Male reproductive system how does it work

The scrotum : Image of the external, muscle, and deep tissue views of the scrotum. The testis is homologous to the ovary in that it produces the male gamete sperm while the ovary produces the female gamete egg. Testicle : A diagram of the major components of an adult human testis, including the following numbered items: 1.

Tunica albuginea, 2. Septula testis, 3. Lobulus testis, 4. Mediastinum testis, 5. Tubuli seminiferi contorti, 6. Tubuli seminiferi recti, 7. Rete testis, 8. Ductuli efferentes testis, 9a. Head of epididymis, 9b. Body of epididymis, 9. Vas deferens, 11a. Tunica vaginalis parietal lamina , 11b. Tunica vaginalis visceral lamina , and Cavity of tunica vaginalis. The testis is the male gonad in animals. Like the ovaries to which they are homologous, testes are components of both the reproductive system and the endocrine system.

Thee testes produce sperm spermatogenesis and androgens, primarily testosterone. Both functions of the testis are influenced by gonadotropic hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland. Luteinizing hormone results in testosterone release. The presence of both testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone FSH is needed to support spermatogenesis.

Almost all healthy male vertebrates have two testes. In mammals, the testes are often contained within an extension of the abdomen called the scrotum. In mammals with external testes, it is most common for one testicle to hang lower than the other. While the size of the testis varies, it is estimated that The tough membranous shell called the tunica albuginea contains very fine coiled tubes called seminiferous tubules.

These are lined with a layer of germ cells that develop into sperm cells also known as spermatozoa or male gametes from puberty into old age. The developing sperm travels through the seminiferous tubules to the rete testis located in the mediastinum testis, to the efferent ducts, and then to the epididymis where newly-created sperm cells mature. The sperm moves into the vas deferens and is eventually expelled through the urethra, via the urethral orifice through muscular contractions.

Leydig cells located between seminiferous tubules produce and secrete testosterone and other androgens important for sexual development and puberty, including secondary sexual characteristics such as facial hair and sexual behavior. They also support libido, spermatogenesis, and erectile function. In addition, testosterone controls testicular volume.

Inside the Human Testes : Diagram illustrates the scrotum with a portion of the covering removed to display the testis. The penis is an intromittent organ of male animals with reproductive and urinary functions.

Unlike many other species, the human penis has no baculum, or erectile bone. Instead, it relies entirely on engorgement with blood to achieve erection.

The human penis cannot be withdrawn into the groin, and is larger than that of any other primate, particularly in regards to proportion to body mass. Human Penis : This is a diagram of a human penis with its parts labeled.

The human penis is made up of three columns of tissue: two corpora cavernosa that lie next to each other on the dorsal side and a corpus spongiosum that lies between the corpora cavernosa on the ventral side. The glans penis is the bulbous end of the penis formed by the corpus spongiosum. It supports the foreskin prepuce that retracts to expose the glans. The area on the underside of the penis, where the foreskin is attached, is called the frenum or frenulum.

The rounded base of the glans is called the corona. The perineal raphe is the noticeable line along the underside of the penis. The urethra is the last part of the urinary tract and traverses the corpus spongiosum. The urethral opening is called the meatus and lies on the tip of the glans penis. It serves as a passage both for urine and semen. Sperm are produced in the testes and stored in the attached epididymis. Sperm are propelled through the vas deferens during ejaculation.

Fluids are added by the seminal vesicles before the vas deferens carries the sperm to the ejaculatory ducts, which join the urethra inside the prostate gland. The prostate as well as the bulbourethral glands add further secretions, then the semen is expelled through the penis.

The raphe is the noticeable ridge between the halves of the penis. It is located on the ventral aspect of the penis and runs from the meatus and across the scrotum to the perineum area between scrotum and anus.

Penile and Clitoral Structure : This diagram compares the structure of the penis to the clitoris. An erection is the stiffening and rising of the penis that facilitates sexual arousal, though it can also happen in nonsexual situations. The primary physiological mechanism that brings about an erection is the autonomic dilation of arteries supplying blood to the penis.

This allows more blood to fill the three spongy erectile tissue chambers in the penis, causing it to lengthen and stiffen. The engorged erectile tissue presses against and constricts the veins that carry blood away from the penis. More blood enters than leaves the penis until an equilibrium is reached where an equal volume of blood flows into the dilated arteries and out of the constricted veins; a constant erectile size is achieved at this equilibrium.

Although many erect penises point upwards, it is common and normal for the erect penis to point nearly vertically upwards, nearly vertically downwards, or even horizontally forward, depending on the tension of the suspensory ligament that holds it in position. Ejaculation is the ejection of semen from the penis and is usually accompanied by orgasm. A series of muscular contractions delivers semen, containing sperm cells or spermatozoa, from the penis.

