Male Reproductive System What the Male Reproductive System

Male Reproductive System

What the Male Reproductive System Does § Main function is to produce sperm and deliver it to the female reproductive system

How the Male Reproductive System Works

Male Puberty § Starts at around age 12 -13 § Hormonal changes stimulate an increase in growth rate, alterations in behavior, enlargement of the genitals, and the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics such as facial hair. § Because boys begin their final growth spurt later than girls, they have a longer period of steady growth and usually attain a greater adult height.

Male Puberty § Changes that occur: § § § § Growth spurt occurs Acne may appear Larynx enlarges, voice deepens Facial hair appears Shoulders broaden Underarm hair appears Perspiration increases § Some breast enlargement may occur § Muscles develop § Pubic hair appears § External genitals enlarge § Sperm production begins § First ejaculation occurs § Long bone growth stops

Sperm § Sex cells that are produced in the testes and are used to fertilize the egg § Sperm swim at the rate of 1 -4 mm per minute or 60 -240 mm per hour § 50, 000 sperm are produced each MINUTE in mature men

Testicles (testes) § Male reproductive organ that makes sperm and testerone § Male begin producing 100+ million sperm a day once they reach puberty

Scrotum § The skin covered sac that the testes rest in § Muscles of the scrotum help with temperature control § Sperm develop best several degrees below 98. 6

Penis § The external male reproductive organ that is made up of spongy tissue that has blood flow going through it § The penis removes urine from the bladder and also delivers sperm to the female reproductive system § The glans is the sensitive nerve ending near the tip of the penis

Erection § When the penis becomes hard and firm § The blood vessels in the penis fill with blood § The penis must be erect in order for ejaculation to occur

Ejaculation § When sperm are released from the penis § One ejaculation contains 40 -300 million sperm § It is normal for a male to ejaculate during sleep, this is called nocturnal emissions or “wet dreams”

Epididymis § A tightly coiled tube where sperm mature as they pass through § The epididymis can be up to 700 feet long

Vas Deferens § The next portion of a hollow tube that sperm pass through § The vas deferens can be up to 12 inches long

Vasectomy § The severing and tying off of the vas deferens § Once the vas deferens is severed, sperm will not be able to be ejaculated out of the penis

Seminal Vesicles § Found near the base of the urinary bladder § Produce thick secretions that nourish the sperm and help sperm move easier

Prostate Gland § § § Encircles the urethra near the bladder About the size of a walnut Secretes a thin, milky fluid that protects the sperm from acid in the female reproductive system

Prostate Exam § An examination that is performed to identify any irregularities in the prostate § Exams help in early detection of prostate cancer § Prostate cancer occurs primarily in older males and is the 2 nd most common cancer in males in the U. S § For every 3 men diagnosed with cancer this year 1 will have prostate cancer.

Testicular Exam § A self exam that men should perform once per month once they have reached puberty to detect any lumps, swelling, pain, or discomfort in the scrotum or abdomen

Path of Sperm § Testes § Epydidimis § Vas deferens § Prostate Gland § Seminal Vesicle § Sphincter Valve § Urethra § Ejaculated out of Body