1. The Male Reproductive System
Anatomy and Function

2. How many parts can you identify?
urinary
bladder*
prostate
seminal
vesicle
penis
anus*
bulbourethral gland
urethra
vas deferens
scrotum
testis
epididymis

3. What are the functions of these parts?
produces a milky fluid which makes up most of the volume of the ejaculate
produces a sticky, yellowish fluid that provides sperm cells energy and aids in their motility
delivers semen to the female reproductive tract
produce a clear, slippery fluid that lubricates and neutralizes the urethra
conveys both sperm and urine down the length of the penis
holds and protects the testes
transports the sperm from the epididymis to the urethra
acts as a maturation and storage place for sperm
organ that produces sperm and the male hormones

6. penis
external organ that delivers the semen to the female reproductive tract
also part of the excretory system – transports urine out of body
composed of erectile tissue, which becomes engorged with blood during an erection

7. epididymis a mass of tightly coiled tubes cupped against the testicles
acts as a maturation & storage place for sperm

8. urethra
tube that conveys both sperm & urine down the length of the penis
in the human male, the urethra is about 8 inches (20 cm) long (twice as large as a females)

9. testis (pl. testes)
organ that produces sperm and the male hormones (primarily testosterone)
aka: testicle
males have 2, which are contained in the scrotum
The testes work best at temperatures slightly less than core body temperature.
Spermatogenesis is less efficient at lower and higher temperatures.
This is presumably why the testes are located outside the body.

10. Review of Spermatogenesis

11. scrotum a pouch-like structure that holds and protects the testes
allows the testes to have a slightly lower temperature than that of the body
Why is this necessary?
Spermatogenesis!

12. seminal vesicle
sac-like structures attached to the vas deferens at one side of the bladder
produces a sticky, yellowish fluid that provides sperm cells energy and aids in their motility
results in the majority of the fluid of the ejaculate
fluid is alkaline
WHY?
To neutralize the acidic environment of the female vagina!

13. prostate
a structure that surrounds the urethra at the base of the bladder which produces a slightly alkaline, milky fluid
fluid is part of the man’s ejaculate, or semen
about the size of the kiwi fruit and can be felt/checked during a rectal exam
also prone to cancer in middle-aged men

14. vas deferens
tubes that transport the sperm from the epididymis to the urethra
aka: ductus deferens
often “cut” during a vasectomy
prevents sperm from becoming part of the ejaculate

15. bulbourethral gland
pea-sized structure located on the side of the urethra just below the prostate gland
aka: Cowper’s gland
produces a clear, viscous secretion known as the pre-ejaculate
this fluid helps to lubricate the urethra for sperm to pass through, neutralizing traces of acidic urine in the urethra
fluid also helps flush out any residual urine or foreign matter in the urethra