16th February 2024

Male reproductive system

The male internal genital organs consist of vas deferens, ejaculatory ducts, seminal vesicles, prostate and urethra. The external parts of the male reproductive system include the penis, the scrotum and the testicles.

The testes are mobile ovoid organs (measuring about 12.5-19ml in volume) in the scrotum. Each test is covered by a thick fibrous layer known as tunica albuginea, which is covered by a thin visceral layer of tunica vaginalis. The testes produce male sex hormones and sperm. Seminiferous tubules produce the sperms within the testes. 

Epididymis is a long-convoluted tube closely related to the testes. It has three parts:  Head, body and tail. The head is the superior part which stores the sperm. The body connects the head to the tail. The tail of the epididymis then continues as vas deferens.

The vas deferens arise from the tail of the epididymis, travel within the spermatic cord, and cross the ureter and bladder. Each vas deferens converges with the duct from the seminal vesicle, forming ejaculatory ducts, which go through the prostate and empties into the prostatic urethra.

The prostate is located inferior to the neck of the urinary bladder. There are five lobes: prostate-anterior, median, right lateral, left lateral and posterior lobes. The prostatic urethra passes through the prostate and becomes the spongy urethra.

The penis is the male organ for sexual intercourse. It has three parts: The root, the shaft and the glans. The urethral opening is at the tip of the glans. The penis contains three erectile structures: corpora cavernosa (right and left) and corpus spongiosum. During an erection, these erectile structures become engorged with blood. The corpus spongiosum expands distally to become glans penis. The penis houses the spongy urethra.

The scrotum is the loose pouch-like sac of skin which houses the testes. It helps with the temperature regulation of the testes.