Male reproductive system

• The male reproductive system consists of a

number of sex organs that play a role in the
process of human reproduction . These
organs are located on the outside of the body
and within the pelvis.
• The main male sex organs are the penis and
the testicles which produce semen and sperm,
which, as part of sexual intercourse,
fertilize an ovum in the female's body; the
fertilized ovum (zygote) develops into
a fetus, which is later born as an infant.
 Function of male reproductive system
The male reproductive system is concerned with spermatogenesis
and the introduction of spermatozoa into the female vagina during
sexual intercourse.
1. Erection:- Erection of the penis is necessary for penetration of the
vagina. Parasympathetic stimulation causes dilatation of the
penile arterioles and constriction of the veins, this result in
engorgement of the erectile tissue and the penis become
elongated and rigid.
2. Emission:- Emisssion is a reflex movement of spermatozoa and
secretion from the epididymis, Vas deference and seminal
vesicles into the urethra.
3. Ejaculation:- Ejaculation is caused by rhythmic contraction of the
prostate and the bulb cavernous muscles which result in wave like
increase in pressure on the erectile tissue causing propulsion
(ejaculation) of the semen out of the urethra.
The male reproductive system consists of the
following organs:-
Testes -2
Epididymis - 2
Deferent ducts(Vas deferens) -2
Spermatic cord -2
Seminal vesicle -2
Ejaculatory duct -2
Prostate glands - 1
Penis -1
 A) Scrotum
• The scrotum is a pouch containing the testes, the epididymis
and lower part of the spermatic cords. It lies below the
symphysis pubis and in front of the upper part of the thighs
and behind the penis.
• It is covered with skin which is deeply pigmented and divided
into two by a midline fibrous septum, which is marked on the
surface by a ridge; the scrotal raphe (A ridge that form a seam
between two part)beneath the skin layers a thin sheet of
involuntary muscle the dartos muscle, this muscle divided the
scrotum into two cavities . Interior to the dartos muscle lies
the cremasteric muscle(this muscles attached to the testicles)
and its fascia(A band of fibrous connective tissue separating
or binding together muscle and organ) .
• The subcutaneous tissue of the scrotum contains
smooth muscle fibers, constituting the dartos
muscles. This muscle contracts in response to cold
and exercise thus hold the testes closer to the body,
causing the scrotum to become smaller and
wrinkled.
• The muscle relaxes in response to warmth and thus
helps to maintain in optimal temperature for
spermatogenesis.
 B) Penis
• The human penis is an external male
intromittent organ that additionally serves as
the urinal duct. This is also a male organ of
copulation . It is about 10 cm long, 4cm breath
flaccid muscular cylindrical organ.
• The corpous spongiosum is surrounded by a thin
fibrous sheath containing elastic and smooth
muscle fibers. It encloses the penile portion of
the urethra. The corpus spongiosum arise at the
root of the penis and passes forwards inferiorly
in the deep groove formed between the corpora
cavernosa. Its tip is expanded to form a cap, the
• The body of the penis is made up of three cylindrical columns
of erectile tissue: two corpora cavernosa on the dorsal side and
one corpus spongiosum between them on the ventral side.
• Numerous trabeculae divided each column of tissue into
cavernous spaces (sinuses) giving the entire structure a spongy
apperance.
• The three columns of erectile tissue are surrounded by a small
amount of subcutaneous tissue containing numerous smooth
muscle fibers this is covered by thin delicate skin, which forms
a double fold over the glans penis called the prepuce(Foreskin).
• The penis has a fixed root arising from the perineum and a free
shaft or body. The corpora canvernosa originate separately but
unit beneath the pubic arch and run forward together . Each
corpous cavernosum is surrounded by a thick fibrous sheath.
• The main parts are the root (radix); the body
(corpus); and the epithelium of the penis including
the shaft skin and the foreskin covering the glans
penis.

