Overview
This lecture covers the male reproductive (urogenital) system, its main organs, pathways for sperm, and the accessory glands that support sperm delivery.
Male Urogenital System
- The male reproductive and urinary systems are connected; this is called the urogenital system.
- In females, the reproductive and urinary systems are completely separate.
Primary Male Reproductive Organ
- The testes are the primary male reproductive organs, responsible for producing gametes (sperm).
- All other structures are considered accessory organs that help transport or nourish sperm.
Sperm Pathway
- Sperm are produced in the testes and first enter the epididymis (head, body, tail).
- Sperm mature in the epididymis over approximately 21 days and are stored in the tail for up to several months.
- Upon ejaculation, sperm are transported from the tail of the epididymis via the vas deferens (ductus deferens).
- The vas deferens travels over the pubic symphysis and expands into the ampulla.
- The ampulla joins with the seminal vesicle duct to form the ejaculatory duct.
- The ejaculatory duct passes through the prostate gland and merges with the prostatic urethra.
- From the prostatic urethra, sperm travel through the membranous urethra (passes the urogenital diaphragm).
- Sperm then enter the spongy urethra (inside the corpus spongiosum) and exit the body at the external urethral orifice.
Accessory Glands
- Seminal vesicles, prostate gland, and bulbourethral glands add fluids to semen along the sperm pathway.
- These fluids nourish and support the sperm during ejaculation.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Testes — Primary male reproductive organs that produce sperm (gametes).
- Epididymis — A tube with head, body, and tail parts where sperm mature and are stored.
- Vas deferens (ductus deferens) — Duct that carries sperm from epididymis to ejaculatory duct.
- Ampulla — Enlargement of the vas deferens before it joins the seminal vesicle.
- Ejaculatory duct — Duct formed by union of vas deferens and seminal vesicle duct.
- Prostatic urethra — Part of urethra passing through the prostate gland.
- Membranous urethra — Short urethra section passing through the urogenital diaphragm.
- Spongy urethra — Urethra segment within the corpus spongiosum of the penis.
- Seminal vesicle, prostate gland, bulbourethral gland — Accessory glands adding fluids to semen.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review structure and function of the testes in more detail in the next lesson.