Male Reproductive System

• Sperm cell production, also known as spermatogenesis, is a gametogenesis that occurs in male organisms.
• Testosterone is the primary sex hormone of males and its signaling is necessary to trigger spermatogenesis.
• The penis is responsible for the deposition of sperm into the female.
• The testes are the gonads of the male reproductive system that produce sperm cells and testosterone.
• Seminiferous tubules are coiled inside the testes where sperm is produced, where immature cells are found near the border and mature cells move further and further inside the tubule closer to the lumen.
• Sertoli cells release a variety of hormones that aid in the development of sperm.
• Leydig cells primarily release testosterone.
• Myoid cells contract the seminiferous tubules for moving cells and substances.
• The scrotum is a bag of skin that contains the testes, located under the penis and is 2-3C lower than the normal body temperature, favorable for sperm cell production and development.
• Dartos maintains the temperature of the scrotum when the environmental temperature is too low, decreasing the surface area of the scrotum in contact with the outside environment and preventing further heat loss.
• Cremaster brings the testes close to the body to conserve heat.
• The epididymis is where mature sperms are later on stored, where sperm cells are stored until they are released from the body through ejaculation.
• The vas deferens is a tube that transports and discharges sperm cells out of the body.
• Vasectomy is a method of birth control that deals with cutting or blocking the tube of the vas deferens, preventing sperm cells from being transported out of the body and resulting in future sexual intercourse carrying no risk of fertilization.
• The prostate gland secretes the prostate fluid that neutralizes the acidic conditions of the vagina.
• Semen is a mixture of sperm and prostate fluid.
• The urethra is a tube that transports and discharges urine and semen outside the body, connected to the urinary bladder and sperm duct.
• The penis is an external part, a tube-shaped organ that contains the urethra, allowing it to pass the urine and semen out of the body.
• The glans penis is the head of the penis, a sensitive structure at the end of the organ, containing the opening for the urethra, covered by excess skin - prepuce, which protects the glans.
• The corpus cavernosum is erectile tissue in men, leading to the penis becoming erect when the corpora cavernosa is filled with blood, preparation for sexual intercourse.
• Circumcision is the partial or complete removal of the prepuce in order to expose the glans penis, with many medical benefits which include decreased risk of some diseases and infections.
• Sperm ducts are composed of the vas deferens and seminal vesicles, with seminal vesicles secreting a fluid that makes the sperm more mobile, increasing the chances of fertilization.
• The spermatic cord is a structure associated with the vas deferens that holds and support structures like blood vessels and the vas deferens itself.
• Accessory glands secrete substances that aid in the nourishment of sperm and contribute to higher chances of fertilization, with seminal vesicles also being accessory glands.
• Bulbourethral gland has secretions that serve to neutralize the vagina’s acidity.
• Prostate gland releases substances to increase the motility of the sperm cells.