Male Reproductive System

Male reproductive system organs are mostly present outside the body. Its main purpose is the production, storage, and ejection of sperms for fertilization. Testosterone is the primary sex hormone. Testosterone is responsible for the development of secondary sexual characters in males. This hormone activates after the onset of puberty. However, the onset of puberty in males occurs at the age of around 10 to 16 years, which is 2 to 3 years later than females. Moreover, the male reproductive organs are present near the pelvis region. Though most of the organs are present outside the body, few organs are internal too.

Primary Male Reproductive System Organs

Penis

The penis is the male copulatory organ. In other words, the penis is the organ that transfers the sperm to the females. It possesses many sensitive nerve endings. Moreover, the penis comprises three distinct regions. These three regions are the root, the body, and the glans.

The part which gets it attached to the abdomen is the root. The body of the penis is in the shape of a tube. Moreover, it comprises three chambers. In addition, these chambers consist of erectile tissues.

These tissues are spongy and have spaces in between. These spaces get filled up with blood in case of sexual arousal. As a result, the penis becomes hard and erect. This process is known as erection. The elastic muscles of the penis help it in the penetration of the vagina.

The glans are the conical head of the penis. Foreskin covers the glans. However, in some traditions, this foreskin is removed. Moreover, the process of removal of the foreskin is circumcision.

Scrotum

The scrotum is the pouches hanging near the penis. This contains the testes. Testes require a temperature below the normal temperature. Scrotum-sacs provide an optimum temperature for the testes and protect them.

It consists of many nerves and blood vessels. It has a wrinkled appearance. Also, it is connected to the human body by the means of the inguinal canal. Moreover, it has sebaceous glands and pubic hairs.

Testes

There is a pair of testes in the male reproductive system, each present inside the scrotum. Its size is about a large olive. Moreover, the productions of sperms and releasing of the primary male sex hormone, testosterone is the function of testes. In addition, the shape of the testes is oval. The coiled seminiferous tubules make the testes.

Epididymis

It is a whitish long coiled tube present on the posterior surface of the testes. In addition, it is the site of the storage and maturation of sperms. They are linked to the ejaculatory duct by the vas deferens.

Accessory Male Reproductive System Organs

The accessory organs of the male reproductive system play a very important role in the fertilization of the zygote. These organs are-

Vas deferens

It is a thin, long, and muscular tube. Its main function is the transportation of mature sperms to the urethra. Consequently, the preparation of ejaculation occurs in the urethra. The vas deferens is about 30 cm in length.

Seminal Vesicles

They are the small tubular glands located in the pelvis region. Moreover, they are approximately 2 inches. They produce sugary substances giving the sperm energy. Further, they also help the sperms in the movement. The seminal vesicles release fluids which combine with the sperms forming a part of the semen.

Ejaculatory Ducts

The fusion of seminal vesicles and vas deferens forms these ducts. They are approximately 2 cm in length. The ejaculatory duct empties its content in the urethra.

Urethra

However, with the carrying of urine from the bladder, the urethra does have another function. During orgasm, the urethra is responsible for the ejaculation of semen. Moreover, during orgasm, the urine gets blocked allowing only the semen for ejaculation.

Prostate Gland

This walnut-size gland is present just beneath the urinary bladder. The prostate gland produces fluids that are responsible for the nourishment of sperms.

Bulbourethral Glands

They are present in pairs near the base of the penis. Moreover, another common name of these pea-sized glands is Cowper’s glands. They provide lubrication to the urethra through the mucus. It also removes any acidity of leftover urine.

Semen

Semen is the whitish discharge from the penis which ejaculates during intercourse or erection. However, it can also refer as seminal fluid. It consists of sperms and secretion of seminal vesicles and prostate glands. Further, these secretions provide it mobility and viability.

Every ejaculation, in human beings, contains approximately 200 to 300 million sperm cells. The whitish or whitish-grey colour is the healthy colour for semen.

Disorders of Male Reproductive System

Prostate Cancer

It is the second-highest cause of mortality among men in Canada. It is quite common in the USA and Canada. Prostate cancer occurs when the cells of the gland become a tumour. Moreover, this tumour can cause defects in other nearby reproductive organs as well.

In the early stages, it does not show any symptoms. The symptoms may include, frequent urination, blood in urine, erection difficulty. Genetic, obesity, high blood pressure may cause a high risk.

The diagnosis of prostate cancer is only through biopsy. The treatments may include surgical removal of the prostate gland. In addition, it may include chemotherapies too.

Erectile Dysfunction

It is the inability of a person to achieve an erection. However, it is quite common among males. The cause of this may be any disruption in the normal flow of blood in the penis during orgasm. Moreover, the cause can be any physical injury or any psychological trauma.

Smoking, side effects of drugs, anxiety, obesity, etc may be risk factors for the disorder. By clear understanding of the cause of the disease, the doctor can provide good treatment. They give the drugs which increase the blood flow to the penis causing an erection. In addition, Brazilian spiders may provide a treatment for this disease. This spider is the most venomous in the world.

Epididymitis

It is the inflammation of the epididymis. Symptoms include swelling or pain in the scrotal sac. The most common stage for this disease is in between 18 to 35 years. This may be due to bacterial infection during sexual activities. Moreover, there are two types of epididymitis, firstly acute, and secondly chronic. This may be treated by antibiotics. Further, the treatment for chronic epididymitis may be for longer than acute ones.

FAQs on Male Reproductive System

Question 1- What are the functions of the male reproductive system?

Answer 1- The main function of the system is-

• The production, storage, and development of sperms.
• Ejaculation of sperms during intercourse in the female tract. The ejaculatory organ is the penis.
• The secretion of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone. This hormone is responsible for the development of sexual characters in males.

Question 2- What do you mean by prostate cancer in males?

Answer 2– Prostate cancer occurs when the cells of the gland become a tumour. Moreover, this tumour can cause defects in other nearby reproductive organs as well. Moreover, in the early stages, it does not show any symptoms.

The symptoms may include, frequent urination, blood in urine, erection difficulty. Genetic, obesity, high blood pressure may cause a high risk. The diagnosis of prostate cancer is only through biopsy. Also, the treatments may include surgical removal of the prostate gland. In addition, it may include chemotherapies too.

Question 3- What are the three main parts of the male reproductive system?

Answer 3- The three main parts are the penis (copulatory organ), testicles, and scrotum.

The penis is the organ that transfers the sperm to the females. The productions of sperms and releasing of the primary male sex hormone, testosterone is the function of testes. The shape of the testes is oval. In addition, the scrotum is the pouches hanging near the penis containing testes. Scrotum-sacs provide an optimum temperature for the testes and protect them.