The Male Reproductive SystemAnatomy and Function
How many parts can you identify?
What are the functions of these parts?
delivers semen to the female reproductive tract
acts as a maturation and storage place for sperm
conveys both sperm and urine down the length of the penis
organ that produces sperm and the male hormones
holds and protects the testes
produces a sticky, yellowish fluid that provides sperm cells energy and aids in their motility
produces a milky fluid which makes up most of the volume of the ejaculate
transports the sperm from the epididymis to the urethra
produce a clear, slippery fluid that lubricates and neutralizes the urethra
penis• external organ that
delivers the semen to the female reproductive tract
• also part of the excretory system – transports urine out of body
• composed of erectile tissue, which becomes engorged with blood during an erection
epididymis
•a mass of tightly coiled tubes cupped against the testicles
•acts as a maturation & storage place for sperm
urethra
• tube that conveys both sperm & urine down the length of the penis
• in the human male, the urethra is about 8 inches (20 cm) long (twice as large as a females)
testis (pl. testes)• organ that produces
sperm and the male hormones (primarily testosterone)
• aka: testicle • males have 2, which are
contained in the scrotum• The testes work best at
temperatures slightly less than core body temperature. ▫Spermatogenesis is less
efficient at lower and higher temperatures.
▫This is presumably why the testes are located outside the body.
Review of Spermatogenesis
scrotum•a pouch-like
structure that holds and protects the testes
•allows the testes to have a slightly lower temperature than that of the body
•Why is this necessary?▫Spermatogenesis!
seminal vesicle•sac-like structures attached to the vas
deferens at one side of the bladder •produces a sticky, yellowish fluid that provides
sperm cells energy and aids in their motility•results in the majority of the fluid of the
ejaculate•fluid is alkaline
▫WHY? To neutralize the acidic environment of the female
vagina!
prostate•a structure that
surrounds the urethra at the base of the bladder which produces a slightly alkaline, milky fluid
•fluid is part of the man’s ejaculate, or semen
•about the size of the kiwi fruit and can be felt/checked during a rectal exam
•also prone to cancer in middle-aged men
vas deferens•tubes that transport
the sperm from the epididymis to the urethra
•aka: ductus deferens•often “cut” during a
vasectomy▫prevents sperm from
becoming part of the ejaculate
bulbourethral gland•pea-sized structure located on the side of the
urethra just below the prostate gland•aka: Cowper’s gland•produces a clear, viscous secretion known as
the pre-ejaculate• this fluid helps to lubricate the urethra for
sperm to pass through, neutralizing traces of acidic urine in the urethra
•fluid also helps flush out any residual urine or foreign matter in the urethra
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