• The human male urethra passes through

the prostate gland, where it is joined by the
ejaculatory duct, and then through the penis. The
urethra traverses the corpus spongiosum, and its
opening, the meatus , lies on the tip of the glans
penis. It is a passage both
for urination and ejaculation of semen.
• Arterial blood supply:-Dorsal artery of the
penis, deep artery of the penis, artery of the
urethral bulb
• Venous drainage:-Dorsal veins of the penis
• Lymphatic drainage:-Superficial inguinal
lymph nodes
• Nerve supply:-Dorsal nerve of the penis
 function
• Urination:- In males, the expulsion of urine
 from the body is done through the penis.
• Ejaculation:- Ejaculation is the ejecting of 
semen from the penis, and is usually
accompanied by orgasm.
 Urethra
• The male urethra forms a common pathway for
the flow of urine and semen. It is much longer
than the female urethra and measure 18 to 20
cm (7.5- 8 inches). It extends from the internal
urethral sphincter of the urinary bladder to the
extremity of the penis.
 Testes
•  Testes is the male gonad in animals. Like the ovaries to
which they are homologous, testes are components of both
the reproductive system and the endocrine system. The
primary functions of the testes are to produce sperm.
• The testes are approximately 4.5cm in length, 2.5 cm in
breath 3cm in thickness and weight about 10-14 gm.
• In the embryo , the testes develop within the upper abdominal
cavity and during the 7th month of fetal life they leave the
abdominal cavity by passing through the inguinal canal into
the scrotum , drawing blood vessels and ducts which form the
spermatic cords. As it passes into scrotum, each testes carries
with it a coat of peritoneum which normally becomes
separated from the rest of the abdominal peritoneum.
• Both functions of the testicle are influenced by
gonadotropic hormones produced by the
anterior pituitary. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
results in testosterone release.
• The presence of both testosterone and follicle-
stimulating hormone (FSH) is needed to
support spermatogenesis.
 Structure
• The testes are surrounded by three distinct layer
of tissue;-
i. Tunica vaginalis
ii. Tunica albuginea
iii. Tunica vasculosa
1. Tunica vaginalis:- This is the outer covering
of the testes and lines with the cremaster
muscle. It is double fold forming a parietal and
visceral layer.
The tunica vaginalis is a down growth of the
abdominal and pelvic peritoneum in early fetal
life.
2. Tunica albuginea:- This is a fibrous
membrane covering surrounding the testes and
situated under the visceral layer of vaginalis. It
projects into the testicular substance forming an
incomplete vertical septum called mediastinum
testis. From its anterior free margin,
• Each testis consists of 2000 to 3000 lobules
composed of germinal epithelia cells which are
formed into the highly convoluted semiferous
tubules, and if unravelled would measure about
70cm (27.5 inch) in length . The tubules are
coiled in such a way that both ends join a series
of straight tubules which converge to form a
network called rete testis.
• The seminiferous tubules are lined by germinal
epithelium called spermatogonium. Thus is a layer
of germinal cells derived from the primordial
germ cells.
• These large polygonal cells are situated at the
basement membrane of the tubule and extend to
its interior. These are also called sustenacular cells
(Cells of sertoli) or nurse cells. The spermatids
attach themselve to these cells during conversion
of spermatozoa. Thus sertoli cells provide
nutrition to the spermatozoa cells and they have
endocrine function also. i.e production of inhibin
androgen binding protein , oestradial.
• Arterial blood supply:-Testicular artery
• Venous drainage:-Testicular vein,  Pampiniform
plexus
• Lymphatic drainage:-Lumbar lymph nodes
• Nerve supply:-Spermatic plexus

