Anatomy and Physiology:

Structures of Male Reproductive System

In male, several organs serve as a part of both the urinary tract and the reproductive system. The structure of male reproductive system include the testes, the epididymis, ductus deferens, ejaculatory ducts, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral glands (Cowpers gland), urethra, penis and semen. The testes have a dual function: spermatogenesis (production of sperm) and secretion of the male sex hormone testosterone, which induces and preserves the male characteristics. The testes are formed in the embryo, within the abdominal cavity, near the kidney. During the last month of fetal life, they descend posterior to the peritoneum and pierce the abdominal wall in the groin. Later, they progress along the inguinal canal into the scrotum. In this descent, they are accompanied by blood vessels, lymphatic, nerves, and ducts, which support tissue and make up the spermatic cord. This cord extends from the internal inguinal ring through the abdominal wall and the inguinal canal to the scrotum. As the testes descend into the scrotum, a tubular extension of peritoneum accompanies them. The testes are encased in the scrotum, which keeps them at a slightly lower temperature (96F) than the rest of the body to facilitate spermatogenesis. The testes consist of numerous seminiferous tubules in which the spermatozoa form. Collecting tubules transmit the spermatozoa into the epididymis, a hoodlike structure lying on the testes and containing winding ducts that lead into vas deferens. This firm, tubular structure passes upward through the inguinal canal to enter the abdominal cavity behind the peritoneum. It then extends downward toward the base of the bladder. An out-pouching from this structure is the seminal vesicle, which acts as a reservoir for testicular secretions. The tract is continued as the ejaculatory duct, which passes through the prostate gland to enter the urethra. Testicular secretions take this pathway when they exit the penis during ejaculation. The penis has a dual function: it is the organ for copulation and for urination. Anatomically, it consists of the glans penis, the body, and the root. The glans penis is the soft, surrounded portion at the distal end of the penis. The urethra, the tube that carries urine, opens at the tip of the glans. The glans is naturally covered or protected by elongated penile skinthe foreskinwhich may be retracted to expose the glans. However, many men have had the foreskin removed (circumcision) as newborns. The body of the penis is composed of erectile tissues containing numerous blood vessels that become distended, leading to an erection during sexual excitement. The urethra, which passes through the penis, extends from the bladder through the prostate to the distal end of the penis. The prostate gland lies just below the neck of the bladder. It surrounds the urethra and is traversed by the ejaculatory duct, a continuation of the vas deferens. This gland produces a secretion that is chemically and psychologically suitable to the needs of the spermatozoa in their passage from the testes. Cowpers gland lies below the prostate, within the posterior aspect of the urethra. This gland empties its secretions into the urethra during ejaculation, providing lubrication.