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This article is about the human male reproductive system. For the male reproductive systems of other mammals, see Sexual reproduction#Male.
| Male reproductive system (human) |
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| Drawing of the Male Internal Sexual Anatomy |
| Latin |
systema genitale masculinum |
The human male reproductive system (or male genital system) consists of a number of sex organs that are a part of the human reproductive process. In this type of reproductive system, these sex organs are located outside the body, around the pelvic region.
The main male sex organs are the penis and the testes which produce semen and sperm, which as part of sexual intercourse fertilize an ovum in female's body and the fertilized ovum (zygote) gradually develops into a fetus, which is later born as a child.
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Contents
- 1 External genital organs
- 2 Internal genital organs
- 2.1 Epididymis
- 2.2 Vas deferens
- 2.3 Accessory glands
- 2.3.1 Seminal vesicles
- 2.3.2 Prostate gland
- 2.3.3 Bulbourethral glands
- 3 See also
- 4 References
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External genital organs
Penis
Main article: Human penis
The penis is the male copulatory organ. It has a long shaft and enlarged bulbous-shaped tip called the glans penis, which supports the foreskin. When the male becomes sexually aroused, the penis becomes erect and ready for sexual activity. Erection occurs because sinuses within the erectile tissue of the penis become filled with blood. The arteries of the penis are dilated while the veins are passively compressed so that blood flows into the erectile cartilage under pressure.
Scrotum
Main article: Scrotum
The scrotum is a pouch-like structure that hangs behind the penis. It holds and protects the testes. It also contains numerous nerves and blood vessels. During times of lower temperatures, the Cremaster muscle contracts and pulls the scrotum closer to the body, while the Dartos muscle gives it a wrinkled appearance; when the temperature increases, the Cremaster and Dartos muscles relaxes to bring down the scrotum away from the body and remove the wrinkles respectively. The scrotum remains connected with the abdomen or pelvic cavity by the inguinal canal. (The spermatic cord, formed from spermatic artery, vein and nerve bound together with connective tissue passes into the testis through inguinal canal.)
Internal genital organs
Epididymis
Main article: Epididymis
The epididymis is a whitish mass of tightly coiled tubes cupped against the testicles. It acts as a maturation and storage place for sperm before they pass into the vas deferens, tubes that carry sperm to the ampullary gland and prostatic ducts.
Vas deferens
Main article: Vas deferens
The vas deferens, also known as the sperm duct, is a thin tube approximately 43.2 centimetres long that starts from the epididymis to the pelvic cavity.
Accessory glands
Three accessory glands provide fluids that lubricate the duct system and nourish the sperm cells. They are the seminal vesicles, the prostate gland, and the bulbourethral glands (Cowper glands).
Seminal vesicles
Main article: Seminal vesicle
Seminal vesicles are sac-like structures attached to the vas deferens at one side of the bladder. They produce a sticky, yellowish fluid that contains fructose. This fluid provides sperm cells energy and aids in their motility. 70% of the semen is its secretion.
Prostate gland
Main article: Prostate gland
The prostate gland surrounds the ejaculatory ducts at the base of the urethra, just below the bladder. The prostate gland is responsible for the production of semen, a liquid mixture of sperm cells, prostate fluid and seminal fluid.This gland is also responsible for making the semen milky by mixing calcium to the semen coming from seminal vesicle(semen coming from seminal vesicle is transparent in colour),this process is called profibrinolysin .28 to 29% semen comprises its secretion.
Bulbourethral glands
Main article: Bulbourethral gland
The bulbourethral glands, also called Cowper glands, are two small glands located on the sides of the urethra just below the prostate gland. These glands produce a clear, slippery fluid that empties directly into the urethra. It produces substances related to nourishment of spermatozoa.