Functions :-
Spermatogenesis:- Production of sperm
Secretion of hormones i.e Testosterone
 Epididymus
• The epididymis is a tube that connects a testicle to a vas deferens in the
male reproductive system. It is present in all male reptiles, birds, and
mammals. This is the comma shaped structure. It is a single, narrow,
tightly-coiled tube (in adult humans, six to seven feet in length
connecting the efferent ducts from the rear of each testicle to its vas
deferens.
• The convoluted tubule is lined with pseudo-stratified columnar
epithelium. The epithelium cells have long cellular processes on their
surface through which cellular secretion enter the lumen of the duct.
• The secretion contains hormones, enzymes and nutrition, which is
important for maturation of spermatozoa. The duct is surrounded by a
circular layer of smooth muscle fibers which contract to aid the
passage of spermatozoa along the duct.
 Structure
• The head :-The head of the epididymis
receives spermatozoa via the efferent ducts of
the mediastinium of the testis. It is
characterized histologically by a thin
myoepithelium. The concentration of the
sperm here is dilute.
• The body
• The tail :-This has a thicker myoepithelium
than the head region, as it is involved in
absorbing fluid to make the sperm more
concentrated.
 Function
• Role in storage of sperm and ejaculant :-
Transport and store (To some extent) the
sperm , where due to aging they become
mature , motile and fertile.
• The duration of stay of the sperm in
epididymis varies from 18 hours to 10 days.
 E) Vas deferens
• The vas deferens also called ductus deferens is
part of the male reproductive system of many
vertebrates; these vas transport sperm from the
epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts in anticipation
of ejaculation. And it is passes backward to the
base of bladder .
• There are two ducts, connecting the left and right
epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts in order to
move sperm.
• Each tube is about 30- 45 centimeters (1 ft) long
(in humans), 3 to 5 mm in diameter and 1mm
thick.
 Structure
• Vas deference is cord like structure and it is
composed of:-
• Outer fibro muscular (surrounded by smooth
muscle).
• Middle muscle layers :- Outer longitudinal
and inner circular
• Sub mucosal layer and
• Mucous membrane lined with columnar non
ciliated secretory epithelium
• Blood supply
The vas deferens is supplied by an
accompanying artery (artery of vas deferens).
This artery normally arises from the superior
(sometimes inferior) vesical artery, a branch of
the internal iliac artery.
 Function
During ejaculation, the smooth muscle in the
walls of the vas deferens contracts reflexively,
thus propelling the sperm forward. This is also
known as peristalsis. The sperm is transferred
from the vas deferens into the urethra,
collecting secretions from the male accessory
sex glands such as the seminal vesicles,
prostate gland and the bulbourethral glands,
which form the bulk of semen.
The vas deference transport mature sperm to the
 F) Spermatic cords
• The spermatic cord is the cord-like structure in males
formed by the vas deferens (ductus deferens) and
surrounding tissue that runs from the deep inguinal ring
down to each testicle.
• There are two spermatic cords ,one from each testis.
• Each spermatic cord is composed of the following
structure:-
1. Arteries: Testicular artery(It is a branch of the
abdominal aorta and arises from it just below the renal
arteries), deferential artery, cremasteric artery
2. The testicular vein passes upward through the pelvic
cavity
3. Lymphatic vessels
4. Vas deferens (ductus deferens), passes upwards from the
testes through the inguinal canal and ascends medially
towards the posterior wall of the bladder where it is
joined by the duct from the seminal vesicle to form the
ejaculatory duct.
5. Nerves:- nerve to cremaster (genital branch of the
genitofemoral nerve), testicular nerves (sympathetic
nerves) and the ilio-inguinal nerve- Ilio-inguinal nerve
not inside spermatic cord, but runs along the outside.
The spermatic cord suspends the testes in the scrotum. It
is composed of a thin sheet of fibrous tissue which
covers an inner layer of muscles tissue , Fine connective
tissue surrounded the blood vessels nerves and ductus
deference.
 Function

• Semen passes through each spermatic cord,

which also supplies blood to the testicles.
 G) The seminal vesicles
• The seminal vesicles  or seminal glands, are a
pair of simple tubular glands.
• It is a seminal vesicle are small fibro muscular
pouch lined with columnar epithelial situated
behind the bladder and above the prostate
glands.
• Each vesicles is about 5cm (2 inches) on coiled
and if uncoiled the tube becomes 10- 15 cm
long.
• It consists of three coats:-
i. An outer coat of connective tissue containing
iii. An inner coat of secretory columnar
epithelium , which is folded to form numerous
pockets.

