicles and urethra in the area of the prostate: The urethra has a double function of urination and ejaculation. The ((Reproductive - Penis Overview|penis)) features ((Reproductive - Penis - Cavernous Body|cavernous bodie))s for erection and stiffening in order to copulate. The erection happens upon sexual arousal, as a neuronal and hormonal reaction triggered by signals of the ((Nervous - Brain|limbic system)).
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The male sexual hormones (androgens) are produced in ((Reproductive - Testicles (Hormone production)|testes)) and ((Endocrine - Adrenal Gland - Cortex|adrenal cortex)), and induce the development of secondary sexual characteristics: larger, more muscular stature, deepened voice, facial and body hair, broad shoulders, and development of an adam's apple (thyroid cartilage in the larynx).




!!!Female
The female reproductive organs fulfill the functions of:
*__Production and storage of germ cells__ 
Each ovary contains hundreds of ((Reproductive - Ovary Testicle Germ Cells|egg cells)). Approximately every 28 days, the ((Endocrine - Pituitary Gland - Anterior Lobe|pituitary gland)) releases luteinizing hormone that stimulates some of the ova to develop and grow. One ovum is released and it passes through the ((Reproductive - Fallopian Tubes|fallopian tube)) into the ((Reproductive - Uterus Overview|uterus)). Hormones produced by the ((Reproductive - Ovaries - Hormone Production|ovaries)) prepare the uterus to receive the ovum. The lining of the uterus, called the ((Reproductive - Uterus - Endometrium|endometrium)), and unfertilized ova are shed each cycle through the process of menstruation. 
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*__Conception and pregnancy__
The outer genital organs are the vulva, the ((Reproductive - Vagina|vaginal)) opening and the ((Reproductive - clitoris|clitoris)). Sexual arousal leads to receptiveness for the male penis and the secretion of lubricant in the ((Reproductive - Vagina - Bartholini Glands|Bartholin glands)). When the ovum is fertilized by sperm, it attaches to the endometrium of the uterus, and the fetus develops.
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*__Nourishment and equipment of the baby__
In the womb, the baby is connected to the mother's bloodstream via the ((Reproductive - Navel |umbilical)) cord. After birth, the female ((Reproductive - Mammary Glands|breast)) produces milk to nourish the baby and to support the building up of it's immune system by maternal passive immunity.
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!!!Hormones
Sex steroids, also known as gonadal steroids, are steroid hormones that interact with androgen or estrogen receptors.The term sex hormone is nearly always synonymous with sex steroid. The non-steroid hormones luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone are usually not regarded as sex hormones, although they play major sex-related roles. Natural sex steroids are made by the gonads (((Reproductive - Ovaries - Hormone Production|ovaries)) or ((Reproductive - Testicles (Hormone production)|testes))), by ((Endocrine - Adrenal Gland - Cortex|adrenal glands)), or by conversion from other sex steroids in other tissue such as ((Digestive - Liver - Parenchyma|liver)) or ((Integumentary - Skin - Adipose Tissue|fat)). In general, androgens like __testosterone__ are considered "male sex hormones", since they have masculinizing effects, while __estrogens__ and __progestogens__ are considered "female sex hormones" although all types are present in each sex, albeit at different levels.

Other relevant hormones in sexual behaviour are
*__Oxytocin__, which is released in orgasm and in cuddling. It regulates stress and pain evaluation, and induces labours in childbirth.    
* __Vasopressin__ (Antidiuretic hormone ADH) narrows Vessels and promotes water retention (see ((Urinary - Kidneys - Collecting Tubules|KCT)) ). In men, it is also released after copulation, and causes bonding to the female partner - it is also called the "monogamy hormone".

Both hormones are produced in the hypothalamus and the ((Endocrine - Pituitary Gland - Posterior Lobe|posterior pituitary)). 

The release of estrogen and testosterone is influenced by the territorial relays situated in the insular regions of the cerebral cortex: conflict activity in the left hemisphere decreases the release of estrogen, stress in the right insular hemisphere decreases the release of testosterone. Also oxytocin and vasopressin seem to play a major role in territorial conflicts and social behaviour.

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!!META-Organ tissues

From a META-Point of View we distinguish several organs and organ tissues in the reproductive system based on their unique stress-emotion-belief associations and brain relay locations.

