FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

P.M.B 1026, OKENE,

KOGI STATE

IN AFFILIATION WITH

UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN

(GROUP 2) ASSIGNMENT

DEPARTMENT: HEALTH EDUCATION

LEVEL: 200L

COURSE CODE: HEE 214

COURSE TITLE: FAMILY LIFE AND SEX EDUCATION

S/N NAME MATRIC NO

1 ABRAHAM JULIANA UI/OK/161009
2 ALIU SAMUEL OLABODE UI/OK/161012
3 ANAZA ISENEIRE AUGUSTINA UI/OK/161013

QUESTION: Discuss the male reproductive organs with diagrams,

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 fully labeled, both external and internal organs.

LECTURER IN CHARGE:

MRS. OGIRIMA L.A

THE MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

The male reproductive anatomy includes internal and external

structures. The male reproductive system includes the scrotum,

testes, spermatic ducts, sex glands, and penis. These organs work

together to produce sperm, the male gamete, and the other

components of semen. These organs also work together to deliver

semen out of the body and into the vagina where it can fertilize egg

cells to produce offspring.

The organs of the male reproductive system are specialized for

the following functions:

 To produce, maintain and transport sperm (the male

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 reproductive cells) and protective fluid (semen)

 To discharge sperm within the female reproductive tract during

sex.

 To produce and secrete male sex hormones responsible for

maintaining the male reproductive system.

Unlike the female reproductive system, most of the male reproductive

system is located outside of the body. These external structures

include the penis, scrotum, and testicles.

The male reproductive anatomy includes internal and external

structures as shown below.

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What are the external male reproductive organs?

Most of the male reproductive system is located outside of the

man’s abdominal cavity or pelvis. The external structures of the male

reproductive system are the penis, the scrotum and the testicles.

Penis — the penis is the male organ for sexual intercourse. It has

three parts: the root, which attaches to the wall of the abdomen; the

body, or shaft; and the glans, which is the cone-shaped end of the

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penis. The glans, which also is called the head of the penis, is covered

with a loose layer of skin called foreskin. (This skin is sometimes

removed in a procedure called circumcision.) The opening of the

urethra, the tube that transports semen and urine, is at the tip of the

glans penis. The penis also contains a number of sensitive nerve

endings.

The body of the penis is cylindrical in shape and consists of three

internal chambers. These chambers are made up of special, sponge-

like erectile tissue. This tissue contains thousands of large spaces that

fill with blood when the man is sexually aroused. As the penis fills

with blood, it becomes rigid and erect, which allows for penetration

during sexual intercourse. The skin of the penis is loose and elastic to

allow for changes in penis size during an erection.

Semen, which contains sperm, is expelled (ejaculated) through the

end of the penis when the man reaches sexual climax (orgasm). When

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the penis is erect, the flow of urine is blocked from the urethra,

allowing only semen to be ejaculated at orgasm.

Scrotum — the scrotum is the loose pouch-like sac of skin that hangs

behind the penis. It contains the testicles (also called testes), as well

as many nerves and blood vessels. The scrotum has a protective

function and acts as a climate control system for the testes. For

normal sperm development, the testes must be at a temperature

slightly cooler than the body temperature. Special muscles in the wall

of the scrotum allow it to contract (tighten) and relax, moving the

testicles closer to the body for warmth and protection or farther away

from the body to cool the temperature.

Testicles (testes) — the testes are oval organs about the size of very

large olives that lie in the scrotum, secured at either end by a

structure called the spermatic cord. Most men have two testes. The

testes are responsible for making testosterone, the primary male sex

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hormone, and for producing sperm. Within the testes are coiled

masses of tubes called seminiferous tubules. These tubules are

responsible for producing the sperm cells through a process called

spermatogenesis.

Epididymis — the epididymis is a long, coiled tube that rests on the

backside of each testicle. It functions in the carrying and storage of

the sperm cells that are produced in the testes. It also is the job of the

epididymis to bring the sperm to maturity, since the sperm that

emerge from the testes are immature and incapable of fertilization.

During sexual arousal, contractions force the sperm into the vas

deferens.

What are the internal male reproductive organs?