Under the influence of testesterone the

epithelium secrete a viscid liquid containing
fructose and other nutrients , which are stored
within the seminal vesicles until ejaculation
occures. Just prior to ejaculation , the seminal
vesicles empty their contents into ejaculatory
ducts to join the spermatozoa from the vas
deferens.
• Arterial blood supply:- Inferior vesical and
middle rectal arteries.
• Venous drainage:-Vesico- Prostatic venous
Plexus
• Nerve supply:-Pelvic plexuses.
 Function
• It holds the liquid that mixes with sperm to form
semen . Semen combines fluid elements from
the epididymis , seminal vesicles, prostate
glands and vas deferences. Each body part plays
a key role in semen production.
 h) Ejaculatory ducts
• The ejaculatory ducts (ductus ejaculatorii) are
paired short structures in male . It is about 2 cm
in length.
• Each ejaculatory duct is formed by the union of
the vas deferens with the duct of the seminal
vesicle. They pass through the prostate, and
open into the urethra .
• During ejaculation, semen passes through the
prostate gland, enters the urethra and exits the
body via the tip of the penis.
• The ejaculatory ducts are composed of the same
 I) Prostate glands

• This is fibromuscular glandular accessory sex

gland lies in the pelvic cavity immediately in
front of the rectum and just behind the
symphysis pubis .
• It is chestnut shaped ,weight 8gm and lies
below the neck of the bladder.
• It is surrounds the commencement of the
urethra. It is described as having a base about
and apex below.
 Structure
i. An outer capsule of fibrous tissue.
ii. Middle involuntary muscle tissue which
penetrates deeply into the glandular substance.
iii. The glandular substance is composed of
columnar epithelium cells line the many
minute ducts which open into the urethra.
The glandular tissue of the prostate is formed by
secretory alveoli and tubules of very irregular
size and shape . Composed of columnar
epithelial cells.
This is surrounded by a fibro elastic stroma
containing smooty muscle fibers. The prostate
secretes a thin ,milk , slightly alkaline fluid which
contains calcium , acid phosphate and citric acids.
During emission , the prostate capsule contracts
and expel the fluid into the urethra through
numerous small ducts . Prostatic fluid gives milky
character of seminal fluid.

• Arterial blood supply:- Inferior vesical and middle

rectal and internal pudendal arteries.
• Venous drainage:-The veins form a plexus around
the gland and drain into the internal iliac vein.
 function
• The main function of prostate glands is to
secrete prostate fluids(one of the components
of semen). The muscles of the prostate glands
also help propel this seminal fluids into the
urethra during ejaculation.
J)Bulbo – urethral glands(Cowper’s
glands)
• The bulbo –urethra glands lie , one on each
side , in the connective tissue behind the
membranous urethra just below the prostate
glands.
• Each gland is about the size of a pea and
consists of compound tubulo- alveolar tissue
and has a duct which enters the penile portion
of the urethra . The bulbo urethral glands
produce a clear , viscid alkaline secretion.
• The bulbourethral gland contribution to the
ejaculation. The secretion is a clear fluid that is
 sperm
• During fertilization, the nucleus of a sperm fuses with
the nucleus of the much larger egg cell (the female
reproductive cell) to form a new organism. In male
animals, sperm are normally produced by the testes in
extremely large numbers in order to increase the chances
of fertilizing an egg.
• Sperm have three parts: a head which holds the
chromatin; a midpiece filled with mitochondria to
provide energy; and a flageullum or tail to move the
sperm from the vagina to the oocyte. Sperm with one tail,
such has human sperm, are referred to as spermatozoa.
• Sperm quality and quantity decrease with age.
 Primary and secondary sex characteristics

• Primary sex characteristics are present at birth

and comprise the external and internal genitalia
(eg;- the penis and testes in males and the
vagina and ovaries in females.)
• Secondary sexual characteristics are those that
emerge during the prepubescent through
postpubescent phases.(eg;-pubic hair and
breast development in females and pigmented
facial hair in males )
The list below shows some of these
characteristics differences between human
males and females. In men, these include:
• More pronounced body hair characteristics
(beard, chest etc) and usually more coarse
• Heavier musculature
• Angular feature(i.e square jaw, triangular mid
region)
• Narrow hips
• Muscular pectorals(Chest)
• Less fat tissue over all
• In women, these include:-
 Less pronounced body hair characteristics(mostly in pubic
region, hair all over is usually finer)
 Lighter musculature
 Rounded feature (i.e softer facial features, hourglass mid
region)
 Wider hip(for child bearing)
 More pronounced breasts with more fatty tissue
 More fat tissue over all
 Higher voice