1. The Male Reproductive System (1:29)
Click here to launch video
Click here to download print activity

2. The male reproductive system is a series of organs involved in producing children.

3. sperm
testosterone
testes
scrotum
penis
semen
sterility

4. How Male Reproduction Works
The male reproductive system includes both external and internal organs that, with the help of hormones, allow physically mature males to produce children.

5. How Male Reproduction Works
The two main functions of the male reproductive system are to produce and store sperm and transfer them to the female’s body during sexual intercourse.
Sperm
Male gametes

6. How Male Reproduction Works
Hormones produced in the pituitary gland stimulate the production of testosterone, which initiates physical changes that signal maturity.
Testosterone
The male sex hormone

7. How Male Reproduction Works
Testosterone may spur the development of muscles in adolescence.

8. External Reproductive Organs
A male’s external reproductive organs include the testes, the penis, and the scrotum.
Testes
Two small glands that secrete testosterone and produce sperm

9. External Reproductive Organs
The testes are located in the scrotum.
Scrotum
An external skin sac

10. External Reproductive Organs
The penis is composed of spongy tissue that contains many blood vessels.
Penis
A tube-shaped organ that extends from the trunk of the body just above the testes

11. External Reproductive Organs
When the penis becomes erect, semen can be ejected from the body.
Semen
A thick fluid containing sperm and other secretions from the male reproductive system

12. Internal Reproductive Organs
Sperm must travel through the vas deferens, the urethra, the seminal vesicles, and the prostate and Cowper’s glands before they are released from the body.

13. Maintaining Reproductive Health
Male reproductive health involves care and monitoring throughout a male’s lifetime.
As with any other body system, the male reproductive system needs care.

14. Maintaining Reproductive Health
Tips for Maintaining Your Reproductive Health
Bathe regularly.
Wear protective equipment.
Practice abstinence.
Perform regular self-examinations.
Get regular medical checkups.

15. Male Reproductive System Problems
The organs of the male reproductive system can be affected by both functional and structural problems.
Males should watch for the signs of reproductive system problems, as well as signs of infections from STDs.

16. Male Reproductive System Problems
An inguinal hernia occurs when part of the intestines push through a tear in the abdominal wall.
Surgery can repair an inguinal hernia.

17. Male Reproductive System Problems
Sterility occurs as a result of too few sperm or sperm of poor quality.
Sterility
The inability to reproduce

18. Male Reproductive System Problems
With early detection, most testicular cancer is treatable through surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
Figure skater and Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton is a testicular cancer survivor.

19. How to Do a Testicular Self-Exam (TSE)
The American Cancer Society recommends that males perform a self-exam for testicular cancer once a month.

20. After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
Sperm cannot survive at body temperature. How does the body protect sperm from heat?
The scrotum holds the testes outside the body so that they are kept at a temperature slightly lower than body temperature.

21. After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
What is sterility?
The inability to reproduce

22. After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary
What are the vas deferens?
Tubes that extend from each epididymis to the urethra