This is the last exercise in the thorax abdomen and pelvis unit. The pelvic cavity, its contents and their supportive structures will be investigated here.

The pelvic cavity located at the inferior end of the abdominal cavity houses organs of the urinary, reproductive and digestive system. The dominating organ system in the pelvic cavity is the reproductive or genital system.

The organs of the reproductive system are absolutely crucial to human survival. These organs produce the biochemicals (hormones) that make women, women and men, men. The DNA capable of producing exact genetic replicas of ourselves originate in the reproductive organs. The anatomical differences of the male and female allow the most intimate of all human interactions. Once conceived, the female reproductive organs can sustain the delicate developing human embryo until it is ready to survive in the environment outside the womb.

Life begins, develops, and journeys to this world within the reproductive organs.

During development, the reproductive and urinary systems develop together. They share some organs and are often referred to as the urogenital system.

Male and female gonads begin developing in the abdominal cavity next to the kidneys. During the latter stages of embryonic life, the gonads descend and move away from the urinary organs but retain some connections. For instance, in both sexes, the left gonadal vein almost always empties into the left renal vein. In the male, the tubular ducts of the reproductive system join the tubular duct of the urinary system, to form a single common tubular tract, the urethra, that eventually opens to the exterior. In the female the urinary duct remains separate from the reproductive ducts.

The male gonad, the testis, lies outside the body cavity and is capable of producing a life-long flow of cells that mirror the genetics of their host. Some report testes that are active from puberty to old age, 60 to 70 years.

The female gonad, the ovary, is found inside the body cavity. It has a predetermined number of cells capable of cloning the genetics of their host. The ovaries have a limited life span, becoming active at puberty and remaining active for 35 to 45 years.

Even with all of the differences, the two sexes are very much alike. Reviewing embryology reveals similar anatomy in the earliest stages of development. Anatomical parts, however, take on different forms and functions as they mature. Each gender is beautifully adapted to play the humanity survival game. Viva la difference!

The anatomical differences certainly raise interesting philosophical questions.