Human Reproduction
The male reproductive system
Main function: to produce sperm and deliver it to the female.
Structure: ex Lcl rr4
;i
r ----...
) Strucrure and funcrions of rhe parrs of rhe male reprodticrir.e
sysrem:
ure
the
rle
.em.
seminal vesicle
The foreskin protects prostate gland
the penis.
Cowper's gland
vas deferens
penis made of erectile
foreskin spongy tissue
has been
remoi,ecj epididymis
rtr>tt5
SCrotum
glans
urethra
Figure 4.1 The male reproductive
system
seminal vesicle:
seminal vesicle: sac-likesac-like
glands that secrete a sugary substance
giands rhar secrere a sugary subsrance
rhar is as anthat is as an energy source for
energy
-source for spenrr
sperm. prostate gland: gland rhar produces
a rnilky alkaline fluid rhar makes
n-role acrive.
rhe sperm
Ir neurr.alises che aciclic vaginal secrerions
and acidic pH of the urerhra.
prostate gland:
Corvper'sgland that
gland: glandproduces a milky
secrerions l_relp alkaline
ro lubricate fluid
rhe head that
of rhe makes the perm more active. It
perris, clear rhe
''t--'^ ^r',-ino rasidueS
neutralises the acidic vaginal recreations and morilicl,
and ma_ximise sperm acidic(abiiiry
pH ofrothe
move)urethra.
Cowper’s gland: gland secretions help to lubricate the head of the penis, clear the urethra of
urine residues and maximise sperm motility.
vas deferens/sperm duct: a muscular tube that transports sperm from the epididymis to the
urethra.
penis: made of erectile tissue that fills with blood making the penis erect.
epididymis: stores sperm as they mature until they are released.
scrotum: skin sac hanging outside the abdominal cavity to protect the testis. The scrotum
regulates temperature and keeps the testes 2’C or 3’C lower than body temperature for sperm
production.
glans: sensitive head of penis.
urethra: a duct that transports semen and urine through the penis to the exterior at different
times.
testis: one of two oval-shaped glands that produce sperm and the hormone, Testosterone. Each
testis is divided into compartments filled with tightly coiled tubules, called seminiferous tubules.
, The scrotum regulates and keeps che testes 2" to 3 oC lo*,er rhan body
seminiferous tubules. Seeremperarure
Figure 4.3. The testes produce sperm and the male se
temperature for sperm
hormone, testos[erone. production.
,i& glans: sensitive
scrotum: skin sachead of the
hanging penisrhe abdominal caviry to prorecr the tesres.
oucside
& urethra:
The a duct
scrotum that transports
regulates temperaturesemen
and keeps Human
urine
and the restes 2. toReproduction
through 3the lor,ver to
"Cpenis thei exterior
rhan
at different for
temperatllre times.
sperm producrion.
1;:Structure ofhead
glans: sensitive theoftestis:
:ll, urethra:
rhe penis
Pathway of sperm from testes to penis
Structure testis
of aaducr rhac rransporrs semen and urine rhrough rhe penis to the exrerj
at different times.
Seminiferous tubules —> epididymus —>
Structure of a testis vas deferens —> ejaculatory duct —>
urethra.
epididymis: sperm cells mature and are
temporariiy stored for 2 to 3 months here
seminiferous
epididymis: spermtubule: sperm
cells mature formed here from
areare
and
puberty stored
temporarily onwards;
for 2the monthsjoin
to 3tubules hereto form the
epididymis
seminiferous tubule: sperm are formed here frc -
pubertv onwards; the tubules join to form the
epididymis
Figure 4.2 Diagram of a longitudinal section through a testis
Structure of the
Figure 4.2 Diagram seminiferous
of a longitudinal tubules
section through
Structure of the seminiferous tubules: a testis
Structure of the seminiferous tubules germinal epithelial cells; divide tc iorr-n
new sperm cells
'0' germinal epithelial cells: divide to form
0
a new sperm cells
4 (o.
o
Semen: formed as sperm
travels to urethra,
accessory glands and
secretions.
<nprn^ ro'
-i
sperm .. -
a cell: immature sperm ce i formed by
o the maturation of the spermatrds
o
:")\ cell of S.-::
a cell of Sertoli: provides the deve opinq
sperm with food
interstitial cells (cells of Leydig): ce ls lvhich
secrete testosterone (male sex hormone)
Figure 4.3
Figure Cross section through seminiferous tubu :s
4.3 Cross section through seminiferous tubules of the testis :..-: :, _
Erection: connective tissue fills with blood.
Structure of the penis:
Structure of the penis Ejaculation: release of semen from the penis.
{
dorsal vein: carries blood away from the penis
dorsal artery: carries blood to the penis
erectile tissue: fi ls with blood causing the penis to become erect
connective tissue capsule: maintains an erection by preventing blood
from leaving the penis, thus sustaining the erect state
erectile tissue: spongy tissue surrounding the urethra. During erection it
prevents the urethra from being pinched closed, so that it stays open for
ejaculation. To do this, this tissue remalns flexible during erection.
lE 4.4 Cross section through a penis a
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