MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The %%gonads or sex gland (reproductive gland)%%, the %%primary reproductive organs%%, are …

  • the testes in the male.
  • the ovaries in the female.

@@SECRETE = RELEASE@@

[[FUNCTIONSofGONADS:FUNCTIONS of GONADS:[[

  • Responsible for the production of male (sperm) and female (ova) gametes.

  • Gonads are also responsible for producing sex hormones required for the development and growth of primary and secondary sexual characteristics.

==MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM==

 

KEYWORDS:

  1. Testes (a pair) - produces spermatozoa, the male gametes and synthesizes testosterone.

2. ^^Duct System^^ - sperm cells pass through a series of ducts to reach the outside of the body. After they leave the testes, the sperm passes through the

  • ^^epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory duct, and urethra.^^
  1. @@Accessory / Internal Glands@@ - secrete fluids that enter the urethra.
  • @@seminal vesicles, prostate, bulbourethral glands, and seminal fluid.@@
  1. External Genitalia - sexual reproduction, sexual sensation
  • penis, scrotum, testes, and epididymis.

What are ==Testicles==?

  • %%Testicles / testis / balls are the gonads / the reproductive glands of the male%% reproductive system.
  • %%Homologous to the ovary in females.%%
  • Main function: %%to produce sperms and androgens, as testosterone.%%

Anatomy and Function

  • 5 cm long and egg-shaped.

  • Occur inside the sac of skin called the scrotum. But testes are considered as internal organ.

  • 2, tough, and fibrous tissue layers or tunica cover each testicle in which the outer layer is tunica vaginalis, while the inner layer is tunica albuginea.

  • Each testicle contains lobules with tiny, U-shaped tubes called seminiferous tubules ==(Sperm-Forming Factories).==

  • About 800 seminiferous tubules occur per testicle being tightly coiled.

  • Germ cells and stromal cells are the two types of cells that line the seminiferous tubules ==(Sperm-Forming Storage / Factories)==.

  • Of these, germ cells undergo spermatogenesis, the processofproducingspermsbyundergoingmeiosisandmaturation.process of producing sperms by undergoing meiosis and maturation.

  • Sertoli cells and Leydig cells are the two types of stromal cells.

  • Sertoli cells support the germ cells by helping make and transport sperms.

  • ==Leydig cells produce androgens; mainly testosterone== responsible for the maintenance of secondary sexual characteristics and the development and functioning of reproductive organs in males.

  • ==Rete testis== is a ==series of uncoiled, interconnected channel to which the seminiferous tubules open.== It connects to a tightly coiled tube called the epididymis, which %%ultimately joins%% to a long, large duct called the vas deferens. @@In this,@@ the epididymis stores sperm cells so they can completely mature.

  • %%Later, mature sperms travel through the vas deferens%% while mixing with the fluids made by the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland, creating semen along the way.

 

What is ^^Epididymis^^?

  • Main function: a site of sperm storage and maturation until the time of their discharge to the ductus deferens (vas deferens).

Anatomy and Function

  • Comma shaped elongated.
  • Fine tubular structure (compressed and raveled tightly). %%The degree of compression results in the epididymis appears almost solid.%%
  • Found on the posterior surface of the testes, and sits along the entire length of the posterior testes.
  • Head of epididymis (caput or globus major).
  • Body of epididymis (corpus).
  • Tail of epididymis (cauda or globus minor).