Male Reproductive System
Male Reproductive Organs Penis Scrotum Testes Epididymis Seminiferous tubules Vas deferens Seminal vesicle Prostate gland Cowper’s gland Urethra Semen
Male Reproductive Organs
Sac-like structure that houses the testes. Scrotum Sac-like structure that houses the testes. The function of scrotum is to keep the testes 1-2°C cooler than the body temperature which is 37°C.
Testes The two testes are oval structures about 5 cm long and 3 cm in diameter Held in the scrotum They produce sperm in the tubes called Seminiferous Tubules. Also produce sex hormone called testosterone. the tunica albuginea, surrounds each testis and extends inward to form septa that partition the organ into lobules There are about 250 lobules in each t%stis& Each contains 1 to 4 highly coiled seminiferous tubules that converge to fo"m a sin'le straight tubule, which lea$s into the rete tEstis. Short eFferent ducts exit the 4estes. Interstitial cells (cells of eydig), which prkduce male sex Hormones, are located between the saminifernus tubules within a lobule
Epididymis Seminiferous tubules Vas deferens
Epididymis A long tube (about 6 meters) located on top of the testes. Sperm is made in the testes in tubes called seminiferous tubules. Sperm that leave the testes are immature. Sperm complete their maturation process as they move through the epididymis. Mature sperm are stored in the lower portion of the epididymis.
Vas Deferens The two vas deferens are flexible tubes that start at the epididymis and joins the urethra at the base of prostate gland. Each vas deferens is about 45 cm or (1.5 ft) Vas deferens carry mature sperm from epididymis for ejaculation. Vasectomy is a procedure of cutting and tying the vas deferens to prevent sperm from reaching the egg.
Urethra The urethra is a long narrow tube extending from the bladder to the tip of the penis. It carries urine from the bladder during urination. It also a passageway for semen. Both urine and semen leave the body through the same opening at the tip of the penis. It is a passageway for sperm and fluids from the reproductive system and urine from the urinary system. While reproductive fluids are passing through the urethra, sphincters contract tightly to keep urine from entering the urethra.
Semen Semen is a sticky, cloudy, whitish fluid composed of sperm from the testes and fluids from prostate gland, seminal vesicle, and Cowper’s gland. Semen exits the penis during ejaculation.
Erection Involves increase in length, width & firmness of the penis. Changes in blood flow to penis cause erection. The spongy tissue fills with blood causing the penis to stand out from the body. spongy erectile tissue is a loose network of connective tissue with many spaces ED – inability to achieve or maintain an erection Affects approx. 30 mil men in USA. Not unusual to experience sometime – usually due to psychological problems: stress, depression, worrying, grief Physical problems: nerve damage – usually accompanying diabetes or alcoholism Atherosclerosis [fatty deposits] in arteries supplying penis medications: HTN, antihistamines, antinausea & antiseizure, antidepressants, sedatives, tranquilzers Cigarettes, marijuana & alcohol Treat ED – eliminate problem. Medications: Viagra type enhance nitric oxide that is released with arousal and caused arterioles to dilate
Ejaculation To ejaculate means to suddenly release or let go. Semen leaves the body during ejaculation. Usually ejaculation happens during erection. After ejaculation, the penis becomes soft and it is not erect any more. There are usually about two to five hundred million sperm in a single ejaculation.
Sperm
Sperm The sperm cell consists of a head, a body and a tail. The head contains the nucleus which holds chromosomes. The body produces energy molecules needed for the movement of the sperm cell. The tail provides the lashing movements that propel the sperm cell.
Sperm The sperm cell consists of a head, a body and a tail. The head contains the nucleus which holds chromosomes. The top portion of the head contains acrosome, an enzymes used for penetrating the female egg. The body produces ATP, energy molecules needed for the movement of the sperm cell. The tail or "flagellum" provides the lashing movements that propel the sperm cell.