Responsible for producing offspring. Includes male and female specific organs to complete offspring production.
Theriogenology
Animal reproduction or the study of producing beasts.
Theri/o
Beast
Gen/o
Producing
-logy
To study
Genitals or genitalia
Male or female reproductive organs
Genit/o
Organs of reproduction
Male reproductive system
Functions to produce and deliver sperm to the egg to create life. It is composed of the scrotum, testes, epididymis, ductus deferens, accessory sex glands, urethra, and penis.
Scrotum or scrotal sac
The external pouch that encloses and supports the testes. It keeps them outside the body at a lower body temperature for sperm development.
Scrot/o
Scrotum
Perineum
The area between the scrotum and anus in males or the vulva and anus in females.
Perine/o
Perineum
Testes or testicles
Male sex glands that produce spermatozoa.
Testis
A single testes gland
Gonads
Sex glands
Orch/o, orchi/o, orchid/o, test/o, and testicul/o
Testes
Spermaticcord
Suspends the testes in the scrotum
Seminiferoustubules
Coiled tubes contained in the compartments of the testicles. They are channels that where sperm is produced and through which they live the testicles.
Leydig's or interstitial cells
Cells between the spaces in the testicles that have endocrine function.
Sertoli cells
Specialized cells in the testicles that support and nourish sperm growth.
Sperm or spermatozoa
Male gametes
Spermatozoon
One gamete
Sperm/o and spermat/o
Spermatozoa.
Acrosome
Structure at the top of the head of sperm that contains enzymes that allow them to penetrate the ovum.
Spermatogenesis
Production of male gametes.
Head
Part of the sperm with a nucleus and acrosome.
Midpiece
Middle part of the sperm that contains mitochondria.
Flagella or tail
End of the sperm that allows for movement.
Gamete
Sex cells
Epididymis
Formed from a duct the emerges from a cluster of seminiferous tubules. It is at the upper part of each testis that secretes part of the semen, stores semen before ejaculation, and provides a passageway for sperm. It runs down the length of the testicles, turns upward, and becomes the ductus deferens. This is where sperm become motile.
Motile
Capable of spontaneous motion.
Epididym/o
Epididymus
Ductus deferens
A tube connected to the epididymis that carries sperm into the pelvic region toward the urethra. It is encased by the spermatic cord and is the excretory duct of the testes.
Ampulla
Glandular portion of the ductus deferens in swine. It is an enlarged part of the tube or canal.
Male accessorysex glands
Includes the seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands. They add secretions to the sperm and flush urine from the urethra before sperm enters it.
Seminal vesicles or vesicular glands
Two glands that open into the ductus deferens where it joins the urethra. It secretes a thick, yellow substance that nourishes the sperm and adds volume to the semen.
Semen
The ejaculatory fluid that contains sperm and the secretions of accessory sex glands.
Semin/i
Semen
Ejaculatoryduct
Formed by the union of the ductus deferens and the duct from the seminal vesicles. It passes through the prostate and enters the urethra.
Prostategland
A single gland that surrounds or is near the urethra and may be well defined or diffuse depending on the species. It secretes a thick fluid that aids in the motility of sperm.