What are the parts and functions of the male reproductive system?
Do you know your testicles from your scrotum? Or your urethra from your vas deferens? The male reproductive system is a complex collection of organs, glands, tissues, and body structures that collectively maintain bodily functions of development, sexuality, and fertility. As a man it’s your job to know the parts and functions of your reproductive system. Consider it a sign of respect for all the incredible things the male body is capable of. Now, enough of the informational foreplay, let’s get into the good stuff.
What are the parts of the male reproductive system?
Consisting of both external and internal body parts, the male reproductive system includes the penis, urethra, scrotum, seminal vesicle, testes, vas deferens, epididymis, prostate gland, bulbourethral glands, and ejaculatory duct.
What are the external parts of the male reproductive system?
The external part of the male reproductive system are the penis, urethra, and scrotum
penis
The penis is the male organ for sexual intercourse and urination. It’s comprised of three parts: the root, body or shaft, and glans. The root is the part that attaches to the wall of the abdomen, the body is the cylinder-shaped chamber filled with spongey tissues that fill with blood to cause an erection when aroused, and the glans is the cone-shaped head of the penis covered with a loose piece of skin called foreskin. Sometimes, the foreskin is removed from the head of the penis during a medical procedure of circumcision.
Urethra
The urethra is a tube that extends from the bladder to the tip of the penis. The function of the urethra is to provide a passageway for urine and sperm to exit the body.
SCROTUM
Located beneath the base of the penis, the scrotum is a hanging pouch of skin that contains the testes, blood vessels, and nerves. Casually referred to as the ball-sack, the scrotum regulates the temperature of the testes to remain lower than core body temperature, which is vital for healthy sperm development.
What are the internal parts of the male reproductive system?
The internal parts of the male reproductive system are the testes, vas deferens, epididymis, prostate gland, seminal vesicle, ejaculatory duct, and bulbourethral glands.
testes
Testes, or testicles, are the two ball-shaped glands protected inside your scrotum. Hence, why they’re called your balls. The function of your testes is to produce sperm and hormones, like testosterone.
vas deferens
The vas deferens is a long, thick-walled tube connected to each epididymis (two in total). Vas deferens transport sperm from the epididymis to the prostate and urethra.
epididymis
A coiled tube located at the back of the testes, epididymis is the body part where immature sperm mature before entering the vas deferens during arousal.
PROSTATE GLAND
Sitting in the middle of the pelvic area, below the urinary bladder and in front of the rectum, the prostate is a walnut-sized gland that produces fluid to support and nurture sperm.
SEMINAL VESICLE
The seminal vesicles are two glands about 5 cm in length that sit above the prostate gland. The function of the seminal vesicles is to produce seminal fluid for release into the ejaculatory ducts.
Ejaculatory duct
Formed where the seminal vesicles and vas deferens meet, ejaculatory ducts empty into the urethra.
Bulbourethral glands
Bulbourethral glands, also known as Cowper’s glands, are pea-sized structures located on both sides of the urethra. These glands make pre-ejaculate fluid that lubricates the urethra.
This blog is designed to be informative and educational. It is not intended to provide specific medical advice or replace advice from your medical practitioner.