Anatomy and Function of Testes and Epididymis

Testes

• Location: Scrotum, outside of the abdominal cavity
• Function: Produce sperm and testosterone
• Structure:
  • Consist of seminiferous tubules, where spermatogenesis occurs
  • Interstitial tissue, where Leydig cells produce testosterone
• Spermatogenesis:
  • Process of sperm cell development
  • Takes approximately 70 days to complete

Epididymis

• Location: Posterior to the testes
• Function: Store and mature sperm cells
• Structure:
  • Composed of narrow, convoluted tubes
  • Divided into three regions: caput, corpus, and cauda
• Maturation process:
  • Sperm cells move from the testes to the epididymis
  • Undergo maturation and become more motile

Vas Deferens

• Location: Connects the epididymis to the prostate gland
• Function: Muscular tube that transports sperm during ejaculation
• Structure:
  • Thick, muscular walls
  • Narrow lumen
• Contraction during ejaculation:
  • Propels sperm through the reproductive system

Ejaculation

• Process:
  • Sperm and semen are propelled through the urethra
  • Expelled from the penis during sexual climax
• Control:
  • Regulated by the autonomic nervous system
  • Sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves involved

Prostate Gland

• Location: Surrounds the urethra, below the bladder
• Function:
  • Produces seminal fluid
  • Aids in sperm motility and nourishment
• Structure:
  • Glandular tissue surrounded by a fibromuscular capsule
  • Divided into peripheral, central, and transitional zones
• Secretions:
  • Alkaline fluid, rich in nutrients and enzymes
  • Makes up majority of semen volume

Male Reproductive System

• Testes are located in the scrotum outside the abdominal cavity and produce sperm and testosterone.
• Each testis contains seminiferous tubules where spermatogenesis occurs and interstitial tissue where Leydig cells produce testosterone.
• Spermatogenesis is the 70-day process of sperm cell development.

Epididymis

• The epididymis is located posterior to the testes and stores and matures sperm cells.
• It is composed of narrow, convoluted tubes divided into three regions: caput, corpus, and cauda.
• Sperm cells move from the testes to the epididymis, where they undergo maturation and become more motile.

Vas Deferens

• The vas deferens is a muscular tube that connects the epididymis to the prostate gland and transports sperm during ejaculation.
• It has thick, muscular walls and a narrow lumen.
• Contraction of the vas deferens during ejaculation propels sperm through the reproductive system.

Ejaculation

• Ejaculation is the process by which sperm and semen are propelled through the urethra and expelled from the penis during sexual climax.
• The autonomic nervous system regulates ejaculation, involving both sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves.

Prostate Gland

• The prostate gland surrounds the urethra below the bladder and produces seminal fluid that aids in sperm motility and nourishment.
• The glandular tissue is surrounded by a fibromuscular capsule and divided into peripheral, central, and transitional zones.
• The prostate gland secretes an alkaline fluid rich in nutrients and enzymes, making up the majority of semen volume.