Organs which produce sperm

There they each join one of the vas deferens to form the ejaculatory ducts. The vesicles secrete a whitish-brown fluid containing sugars, prostaglandins, and other substances that makes up two-thirds of the semen volume. The prostate, located under the bladder and above the start of the penis, contains the ejaculatory ducts and the prostatic urethra.

As semen enters the urethra, the prostate secretes enzymes that help activate the sperm. These glands add mucus that helps with sperm motility. The penis is part of the male external genitalia, suspended from the body at the front and sides of the pubic arch. Internally, the penis consists of three connected columns of tissue.

The paired corpora cavernosa extend together from the root of the penis through the body. The corpus spongiosum runs along the underside of the cavernosa. It contains the spongy urethra and expands past the body of the penis to form the glans penis the tip. The tissue of the corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum is spongelike in structure.

During arousal and intercourse, the spaces in the tissue fill with blood. The penis stiffens. Now it can penetrate the vagina to deliver semen directly into the female reproductive system. See more from our free eBook library. The Body Online.

Thus, the exact physiological importance of seminal vesicular fluid is unclear. It may be a developmental rest, such as in some rodents where the last part of the ejaculate forms a spermicidal plug to reduce the chances for sperm from a later-arriving male to proceed to the oocyte.

Prostate : Prostate with seminal vesicles and seminal ducts, viewed from the front and above, including the urethra, seminal vesicle, vas deferens, ampulla, ejaculatory duct, and isthmus. The prostate surrounds the urethra just below the urinary bladder and can be felt during a rectal exam. It is the only exocrine organ located in the midline in humans and similar animals.

Within the prostate, the urethra coming from the bladder is called the prostatic urethra and merges with the two ejaculatory ducts.

The prostate is sheathed in the muscles of the pelvic floor, which contract during the ejaculatory process.

The prostatic fluid is expelled in the first ejaculate fractions, together with most of the spermatozoa. In comparison with the few spermatozoa expelled in seminal vesicular fluid, those expelled in prostatic fluid have better motility, longer survival, and better protection of the genetic material.

The prostate also contains some smooth muscles that help expel semen during ejaculation. To work properly, the prostate needs male hormones e. Some male hormones are produced in small amounts by the adrenal glands. However, dihydrotestosterone regulates the prostate. A healthy human prostate is slightly larger than a walnut in adult males, with a weight ranging between 7 and 16 grams.

Bulbourethral Gland : Image shows internal view of penis and male sexual anatomy. The bulbourethral gland is labeled at center left. Bulbourethral glands are located posterior and lateral to the membranous portion of the urethra at the base of the penis, between the two layers of the fascia of the urogenital diaphragm in the deep perineal pouch.

They are enclosed by transverse fibers of the sphincter urethrae membranacea muscle. The bulbourethral glands are compound tubulo-alveolar glands, each approximately the size of a pea. They are composed of several lobules held together by a fibrous covering. Each lobule opens into a duct that joins with the ducts of other lobules to form a single excretory duct. This duct is approximately 2. The glands gradually diminish in size with advancing age.

During sexual arousal, each gland produces a clear, salty, viscous secretion known as pre-ejaculate. This fluid helps to lubricate the urethra for spermatozoa to pass through, neutralizes traces of acidic urine in the urethra, and helps flush out any residual urine or foreign matter. It is possible for this fluid to pick up sperm remaining in the urethral bulb from previous ejaculations and carry them out prior to the next ejaculation. Privacy Policy. Skip to main content.

The Reproductive System. Search for:. The Male Reproductive System. Anatomy of the Male Reproductive System The male reproductive system includes external penis, scrotum, epididymus, and testes and internal accessory organs.

Learning Objectives Distinguish among the parts and functions of the male reproductive system. Key Takeaways Key Points The functions of the male reproductive system include producing and transporting sperm, ejaculating sperm into the female reproductive tract, and producing and secreting male hormones. Most of the male reproductive system is located outside of the body.

They include the vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands. Key Terms semen : Contains spermatozoa, proteolytic and other enzymes, and fructose that promotes spermatozoa survival. It also provides a medium for sperm motility. Scrotum The purpose of the scrotum is to provide the testes with a chamber of appropriate temperature for optimal sperm production.

