ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF

THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

Andrology
The Study of the male reproductive organs
MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
 Male External Structures
1. PENIS
Male organ of copulation and urination
Cylindrical in shape
Blood flow: controlled by autonomic nervous system(PNS and
SNS)
Parasympathetic nervous system:
▪ Vasodilation of the blood vessel of the penis
▪ Penile erection
Sympathetic nervous system

▪ Vasoconstriction of the penile artery

Blood supply: Penile artery

Root

Body/Shaft

Prepuce/Foreskin
Glans penis

Urinary meatus
1. Root
The attached or proximal portion of the
penis
It consists of:
1) Bulb: the expanded portion of the
base of the corpus spongiosum penis
2) Crus: resembling a leg, the two
separated and tapered portions of the
corpus cavernosa penis
2. Body/Shaft
Composed of three cylindrical, longitudinal
erectile tissues (each surrounded by fibrous
tissue called tunica albuginea)
▪ 2 Corpus cavernosa: corpora- main
bodies; cavernosa-hallow
▪ 1 Corpus spongiosum: smaller midventral
mass, contains the spongy urethra and
functions in keeping the spongy urethra
open during ejaculation.
3. Glans Penis
Cone-shaped, located at the distal end of the corpus spongiosum
Highly sensitive to sexual stimulation
The margin of the glans penis is called corona
Homologous: Clitoris
4. Prepuce/Foreskin
It is a fold of retractable skin covering the glans and which is removed
during circumcision
5. Urethral Meatus
It is the slit like opening located at the tip of the penis which serves as
passageway of both semen and urine.
2. SCROTUM
A saclike structure or a pouch containing the testes that hangs behind the penis
It is covered by spare hair after puberty, wrinkled or rugated and has a darker
coloration than the rest of the body
It is supplied abundantly by sweat and sebaceous glands
Functions: it support the testes and helps regulate the temperature of sperm
through contraction or relaxation of the cremaster muscle.
Cremaster muscle elevates the testes when exposed to cold temperature and
moves it away from the body when exposed to hot temperature.
 Male Internal Structures
1. TESTES
2 oval shaped glandular organs lying within the abdominal cavity in early fetal life and
descend in the scrotum late in pregnancy (34th-38th week gestation)
It is important for the testes to descend in the scrotum because the temperature in the
abdominal cavity is too warm and spermatogenesis cannot take place at body temperature.
The temperature inside the scrotum is cooler being 1ºC (2-3ºF) lower than the body
temperature
Each testis (sing.) is about 4-5 cm long.
Left testis is slightly lower than the other and is suspended slightly lower than the other.
The testis is covered by a sac of serous membrane, the tunica vaginalis. The sac
allows the testes free movement within the scrotum to avoid injury
Tunica albuginea is a fibrous covering which divides the testis into 200-300
lobules
Each lobule contains seminiferous tubules in which sperm cells develop and
interstitial cells or Leydig’s cells, a connective tissue that surround the
seminiferous tubules which is responsible for the production of male hormone
testosterone.
The tunica vasculosa is an inner layer of connective tissue containing the blood
vessels
 Functions of the testes
1. Hormone testosterone production
The testes produce testosterone which stimulates spermatogenesis and is
responsible for the development of secondary male characteristics
Beginning puberty, the hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin releasing
hormone (GnRH) which stimulates the anterior pituitary gland to
release luteinizing hormone (LH) which stimulates the Leydig’s cells to
release testosterone and other androgens
 Hypothalamus

GnRH

Anterior Pituitary

LH

Testes (Leydig’s cells)

Testosterone
2. Spermatogenesis
Production and maturation of sperm cell begins at puberty and continue
until old age.
Beginning puberty, the hypothalamus secretes GnRH which stimulates
the anterior pituitary gland to release FSH which in turn stimulates the
testes (seminiferous tubules) to produce sperm cells
 Hypothalamus

GnRH

Anterior Pituitary

FSH

Testes (Seminiferous tubules)

