Chapter 14: The Male Reproductive System
The reproductive system is not essential for a human to
survive
The MRS consists of primary and secondary sex organs and
the accessory glands
Primary sex organs (gonads):
o 2 testes
Secondary sex organs:
o Penis
o Scrotum
o A system of ducts
Epididymis
Ductus
Vas deferens
Urethra
Accessory glands:
o Prostate
o Seminal vesicles
o Bulbourethral glands
Perineum
Consists of the external genitalia (penis, scrotum, testes, &
anus)
Is a diamond-shaped region between the thighs
Borders the pubic symphysis anteriorly and coccyx
posteriorly
Scrotum
Skin covered sac behind the penis at the front of upper
thighs
Divided into 2 compartments with each containing a testis
Provides a cooler environment for testes than inside the
body, an ideal condition for sperm
Testes
, Each one is covered by a serous membrane called the tunica
vaginalis which has outer and inner layers separated by a
serous fluid
Contains 250 lobes that have 3 or 4 seminiferous tubules
that produce semen
The interstitial cells between the seminiferous tubules
produce the hormone call androgen
Testosterone is the major androgen
Effects of testosterone:
o Spermatogenesis: production of sperm
o Enlargement of the testes, scrotum, and penis
o Development of the pubic, axillary, body, and facial
hair
o Secretion of the sebum in skin which can cause acne
o Burst of growth at puberty which includes an
increased muscle mass, higher BMR, larger larynx
(deeper voice)
o Stimulates the brain to generate the male sex drive\
Spermatic Cord
The blood vessels and nerves to the testes – which arise in
the abdominal cavity pass through the inguinal canal where
they join with connective tissue
o This forms the spermatic cord that suspends each
testis from the scrotum
Left testis is lower than right
Within the cord are:
o An artery
o A weblike network of veins
o Nerves
o A thin muscle
o Vas deferens (where sperm are deposited when they
leave the testis)
Sperm
Sperm’s head contains 3 segments:
The reproductive system is not essential for a human to
survive
The MRS consists of primary and secondary sex organs and
the accessory glands
Primary sex organs (gonads):
o 2 testes
Secondary sex organs:
o Penis
o Scrotum
o A system of ducts
Epididymis
Ductus
Vas deferens
Urethra
Accessory glands:
o Prostate
o Seminal vesicles
o Bulbourethral glands
Perineum
Consists of the external genitalia (penis, scrotum, testes, &
anus)
Is a diamond-shaped region between the thighs
Borders the pubic symphysis anteriorly and coccyx
posteriorly
Scrotum
Skin covered sac behind the penis at the front of upper
thighs
Divided into 2 compartments with each containing a testis
Provides a cooler environment for testes than inside the
body, an ideal condition for sperm
Testes
, Each one is covered by a serous membrane called the tunica
vaginalis which has outer and inner layers separated by a
serous fluid
Contains 250 lobes that have 3 or 4 seminiferous tubules
that produce semen
The interstitial cells between the seminiferous tubules
produce the hormone call androgen
Testosterone is the major androgen
Effects of testosterone:
o Spermatogenesis: production of sperm
o Enlargement of the testes, scrotum, and penis
o Development of the pubic, axillary, body, and facial
hair
o Secretion of the sebum in skin which can cause acne
o Burst of growth at puberty which includes an
increased muscle mass, higher BMR, larger larynx
(deeper voice)
o Stimulates the brain to generate the male sex drive\
Spermatic Cord
The blood vessels and nerves to the testes – which arise in
the abdominal cavity pass through the inguinal canal where
they join with connective tissue
o This forms the spermatic cord that suspends each
testis from the scrotum
Left testis is lower than right
Within the cord are:
o An artery
o A weblike network of veins
o Nerves
o A thin muscle
o Vas deferens (where sperm are deposited when they
leave the testis)
Sperm
Sperm’s head contains 3 segments:
