Human reproduction
Male reproductive system
Primary sex organ Testis
Ducts epididymis , sperm duct (vas deferens),
urethra
Accessory gland Prostate gland
External genitalia Penis
Functions
Scrotum : temp regulator, keeps testes at 3c below body temp, lower temp = fertile sperm,
houses and protects testis
Testis : suspended outside body, consist of lots of compartments / lobules contains highly
convoluted tubules (seminiferous tubules)
- Tubes are lines with germinal epithelium
- Between tubules are groups of endocrine cells (interstitial cells / cells of leydig)
- Testes produce : sperm (by germinal layer) & testosterone (by interstitial cells)
, Prostate gland : plum sized gland, surrounds urethra at base of bladder
- Secretes fluid that aids the transport of sperm
- Contains enzymes that make sperm active
- Fluid makes up ⅓ of seminal fluid (semen)
Cowper's gland : found at base of penis
- Produce alkaline mucus when sexually arounsed, this fluid:
- Neutralise acidic urine = safe pathway for sperm
- Lubricates urethra and external urethra opening to protect sperm from
mechanical damage
Penis : urethra passes down penis, which consists of spongy tissue (erectile tissue), along
penis, three sections of erectile tissue, two on dorsal side (corpus cavanova) one on ventral
side (corpus spongiosum)
- Erection : dilation of dorsal and central artery supplying blood to penis, allows more
blood to fill the three erectile tissue chambers
- Penis - deposits semen in vagina during copulation
Semen : consists of:
- Sperm (from testes)
- Seminal fluid (from sperm duct and accessory gland)
Ducts :
Ducts Function
Epididymis Immature sperm enter where they:
- Seminiferous tubules join to form the - mature , become motile and fertile
epididymis, a highly convoluted - Stored, for several months
tubule
Sperm duct Pushes mature sperm forwards (peristaltic
- Continuation of epididymis, leaves waves) from epididymis into urethra =
scrotum, passes through prostate ejaculation
gland and enters urethra
Urethra Forms a common duct for the transportation
- Duct at end of genital system leads of semen and urine (never occur together)
to exit
Male reproductive system
Primary sex organ Testis
Ducts epididymis , sperm duct (vas deferens),
urethra
Accessory gland Prostate gland
External genitalia Penis
Functions
Scrotum : temp regulator, keeps testes at 3c below body temp, lower temp = fertile sperm,
houses and protects testis
Testis : suspended outside body, consist of lots of compartments / lobules contains highly
convoluted tubules (seminiferous tubules)
- Tubes are lines with germinal epithelium
- Between tubules are groups of endocrine cells (interstitial cells / cells of leydig)
- Testes produce : sperm (by germinal layer) & testosterone (by interstitial cells)
, Prostate gland : plum sized gland, surrounds urethra at base of bladder
- Secretes fluid that aids the transport of sperm
- Contains enzymes that make sperm active
- Fluid makes up ⅓ of seminal fluid (semen)
Cowper's gland : found at base of penis
- Produce alkaline mucus when sexually arounsed, this fluid:
- Neutralise acidic urine = safe pathway for sperm
- Lubricates urethra and external urethra opening to protect sperm from
mechanical damage
Penis : urethra passes down penis, which consists of spongy tissue (erectile tissue), along
penis, three sections of erectile tissue, two on dorsal side (corpus cavanova) one on ventral
side (corpus spongiosum)
- Erection : dilation of dorsal and central artery supplying blood to penis, allows more
blood to fill the three erectile tissue chambers
- Penis - deposits semen in vagina during copulation
Semen : consists of:
- Sperm (from testes)
- Seminal fluid (from sperm duct and accessory gland)
Ducts :
Ducts Function
Epididymis Immature sperm enter where they:
- Seminiferous tubules join to form the - mature , become motile and fertile
epididymis, a highly convoluted - Stored, for several months
tubule
Sperm duct Pushes mature sperm forwards (peristaltic
- Continuation of epididymis, leaves waves) from epididymis into urethra =
scrotum, passes through prostate ejaculation
gland and enters urethra
Urethra Forms a common duct for the transportation
- Duct at end of genital system leads of semen and urine (never occur together)
to exit
