46 - Reproductive System; Anatomy of the Male

testis

Primary reproductive organ, site of sperm and testosterone production

male sex hormone

testosterone, produced by the testis

tunica albuginea

white membrane covering testes

scrotum

External sac that contains the testes

epididymis

A long, coiled duct on the outside of the testis in which sperm mature

head of the epididymis

location

body of the epididymis

location

tail of the epididymis

location

vas deferens (ductus deferens)

muscular tube that conducts sperm from tail of epididymis to ejaculatory duct

inguinal canal

the channel through which the vas deferens passes through the scrotum to the pelvic cavity

spermatic cord

bundle of fibrous connective tissue containing the vas deferens, blood and lymphatic vessels, and testicular nerve; carries sperm from formation site

ejaculatory duct

pair of short ducts formed by joining of ampulla and duct of seminal vesicle; travels through prostate gland and empties into prostatic urethra

ejaculatory duct receives secretions from both

seminal vesicle and prostate gland

urethra

common passageway for urine and semen

prostratic urethra

begins in bladder, goes through prostate gland and receives secretions from ejaculatory duct and prostate

membranous urethra

passes through urogenital diaphragm

penile urethra

passes through penis to open to outside at external urethral orifice, receives secretions from bulbourethral gland

accessory glands of male reproductive system

seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral glands; produce majority of semen

semen

mixture of sperm and accessory gland secretions

seminal vesicles (glands)

paired, located on posterior wall of bladder, secretes alkaline fluid containing fructose, ascorbic acid, coagulation proteins, and prostaglandins

sympathetic stimulation of seminal vesicles causes

contents (semen) to empty into ejaculatory ducts

prostate gland

located on inferior surface of bladder, surrounds prostatic urethra as it exits bladder, secretes citrate and enzymes that activate sperm

prostate glands empty contents where during ejaculation

urethra

bulbourethral glands

paired, located inferior to prostrate near penis base, stimulated during arousal and secrete thick clear mucus prior to ejaculation that coats lining of urethra

penis

mainly composed of erectile tissue; copulatory organ that delivers sperm

root of penis

proximal site of attachment

body of penis

shaft

glans penis

enlarged distal end

prepuce (foreskin)

cuff of skin around glans penis

external urethral orifice

opening of urethra

corpus cavernosum

paired band of erectile tissue; located dorsal to penile urethra; contains vascular spaces that become engorged with blood during sexual arousal

corpus spongiosum

surrounds penile urethra