What is it?
The reproductive system is a system of sex organs which work together in the male and
female in order to reproduce a new human being. Fluids, hormones and pheromones also
play a large part in the reproductive system. The main sex hormones for males are
testosterone and androgen whereas for females it is oestrogen, and progesterone
In this work you will find information for different parts of both the male and female
reproductive system.
Males
The male reproductive system
includes the scrotum, testes,
urethra, ductus deferens, penis,
seminal vesicles and prostate.
These work together to produce
sperm and semen. This is
ejaculated out of the body and is
delivered into the vagina during
heterosexual intercourse.
The penis is both a reproductive organ and an excretory organ. In the reproductive
system the penis becomes erect during sexual intercourse in order to ensure that the
semen is effectively delivered into the vagina. The semen travels through the urethra
and is ejaculated out of the body from the tip of the penis during orgasm.
The spongy urethra is the largest part of the male urethra. It is around 15 cm long
and extends from the bladder to the tip of the penis.
The ductus deferens is a small muscular tube which carries sperm to the ejactulatory
duct. The ducts are in the male body with one carrying sperm from each testis to the
left and right ejaculatory ducts.
The testicles are the behind the penis in a pouch of skin called the scrotum. The
testicles move freely in the scrotum but each testis is attached to the body by a thin
cord called the spermatic cord. This passes through the cavity in the pelvis and into
the abdomen.