Male Reproductive System Anatomy and Physiology PDF

# Anatomy and Physiology of Male Reproductive System ## By Abiodun-Ojo, ## Male Reproductive Organs ### External Genital Organ - Penis - Scrotum ### Internal Genital Organ - Urethra - Testes (2) - Epididymis (2) - Vas Deferens (2) ### Accessory Glands - Seminal Vesicles (2) - Prostate Gland (1) - C...

# Anatomy and Physiology of Male Reproductive System ## By Abiodun-Ojo, ## Male Reproductive Organs ### External Genital Organ - Penis - Scrotum ### Internal Genital Organ - Urethra - Testes (2) - Epididymis (2) - Vas Deferens (2) ### Accessory Glands - Seminal Vesicles (2) - Prostate Gland (1) - Cowper’s/Bulbo urethral Glands (2) ## Functions - It consists of sex organs that are part of the human reproductive process. - It produces, maintains, transports sperm, and protective fluid (semen). - To discharge sperm within the female reproductive tract during sex. - To produce and secrete sex hormones responsible for maintaining the male reproductive system. ## Male Reproductive System Illustrated The male reproductive system is illustrated as a cross-section view of a male body. It includes a depiction of some of the same organs mentioned above, with the following labels: - Bladder - Prostate - Urethra - Penis - Testicle ## Male Reproductive System Illustrated - Deeper View The male reproductive system is again illustrated as a cross-section view of a male body. More details of the internal structure of the system are shown, with the following labels: - Urinary Bladder - Ejaculatory duct - Ductus Deferens - Epididymis - Testicle - Prostate Gland - Seminal Vesicle - Glans Penis - Penis ## External Genital Organ ### Penis The penis is the male organ used in sexual intercourse. It has three parts: - The root - The body/shaft - The glans. It contains spongy tissue that becomes filled with blood during an erection: - Corpus spongiosum - Corpus cavernosa ### Glans The glans is the rounded, highly sensitive head of the penis. ### Prepuce/Foreskin The prepuce/foreskin is a fold of skin covering the head of the penis. ## The Scrotum The scrotum: - Is a pouch-like structure that hangs behind the penis and below the symphysis pubis. - Contains the testis, vas deferens, epididymis, and scrotal end of the spermatic cord. - It is connected with the abdomen/pelvic cavity by the inguinal canal (The spermatic cord is formed from spermatic artery, vein, and nerve). ### Functions - Houses the testis - Controls the temperature ## Internal Genital Organ - **Urethra**. A tube within the penis about 18 cm long, that conveys semen out of the body during ejaculation. It runs from the neck of the bladder through the prostate and through the length of the penis. It serves as an outlet for urine, semen, and sperm. - **Testes (2)**. These are oval organs, that lie in the scrotum, about 4.5 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, and 3 cm thick. Within the testes are coiled masses of tubes called seminiferous tubules. Function: production of sperm cells. They produce male hormones. - **Epididymis (2)**. This is a long, coiled tube that rests on the backside of each testicle. It transports and stores sperm cells and helps in sperm maturation. During sexual act, contractions force the sperm into the vas deferens. - **Vas Deferens (2)**. The vas deferens is a long, muscular tube that travels from the epididymis into the pelvic cavity, to just behind the bladder. It transports mature sperm to the urethra. ## Ejaculatory Ducts Ejaculatory ducts are formed by the fusion of the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles. The ejaculatory ducts empty into the urethra. ## Accessory Glands Accessory glands produce nourishing fluids for the sperms that enter the urethra. - **Seminal Vesicles**: These are fibro muscular pouches that attach to the vas deferens near the base of the bladder. Function: Produce a sugar-rich fluid (fructose) that provides energy for the sperm during ejaculation. - **Prostate Gland**: A walnut-sized structure located below the urinary bladder in front of the rectum. The urethra runs through the center of the prostate gland. Function: Contributes additional fluid to the ejaculate, which nourishes the sperm. - **Bulbourethral Gland (Cowper’s glands)**: These are pea-sized structures located on the sides of the urethra just below the prostate gland. These glands produce a clear, slippery fluid that empties directly into the urethra. Function: Lubricate the urethra and to neutralize any acidity that may be present due to residual drops of urine in the urethra. ## Pathway of Sperm Cells in the Organs Sperm cells travel through the following organs: 1. Testis 2. Epididymis 3. Vas deferens/deferent duct 4. Ejaculating duct 5. Prostatic urethra 6. Membranous urethra 7. Penile urethra ## Pathway of Sperm Cells - Illustrated The male reproductive system is illustrated as a cross-section view of a male body. The pathway of sperm cell travel is shown with an arrow, with the following labels: - Urinary Bladder - Deferent duct - Seminal vesicle - Ejaculatory duct - Prostate gland - Deferent duct in spermatic cord - Epididymis - Scrotum - Testis - Corpus cavernosum - Urethra - Corpus spongiosum - Glans Penis - External urethral sphincter - Prepuce