Male Reproductive System

Overview

• The male reproductive system is responsible for producing, storing, and transporting sperm cells for fertilization.
• The system consists of the testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, urethra, and penis.

Testes

• Produce sperm cells through a process called spermatogenesis.
• Located outside the abdominal cavity in the scrotum, a sac of skin and muscle.
• Regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis.

Epididymis

• A tube-like structure that stores and transports sperm cells from the testes.
• Divided into three regions: head, body, and tail.
• Sperm cells mature and become motile during their passage through the epididymis.

Vas Deferens

• A muscular tube that transports sperm cells from the epididymis to the urethra.
• Also known as the ductus deferens.
• Has a thick muscle layer that contracts to propel sperm cells during ejaculation.

Seminal Vesicles

• Glandular structures that produce seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm cells.
• Located behind the bladder and urethra.
• Contribute to the formation of semen.

Prostate Gland

• A gland that produces a protein-rich fluid that makes up part of semen.
• Located beneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra.
• Plays a role in regulating the flow of urine.

Urethra

• A tube that carries semen and urine out of the body.
• Passes through the prostate gland and penis.
• Has a sphincter muscle that controls the flow of urine and semen.

Penis

• The external male genital organ.
• Composed of three parts: root, shaft, and glans.
• The glans is covered by a fold of skin called the foreskin.

Ejaculation

• The process by which sperm cells are propelled out of the penis during sexual arousal.
• Involves the contraction of muscles in the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and prostate gland.
• Results in the release of semen, which contains sperm cells, seminal fluid, and prostate fluid.

Male Reproductive System

• Responsible for producing, storing, and transporting sperm cells for fertilization
• Consists of testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, urethra, and penis

Testes

• Produce sperm cells through spermatogenesis
• Located outside the abdominal cavity in the scrotum, a sac of skin and muscle
• Regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis

Epididymis

• Tube-like structure that stores and transports sperm cells from the testes
• Divided into three regions: head, body, and tail
• Sperm cells mature and become motile during passage through the epididymis

Vas Deferens

• Muscular tube that transports sperm cells from the epididymis to the urethra
• Also known as the ductus deferens
• Has a thick muscle layer that contracts to propel sperm cells during ejaculation

Seminal Vesicles

• Glandular structures that produce seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm cells
• Located behind the bladder and urethra
• Contribute to the formation of semen

Prostate Gland

• Produces a protein-rich fluid that makes up part of semen
• Located beneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra
• Plays a role in regulating the flow of urine

Urethra

• Tube that carries semen and urine out of the body
• Passes through the prostate gland and penis
• Has a sphincter muscle that controls the flow of urine and semen

Penis

• External male genital organ
• Composed of three parts: root, shaft, and glans
• Glans is covered by a fold of skin called the foreskin

Ejaculation

• Process by which sperm cells are propelled out of the penis during sexual arousal
• Involves the contraction of muscles in the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and prostate gland
• Results in the release of semen, which contains sperm cells, seminal fluid, and prostate fluid