Spermatogenesis
 Parts of the testis
1. Seminiferous tubules
Long coiled tubes where spermatogenesis takes place
These tubes lead to the tightly coiled epididymis where the sperm cells
continue their travel and maturation
2. Leydig’s cells or interstitial cells
Produce testosterone
Located around the seminiferous tubules
3. Sertoli cells
Also known as supporting cells which plays a role in sperm transport
2. EPIDIDYMIS
A tubular sac , a comma shaped organ about 4 cm (1.5 inch) long that lies
along the posterior border of each testis
It is responsible for conducting sperm from the testis to the vas deference
A long coiled tube approximately 20 feet long (stretch out) and at which the
sperm travels for 12 to 20 days after it leaves the testis.
It takes about 64 days for the sperm to become mature and it is the reason that
therapy for aspermia (absence of sperm) and oligospermia (> 20 million per ml)
becomes effective only after two months
3. VAS DEFERENS
An additional hollow tube surrounded by arteries and veins and protected by a thick
fibrous coating
It carries sperm from the epididymis through the inguinal canal into the abdominal
cavity, where it ends at the seminal vesicles and the ejaculatory ducts.
The sperm mature as they pass through the vas deferens
At the end of the vas deferens, just before it joins the seminal vesicles, there is a
dilated portion (ampulla) which functions as a storage area of the sperm cells before
ejaculation
The presence of acidic secretions in this portion causes the sperm not to be very motile.
It is the part of the duct system cut during vasectomy
4. EJACULATORY DUCT
The two ejaculatory ducts pass through the prostate gland and join the
seminal vesicles with the urethra.
About 2 cm (1 inch) long and is formed by the union of the duct from the
seminal vesicle and the ampulla of the vas deferens.
Arise just superior to the base of the prostate and pass inferiorly and
interiorly through the prostate, terminate n the prostatic urethra.
The ejaculatory duct is the passageway of the semen.
5. URETHRA
A hollow tube leading from the base of the bladder, which after passing
through the prostate gland, continues to the outside through the shaft and
glans of the penis.
The shared terminal duct of the reproductive and urinary systems
(passageway for both sperm/semen and urine.
It is approximately 18 to 20 cm (8 inch) long and it is lined with mucous
membrane.
 Parts of the urethra
1. Prostatic urethra.
2 to 3 cm (1 inc) long & passes through the prostate, where the ejaculatory
ducts join to the membranous urethra
2. Membranous urethra
about 1 cm (0.5 inch) long extends from the prostatic urethra through the
urogenital diaphragm (the floor of the pelvic cavity)where it forms the urethral
sphincter.
3. Cavernous/Spongy/Penile urethra
about 15 to 20 cm (6-8 inch) long, make up of spongy erectile tissue and
extends through the penis
 Accessory Glands:
1. SEMINAL VESICLES
two convoluted pouch like structure, about 5 cm in length, lying posterior to the base of the urinary bladder
and anterior to the rectum
These glands secrete a viscous portion of semen, which has a high content of sugar (fructose), fibrinogens,
prostaglandins and clotting proteins that are different from those in the blood.
▪ Fructose – provides energy to the sperm, increases the motility and fertilizing ability
▪ Fibrinogens – a plasma protein, adds to the viscosity of the seminal fluid
▪ Prostaglandin – assist the movements of the sperm to female fallopian tubes by stimulating uterine
contractions
▪ Clotting proteins – helps semen coagulate after ejaculation.
Sperm becomes increasingly motile with this added fluid because it surrounds them with nutrients and a
favorable pH.
2. PROSTATE GLAND
A single, chestnut-sized gland located beneath the bladder, surrounds the base of the urethra.
Measures 4 cm (1.6 inch) from side to side, about 3 cm (1.2 inch) from top to bottom and
about 2 cm from front to back.
It secretes a milky, slightly acidic fluid (pH 6.5) that contains several important substances
▪ Citric acid – used by sperm for ATP production
▪ Proteolytic enzymes – break down the clotting proteins from the seminal vesicles
▪ Acid Phosphatase – unknown function
From birth to puberty it grows slowly then expands rapidly by age 30, typically remains stable
until about age 45, then further enlargement may occur.
Can be palpated during rectal examination