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Sexual Systems I: Parts

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Sex Assigned At Birth

• Sex assigned at birth is when you’re born and the doctor looks at your genitals and says, “It’s a _____!”
• Usually depends on chromosomes, hormones, and genitals
• This is NOT the same as gender!

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Path A & Path B

Variation - Intersex

• Sometimes babies are born intersex, meaning they have internal or external genitals, chromosomes, or hormones that don’t fit the definitions of “male” or “female”
• Examples:
• Someone is born with a pronounced clitoris
• Someone is born with genitals that appear to be a vulva on the outside, but have internal anatomy that’s typical of someone assigned male at birth

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All of it is normal!

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Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum

Path A: Outside Parts

Path A: Vulva

• The vulva is all “outside” genitals combined for someone assigned female at birth
• Includes labias, clitoris, urethra, vagina

Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum

Path A: Labia

• The labia are the folds of skin and tissue on the outside and inside of the vulva
• Protect the openings to the body (urethra and vagina)
• Often called “lips”

LABIA

Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum

Path A: Clitoris

• The clitoris is a highly sensitive part that is made of tissue that can become erect during arousal
• The clitoris is very small on the outside but extends into the body along the side of the vagina

CLITORISS

Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum

Path A: Vagina, Urethra & Anus

• The opening to the vagina is right under the urethra and leads to the vaginal canal. Allows things to go in and out for sexual & reproductive purposes
• Urethra is where urine comes out, connects bladder to outside the body

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URETHRA

ANUS

VAGINA

Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum

Path A: Inside Parts

Path A: Uterus

• The uterus is where a fetus grows during pregnancy
• Contracts during orgasm and childbirth
• When you cramp during your period, this is what’s contracting to shed uterine lining
• Base of uterus is called the cervix, which connects to vagina

UTERUS

Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum

Path A: Ovary

• The ovary contains eggs (sex cells)
• When an egg is fertilized by sperm, will divide – this is what sometimes results in pregnancy
• During puberty, starts releasing eggs (usually one a month)

OVARY

Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum

Path A: Fallopian Tubes

• The fallopian tube is how an egg reaches the uterus

FALLOPIAN� TUBES

Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum

Path A: Vagina

• The vagina is a stretchy passage that connects the vulva and uterus
• Will often become wet during arousal
• The vagina is stretchy and designed for someone to give birth to a baby through

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VAGINA

Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum

Path B: Outside & Inside Parts

Path B: Penis

• The penis is where urine and semen come out
• Lined with nerve endings
• Made of tissue that fills with blood when aroused
• Similar to the clitoris

PENIS

Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum

Path B: Foreskin

• Covers and protects the head of the penis

FORESKIN

Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum

What is circumcision?

• A surgery where the foreskin is cut from the penis, exposing the tip
• Often done on babies, but people can choose to be circumcised as adults
• Circumcision isn’t medically necessary, but some choose to do it for cultural or religious reasons

UNCIRCUMCISED

CIRCUMCISED

FORESKIN

Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum

Path B: Testicle & Scrotum

• The testicle is where sperm is produced
• Where testosterone is produced
• Sperm need to be a lower temperature than your body, which is why the testicles are outside the body
• Testicles are held in the scrotum

TESTICLE

SCROTUM

Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum

Path B: Epididymis

• Holds sperm as they mature

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EPIDIDYMIS

Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum

Path B: Vas Deferens

• Tube that carries sperm from epididymis to gland that makes semen

VAS DEFERENS

Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum

Path B: Seminal Vesicle

• Produces fluid that contributes to sperm

SEMINAL

VESICLE

Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum

Path B: Prostate Gland

• Contracts to add to semen
• Helps protect semen during ejaculations

PROSTATE

GLAND

Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum

Path B: Urethra

• Tube through which urine and semen leave body
• Cannot release urine and semen at the same time

URETHRA

Adapted from San Francisco Unified School District’s Be Real. Be Ready curriculum