Learning Objectives Describe the functions of the scrotum. Key Takeaways Key Points Moving the testes away from the abdomen and increasing the exposed surface area allow a faster dispersion of excess heat. If testes were in the abdomen, constant pressure from abdominal muscles would possibly empty the testes and epididymis before sperm were sufficiently mature for fertillization. Key Terms scrotum : The bag of skin and muscle that contains the testes in mammals.

It connects the efferent ducts from the rear of each testicle to its vas deferens. Testes The testis is homologous to the ovary in that it produces the male gamete sperm while the ovary produces the female gamete egg. Learning Objectives Describe the function of testes and the development of sperm.

Key Takeaways Key Points The testes produce the hormones testosterone and other androgens. Sperm are produced within seminiferous tubules.

Leydig cells produce and secrete male hormones. Sertoli cells help in the process of spermatogenesis. Key Terms Leydig cells : Also known as interstitial cells of Leydig, these are found adjacent to the seminiferous tubules in the testicle and produce testosterone in the presence of luteinizing hormone. In males, it is critical for spermatogenesis as it stimulates primary spermatocytes to form secondary spermatocytes.

Luteinizing hormone : A hormone produced by gonadotropic cells of the anterior pituitary gland. It triggers ovulation and development of the corpus luteum in females and stimulates Leydig cell production of testosterone in males. Penis In human males, the penis serves as both a reproductive organ and as a urinal duct.

Learning Objectives Describe the structure and function of the penis. Key Takeaways Key Points The major structure of the penis is formed by columns of corpus cavernosum and spongiosum tissue.

The head of the penis, called the glans, contains the opening for the urethral duct, the passage for urine and seminal fluid. The penis and clitoris found in women are homologous organs. Blood engorgement of penile tissue causes the penis to become erect, facilitating sexual intercourse.

Ejaculation is the release of sperm, which propels the sperm into the vaginal canal when it occurs during intercourse. Key Terms glans : The vascular body which forms the apex of the penis. Testes Ducts Testes ducts, which include the seminiferous tubules and vas deferens, are involved in the creation or transportation of sperm. Learning Objectives Differentiate among the ducts of the testes.

Key Takeaways Key Points Creation of sperm occurs in the seminiferous tubules of the testes. The efferent ducts maintain proper fluid concentration in the testes and propel sperm to the epididymus. The vas deferens carry the sperm from the epididymus to the urethra.

A vasectomy cuts the vas deferens to prevent sperm from entering the urethra and being ejaculated. Key Terms vasectomy : The surgical removal of all or part of the vas deferens, usually as a means of male sterilization. Accessory Sex Glands The accessory sex glands produce seminal fluid and clean and lubricate the urethra. Learning Objectives Describe the functions of male accessory sex glands. This is the loose bag of skin which hangs under the main body cavity between the upper thighs.

It is divided into two, and each side contains one testicle testis. The testicles testes. There are two testes. Each is an egg-shaped structure located in the scrotum. The testes produce sperm and also produce male hormones. The testes start developing inside the body cavity in a growing baby fetus. About two months before a male baby is born, the testes start to drop down into the scrotal sacs. Because they are outside the main body cavity the testes are slightly cooler.

This difference in temperature helps sperm production. The vas deferens. This is the tube which carries the sperm from the epididymis. It may also be called the sperm duct. It meets a tube from the seminal vesicle see below to form a short tube called the ejaculatory duct. This then opens into the urethra, which is the tube that takes the sperm outside the body. The accessory sex glands. There are three glands which produce fluids that mix with the sperm to make up semen.

Semen is the liquid which is ejected from the penis during ejaculation. The three glands are located close to the bladder and are called:.

The penis. The penis has a single tube in it called the urethra. There are three main parts of the penis - the root, body and glans. The root is the part attached to the skin at the top of the scrotum. The body of the penis is made up of a spongy type of tissue, which swells when blood enters during an erection.

The glans penis is the slightly larger area towards the end of the penis and contains the opening of the urethra. The urethra.