Note! Male reproductive system closely related to urinary system.
| Part | Function |
|---|---|
| 1. Testis (2 ovoid testes) | - Each testis produces sperm - Each testis also produces male sex hormones → like testosterone - Male hormones → responsible for development + maintenance of secondary sexual characteristics in males |
| 2. Scrotum | - Testis lies between thighs - both lie in pouch like sac called scrotum - Scrotum is outside main body cavity → thus it is at slightly lower temperature than body temp. - lower temp → essential for sperm to develop properly. |
| 3. Sperm Duct | - Each sperm duct → loops over a ureter → and then opens into urethra - after sperm released from testis → they travel through sperm duct. |
| 4. Prostate Gland and its Secretions | - Prostate gland → is at base → of urinary bladder → where 2 sperm ducts join the urethra - Prostate gland → secretes a slippery fluid → which mixes with sperm. - fluid → contains nutrients + enzymes → which nourishes sperm + stimulate them to swim actively. - mixture of fluid + sperm = semen |
| 5. Urethra | - Tube which passes from bladder through centre of penis to outside body - Both semen and urine pass out of body through urethra |
| 6. Penis | - Penis is an erectile organ → containing erectile tissue with numerous blood spaces. - when blood spaces filled with blood → penis becomes erect and hard - Penis enters vagina of woman → during sexual intercourse → to deposit semen, containing sperm |
Note
Upper end of each testis → is a spermatic cord → which contains blood vessels Rotation of testis within its sac → may kink off its own blood supply → which will result in irreversible damage to the testis. Leading from the end of testis → is narrow + much coiled tube ⇒ epididymis. Epididymis → temporarily stores inactive form of sperm that is produced by testes → sperm travels from epididymis via sperm duct sperm duct from each side → passes into abdominal cavity + loops over ureter → of that side before opening into urethra
Sperm + urine do not pass thru urethra at same time
- presence of sphincter muscle at base of urinary bladder → prevents urine from coming out of bladder during ejaculation What Makes up the Human Urinary System