Male Reproductive System

• The body's reproductive system is the subject.

Male Reproductive System

• The external male sex organ is the penis.
• Circumcision removes some or all of the foreskin.
• Uncircumcised means the foreskin is not removed.
• The scrotum is a sac of skin and muscle that contains the testicles

Male Internal Structures

• The prostate is an exocrine gland.
• The vas deferens are tubes that connect the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts.
• The epididymis is the organ where sperm matures.
• The testicles are the organs where sperm are created.
• The urethra is a tube that connects the bladder to the outside of the body.
• The Cowper's gland secretes lubricating fluid.
• The seminal vesicle creates semen (seminal fluid).

Sperm Pathway

• The pathway starts with the testes.
• Next, the sperm travels to the epididymis.
• Then, sperm travels to the vas deferens.
• Spermatozoa then goes to the seminal vesicles then to the ejaculatory duct.
• After that, sperm travels through the prostate gland and the urethra.
• Then sperm is expelled from the body.

Male Reproductive Disorders

• Testicular torsion is the twisting of the spermatic cord.
• Testicular torsion cuts off the blood supply to the testicle and surrounding structures within the scrotum.
• Prostate cancer affects the prostate.
• Prostate cancer is common in African American men over the age of 50.
• Testicular cancer is a common cancer in males between the ages of 15 and 34.
• Testicular cancer is highly treatable if diagnosed early.
• Signs of testicular cancer include collection of fluid in the scrotum, a lump or enlargement in either testicle, and unexplained fatigue.
• To perform a testicular self-exam, draw a warm bath to relax the scrotum, get familiar with your body, place one leg on an elevated surface, use one hand to support the testicle, and use the other hand to gently roll the testicle between thumb and index finger.
• When performing a testicular self-exam, look for hard lumps, tenderness, hardness of the testicle, or discharge from the penis.
• Impotence is a common problem in men.
• Impotence is characterized by the consistent inability to sustain an erection or the inability to achieve ejaculation, or both.
• Smoking may reduce blood flow and cause impotence.
• Inguinal hernias occur when part of the intestine protrudes through a weak spot in the abdomen along the inguinal canal, which carries the spermatic cord in men.
• A urologist is a medical professional specializing in the urinary tract of males and females and in the reproductive system of males.

Female Reproductive System

• The external structures include the Mons Pubis, Labia, and Clitoris.
• The Mons Pubis is a soft mound of flesh above the genitals.
• The Labia are lip-like structures on the outside of the vagina.
• The Clitoris is a sex organ.
• The sole function of the clitoris is pleasure.
• The internal structures include the vagina, hymen, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.
• The vagina is the tract from the uterus to the exterior.
• The hymen is the mucous membrane around the vaginal opening.
• The cervix is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus.
• The uterus is a pear-shaped organ that contains a growing fetus.
• The fallopian tubes are the pathway for egg travel during ovulation.
• The ovaries are egg-producing organs.

Female Reproductive System Disorders

• Progressive infection gets worse over time.
• This affects the fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, or ovaries.
• It can lead to long-term reproductive problems.
• Symptoms include foul-smelling discharge, heavier than normal periods, and painful urination.
• Bacteria moving upward from a woman's vagina or cervix (opening to the uterus) into her reproductive organs causes this issue.
• Many different organisms can cause it, especially gonorrhea.
• This is a systemic illness that affects the whole body caused by toxic bacteria.
• Ways to get it include using superabsorbent tampons, wearing a diaphragm or contraceptive sponge, and having a staph or strep infection, especially if you have skin wounds or healing surgical incisions.
• Symptoms include high fever and rapid.
• Endometriosis happens when the tissue begins to grow on the outside of the uterus.
• Endometriosis causes menstrual blood containing endometrial cells to flow back through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity instead of out of the body.
• This causes displaced endometrial cells to stick to the pelvic walls and surfaces of pelvic organs, where they grow.
• Symptoms include severe pelvic pain, constipation, and diarrhea; pain when having intercourse; and infertility.

Breast Cancer

• Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer among women.
• There are 232,340 new cases a year.
• Every 3 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer.
• One in eight women will be diagnosed in their lifetime.
• Approximately 2,150 men will be diagnosed each year.
• There are 2.8 million breast cancer survivors today.
• Early detection is the best way to protect yourself.

Performing A Breast Self Exam

• First, look for changes and feel for changes.
• First step is to lie down and raise right arm above head.
• Next examine area from underarm to lower bra line; across to breast bone; up to collar bone; back to armpit.
• Then use pads of three middle fingers of the left hand to check the right breast, in dime-sized circles.

Human Sexual Response

• There are two types of physiological reactions.
• Vasocongestion is the filling of a tissue with blood caused by increased blood flow through the arteries of that tissue.
• Myotonia is increased muscle tension of both skeletal and smooth muscles.
• There are four phases of the human sexual response:
  • Excitement Phase
  • Plateau Phase
  • Orgasm Phase
  • Resolution Phase

Human Sexual Response: Excitement Phase

• Preparation of penis and vagina for coitus (sexual intercourse).
• During this phase, vasocongestion is particularly evident in erection of the penis and clitoris; enlargement of the testes, labia, and breasts; and vaginal lubrication.
• Myotonia may occur, resulting in nipple erection or tension of the arms and legs.

Human Sexual Response: Plateau Phase

• Responses in excitement phase continue.
• In females, the outer third of the vagina becomes vasocongested while the inner two-thirds slightly expands.
• This change, coupled with the elevation of the uterus, forms a depression that receives sperm at the back of the vagina.
• Breathing increases, and heart rate rises to 150 beats per minute.
• This is not in response to the physical effort of sexual activity but as an involuntary response to the stimulation of the autonomic nervous system.

Human Sexual Response: Orgasm Phase

• The orgasm phase is characterized by rhythmic, involuntary contractions of the reproductive structures in both sexes.
• Male orgasm has two stages:
  • Emission is the contraction of the glands and ducts of the reproductive tract, which forces semen into the urethra.
  • Expulsion or ejaculation occurs when the urethra contracts and the semen is expelled.
• During female orgasm, the uterus and outer vagina contract, but the inner two-thirds of the vagina don't.
• Orgasm is the shortest response of the sexual resonse cycle, usually lasting a few seconds.

Human Sexual Response: Resolution Phase

• Completes the cycle and reverses the responses of the earlier stages.

Contraception Types

• Ovulation-suppressing methods
• For example, Oral contraceptives or pills
• Barrier Methods
• For example, a Condom, Diaphragm, or Cervical cap.
• Chemical is another method of contraception.
• A spermicidal jelly or foam is an example.
• Surgical methods include vasectomy and tubal ligation.
• Implantation-suppressing methods, such as IUDs or morning-after pills.
• Depo-Provera
• Abstinence is a form of contraception.
• Abstinence is the only form of contraception that is guaranteed to be 100% effective.

Explore the male reproductive system. Learn about the penis, scrotum, and internal structures like the prostate and vas deferens. Follow the sperm pathway from the testes to the ejaculatory duct.