Everything you needed to know about the male reproductive system.
In humans we find two sexes, male and female, with marked differences at the biological level, especially in relation to reproductive work.
In this article we will review the male reproductive system, its anatomy and its functions.
Parts and functions of the male reproductive system
The sexual organs of men must carry out the task of insemination. This process takes place when their male gametes, sperm, come into contact with a woman’s eggs, which are located within the female reproductive system.
To carry out this function, men have different specialized anatomical structures, whose structure and function we list below:
1. The penis
The penis is one of themost obvious and visible structures of the male reproductive system. It is a cylindrical organ crossed longitudinally by the urethra, the tube that transports both urine and semen depending on the situation.
With sexual stimulation, the so-called corpora cavernosa of the penis (two structures of spongy material placed symmetrically longitudinally) fill with blood, giving the penis enough turgor to carry out penetration and intercourse.
At the distal end of the penis we findthe glans, a very sensitive conical structuredue to its high density of nerves, which has mainly sexual functions.
- We also recommend:”Human cerebellum: anatomy, parts and functions”
2. The scrotum
Another of the most visible structures of the male reproductive system is the scrotum, which is located just below the penis. The scrotum is shaped like a small sac , and is made up of several layers of skin, muscle, and connective tissue, which protect the testicles inside.
Spermatogenesis (the process of generating new sperm) requires proper temperature control. The scrotum can contract or relax to move the testicles away or closer to the rest of the body, thus achieving a certain degree of thermoregulation that allows spermatogenesis.
3. The testicles
The gonads in men, that is, the organs that produce gametes, are the testes . In women, the gonads correspond to the ovaries. The testicles are a pair of delicate organs that require the protection and thermal regulation of the scrotum to carry out their functions correctly.
The testicles are usually found within the scrotal sac, but early in life and under certain conditions, they can also be found in the abdomen, near the groin. They are responsible for spermatogenesis, but they also carry out hormonal control functions , synthesizing androgenic hormones such as testosterone, which, among other things, are responsible for developing secondary sexual characteristics at puberty.
4. Epididymis
The epididymis is a narrow and elongated tube, which is located in the proximal part of each testicle, joining it with the vas deferens. Under normal conditions it occupies a space of 5cm in length, since it is very folded. If stretched out, its length would be about five meters .
Within the epididymis, the spermatozoa finish their maturation process and are stored until the moment of ejaculation, when they are expelled towards the vas deferens and the urethra through involuntary contractions of the smooth muscle that covers these fine tubes.
- You could read: “The 15 most important breathing muscles”
5. Vas Deferens
Also known as the vas deferens , the vas deferens are tubular structures that connect the epididymis with the rest of the structures related to ejaculation. They transport mature sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.
On the way from the epididymis to the urethra, the sperm join the rest of the components of semen that are secreted by the accessory sex glands.
Vasectomy , a surgery performed for reasons of control of male reproduction, is performed by cutting the vas deferens to prevent the passage of sperm.
6. Seminal vesicles
The seminal vesicles are sexual glands found in the inguinal area , which participate in the production of semen. These join near the prostate to the vas deferens to form the ejaculatory ducts, which send seminal material through the urethra.
The fluid excreted by the seminal vesicles corresponds to approximately 80% of the volume of semen . It is a liquid with a basic pH, necessary to neutralize the acidity that urine causes in the urethra and to protect sperm from the acidic pH of the vagina.
This fluid is also rich in proteins, enzymes, sugars, vitamins and hormones, which allow the sperm to carry out their function of inseminating, among other things, giving them a sufficient energy source so that they can move at high speed.
7. Prostate
The prostate is an important part of the male reproductive system, which also participates in the formation of semen, combining prostatic fluid with secretions from the seminal vesicles and sperm.
The prostatic fluid also has a basic character , containing sugars and enzymes that will support the sperm that will be ejaculated. Prostatic fluid also contains zinc in amounts much higher than the blood concentration of this element.
The prostate also contains a large number of nerve endings, so its stimulation is also pleasant and can cause ejaculation. Through it passes the urethra , which will then traverse the penis longitudinally to its termination at the meatus.
8. Bulbourethral gland
The bulbourethral glands are the ones that secrete the fluid prior to ejaculation , which also has a basic character, whose main function is to lubricate and prepare the urethra for the passage and expulsion of semen.
These glands are located at the base of the penis, where they connect to the urethra. The preseminal fluid they secrete does not contain sperm, since their secretion occurs prior to the passage of semen (which does contain them).
9. Urethra
The male urethra is longer than the female one, since it has to connect the bladder with the penis through the prostate. In men, this is the conduit that, in addition to transporting urine, transports semen in ejaculation. During an erection, the passage of urine is blocked to prevent semen contamination.
Interestingly, the portion of the urethra that passes through the penis (also called the spongy urethra) has astructure that encourages the spiral flow of urine, which serves to clean the meatus, the hole through which fluids are expelled from the urethra.
The lack of a similar structure in female physiology, coupled with the proximity of her urethra to the anus, explains the higher incidence of urinary tract infections experienced by women.
References
- Bannister LH, Dyson M. Reproductive system. In: Williams PL, ed. Gray’s Anatomy. London: Churchill Livingstone; 1995:1857. OCLC 45217979.
- Heide Schatten; Gheorghe M. Constantinescu (21 March 2008). Comparative Reproductive Biology. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-470-39025-2.
- Jung, Junyang; Anh, Hyo Kwang; Huh, Youngbuhm (September 2012). “Clinical and Functional Anatomy of the Urethral Sphincter”. International Neurourology Journal. 16 (3): 102–106. doi:10.5213/inj.2012.16.3.102. PMC 3469827. PMID 23094214.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.