It is usually the result of sexual stimulation, including prostate stimulation. Ejaculation has two phases: emission and ejaculation proper. The emission phase of the ejaculatory reflex is under control of the sympathetic nervous system, while the ejaculatory phase is under the control of a spinal reflex at the level of spinal nerves S2 to S4 via the pudendal nerve.

A refractory period succeeds the ejaculation, and sexual stimulation precedes it. Anejaculation is the condition of being unable to ejaculate. Testes ducts, which include the seminiferous tubules and vas deferens, are involved in the creation or transportation of sperm. Inside the Human Testes : Diagram of cross-section of testes: 1: Testicular septa 2: Convoluted seminiferous tubules 3: Testicular lobules 4: Straight seminiferous tubules 5: Efferent ductules 6: Rete testis. We do this through our genes , the special carriers of human traits.

The genes that parents pass along are what make their children similar to others in their family, but also what make each child unique. These genes come from the male's sperm and the female's egg. The male has reproductive organs, or genitals , that are both inside and outside the pelvis.

The male genitals include:. In a guy who has reached sexual maturity, the two oval-shaped testicles , or testes pronounced: TESS-teez make and store millions of tiny sperm cells. The testicles are also part of the endocrine system because they make hormones , including testosterone pronounced: tess-TOSS-tuh-rone. Testosterone is a major part of puberty in guys.

As a guy makes his way through puberty, his testicles produce more and more of it. Testosterone is the hormone that causes boys to develop deeper voices, bigger muscles , and body and facial hair. It also stimulates the production of sperm. Alongside the testicles are the epididymis and the vas deferens, which transport sperm. The epididymis pronounced: ep-uh-DID-uh-miss and the testicles hang in a pouch-like structure outside the pelvis called the scrotum.

This bag of skin helps to regulate the temperature of testicles, which need to be kept cooler than body temperature to produce sperm. The scrotum changes size to maintain the right temperature. When the body is cold, the scrotum shrinks and becomes tighter to hold in body heat.

When it's warm, it gets larger and floppier to get rid of extra heat. This happens without a guy ever having to think about it. The brain and the nervous system give the scrotum the cue to change size.

The accessory glands , including the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland , provide fluids that lubricate the duct system and nourish the sperm. The urethra pronounced: yoo-REE-thruh is the channel that carries the sperm in fluid called semen to the outside of the body through the penis. The urethra is also part of the urinary system because it is also the channel through which pee passes as it leaves the bladder and exits the body. The penis is actually made up of two parts: the shaft and the glans.

The shaft is the main part of the penis and the glans is the tip sometimes called the head. At the end of the glans is a small slit or opening, which is where semen and pee exit the body through the urethra. Ovaries — two small almond-shaped glands that contain ova. Sex hormones are also made by the ovaries.

The menstrual cycle Hormones secreted by the ovaries and a small gland in the brain called the pituitary gland control the menstrual cycle. Female reproductive system problems Some reproductive health conditions women may experience include: endometriosis — the presence and growth of functioning endometrial tissue in places other than the uterus polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS fibroids — non-malignant tumours of the womb infertility — inability to become pregnant painful periods premenstrual tension sexually transmissible infections STIs — bacterial or viral infections acquired through sexual contact, some of which can cause cancer or infertility.

Semen is a mixture of sperm and fluid from the male reproductive organs. It exits the penis, through the urethra, during ejaculation. Testicles testes — oval sex glands located in a skin sack called the scrotum. Sperm and sex hormones are made by the testicles. Keeping the testicles outside of the body means they have a lower temperature than the rest of the body, which is important for sperm production. Epididymis — a series of small tubes attached to the back of each testicle.

The epididymis collects and stores sperm. Vas deferens — the epididymis eventually becomes the vas deferens, a larger tube that transports sperm to the urethra the urinary passage from the bladder. Accessory sex glands — including the prostate gland, seminal vesicles and the bulbourethral glands. These glands contribute nourishing fluid to the sperm.

Male reproductive hormones Hormones are chemical messengers made by glands in the body. The sperm The sperm is the male reproductive cell. Male reproductive system problems Some of the reproductive health conditions men may experience include: impotence — a problem with getting or keeping an erection infertility — the inability to achieve a pregnancy due to low sperm production, blockages or other factors prostate disease — benign prostate enlargement and prostate cancer sexually transmissible infections STIs — bacterial or viral infections acquired through sexual contact.

Testosterone deficiency , Healthy Male. Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all reproductive system - female. Related information. From other websites Babies and pregnancy — MyDr. Men's Health Australia. Sexual and reproductive health — Women's Health Victoria.