Functions of the Male
Reproductive System
•The
system reaches maturity during the
early teens years.
• Hormones (chemicals) released by the
pituitary gland stimulate the testes.
• The testes produce the male sex
hormone called TESTOSTERONE.
• The male sex organs work together to
produce and release semen into the
urethra.
Testosterone

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Initates physical change such as:
Broadening of shoulders
Development of muscles
Facial and body hair growth
Deepening of the voice
Production of sperm
Sperm
The male reproductive cell
Consists of 3 parts
1. Head
2. Middle Section
3. Tail

The Head
- Release enzymes which digest
the outer membrane of the
egg, allowing penetration of
the sperm.
- Contain the X' or 'Y'
chromosome.
The Middle Section
 This
part, immediately behind
the head, contains numerous
mitochondria. These use
sugars in the semen to
generate ATP in order to
provide the energy for
movement of the tail.
The Tail
This contains microfilaments
running the length of the tail.
 Rhythmic contraction of the
filaments causes the tail to wave
and move against the fluid
environment, providing forward
motion.

External Male Reproductive
Organs
Testicles – two small glands that
produce sperm
- Can produce about 100 million
sperm a day
2. Penis – a tube shaped organ which
holds the opening of the urethra,
the tube that transports semen and
urine
1.
The Penis
The penis is actually made up of two
parts: the shaft and the glans.
 The shaft is the main part of the penis
and the glans is the tip.
 At the end of the glans is where semen
and urine exit the body through the
urethra. The inside of the penis is
made of a spongy tissue that can
expand and contract.

External Organs
Scrotum – A pouch of skin which
holds the epididymis and the
testicles.
 This bag of skin helps to regulate
the temperature of testicles,
which need to be kept cooler than
body temperature to produce
sperm.

Internal Organs
Epididymis – is a set of coiled
tubes (one for each testicle) that
connects to the vas deferens.
 Vas Deferens - is a muscular tube
that passes upward alongside the
testicles and transports the spermcontaining fluid called semen.
* Together they are called the duct
system

Internal Organs



The seminal vesicles - are sac-like
structures attached to the vas deferens to
the side of the bladder which produce
fluid to lubricate the duct system
The prostate gland - produces some of
the parts of semen & surrounds the
ejaculatory ducts at the base of the
urethra
Cowper’s Gland- same as prostate
Things That Can Go Wrong With the Male
Reproductive System



Testicular injury - Most testicular injuries
occur when the testicles are struck, hit,
kicked, or crushed, usually during sports or
due to other trauma.
Testicular cancer. This is one of the most
common cancers in men younger than 40.
Testicular cancer can spread to other parts of
the body
All guys should perform self-examinations to
help with early detection.
Testicular Cancer
Hernia


When a portion of the intestines pushes
through an abnormal opening or
weakening of the abdominal wall and
into the groin or scrotum, it is known as
an inguinal hernia
The hernia may look like a bulge or
swelling in the groin area. It can be
corrected with surgery.
STD’s & STI’s-They are spread from one
person to another mainly through sexual
intercourse.
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HIV/AIDS
genital warts
Syphilis
chlamydia
gonorrhea
hepatitis B