07/10 Lecture 35 - Male Reproductive System

Scrotal septum

This is the band of tissue that separates the testes from each other

Dartos muscle

This muscle wrinkles the scrotal skin to reduce surface area and subsequent heat loss

Cremaster muscle

This muscle covers the testis and spermatic cord, contracting to draw the testes in toward the body

Spermatic cord

This is a cord of tissue that runs from the superior aspect of the testis, through the inguinal canal, consisting of the vas deferens, and testicular blood, nervous, and lymphatic vessels 

Penis

This is the male organ involved in urination and copulation, consisting of a root, body, and glans covered by a prepuce/foreskin

Corpus spongiosum

This contains the urethra, forming a bulb and glans of the penis on the ventral surface

Corpora cavernosa

These are the two structures of erectile tissue on the dorsal aspect of the penis, fill with blood during an erection

Seminal vesicles 

These lie posterior to the bladder and produce a viscous secretion that makes up around 60% of seminal volume with an alkaline pH to protect sperm against the acidic vagina 

Prostate gland

This lies inferior to the bladder and wraps around the prostatic urethra, producing around 30% of seminal volume, a slightly acidic, milky fluid with prostate specific antigen and other things to contribute to sperm activation, viability, and motility

Bulbourethral glands

These lie in the urogenital diaphragm and open into the spongy urethra, contributing around 5% of seminal volume with secretions that lubricate and clean the urethra before ejaculation