*((Reproductive - Navel |Navel - Umbilicus)) (BS +/-): Excretion, Expulsion
	
*((Reproductive - Penis - Glans and Foreskin|Penis Glans and Foreskin)) (CC -/+): Sexual Contact
	
*((Reproductive - Penis - Cavernous Body|Penis Cavernous Body)) (CM -/+): Sexual Self-Devaluation
	
*((Reproductive - Penis - Dermis and Sebaceous Glands|Penis Dermis and Sebaceous Glands)) (CB -/+): Protection of the Penis
	
*((Reproductive - Prostate Gland|Prostate Gland)) (BS +/-): Caring Control, being in Charge, Manliness
	
*((Reproductive - Seminal Duct, Prostate Ducts, Seminal Vesicle|Prostate Ducts)) (CC -/+): Loss of Territory, Loss of Love
	
*((Reproductive - Seminal Duct, Prostate Ducts, Seminal Vesicle|Seminal Vesicle)) (CC -/+): Loss of Territory, Loss of Love
	
*((Reproductive - Testicles (Hormone production)|Testicle - Hormone production)) (CM -/+): Loss of a dear person
	 
*((Reproductive - Ovary Testicle Germ Cells|Testicle - Germ Cells)) (BS +/-): Loss of a family member
	 
*((Reproductive - Ovaries - Hormone Production|Ovaries - Hormone Production)) (CM -/+): Loss of a dear person
	
*((Reproductive - Ovary Testicle Germ Cells|Ovaries - Germ Cells)) (BS +/-): Loss of a family member
	
*((Reproductive - Uterus - Endometrium|Uterus - Endometrium)) (BS +/-):  Loss of a Person or Ugly Conflict with Sexual nuance
	
*((Reproductive - Fallopian Tubes|Uterus - Fallopian Tubes)) (BS +/-):  Loss of a Person or Ugly Conflict with Sexual nuance
	
*((Reproductive - Uterus - Mouth and Neck|Uterus - Cervix &amp; Mouth)) (CC -/+): Loss of Love, Sexual Frustration
	
*((Reproductive - Uterus - Myometrium|Uterus - Myometrium)) (MB +/-): Pregnancy or Family Self-Devaluation 
	
*((Reproductive - Vagina|Vagina - Mucosa)) (CC -/+): Sexual Conflict
	
*((Reproductive - Vagina - Bartholini Glands|Vagina - Bartholini Glands)) (CB +/-): Protection/Lubrication of Vagina

*((Reproductive - clitoris|Clitoris)) (CC/CM -/+): Sexual Self-worth, sexual contact, sexual position
	
*((Reproductive - Mammary Glands|Mammary Gland)) (CB +/-): Caring, Worry, Argument
	
* ((Reproductive - Milk Ducts and Mamilla|Milk Ducts and Mamilla)) (CC -/+): Caring, Loss of Touch
	
The __sexual hormone balance__ is influenced by the cortical relays for territorial and sexual perception:

*((Respiratory - Larynx Mucosa |Larynx Mucosa &amp; Muscle)) (CC -/+): Fear of competition, Speechlessness
	
*((Respiratory - Bronchial Mucosa and Muscle|Bronchial Mucosa &amp; Muscle)) (CC -/+): Fear of competition, Speechlessness
	
*((Circulatory - Coronary Arteries (Intima)|Coronary Arteries)) (CC -/+): Loss of Territory, Loss of Love
	
*((Circulatory - Coronary Veins (intima)|Coronary Veins)) (CC -/+): Loss of Territory, Loss of Love
	
*((Digestive - Anal Mucosa (squamous epithelium)|Rectum/Anal Mucosa &amp; Sphincter)) (CC -/+): Identity, Territorial Anger
	
*((Digestive - Stomach - Mucosa (Lesser Curvature and Pylorus)|Stomach, Duodenum, Gallbladder and Pancreas Mucosae)) (CC -/+): Identity, Territorial Anger
	
*((Urinary tract - Mucosa (Urothelium)|Ureter, Bladder &amp; Uretha Mucosae and Urethral Sphincter)) (CC -/+): Territory-Marking, Boundaries
	
