The Male Reproductive System

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The Male Reproductive System
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What Does It Do?

• To produce, transport, and sustain sperm
• To produce sex hormones to sexually mature a male
• To release semen and urine from the body
• In essence to ensure survival of humans!

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Testosterone

• Male sex hormone produced in testes
• Responsible for spermatogenesis (production of
  mature sperm)
• Responsible for development of secondary sex
  characteristics in males
• Facial and pubic hair
• Deepened voice
• Increase in size of musculature and bones

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Sperm

• Male reproductive cell
• Production takes 74 days
• Involved in fertilization of egg after
  ejaculation it can survive inside a female for
  48 hours

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Testicles (Testes)

• 2 oval structures about 5 cm. long and 3 cm. in
  diameter
• Functions to produce sperm (seminiferous
  tubules) and testosterone

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Epididymis

• Long, tightly coiled tube about 6 m. long,
  covering top and back portions of testes, where
  immature sperm completes their maturation process
• Mature sperm stored at tail of epididymis

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Scrotum

• Pouch-like structure outside the pelvis
• Houses the testicles and epididymis
• Regulates temperature of testicles

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Vas Deferens

• Part of the duct system
• Muscular tube that transports sperm up from
  epididymis to urethra

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Seminal Vesicles

• Accessory gland located at base of bladder
• Secretes thick, sugary liquid that nourishes
  sperm (eventually to become semen)
• About 70 of the seminal fluid in humans
  originates from the seminal vesicles

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Ejaculatory Ducts

• Formed by junction of the seminal vesicles and
  vas deferens
• Passes through the prostate, emptying into the
  urethra

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Prostate Gland

• Walnut-sized accessory gland that surrounds a
  portion of the urethra
• Produce some of the milky fluids in semen to
  enhance motility of sperm

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Cowpers Glands

• Small, pea-size glands located near base of penis
• Releases fluid that neutralizes the acidity of
  urine residue in the urethra, helps neutralize
  the acidity of the vagina and provides
  lubrication for tip of penis during intercourse.

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Urethra

• Tube that carries semen and urine outside of the
  body through the penis

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Penis

• External organ made of two parts shaft and glans
• Delivers sperm through the urethra into the
  female reproductive tract
• Made of spongy tissue that can expand and contract

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