Male Reproductive System
What’s the purpose? To produce sperm and deliver it to the female reproductive system.To produce sperm and deliver it to the female reproductive system. In other words, to make a baby!In other words, to make a baby!
What does it look like?
PENIS What does it do? 1. allows passage of urine; 2. allows passage of semen; 3. provides sensation (has many nerve endings) SIZE: 3-4” when flaccid, 5-7” when erect ***Urine or sperm passes through the penis in a small tube called the URETHRA.
FORESKIN Foreskin is the skin covering on the tip of the penis. It is a parent’s choice to remove the foreskin or keep it on. It is completely normal either way.
SCROTUM Skin covered sac that hangs from body What it does: 1. Helps hold testicles1. Helps hold testicles 2. Regulates temperature of testicles2. Regulates temperature of testicles Brings the testicles closer to the body when cold Brings the testicles closer to the body when cold Drops the testicles lower when warm Drops the testicles lower when warm 3. Provides sensation3. Provides sensation
TESTICLES What does it do: 1. Produces 1. ProducesSPERM 2. Produces Hormones 2. Produces HormonesTESTOSTERONE,ANDROGENS Each is made of 500-1,200 feet of tightly coiled tubes
TESTOSTERONE Testosterone causes: 1. Facial and body hair to grow 1. Facial and body hair to grow 2. Deepening of voice 2. Deepening of voice 3. Broadening of shoulders 3. Broadening of shoulders 4. Influences sperm production 4. Influences sperm production
SPERM
SPERM Males produce MILLIONS per day They carry strings of genes (called “chromosomes”) or DNA instructions in case the sperm cell meets with an egg cell and fertilizes it
EPIDIDYMIS What it does: 1. Sperm complete Development(mature) 2. Stores sperm It takes sperm about 4 to 6 weeks to travel through the epididymis.
VAS DEFERENS Long tube that: provides storage for sperm allow passage of sperm as big around as sewing thread they lead into the abdomen, where (behind the bladder) they widen into storage sacs
SEMEN As sperm move through, sperm mixes with fluids from: 1. SEMINAL VESICLES1. SEMINAL VESICLES 2. PROSTATE GLAND2. PROSTATE GLAND 3. COWPER’S GLAND3. COWPER’S GLAND In order to make SEMEN
PASSAGE WAY
SEMINAL VESICLES Provides thick secretions (fluid) that: 1. Nourish Sperm 1. Nourish Sperm 2. Helps 2. Helps Sperm move easier Found near the base of the bladder bladder
PROSTATE GLAND Secretes thin, milky fluid that: 1. Adds to sperms mobility and 1. Adds to sperms mobility and 2. Protects sperm from acid in female reproductive system 2. Protects sperm from acid in female reproductive system
COWPER’S GLAND Also known as Bulbourethral (Bulb-o-urethral) Glands Provides CLEAR fluid that: Cleanses Cleansesurethra of acid to protect Sperm
Testicular Self Exams Perform after a shower when scrotum is relaxed 1. Stand in front of mirror with penis out of way 2. Examine testicles. Hold each testicle between thumbs and fingers, rolling gently between fingers.
3. Look and feel for any lumps or changes in size or shape (might feel like grain of rice or hard lump) 4. Contact doctor if you notice anything that seems abnormal Testicular Self Exams, cont.