See also
- Female reproductive system (human)
References
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Human systems and organs
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TA 2–4:
MS |
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Skeletal system
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Bone (Carpus · Collar bone (clavicle) · Thigh bone (femur) · Fibula · Humerus · Mandible · Metacarpus · Metatarsus · Ossicles · Patella · Phalanges · Radius · Skull (cranium) · Tarsus · Tibia · Ulna · Rib · Vertebra · Pelvis · Sternum) · Cartilage
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Joints
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Fibrous joint · Cartilaginous joint · Synovial joint
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Muscular system
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Muscle · Tendon · Diaphragm
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TA 5–11:
splanchnic/
viscus |
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mostly
Thoracic
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Respiratory system
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URT (Nose, Nasopharynx, Larynx) · LRT (Trachea, Bronchus, Lung)
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mostly
Abdominopelvic
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Digestive system+
adnexa
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Mouth (Salivary gland, Tongue) · upper GI (Oropharynx, Laryngopharynx, Esophagus, Stomach) · lower GI (Small intestine, Appendix, Colon, Rectum, Anus) · accessory (Liver, Biliary tract, Pancreas)
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GU: Urinary system
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Kidney · Ureter · Bladder · Urethra
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GU: Reproductive system
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Female (Uterus, Vagina, Vulva, Ovary, Placenta) · Male (Scrotum, Penis, Prostate, Testicle, Seminal vesicle)
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Endocrine system
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Pituitary · Pineal · Thyroid · Parathyroid · Adrenal · Islets of Langerhans
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| TA 12–16 |
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Circulatory system
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Cardiovascular system
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peripheral (Artery, Vein, Lymphatic vessel) · Heart
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Lymphatic system
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primary (Bone marrow, Thymus) · secondary (Spleen, Lymph node)
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Nervous system
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(Brain, Spinal cord, Nerve) · Sensory system (Ear, Eye)
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Integumentary system
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Skin · Subcutaneous tissue · Breast (Mammary gland)
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Blood
(Non-TA) |
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Myeloid
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Myeloid immune system
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Lymphoid
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Lymphoid immune system
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General anatomy: systems and organs, regional anatomy, planes and lines, superficial axial anatomy, superficial anatomy of limbs
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Male reproductive system (TA A09.3–4, TH H3.07.02, GA 11.1236)
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| Internal |
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Seminal
tract
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Testes
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- layers
- Tunica vaginalis
- Tunica albuginea
- Tunica vasculosa testis
- Appendix
- Mediastinum
- Lobules
- Septa
- Leydig cell
- Sertoli cell
- Blood-testis barrier
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Spermatogenesis
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- Spermatogonium
- Spermatocytogenesis
- Spermatocyte
- Spermatidogenesis
- Spermatid
- Spermiogenesis
- Spermatozoon
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Other
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- Seminiferous tubules
- Tubuli seminiferi recti
- Rete testis
- Efferent ducts
- Epididymis
- Paradidymis
- Spermatic cord
- Vas deferens
- Ejaculatory duct
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Accessory
glands
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- Seminal vesicles
- Excretory duct of seminal gland
- Prostate
- Urethral crest/Seminal colliculus/Prostatic utricle/Ejaculatory duct
- Prostatic sinus/Prostatic ducts
- Bulbourethral glands
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| External |
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Penis
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- root
- Crus
- Bulb
- Fundiform ligament
- Suspensory ligament
- body
- Corpus cavernosum
- Corpus spongiosum
- glans
- fascia
- superficial/subcutaneous
- deep/Buck's
- Tunica albuginea
- Septum of the penis
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Urinary
tract
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- Internal urethral orifice
- Urethra
- Prostatic
- Intermediate
- Spongy
- Navicular fossa
- External urethral orifice
- Lacunae of Morgagni
- Urethral gland
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Scrotum
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- layers
- skin
- Dartos
- External spermatic fascia
- Cremaster/Cremasteric fascia
- Internal spermatic fascia
- Perineal raphe
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noco/cong/tumr, sysi/epon
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