MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

• The male reproductive system consists of a number sex organs that are a part of the human reproductive process. It produces, stores and releases the male gametes, or sperm.
• Gametes - a sex cell
• The penis is the organ by which the sperm is introduced into the female. It contains spongy tissue that becomes turgid and erect when filled with blood.
• Corpus spongiosum – is the mass of spongy tissue which surrounds urethra and involves in erection by allowing rushing of blood into it
• Corpus cavernosa – is one of a pair of songe-like regions of erectile tissue which contains most of the blood in the penis during penile erection
• Urethra – a tube within the penis that conveys semen out of the body during ejaculation.
• Glans – the rounded, highly sensitive head of the penis.
• Prepuce – a fold of skin, covering the head of the penis.
• The scrotum is a pouch of skin formed from the lower part of the abdominal wall. The scrotum keeps the testes at a temperature slightly cooler than body temperature.
• The testes are the two- oval shaped male organs that produce sperm and hormone testosterone.
• Testosterone - the primary male sex hormone
• Each testis is made of tightly coiled structures called seminiferous tubules.
• The epididymis is a tightly coiled tubes against the testicles. It acts as maturation and storage place for sperm.
• The vas deferens is a thin tube that starts from the epididymis to the urethra in the penis. They transport sperm from the epididymis in anticipation of ejaculation.
• These glands produce nourishing fluids for the sperms that enter the urethra.
• The Seminal Vesicles are sac-like structures attached to the vas deferens at one side of the bladder. They produce a sticky yellowish fluid that contains fructose.
• The Prostate Gland surrounds the ejaculatory ducts at the base of the urethra, just below the bladder. The Prostate Gland is responsible for making the production of semen, a liquid mixture of sperm cells, prostate fluid and seminal fluid.
• The Bulbourethral Glands are two small glands located on the sides of the urethra just below the prostate gland. These glands produce a clear, slippery fluid that empties directly into the urethra.
• Sperm - it's function is to move and carry genetic information to the egg.
• Head - the large head region of the sperm that contains DNA.
• Midpiece - the narrow middle part of the cell that contains mitochondria.
• Tail - the wavelike motion of the flagellum propels the sperm forward.
• Spermatogenesis is the formation of sperm cells. It takes place in the seminiferous tubules.
• Primary spermatocytes - the cells that undergo meiosis.
• Meiosis I of a primary spermatocyte produces secondary spermatocytes, each with the haploid number of chromosomes (n=23).
• Ejaculation is the discharge of semen from the penis
• The pathway of the sperm in the male reproductive system are the following: testes - epididymis - vas deferens - ejaculatory duct - urethra