The Male Reproductive System

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The Male Reproductive System

• Anatomy and Function

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How many parts can you identify?
urinary bladder
prostate
seminal vesicle
penis
anus
bulbourethral gland
urethra
vas deferens
testis
scrotum
epididymis
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What are the functions of these parts?
produces a milky fluid which makes up most of the
volume of the ejaculate
produces a sticky, yellowish fluid that provides
sperm cells energy and aids in their motility
delivers semen to the female reproductive tract
produce a clear, slippery fluid that lubricates
and neutralizes the urethra
conveys both sperm and urine down the length of
the penis
holds and protects the testes
acts as a maturation and storage place for sperm
organ that produces sperm and the male hormones
transports the sperm from the epididymis to the
urethra
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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

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epididymis

• a mass of tightly coiled tubes cupped against the
  testicles
• acts as a maturation storage place for sperm

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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)

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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.

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Review of Spermatogenesis
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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!

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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!

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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 mans 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

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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

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bulbourethral gland

• pea-sized structure located on the side of the
  urethra just below the prostate gland
• aka Cowpers 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