Male

• The Male Reproductive System


  • Testes
  • Scrotum
  • Sperm Duct
  • Prostrate Gland
  • Urethra
  • Penis

  
• Testes


  • singular : testis
  • produces sperm and male sex hormones such as testosterone
  • male hormones are responsible for the development and maintanence of the secondary sexual characteristics in males
• Scrotum


  • a pouch-like sac between the thighs where the testes lie
  • outside the main body cavity. Thus slightly lower temperature than the rest of the body, allowing sperms to develop properly
• Sperm Duct


  • each sperm duct loops over a ureter and then opens into the urethra
  • after sperm is released from a testis, they travel through the sperm duct
• Prostrate gland


  • the prostrate gland is at the base of the urinary baldder, where the two sperm ducts join the urethra
  • the prostrate gland secretes a fluid which mixes with the sperm
  • the fluid contains nutrients and enzymes which nourish the sperm and stimulate them to swim activitely
  • the mixture of the fluid and sperm is called semen
• Urethra


  • the urethra is a tube which passes from the bladder through the centre of the penis to the outside of the body
  • both semen and urine pass out of the body thorugh the urethra
• Penis


  • the penis is an erectile organ
  • the penis enters the vagina of a woman during sexual intercourse to deposit semen, containing sperm
• Sperm


  • the sperm is the male gamete
  • numerous sperm are produced throughout the life of a male human after he has become physically mature
  • a sperm is about 60 micrometers long
  • consists of the head, middle piece and flagellum
  • the sperm travels from the testis through the sperm duct to the urethra and then outside the body

  
• Structure of the sperm

  • head : about 2.5 micrometers wide, contains a nucleus with a small amount of cytoplasm. The nucleus carries a haploid set of chromosomes
  • Middle piece : contains numerous mitochondria to provide energy for the sperm to swim towards the egg
  • Flagellum : the beating movement of the flagellum enables the sperm to swim towards the egg, it allows the sperm to be mobile