The internal organs of the male reproductive system, also called

accessory organs, include the following:

Vas deferens — the vas deferens is a long, muscular tube that travels

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from the epididymis into the pelvic cavity, to just behind the bladder.

The vas deferens transports mature sperm to the urethra in

preparation for ejaculation.

Ejaculatory ducts — these are formed by the fusion of the vas

deferens and the seminal vesicles. The ejaculatory ducts empty into

the urethra.

Urethra — the urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder

to outside of the body. In males, it has the additional function of

expelling (ejaculating) semen when the man reaches orgasm. When

the penis is erect during sex, the flow of urine is blocked from the

urethra, allowing only semen to be ejaculated at orgasm.

Seminal vesicles — the seminal vesicles are sac-like pouches that

attach to the vas deferens near the base of the bladder. The seminal

vesicles produce a sugar-rich fluid (fructose) that provides sperm

with a source of energy and helps with the sperms’ motility (ability to

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move). The fluid of the seminal vesicles makes up most of the volume

of a man’s ejaculatory fluid, or ejaculate.

Prostate gland — the prostate gland is a walnut-sized structure that

is located below the urinary bladder in front of the rectum. The

prostate gland contributes additional fluid to the ejaculate. Prostate

fluids also help to nourish the sperm. The urethra, which carries the

ejaculate to be expelled during orgasm, runs through the center of the

prostate gland.

Bulbourethral glands — the bulbourethral glands, or Cowper’s

glands, are pea-sized structures located on the sides of the urethra

just below the prostate gland. These glands produce a clear, slippery

fluid that empties directly into the urethra. This fluid serves to

lubricate the urethra and to neutralize any acidity that may be

present due to residual drops of urine in the urethra.

How does the male reproductive system function?

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 The entire male reproductive system is dependent on hormones,

which are chemicals that stimulate or regulate the activity of cells or

organs. The primary hormones involved in the functioning of the

male reproductive system are follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH),

luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone.

FSH and LH are produced by the pituitary gland located at the base of

the brain. FSH is necessary for sperm production (spermatogenesis),

and LH stimulates the production of testosterone, which is necessary

to continue the process of spermatogenesis. Testosterone also is

important in the development of male characteristics, including

muscle mass and strength, fat distribution, bone mass and sex drive.

Problems with Male Reproductive System

The male reproductive system consists of organs and

structures which are quite complicated and don’t always

work properly. As a result, problems can result, some more

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serious than others. Some common problems include:

Low sperm count

Sexually transmitted infections/diseases

Cancer of the penis, testes or prostate

Urethral stricture

Epididymo-orchitis

Urinary tract infection

Erectile dysfunction

Prostate gland enlargement

Varicocele

Infertility.

Does a man go through menopause?

Menopause is a term used to describe the end of a woman's

normal menstrual function. Female menopause is marked by changes

in hormone production. The testes, unlike the ovaries, do not lose the

ability to make hormones. If a man is healthy, he may be able to make

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sperm well into his 80s or longer.

On the other hand, subtle changes in the function of the testes

may occur as early as 45 to 50 years of age, and more dramatically

after the age of 70. For many men, hormone production may remain

normal into old age, while others may have declining hormone

production earlier on, sometimes as a result of an illness, such as

diabetes.

Whether decreasing testicular function contributes to such

symptoms as fatigue, weakness, depression or impotence often

remains uncertain.

Can "male menopause" be treated?

If testosterone levels are low, hormone replacement therapy may

help relieve symptoms, such as the loss of interest in sex, depression,

and fatigue. However, replacing male hormones can make prostate

cancer worse, and may make atherosclerosis (hardening of the

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arteries) worse, also.

A man should receive a complete physical examination and

laboratory tests should be performed starting hormone replacement

therapy. How many middle-aged men will benefit from such therapy

remains an open question.

References
Merck Manual: Structure of the Male Reproductive System
([Link]
the-male-reproductive-system/structure-of-the-male-reproductive-
system)
Planned Parenthood: Reproductive & Sexual Anatomy
([Link]
sexual-anatomy)
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to
replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please
consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical
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