71923562 the male reproductive system

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The Male Reproductive System

The purpose of the organs of the male reproductive system is to perform the following functions:

• To produce, maintain, and transport sperm (the male reproductive cells) and protective fluid (semen)

• To discharge sperm within the female reproductive tract during sex

• To produce and secrete male sex hormones responsible for maintaining the male reproductive system

Unlike the female reproductive system, most of the male reproductive system is located outside of the body. These external

structures include the penis, scrotum, and testicles.

• Penis: This is the male organ used in sexual intercourse. It has three parts: the root, which attaches to the wall of the abdomen; the

body, or shaft; and the glans, which is the cone-shaped part at the end of the penis. The glans, also called the head of the penis, is

covered with a loose layer of skin called foreskin. This skin is sometimes removed in a procedure called circumcision. The opening

of the urethra, the tube that transports semen and urine, is at the tip of the penis. The penis also contains a number of sensitive

nerve endings.

The body of the penis is cylindrical in shape and consists of three circular shaped chambers. These chambers are made up of

special, sponge-like tissue. This tissue contains thousands of large spaces that fill with blood when the man is sexually aroused. As

the penis fills with blood, it becomes rigid and erect, which allows for penetration during sexual intercourse. The skin of the penis is

loose and elastic to accommodate changes in penis size during an erection.

Semen, which contains sperm (reproductive cells), is expelled (ejaculated) through the end of the penis when the man reaches

sexual climax (orgasm). When the penis is erect, the flow of urine is blocked from the urethra, allowing only semen to be ejaculated

at orgasm.

• Scrotum: This is the loose pouch-like sac of skin that hangs behind and below the penis. It contains the testicles (also called

testes), as well as many nerves and blood vessels. The scrotum acts as a "climate control system" for the testes. For normal sperm

development, the testes must be at a temperature slightly cooler than body temperature. Special muscles in the wall of the scrotum

allow it to contract and relax, moving the testicles closer to the body for warmth or farther away from the body to cool the

temperature.

• Testicles (testes): These are oval organs about the size of large olives that lie in the scrotum, secured at either end by a structure called the

spermatic cord. Most men have two testes. The testes are responsible for making testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, and for

generating sperm. Within the testes are coiled masses of tubes called seminiferous tubules. These tubes are responsible for producing sperm

cells.

The internal organs of the male reproductive system, also called accessory organs, include the following:

• Epididymis: The epididymis is a long, coiled tube that rests on the backside of each testicle. It transports and stores sperm cells

that are produced in the testes. It also is the job of the epididymis to bring the sperm to maturity, since the sperm that emerge from

the testes are immature and incapable of fertilization. During sexual arousal, contractions force the sperm into the vas deferens.

• Vas deferens: The vas deferens is a long, muscular tube that travels from the epididymis into the pelvic cavity, to just behind

the bladder. The vas deferens transports mature sperm to the urethra, the tube that carries urine or sperm to outside of the body, in

preparation for ejaculation.

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The Male Reproductive System The purpose of the organs of the male reproductive system is to perform the following functions: • • • To produce, maintain, and transport sperm (the male reproductive cells) and protective fluid (semen) To discharge sperm within the female reproductive tract during sex To produce and secrete male sex hormones responsible for maintaining the male reproductive system Unlike the female reproductive system, most of the male reproductive system is located outside of the body. These external structures include the penis, scrotum, and testicles. • Penis: This is the male organ used in sexual intercourse. It has three parts: the root, which attaches to the wall of the abdomen; the body, or shaft; and the glans, which is the cone-shaped part at the end of the penis. The glans, also called the head of the penis, is covered with a loose layer of skin called foreskin. This skin is sometimes removed in a procedure called circumcision. The opening of the urethra, the tube that transports semen and urine, is at the tip of the penis. The penis also contains a number of sensitive nerve endings. The body of the penis is cylindrical in shape and consists of three circular shaped chambers. These chambers are made up of special, sponge-like tissue. This tissue contains thousands of large spaces that fill with blood when the man is sexually aroused. As the penis fills with blood, it becomes rigid and erect, which allows for penetration during sexual inter ...
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