MALE REPRODUCTIVE

SYSTEM- PART 2
LECTURE – 2 → HUMAN REPRODUCTION
VAS DEFERENS

• Lined by pseudostratified epithelium with cilia.

• The opening of vas deferens forms ampulla, which joins with seminal vesicle and forms ejaculatory
duct.
• Then the duct passes through prostate gland to open into urethra.
URETHRA AND ACCESSORY GLANDS

• Urethra provides a common pathway for flow of urine and semen. It is about 20 cm.
• The initial part is surrounded by prostate gland (glandular part).
• The opening of urethra is external urethral orifice/urethral meatus.
• It also receives duct of Prostate and Cowper’s glands.
Seminal vesicles:
Paired, tubular, coiled glands behind the bladder. They secrete viscous fluid (seminal plasma) which
constitutes main part of ejaculate. The seminal plasma contains fructose, inositol (to nourish the
sperms), prostaglandins (sperm motility support). It also contains fibrinogen that coagulates sperm
after ejaculation. The fluid is alkaline in nature as it neutralizes the acidic urethral track.

Prostate gland:
The prostate gland is chestnut shaped gland at base of urinary bladder. It contributes to partial
alkalinity of the semen and milky appearance. The prostatic fluid secretion also provides a
characteristic odour, calcium, phosphate ions and profibrinolysin(breaking of clotting proteins).
Prostatitis: Inflammation of prostate gland.
Cowper’s/Bulbo-urethral gland:
Paired gland, pea sized, adjacent to urethra at base of penis. The secretion is viscous which acts as
lubricant.

SEMEN
• Seminal fluid is contribution of secretions of seminal vesicle, prostate and cowper’s glands.
• Seminal fluid + Sperms = Semen
• Average volume of semen in ejaculation is 2.5-5 ml (200-300 million sperms).
• Slightly alkaline (pH 7.2 to 7.7).
• Provides sperms with transportation medium and nutrients.
PENIS

• Copulatory organ of male. It is cylindrical and erectile.

• It remains small and flaccid but on sexual arousal it becomes erect and helps in insemination during
intercourse. It is due to the spongy tissue (corpus spongiosum and corpora cavernosa)
• The enlarged end of penis called glans penis, which is covered by loose fold of skin called
foreskin/prepuce.
• At the tip, the slit like opening is urethral meatus.
PRACTICE QUESTIONS
Q. Seminal plasma, the fluid part of semen, is contributed by.
i. Seminal vesicle
ii. Prostate gland
iii. Urethra
iv. Bulbourethral gland
(a) i and ii (b) i, ii and iv (c) ii, iii and iv (d) i and iv
Q. The vas deferens receives duct from the seminal vesicle and opens into
urethra as:
a. Epididymis b. Ejaculatory duct
c. Efferent ductule d. Ureter